Nannup, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids NannupWestern Australia |
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Panorama of main street in June 2007
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 Nannup
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1889 | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6275 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 130 m (427 ft) | ||||||||
| Area | [convert: needs a number] | ||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Nannup | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Warren-Blackwood | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Forrest | ||||||||
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Nannup is a town in the South West part of Western Australia. It is about 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Perth. The town is located on the Blackwood River, where the Vasse Highway and Brockman Highway meet. These roads connect Nannup to many other towns in the region. In 2011, about 587 people lived in Nannup. It is also the main town for the Shire of Nannup local government area.
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History of Nannup
Nannup's name comes from the Noongar language. It means either "stopping place" or "place of parrots." Surveyors first wrote down this name in the 1860s. Before that, the area was sometimes called "Lower Blackwood." The first European to explore this area was Thomas Turner in 1834.
Early Development
In 1866, a bridge was built over the Blackwood River. A police station was also set up around this time. The town area was officially chosen in 1885. It was surveyed in 1889 and officially named a town on January 9, 1890. In 1906, a primary school and the local government office were built.
In 1909, a railway line was extended to Nannup from Jarrahwood. This connected Nannup to the main railway between Bunbury and Busselton. This railway line is no longer used today.
Challenges from Nature
Nannup has faced challenges from natural events over the years.
- Bushfires: In 1928, settlers had to fight hard against large bushfires to save their homes. More fires happened in 1935, burning over 100 hectares (247 acres) and destroying a house and a barn. In 1937, fires burned for several days, destroying buildings at the local race course and telephone lines. In 1950, large fires burned near the town, destroying almost 30,000 acres (12,140 hectares) of forest.
- Floods: The town was flooded in 1945 when the Blackwood River rose very high. Three families lost their homes, and others had to leave. The river rose 3.5 feet (1.1 meters) over the Russell Street bridge, and the town lost electricity. The river flooded again in 1946 and 1947, closing roads. In 1949, Nannup received a lot of rain in just seven hours. This caused flooding and swept away a bridge connecting the town to Busselton. In 1982, heavy rains from a tropical cyclone caused the Blackwood River to rise 11.6 meters (38 feet). This flooded over 50 houses in the town and surrounding areas.
Historical Buildings and Filming
Many old photographs of Nannup are kept by the Nannup Historical Society. Parts of the movie Drift were filmed in Nannup in 2011. One of the oldest buildings in Nannup is a stone cottage built in 1862–63. It is still standing on a farm on Gold Gully Road. The building is being restored by its current owner.
Marinko Tomas Memorial
Marinko Tomas (1945–1966) was a farmer from Nannup. He was the first person from Western Australia to be killed in the Vietnam War while serving as a national serviceman. A memorial with a statue and a plaque was put up in March 1988 in Nannup's Bicentennial Park. Lance Corporal Tomas died on July 8, 1966, at 21 years old. He was hit by pieces of metal from "friendly artillery forces."
Nannup Today
Nannup is the only town within the Shire of Nannup. It has many facilities for its residents and visitors.
- A district high school, built in 1961.
- A community resource centre.
- Shire offices and a police station.
- A roadhouse and shopping facilities.
- Places for travelers to stay, like a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, and a caravan park.
- Three cafes and a hardware store.
- A sporting complex, community centre, golf club, and golf course.
- A nursery and a gemstone museum.
The main street of Nannup has not changed much over the years. This gives it a special historical feeling. The town has about 600 people, and the whole Shire of Nannup has about 1200 people.
Economy of Nannup
The main industries in Nannup are timber milling (cutting wood for use) and agriculture. Most farms raise beef cattle. Other growing industries include wine production, floriculture (growing flowers), and tourism. Making furniture and other wood products also provides some jobs in the area.
World's Largest Wooden Pendulum Clock
In January 2019, the world's largest wooden pendulum clock was put in a special clocktower on the main street. A local person named Kevin Bird built it. He used timbers from the Nannup region. The clock was 6 meters (20 feet) tall and took 7 years to build. However, in April 2019, the clock was removed due to disagreements between the people involved in the project.
Events and Festivals
Nannup hosts several events and festivals to attract tourists.
- The Flower and Garden Festival is held every August.
- The Quit Forest Rally.
- The Tour of Margaret River and seven other cycle races.
- The largest event is the Nannup Music Festival. This festival used to be called the Southwest Folk Festival. It happens every year in March during the Labour Day long weekend. It includes street performances, market stalls, and many different musical acts.
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Panorama of main street in June 2007
See also
In Spanish: Nannup para niños
