Wandering, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wandering Western Australia
The Wandering Agricultural Hall and "The Horses Came First" statue
Wandering Location in Western Australia
Established	1877
Postcode(s)	6308
Elevation	294 m (965 ft)
Area	[convert: needs a number]
Location	120 km (75 mi) from Perth
LGA(s)	Shire of Wandering
State electorate(s)	Wagin
Federal Division(s)	O'Connor
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 23.1 °C 74 °F 8.4 °C 47 °F 613.7 mm 24.2 in

Wandering is a small town in the Wheatbelt area of Western Australia. It's about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Perth, the state capital. Wandering is the main town in its local government area, called the Shire of Wandering. In 2016, about 294 people lived there.

History of Wandering

How Wandering Got Its Name

The name "Wandering" might come from an old Aboriginal word, "wandooin." This word refers to the wandoo or white gum tree, which grows a lot in this area. Some people also think the name came from early settlers finding their horses "wandering" in the area. The name was first used for Wandering Brook in 1866.

Early Settlers and Town Growth

The first settlers arrived in Wandering in 1859. The George Stedman Watts family found their lost horses grazing near a fresh water spring. This spot is still known as Horse Well today. In 1861, they chose land and named it "Grassdale." The Watts family still owns this property.

A local council was formed in 1874 to help manage the area. By 1877, enough people lived there for the government to set aside land for a school.

In 1911–1912, the government officially recognized Wandering as a town. However, a railway built earlier, far to the east, slowed the town's growth. Also, getting fresh water was a challenge. The town relied on two dams until 1997, when a water supply system was built. Since then, new homes have been built on larger blocks of land.

St Francis Xavier Mission

From 1944 to 1977, the Wandering Mission was a home for Aboriginal children. It was also called St Francis Xavier Mission. The book Wandering Girl by Glenyse Ward shares stories about growing up at the mission.

Wandering Today

What Wandering Produces

Wandering is mostly a farming area. Farmers here grow hay, cereal crops like wheat, and pulse crops such as lupins. They also produce oil seeds like canola. Raising sheep for wool and lamb, and cattle for beef, are also important. Some timber is cut, and grapes are grown for wine.

Community Life

The town has a school for children from kindergarten to year 7. There is also a caravan park where visitors can stay. The original Agricultural Hall, built in 1896, now has a telecentre. This is a place where people can use computers and the internet. Another hall hosts local community groups and clubs.

Wandering's Climate

Wandering has a Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. It is known as one of the coldest towns in Western Australia. Temperatures often drop below 0°C (32°F). The local primary school even has a special motto: "Cold Temperatures Warm Hearts," because of this.