Mundiwindi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MundiwindiWestern Australia |
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 Mundiwindi
Location in Western Australia
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| Population | 0 (Ghost town) | ||||||||
| Established | 1914 | ||||||||
| Time zone | AWST (UTC+8) | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Meekatharra | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Pilbara | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Durack | ||||||||
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Mundiwindi is a place in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. It is known as a ghost town. This means it was once a small settlement, but now almost no one lives there. It is located about 1,150 kilometers (715 miles) north-east of Perth. It is also about 124 kilometers (77 miles) south-east of Newman.
History of Mundiwindi
Mundiwindi was started in 1914. It was built as a special station for sending messages. This was called a telegraph station. Imagine sending texts, but using wires across the country! The station helped connect different parts of Australia. It was a link on the Australian Overland Telegraph Line. This line helped send messages all the way to a special underwater cable in Broome. This cable then sent messages around the world.
A weather station also worked here. It collected weather information from 1915 to 1981. The telegraph station closed down in 1977.
Life at the Station
The town was home to people who worked for the Postmaster-General's Department. These workers were in charge of keeping the telegraph station running. Their families also lived there. Mundiwindi was never a very big town.
The buildings at the site were few. They included the Post Office and an engine room. There was also a building for telephone equipment. A pump house provided good quality water from a bore. There was also a line depot for maintaining the telegraph lines.
In 1964, only a few families lived in Mundiwindi. These included the Guthrie family, who had children. Also living there were Fred Atkins and his wife, who was the Postmistress. Lineman Bill Wright and his wife and young daughter also lived there.
Natural Events
In 1973, a big storm hit the town. It was called Tropical Cyclone Kerry. The cyclone caused some damage to the buildings in Mundiwindi.
Mundiwindi Today
Today, the site of Mundiwindi is empty. The old buildings are now in ruins. It remains a quiet reminder of its past as a vital communication link.
