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Coordinates: 29°15′04″S 114°56′02″E / 29.251°S 114.934°E / -29.251; 114.934
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
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{{Infobox Australian Place
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2012}}
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{{Infobox Australian place
| type = town
| type = town
| name = Dongara
| name = Dongara
| state = wa
| state = wa
| image = Dongara.jpg
| image = OIC dongara commercial area.jpg
| caption =
| caption = Main Street of Dongara – Moreton Terrace
| lga = [[Shire of Irwin]]
| local_map = yes
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| zoom = 12
| coordinates = {{coord|29.251|S|114.934|E|display=inline,title}}
| pop = <!--leave blank to draw the latest automatically from Wikidata-->
| area = {{cvt |input=P2046}}
| postcode = 6525
| postcode = 6525
⚫
| est =
| pop = (2006 Census))<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/ViewData?producttype=QuickStats&subaction=-1&areacode=UCL501800&action=401&collection=census&textversion=true&breadcrumb=LP&period=2006&navmapdisplayed=true&|title=Australian Bureau of Statistics - 2006 Census QuickStats :Boyup Brook (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)|year=2006|accessdate=2008-09-10}}</ref>
| elevation= 34
| elevation= 34
⚫
| dist1 = 351
⚫
| dir1 = NNW
⚫
| location1= [[Perth]]
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| dist2 = 61
⚫
| dir2 = S
⚫
| location2= [[Geraldton, Western Australia|Geraldton]]
| lga = [[Shire of Irwin]]
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Moore|Moore]]
| fedgov = [[Division of Durack|Durack]]
| maxtemp =
| maxtemp =
| mintemp =
| mintemp =
| rainfall =
| rainfall =
| stategov =
| est = 1871
| fedgov =
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| dist1 = 362
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| dir1 = North
⚫
| location1= [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]
⚫
| dist2 =
⚫
| dir2 = South
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| location2= [[Geraldton, Western Australia|Geraldton]]
| dist3 =
| dir3 =
| location3=
}}
}}
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'''Dongara''' is a town {{convert|351|km|mi}} north-northwest of [[Perth]], Western Australia on the [[Brand Highway]]. The town is located at the mouth of the [[Irwin River]]. {{Fact span|text=The area is marketed as the '[[Rock lobster]] capital of Australia'.|date=December 2020}}


Dongara is the seat of the [[Shire of Irwin]]. At the {{CensusAU|2016}} the shire had a population of 3,569,<ref>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA54060 |name=Irwin (Shire)|quick=on|accessdate=3 July 2018}}</ref> with 2,782 residing in the contiguous towns of Dongara and [[Port Denison, Western Australia|Port Denison]].<ref>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=UCL515030|name=Port Denison-Dongara (Urban Centre and Locality)|quick=on|accessdate=3 July 2018}}</ref>
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'''Dongara''' is a townsite located 351 km NNW of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] on the [[Brand Highway]]. The town is located on the mouth of the [[Irwin River]]. In recent years the area has been marketed as the '[[Rock lobster]] capital of Australia'.

Dongara is the seat of the '''Shire of Irwin'''. The shire has a population of around 3500 people, with 2700 of these residing in the towns of Dongara and [[Port Denison, Western Australia|Port Denison]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:Dongara Royal Steam Roller Flour Mill SI-39 30123-115-N.jpg|left|thumb|Dongara Flour Mill]]
: 1851-1901
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The place name 'Dongara' is an anglicised rendition of 'Thung-arra', the local Wattandee people's name for the [[estuary]] adjacent to the town, meaning '[[sea lion]] place'.


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The place name 'Dongara' is an anglicised rendition of ''Thung-arra'', the local Wattandee people's name for the [[estuary]] adjacent to the town, meaning '[[sea lion]] place'.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
⚫
European settlement around the estuary began in [[1853]] when a harbourmaster, Edward Downes, was stationed there to look out for passing ships. He was employed by the Cattle Company which was establishing large pastoral stations about 15 kilometres inland. By the 1860s, ex-convict small farmers were occupying the local river flats, and a flour mill (the Irwin or Smith's Mill) was operating. A [[townsite]] was surveyed, and in [[1871]] it became the seat of a local council established that year (now the Irwin Shire Council), and site of a police station and public school. The Anglican Church of St. John the Baptist and a Methodist Church were built in the 1880s.


⚫
European settlement around the estuary began in 1853 when a harbourmaster, Edward Downes, was stationed there to look out for passing ships. He was employed by [[Lockier Burges (Australian politician)|Lockier Burges]], [[Edward Hamersley (senior)|Edward Hamersley]], [[Samuel Pole Phillips]] and Bartholomew Urban Vigors' Cattle Company, which was granted 60,000 acres of pastoral leases about 15 kilometres inland.<ref>{{cite news |title=Champion Bay |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2930483 |access-date=2 July 2018 |work=The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News |date=1 January 1858 |page=3}}</ref> By the 1860s, ex-convict small farmers were occupying the local river flats, and a flour mill (the Irwin or Smith's Mill) was operating. A [[townsite]] was surveyed, and in 1871 it became the seat of a local council established that year (now the Irwin Shire Council), and site of a police station and public school. The Anglican Church of St John the Baptist and a [[Methodism|Methodist]] Church were built in the 1880s.
⚫
In the 1890s, the larger Royal Steam Roller Flour Mill was built on the flats next to the new railway that connected the district to [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], and the town was slowly developing, and although it was still a comparatively small village by the time of federation in [[1901]], it had several churches, municipal offices and hall, a variety of shops, two hotels, a public school and a railway station. The nearby localities were populated by small wheat and sheep farmers, centred around the hamlets of Bookara, Irwin and Strawberry. There was also a small population of fishermen, including several Chinese men, at Port Denison.


⚫
In the 1890s, the larger Royal Steam Roller Flour Mill was built on the flats next to the new Midland Railway line that connected the district to [[Perth]]. The town slowly developed, and although still a comparatively small village by the time of [[Federation of Australia|Federation]] in 1901, it had several churches, municipal offices and hall, a variety of shops, two hotels, a public school and a railway station. The nearby localities were populated by wheat and sheep farmers, centred on the hamlets of Bookara, Irwin and Strawberry. There was also a small population of fishermen, including several Chinese men, at Port Denison.
Dongara is also the centre for a small oil & gas industry which began with the discovery of the Dongara Gas Field in 1966. [http://www.arcenergy.com.au/ Arc Energy]


Dongara is the centre for a small oil and natural gas industry that began with the discovery of the Dongara Gas Field in 1966.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Paul |title=Life After Thirty |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/briefing-19961028-kaywx |access-date=14 November 2019 |work=Australian Financial Review |date=28 October 1996 |location=Sydney}}</ref>
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==Significant people from or associated with Dongara==
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*[[David Brand|Sir David Brand]] (1912-1979), Premier of Western Australia
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*[[Carmen Lawrence]] (1948- ), Premier of Western Australia
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*[[Robert Bruning]] (1928-2008) Born Robert Bell, PMG linesman, sales manager, actor, film producer, screenwriter, script editor


Dongara railway station was demolished in 1975 as part of the realignment of the [[Midland railway line, Western Australia|Midland railway line]] through the town, which was necessitated by the construction of the [[Dongara–Eneabba railway line]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Shire of Irwin |title=Dongara Railway Station (fmr) |url=https://inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/PrintSingleRecord/e08673a1-7464-485c-a076-34d7e37372f3 |website=inHerit |access-date=29 July 2024 |date=21 July 1998}}</ref> The new alignment was {{convert|0.9|km|1}} shorter than the original alignment and it opened on 1 June 1975.<ref name="Carnamah">{{cite web |title=Midland Railway of Western Australia (MRWA) Stations & Sidings |url=https://www.carnamah.com.au/stations+sidings |website=Carnamah Historical Society and Museum |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref> The route of the Dongara–Eneabba railway line travelled through the Dongara Roman Catholic Cemetery, located on the southern side of Brand Highway, so the remains there were re-interred in the Dongara Cemetery.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Shire of Irwin |title=RC Cemetery & First Church (fmr) – site |url=https://inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/PrintSingleRecord/73b3d169-e09d-4a46-9d55-41b3648345d2 |website=inHerit |access-date=29 July 2024 |date=18 September 1998}}</ref> The Dongara–Eneabba railway line opened in April 1976.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Quinlan |first1=Howard |last2=Newland |first2=John R. |title=Australian Railway Routes 1854 to 2000 |date=2000 |publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society, New South Wales Division |isbn=978-0-909650-49-0 |page=69}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Plaque for opening of Eneabba – Dongara railway |url=https://collectionswa.net.au/items/879fb2c2-cbc4-48f2-938d-3814042304df |website=Collections WA |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref>
==Tourist Attractions of Dongara==
* The waves at Dongara attract surfers and bodyboarders. The windy summer conditions also attract windsurfers and kite surfers.


⚫
==Notable people from or associated with Dongara==
* Explore the Beaches - Seaspray Beach (Town Beach), Surf Beach, Granny's Beach & South Beach.
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* [[David Brand|Sir David Brand]] (1912–1979), 19th Premier of Western Australia, born at Dongara
* [[Nathan Broad]] (1993– ), [[Australian rules football]]er and 3 time AFL premiership player<ref>{{cite news |title=Tattooed Tiger Nathan Broad finds a kindred spirit in Dustin Martin |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/tattooed-tiger-nathan-broad-finds-a-kindred-spirit-in-dustin-martin-ng-b88558623z |work=The West Australian |date=5 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |title=Triple M with Nathan Broad (7:05) |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/927326/we-needed-to-get-back-on-the-winners-circle-broad?videoId=927326&modal=true&type=video |date=3 May 2021}}</ref>
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* [[Robert Bruning]] (1928–2008), born Robert Bell, PMG linesman, sales manager, actor, film producer, screenwriter, script editor
* [[Jamie Elliott (footballer, born 1992)|Jamie Elliott]] (1992– ), Australian rules footballer
* [[Patricia Kailis]] (1933–2020), geneticist, lived in Dongara from 1962 to 1969
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* [[Carmen Lawrence]] (1948- ), 25th Premier of Western Australia
* [[Cranston Albury McEachern]] (1905–1983), Australian army officer and solicitor
* [[Jaeger O'Meara]] (1994– ), Australian rules footballer
* [[Roxanne Roux]], AFLW player


==References==
* Fisherman's Scenic Lookout - Obelisk - One of two obelisks build in 1869. The lookout offers a panoramic view of the Port Denison & the fishing boat harbour. Fisherman's lookout is at the south end of the marina (Port Denison).
{{Reflist}}

* Port Denison Foreshore & Harbour - Grassed areas with bbqs, shaded picnic tables, playground & toilets. As well as a public boat ramp, there is special parking available for caravans & large motor homes.

* Shipwreck Walk - Organised by the Dongara Historical Society, the Shipwreck Walk at the Port Denison foreshore explains about the shipwrecks of the Denison coast with a plaque dedicated to each shipwreck.

* Old Police Station Museum - (visited by Akerz n Snichy) A must for history buffs but don't lose any sleep if you give it a miss and save $5 a head. Further north, the Historic Pioneer Museum in Greenough gets a higher Akerating.

* Wildflowers - The Irwin (Crikey!) Shire has many species of flora with some species viewable all year. Best time to view wildflowers is from late July to October.

* Dongara Sport & Tackle - Hire a set of golf clubs and take them down to the 18 hole Dongara Golf Course.

* Drive in Cinema - Open during the summer months, the Drive-in shows new movies on Saturday nights. Treats available from the Kiosk.


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}<br>
{{Wikivoyage-inline|Dongara}}
* [http://www.irwin.wa.gov.au/ Shire of Irwin]
* [http://www.irwin.wa.gov.au/ Shire of Irwin]
* [http://www.perthsites.com/web/design.cgi?website=1061-dongara-information/ Dongara Information]
* [http://www.perthsites.com/web/design.cgi?website=1061-dongara-information/ Dongara Information]


{{Local Government Areas of Mid West Western Australia}}
{{Towns Mid West WA}}
{{WesternAustralia-geo-stub}}

{{coor title dm|29|15|S|114|56|E|region:AU_type:city}}


{{authority control}}
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[[Category:Towns in Western Australia]]


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[[Category:Coastal towns in Western Australia]]
[[de:Dongara]]
[[Category:Shire of Irwin]]
[[Category:Fishing communities in Australia]]

Latest revision as of 07:04, 29 July 2024

Dongara
Western Australia
Main Street of Dongara – Moreton Terrace
Dongara is located in Western Australia
Dongara
Dongara
Map
Coordinates29°15′04″S 114°56′02″E / 29.251°S 114.934°E / -29.251; 114.934
Population1,393 (SAL 2021)[1]
Established1871
Postcode(s)6525
Elevation34 m (112 ft)
Area8.3 km2 (3.2 sq mi)
Standort
LGA(s)Shire of Irwin
State electorate(s)Moore
Federal division(s)Durack

Dongara is a town 351 kilometres (218 mi) north-northwest of Perth, Western Australia on the Brand Highway. The town is located at the mouth of the Irwin River. The area is marketed as the 'Rock lobster capital of Australia'.[citation needed]

Dongara is the seat of the Shire of Irwin. At the 2016 census the shire had a population of 3,569,[2] with 2,782 residing in the contiguous towns of Dongara and Port Denison.[3]

History

[edit]
Dongara Flour Mill

The place name 'Dongara' is an anglicised rendition of Thung-arra, the local Wattandee people's name for the estuary adjacent to the town, meaning 'sea lion place'.[citation needed]

European settlement around the estuary began in 1853 when a harbourmaster, Edward Downes, was stationed there to look out for passing ships. He was employed by Lockier Burges, Edward Hamersley, Samuel Pole Phillips and Bartholomew Urban Vigors' Cattle Company, which was granted 60,000 acres of pastoral leases about 15 kilometres inland.[4] By the 1860s, ex-convict small farmers were occupying the local river flats, and a flour mill (the Irwin or Smith's Mill) was operating. A townsite was surveyed, and in 1871 it became the seat of a local council established that year (now the Irwin Shire Council), and site of a police station and public school. The Anglican Church of St John the Baptist and a Methodist Church were built in the 1880s.

In the 1890s, the larger Royal Steam Roller Flour Mill was built on the flats next to the new Midland Railway line that connected the district to Perth. The town slowly developed, and although still a comparatively small village by the time of Federation in 1901, it had several churches, municipal offices and hall, a variety of shops, two hotels, a public school and a railway station. The nearby localities were populated by wheat and sheep farmers, centred on the hamlets of Bookara, Irwin and Strawberry. There was also a small population of fishermen, including several Chinese men, at Port Denison.

Dongara is the centre for a small oil and natural gas industry that began with the discovery of the Dongara Gas Field in 1966.[5]

Dongara railway station was demolished in 1975 as part of the realignment of the Midland railway line through the town, which was necessitated by the construction of the Dongara–Eneabba railway line.[6] The new alignment was 0.9 kilometres (0.6 mi) shorter than the original alignment and it opened on 1 June 1975.[7] The route of the Dongara–Eneabba railway line travelled through the Dongara Roman Catholic Cemetery, located on the southern side of Brand Highway, so the remains there were re-interred in the Dongara Cemetery.[8] The Dongara–Eneabba railway line opened in April 1976.[9][10]

Notable people from or associated with Dongara

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Dongara (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Irwin (Shire)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 July 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  3. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Port Denison-Dongara (Urban Centre and Locality)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 July 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  4. ^ "Champion Bay". The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News. 1 January 1858. p. 3. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  5. ^ Watson, Paul (28 October 1996). "Life After Thirty". Australian Financial Review. Sydney. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  6. ^ Shire of Irwin (21 July 1998). "Dongara Railway Station (fmr)". inHerit. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Midland Railway of Western Australia (MRWA) Stations & Sidings". Carnamah Historical Society and Museum. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  8. ^ Shire of Irwin (18 September 1998). "RC Cemetery & First Church (fmr) – site". inHerit. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  9. ^ Quinlan, Howard; Newland, John R. (2000). Australian Railway Routes 1854 to 2000. Australian Railway Historical Society, New South Wales Division. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-909650-49-0.
  10. ^ "Plaque for opening of Eneabba – Dongara railway". Collections WA. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Tattooed Tiger Nathan Broad finds a kindred spirit in Dustin Martin". The West Australian. 5 August 2017.
  12. ^ Triple M with Nathan Broad (7:05). 3 May 2021.
[edit]

Media related to Dongara, Western Australia at Wikimedia Commons
Dongara travel guide from Wikivoyage

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