Quairading, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids QuairadingWestern Australia |
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Heal Street, Quairading, 2018
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 Quairading
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1907 |
| Postcode(s) | 6383 |
| Elevation | 249 m (817 ft) |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Quairading |
| State electorate(s) | Central Wheatbelt |
| Federal Division(s) | Durack |
Quairading is a small town in Western Australia. It's located in a farming area called the Wheatbelt. Quairading is also the main town for the Shire of Quairading, which is like its local government.
Contents
The Story of Quairading: How the Town Began
The town of Quairading got its name from a local spring. The name comes from an Aboriginal word. A surveyor named Alexander Forrest wrote it down in 1872.
The first European settler in this area was likely Stephen Parker. He settled in a nearby town called York. His son, Edward Parker, started clearing land east of York between 1859 and 1863. Later, Edward's son, Jonah Parker, took over the land around Dangin.
Jonah Parker divided his land and made Dangin a private town. He was a Methodist and didn't allow alcohol in Dangin. Because of this, many people started to leave the town. The government then offered new land in Quairading. Settlers could get a free 160 acres (0.250 sq mi; 0.647 km2) block of land. They just had to clear it and live there for seven years. Many people took this offer and moved to Quairading between 1903 and 1908.
Building the Town: From Railway to Shops
In 1892, the Greenhills Road Board decided to build a railway line. This line would go from Greenhills (near York) to Quairading. They also planned to make Quairading an official town at the end of the railway line.
The town was officially named on August 7, 1907. The railway was finished in 1908. By 1909, Quairading had grown a lot! It had a hotel, a general store, a blacksmith, a baker, a carpenter, and two banks. By 1950, most of the land around Quairading was cleared. It was being used for farming.
In 1932, the Wheat Pool of Western Australia announced that Quairading would get two grain elevators. These were big structures used to store grain. They were built at the railway siding.
Earthquake Near Quairading
In April 2009, an earthquake shook the area. Its center was about 20 km northwest of Quairading. The earthquake measured 3.2 on the Richter Scale. It happened at 4:50 AM local time but didn't cause any damage.
The Railway Line: Past and Present
The railway line that runs through Quairading started small. It was first built from York to Greenhills. Later, it was extended all the way to Quairading and then to Bruce Rock. Construction began in 1897.
Over time, parts of the railway line were closed. The section between Quairading and Bruce Rock closed in the 1970s. The line from York to Quairading closed in October 2013. The company that ran the railway, Brookfield Rail, said it was for safety reasons. This decision was a bit controversial. Community groups, like the Wheatbelt Rail Retention Alliance, protested against the closure.
Who Lives in Quairading?
In 2006, Quairading had 596 residents. About 18.1% of them were Indigenous, which is higher than the national average. The average age of residents was 49 years old.
Most people in Quairading spoke English at home (95.6%). The most common jobs included labourers, managers, and technicians. The main industries were farming (especially sheep, beef cattle, and grain), local government, and school education.
Things to See and Do in Quairading
One amazing sight is the Pink Lake of Quairading. It's about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) east of town on the Bruce Rock Road. What makes it special is that sometimes one side of the lake is bright pink, while the other side stays its normal blue!
The Quairading Nature Reserve is a great place to explore. It has 527 hectares (1,302 acres) of native bushland west of the town. Here you can see different types of gum trees and other native plants. You might also spot wildlife like eastern wallaroos, western grey kangaroos, echidnas, reptiles, and many birds. Nookaminnie Rock is a large granite rock that offers amazing views of the town and the surrounding area.
You can also get a great view from Mount Stirling. It's about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northeast of Quairading.
Another fun place to visit is the Home of Natural Wood Sculpture. This place displays amazing wood sculptures made by local artist Ian Wills. His art has been shown in big cities like Sydney, Adelaide, and Perth. The sculptures are now on display at the Old Railway Station Info Centre. Volunteers open it every weekday morning.
Toapin Weir is a historic spot about 12 kilometres (7 mi) northwest of town. It was built in 1912 to collect rainwater. This water was used to irrigate nearby farms. Today, it's a nice place for picnics, barbecues, and camping.
Cubbine is a historic homestead about 17 kilometres (11 mi) north of Quairading. It was once owned by Alexander Forrest, who helped name the town.
Quairading has its own airstrip just east of town. The town also has a library, a Community Resource Centre, and several small parks. There's a special memorial rose garden and a public swimming pool. The Greater Sports Ground is where people play football, hockey, cricket, and netball.
The Badjaling Community
The Badjaling Mission reserve is about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of Quairading. It was set up in 1933 for the United Aborigines Mission. This area was a camping ground and home for about 30 Nyungar families from 1887 until 1954.
The reserve was very important culturally. Local Nyungar communities used it for hunting, gathering food, and camping long before European settlement. This was because it had lots of fresh water. Even after the mission closed in 1954, Nyungar people continued to camp there sometimes. In 1980, Nyungar people formally returned to the Reserve. The houses there today were built in 1998.
See also
In Spanish: Quairading para niños
