Roleystone, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RoleystonePerth, Western Australia |
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Araluen Botanic Park
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| Established | 1900s | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6111 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 12.2 km2 (4.7 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Armadale | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Darling Range | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Canning | ||||||||||||||
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Roleystone is a suburb located in Perth, Western Australia. It sits in the south-eastern part of the city. This area is known for its beautiful scenery and natural surroundings.
Contents
Discover Roleystone's Past
How Roleystone Got Its Name
In 1830, some land near the Canning River was given to British settlers. One settler, Captain Charles Blisset Churchman, received 107 acres. He named his property "Rolleston." The name "Roleystone" comes from this original name.
The land was later bought by Thomas Buckingham in 1858. He called it "Rollingstone." Early police reports also used names like "The Rolling Stone" and "Rowley Stone."
Early Development and Farming
In 1865, Buckingham built a sawmill. It was located about 6.5 kilometers from Kelmscott. This sawmill helped develop the area.
Around 1902, the land was divided into smaller farms. These farms were used for growing fruit in orchards and for market gardens. Buckingham's old home and a brick sheep plunge dip can still be seen today at the Araluen Golf Resort.
In 1905, more people were encouraged to settle in Roleystone. Brochures described the beautiful views and rich soil of the valley.
Roleystone Today: Nature and Homes
Today, Roleystone has many large residential properties. These homes are surrounded by natural bushland and fruit orchards. The area is home to lots of native wildlife. You might see bandicoots, brushtail possums, and shingleback lizards. Large groups of western grey kangaroos also live in the bush around the suburb.
The 2011 Bushfire Event
On February 6, 2011, a large bushfire happened in the Roleystone and Kelmscott area. This fire destroyed 72 homes and damaged 37 others. It was one of the biggest losses of homes from a single bushfire in Western Australia's history.
What Can You Find in Roleystone?
Shopping and Schools
Roleystone has a local shopping center for everyday needs. Larger shops can be found at Stargate Kelmscott and Armadale Shopping City.
The suburb's schools have changed over time. There used to be a primary school and a high school. In 2009, they joined together to form Roleystone Community College. This college teaches students from kindergarten up to Year 10. Most older students (Year 11 and 12) travel to nearby high schools. These include Kelmscott Senior High School and Mazenod College.
Fun Places to Visit
The Araluen Botanic Park and the Araluen Golf Resort are popular spots. They are great for picnics and weddings. Many people visit during "Springtime at Araluen" when the flowers are blooming.
Araluen also used to host the Araluen Chilli Festival. This festival now takes place in Fremantle Esplanade and is called Araluen's Fremantle Chilli Festival. It still helps support the Araluen Park.
Getting Around Roleystone
Brookton Highway (State Route 40) runs through Roleystone.
The suburb has school bus services. There is also a public bus, Transperth bus route 241. This bus connects Roleystone to Kelmscott railway station and the Stargate Kelmscott shopping center.
How to Get Around Roleystone
Bus Services
- 241 Kelmscott Station to Kelmscott Station – This bus travels along Brookton Highway, Peet Road, Urch Road, Raeburn Road, Holden Road, Northward Road, and Westborne Road.
Roleystone's Sports Scene
Roleystone is home to several sports clubs.
- The Roleystone Tigers are an Australian rules football club. They have both junior (started in 1973) and senior teams.
- The Roleystone-Karragullen Cricket Club began in 1950. They have many senior and junior teams.
- The Roleystone Country Club is located on Wygonda Road. It offers great views of the Brookton valley.
Music and Arts in Roleystone
Local Music
The Roleystone Musicians Club was started in March 2007. It's a place for local musicians.
Kevin Peek, a guitarist from the band Sky, named a song after Roleystone. This was his hometown.
Roleystone Theatre
Roleystone is also home to the Roleystone Theatre. This includes both the building and the performing group. The group started in 1933 as the Roleystone Choral and Dramatic Society. It changed its name in the 1970s.
The Roleystone Theatre group puts on plays and musicals throughout the year. The theatre building itself was first built in 1922 by local residents. It is now owned by the City of Armadale. The building has been closed for repairs since 2018. The group has been using the Roleystone Hall as a temporary home. It is hoped the theatre will reopen in 2023.
Local News and Community Information
Roleystone has its own local newspaper/magazine called the Roleystone Courier. This monthly magazine is created by a local resident.
There is also a community website called RoleystoneNet (or RoleyNet). It has a local forum, a calendar of events, and an online flea market called Eflea.
