Shire of Yilgarn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shire of Yilgarn Western Australia
Yilgarn Shire Office, Southern Cross, 2017
Location in Western Australia
Established	1891
Area	30,720 km2 (11,861.1 sq mi)
Shire President	Bryan Close
Council seat	Southern Cross
Region	Eastern Wheatbelt
State electorate(s)	Central Wheatbelt
Federal Division(s)	O'Connor
Website	Shire of Yilgarn
LGAs around Shire of Yilgarn: Sandstone Mount Marshall Menzies Menzies Westonia Merredin Shire of Yilgarn Coolgardie Narembeen Kondinin Dundas

The Shire of Yilgarn is a special kind of local government area in Western Australia. It is located in the eastern part of the Wheatbelt region. This area is about 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of Perth, which is the state capital.

The Shire of Yilgarn covers a large area of 30,720 square kilometers (11,860 square miles). Its main town and where the local government offices are located is Southern Cross. The most important jobs and businesses in the Shire are mining and farming.

History of Yilgarn

The Shire of Yilgarn has a long history. It started out as the Yilgarn Road District on December 24, 1891. Back then, these "Road Districts" were in charge of local services, especially roads.

The town of Southern Cross became its own separate local government area on June 16, 1892. It was called the Municipality of Southern Cross. However, Southern Cross later rejoined the Yilgarn Road District on February 8, 1918.

On July 1, 1961, a new law called the Local Government Act 1960 changed things. All remaining road districts, including Yilgarn, became known as "shires." This is why it is now called the Shire of Yilgarn.

How the Shire is Run

The Shire of Yilgarn is governed by a group of people called councillors. These councillors are elected by the people who live in the Shire. There are 7 councillors who help make decisions for the community. The Shire does not have different electoral sections called "wards."

Towns and Communities in Yilgarn

The Shire of Yilgarn is home to several towns and smaller communities. Here is a list of these places:

• Bodallin
• Bullfinch
• Corinthia
• Dulyalbin
• Ennuin
• Ghooli
• Holleton
• Koolyanobbing
• Lake Deborah
• Marvel Loch
• Moorine Rock
• Mount Hampton
• Mount Holland
• Mount Jackson
• Mount Palmer
• North Bodallin
• Parker Range
• Skeleton Rock
• South Bodallin
• South Yilgarn
• Southern Cross
• Turkey Hill
• Yellowdine

Past Settlements

Over time, some towns in the Shire of Yilgarn have changed or are no longer active. One such former town is Noongar.

Important People in Yilgarn's History

Many dedicated individuals have served the Shire of Yilgarn as councillors and leaders. Here are a few notable people who played important roles:

• William Oats: He was the mayor of the Southern Cross Municipality from 1895 to 1896. Later, he became a Member of Parliament for the state.
• Harold Seddon: He served as a councillor for the Southern Cross Municipality in the late 1910s. He also later became a state Member of Parliament.
• Lionel Kelly: He was a member of the Yilgarn Road Board for several years, from 1929 to 1932 and again from 1932 to 1943. He also went on to become a state Member of Parliament.
• John Panizza: He was a councillor for the Shire of Yilgarn from 1975 to 1987. He also served as the Shire President from 1982 to 1987. Later in his career, he became a senator, representing the region at a national level.

Places of Special Heritage

The Shire of Yilgarn has many places that are important for their history and culture. These are called "heritage-listed" places. They are protected so that future generations can learn from and enjoy them. As of 2023, there are 116 heritage-listed places in the Shire of Yilgarn. Out of these, 15 are considered so important that they are included on the State Register of Heritage Places.