Parkeston, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ParkestonKalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia |
|
|---|---|
| Postcode(s) | 6434 |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| LGA(s) | City of Kalgoorlie–Boulder |
| State electorate(s) | Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Parkeston is a small suburb located near the city of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. It's about 3 kilometers (2 miles) east of the city center. In 2016, about 60 people lived there. Parkeston is also home to the Ninga Mia Aboriginal community.
Parkeston officially became a town in 1904. It was likely named after Sir Henry Parkes, who is known as the "father of Australian Federation." He played a big role in uniting the different Australian colonies into one country.
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The Railway Connection
Parkeston is close to the western end of the Trans-Australian Railway. This is a very long railway line that crosses Australia.
From 1917, Parkeston was an important place for trains. Trains from Perth in Western Australia used a "narrow gauge" track. Trains going east to Port Augusta used a "standard gauge" track. This meant passengers and goods had to switch trains in Parkeston. This difference in track size, called a "break of gauge," ended in 1970.
Camps in Parkeston
Parkeston has been home to different types of camps over the years.
Quarantine Camp
In 1919, a quarantine camp was set up in Parkeston. This was a place where people arriving by train from Adelaide had to stay for a while. It helped stop the spread of illnesses. People staying there even made their own newspaper called the Yellow Rag.
Prisoner-of-War Camp
During and after World War II, Parkeston had a small camp for prisoners of war. It was used from 1940 to 1947. This camp was mainly a transit point. It held prisoners who were being moved across the country by train. It had small cells and could hold about 20 people.
The Ninga Mia Community
The Ninga Mia settlement was created in 1983. It was built by an organization called Aboriginal Hostels Limited. The goal was to provide homes for Aboriginal people. It also welcomed visitors from remote Aboriginal communities in the Western Desert.
Ninga Mia once had around 30 houses. It also had an office, a health clinic, a shared kitchen, and a computer room. Over time, the buildings became old and needed repairs. In 2018, a government review suggested the community needed major improvements. Some homes were later taken down, and residents moved to new places. Efforts are ongoing to ensure residents have safe and suitable housing.
