Northam, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Northam Western Australia
Northam Town Hall
Northam Location in Western Australia
Established	1833
Postcode(s)	6401
Elevation	170 m (558 ft)
Area	[convert: needs a number]
Location	96 km (60 mi) from Perth
LGA(s)	Shire of Northam
Region	Wheatbelt
State electorate(s)	Central Wheatbelt
Federal Division(s)	Durack
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 25.2 °C 77 °F 10.9 °C 52 °F 429.3 mm 16.9 in

Northam is a lively town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It's located where the Avon and Mortlock Rivers meet. Northam is the biggest town and main hub in the Avon Valley area. It's about 97 kilometres (60 miles) northeast of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. In 2021, Northam had a population of 6,679 people.

Discovering Northam's Past

How Northam Began

The land around Northam was first explored in 1830. This happened when a group of colonists, led by Ensign Robert Dale, visited the area. Northam was then founded in 1833. Governor Stirling gave the town its name. He likely named it after a village called Northam in Devon, England. Right away, Northam became a starting point for explorers and settlers. They were keen to explore the lands further east.

Northam and the Gold Rush

At first, Northam was very important. But then, nearby towns like York and Beverley grew in importance. However, when the railway arrived, Northam became super important again! It was the main place for prospectors and miners. They would start their journey here to head east towards the goldfields.

Historic Buildings in Town

Northam has many old buildings that are important to its history. These buildings are still used by the community today. They show how the town has grown over time.

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  Northam Flour Mill and Avon Bridge

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  Northam Town Hall (built 1898-1904)

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  St John's Church (built 1890)

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  Northam Post Office (built 1909)

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  Original Northam Post Office (built 1873)

Big Storms in Northam

On January 27, 2011, a strong thunderstorm hit Northam. It caused a lot of damage. Roofs were torn off, trees were pulled out of the ground, and power lines fell down. About 50 houses in town were damaged, but luckily, no one was hurt.

Another big storm happened on March 2, 2021. This was a flash flood. About 40 millimetres of rain fell in just half an hour! Many houses were damaged. The Jubilee oval also flooded, leaving mud all over Peel Terrace, a busy road.

Northam's Role in Helping Newcomers

Migrant Accommodation Centre

In the 1940s and 1950s, Northam had large camps for displaced persons and immigrants from Europe. The Northam Migrant Accommodation Centre was a very important place. It was the first home in Western Australia for about 15,000 immigrants. These people came from countries like the Baltic states, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Yugoslavia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Bulgaria.

At its busiest, Northam had the largest immigrant reception facilities in Western Australia. It was the third largest in all of Australia! By 1950, the camp housed 4,000 people. Two new blocks of huts were built to fit everyone. By May 1954, 23,000 migrants had passed through the Northam Camp. Many of these new arrivals later made Northam their home. The centre closed in September 1951.

Yongah Hill Immigration Centre

On October 18, 2010, it was announced that the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre (YHIDC) would be built. It was set up at the old Northam Army Training Camp. The centre officially opened in early 2012. It is managed by Serco for the Department of Home Affairs. Officers from the Australian Border Force are also present at the centre.

Northam's Geography

The Avon River Valley

Northam is located in the Avon Valley. This valley is named after the Avon River. Sometimes, the river floods, so man-made banks protect the town. The name Avon is often used by local groups, newspapers, and sports teams.

A pedestrian suspension bridge crosses the river. At 117 metres long, it's the longest such bridge in Australia! Just south of town is Burlong Pool. In the 1890s, this pool was the source of water for trains heading to the Goldfields.

Northam's Climate

Northam has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.

Fun Things to Do in Northam

Northam has many attractions for visitors. You can go hot air ballooning for an amazing view. There are also wineries, cafes, and restaurants to enjoy. If you're interested in history, check out the local museums.

Getting Around Northam

Trains and Railways

Old Northam Railway Station

Northam is a very important place for railways. It's a major railway junction. This means different train lines meet here. The dual gauge Eastern Railway ends here. It then becomes the standard gauge Eastern Goldfields Railway. There are also narrow gauge lines. These go south to York and north to Goomalling.

Northam's Train Stations

The current Northam railway station serves several train services. These include Transwa's AvonLink, MerredinLink, and Prospector trains. It also serves Great Southern Rail's Indian Pacific train, which goes all the way to Sydney.

The original station on Fitzgerald Street opened in 1900. It closed in 1966 when the new railway route began.

Avon Yard

The Avon Marshalling Yard was originally created by the Western Australian Government Railways. Today, it's known as the Avon Yard.

Airport and Roads

Northam airport, near the bridge over Mortlock River North

Northam is also connected by roads. The Northam airport is located at the junction of Great Eastern Highway with Route 115.

Learning in Northam

Northam has several schools and colleges. There are three public primary schools and one public high school. It also has a TAFE campus for vocational training. For private education, there's St Josephs, a Catholic school. It teaches students from Kindergarten all the way to Year 12.

Primary Schools

• The original Northam Primary School started in 1890. This makes it one of the oldest primary schools in Western Australia! The current school building opened in 1978 on Duke Street. It has over 300 students.
• West Northam Primary School is on Habgood Street. It has about 140 students.
• Avon Vale Primary School opened in 1954. It's on Hutt Street and has about 140 students.

Northam Senior High School

Northam Senior High School is the public high school. It opened in 1921, making it one of the state's oldest high schools. The main building is a heritage site. The campus has been updated with renovations in 1986, 1996, and 2015. It has about 715 students. The school offers special programs. These include the Big Picture Program, Clontarf Foundation, Wirrpanda Foundation, and Deadly Sista Girlz. Students from Northam attend, along with Year 10-12 students from nearby towns. These towns include Toodyay, York, Beverley, and Goomalling. The school also has Northam Residential College. This is a college for students who board from remote communities.

Private Education

Saint Josephs is a private Catholic school in Northam. It has about 600 students. The school teaches from Kindergarten to Year 12. The primary school campus is on Lance Street. It teaches students from Kindergarten to Year 6. The high school campus is on Wellington Street East. It teaches students from Year 7 to Year 12. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition opened this campus in 1889. The Marist Brothers opened the Saint Pauls school in 1948 and 1971. Later, these schools merged.

Tertiary Education

Northam has a TAFE campus. It was once known as the C. Y. O'Connor Institute. Now, it's part of Central Regional TAFE. Northam is also home to the Muresk Institute. This is one of Western Australia's top places for agriculture education.

Sports and Fun in Northam

Team Sports

• Soccer: Soccer has been played in Northam since after World War Two. Many European immigrants lived at the Holden Camp. They formed a league with nine teams from Northam and one from Wundowie. Teams were often based on where people came from. Northam United FC is a men's team. Northam Springfield FC is a children's football club. They play against Toodyay Junior Soccer Club in winter.
• Australian Rules Football: This sport is very popular in Western Australia. Northam has two teams in the Avon Football Association competition: Federals and Railways.
• Other Sports: Field and indoor hockey, cricket, and netball are also popular. Many people play and watch these sports.

Individual Sports

• Tennis and Cycling: Individual sports like tennis and cycling are also enjoyed. BMX cycling is very popular.
• BMX Championships: In 2003, the BMX State Championships were held in Northam. About 3,000 competitors and spectators came for over a week. Local riders showed how good they were. Three local riders, Dale Reynolds, Chris Marris, and Kyle Martin, later rode bikes across Australia from Adelaide to Perth. This shows how much people in Northam love cycling.

Hot Air Ballooning Records

Northam is famous for hot air ballooning.

• In 2002, Steve Fossett became the first person to fly around the world alone. He did it non-stop in a hot air balloon. He launched from Northam on June 19, 2002. He returned to Australia on July 3, landing in Queensland.
• In July 2016, Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov also took off from Northam airfield. He tried a solo non-stop round-the-world balloon flight. He completed his journey, covering 33,521 kilometres. He did it in 11 days, 4 hours, and 20 minutes. This beat Fossett's record by 52 hours!

Motor Racing

Between 1952 and 1956, Northam hosted several motor racing events. The first circuit was on the south side of the Avon River. But it was too dangerous. So, a new circuit was built in 1956 on the north side of the river.

Horse and Greyhound Racing

Thoroughbred horse racing happens at Northam Racecourse. The Northam Race Club holds about 22 race meetings each year. The first race here was in 1863. The town also hosts harness racing and greyhound racing.

Exciting Events in Northam

Northam is home to several well-known Western Australian events.

• Avon Descent: This is an annual, two-day white water river race. It starts in Northam and goes 124 kilometres down the Avon River. It then enters the Swan River and finishes in Bayswater. It happens every August. Both power craft and paddle craft can take part.
• Northam Motorsport Festival: This festival happens every year between March and April. It's like a modern version of the old Northam Flying 50s event. It's a free event with three main activities. These include the Mount Ommanney Hillclimb and the SCBC Motokhana. The most famous part is the Northam Flying 50s. Here, classic cars use the main streets of Northam as a race track. They do time trials and races. There's also a classic car show. The festival attracts about 5,000 visitors each year.
• Northam Farmer's Show: This show is held every year in mid-September. It's an agricultural show, similar to those in York and Toodyay.
• Kep Ultra Running Race: This race happens every year on the Western Australia Day long weekend in early June. The race starts in Northam. It includes 100-kilometre and 75-kilometre events. They both finish at Mundaring Weir.

Northam's Military Past

Northam played an important role in Australia's military history.

World War I Efforts

During World War I, an area called Wilberforce was used to breed and select horses. These horses were then sent overseas for Australian horsemen, especially the famous 10th Light Horse Regiment.

In November 1920, the government bought land at Noggojerrring. This 350-hectare (875-acre) farm was four miles north of Northam. It was well-watered and had buildings. The government bought it to settle soldiers who had tuberculosis. This place was named Anzac Farm.

World War II Importance

During World War II, Northam became a key military hub. Its location was very strategic. It was close to water (the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme). It was also near an important railway junction. Being close to the coast but inland made it a safe place.

Many military camps and depots were set up in the Wheatbelt between 1939 and 1945. Some of these are still around today.

• 1. Northam Army Camp, which included the 38th Camp Hospital.
• 2. 6 Commonwealth Ammunition Depot (6CAD) at Springhill, for storing ammunition.
• 3. US Navy 7 Naval Ammunition Depot (7 NAD) at Springhill, for torpedo storage.
• 4. RAAF No 10 Inland Aircraft Fuel Depot (RAAF 10IAFD) at Burlong, for aircraft fuel storage.
• 5. Muresk Agricultural College at Muresk, used for intelligence.
• 6. Australian Army 7th Supply Depot (7SD) at Spencers Brook, for food and clothing storage.
• 7. RAAF No 6 Replenishment Centre at Muresk, for ammunition storage.
• 8. 118th Australian General Hospital (118 AGH) in Northam.
• 9. Werribee Army Camp near Wundowie, for transport and anti-tank operations.
• 10. RAAF Meenaar at Meenaar, an RAAF airstrip.

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  No.1 Fuel Tank of the WWII RAAF No.10 Inland Aircraft Fuel Depot, Burlong, Northam

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  Underground tank - RAAF No.10 IAFD, Burlong, Northam

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  Ammunition Bunker - US Navy 7NAD, Springhill

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  Ammunition Storage - RAAF No. 6 Replenishment Centre, Muresk

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  Detonator Hut - US Navy 7NAD - Springhill

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  1941 aerial view of 7BSD - Spencers Brook

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  1948 Aerial view RAAF No 6 Replenishment Centre, Muresk

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  1948 aerial view US Navy 7NAD, Springhill

Famous People from Northam

Northam is the birthplace of many notable people.