Brunswick Junction, Western Australia
| Brunswick Junction Western Australia | |
|---|---|
 Peters Creameries building | |
  Brunswick Junction | |
| Coordinates | 32°17′46″S 115°50′24″E / 32.296°S 115.84°ECoordinates: 32°17′46″S 115°50′24″E / 32.296°S 115.84°E |
| Population | 797 (2006)[1] |
| Established | 1898 |
| Postcode(s) | 6224 |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Harvey |
| State electorate(s) | Murray-Wellington |
| Federal Division(s) | Forrest |
Brunswick Junction is a town in the South West of Western Australia along the South Western Highway, between Harvey and Bunbury.
History
The Brunswick River which runs just north of the town was named by John Septimus Roe in 1830, and was most probably named after the Duke of Brunswick who Governor Stirling served under while in command of HMS Brazen in 1813 off the coast of the Netherlands. Stirling named a number of Western Australian features after his former navy colleagues.[2] or possible after the royal navy third rate HMS Brunswick, whose captain was Captain Harvey both served with distinction during the Glorious First of June
The first farm in the area, "Alverstoke", started in 1842 by Marshall Clifton, was producing wheat, barley and potatoes within a few years. A bridge was built over the Brunswick River at Australind to give settlers in the area easier access to what was then the main community in the Harvey District.
In 1893, when the Perth-Bunbury railway was completed, no-one lived in the present-day townsite, but the Brunswick Farmers' Association was formed, with a post office and school operating nearby. In 1898, a junction was opened south of the river when the line to Collie opened, and a railway station was built.[3]
The population of the town was 68 (38 males and 30 females) in 1898.[4]
The towns centre underwent a significant upgrade in 2011 as part of the Royalties for Regions program, a dairy themed playground, landscaping and an underground power hub were all part of the A$380,000 project that was opened by Brendon Grylls.[5]
Present day
Brunswick Junction is mainly known today for dairying, to which a large Friesian cow (nicknamed Daisy) stands testament in a park in the centre of town. Peters Creameries produces milk products, butter and cheese from nearby dairy farmers.
The town also hosts several historic buildings, including the shire hall, Catholic and Anglican churches and railway cottages, and the nearby Beela Valley has a scenic drive which takes in farming country east of the town as well as the Mornington forests.[6]
The Brunswick Agricultural Show is one of the largest in regional Australia with over 15,000 visitors in October of each year. A fashion parade, trade exhibits, arts and crafts and flowers are among the things on offer.[7]
Transport
Brunswick Junction is on the South Western Highway, 26 kilometres (16 mi) north-east of Bunbury. In town, the South Western Highway carries the name Ommaney Road. It is linked by road to Australind via Clifton Road, the main east-west route for Brunswick Junction.
Railway junction
The town serves as a stop on the Australind passenger train from Perth to Bunbury on the South Western Railway.
It is a railway junction for the railway line from Collie, and the former railway branch lines that extended further east of Collie [8]
| Preceding station | Transwa Trains network | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
towards Perth | Australind | Terminus |
References
- ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Brunswick Junction (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2 October 2008.
- ↑ Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names – B". Retrieved 17 January 2007.
- ↑ Shire of Harvey. "Local Towns - Brunswick". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2006.
- ↑ "Population of Western Australia". Western Mail (Perth, Western Australia: National Library of Australia). 22 April 1898. p. 23. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
- ↑ "Brunswick Junction revamp revealed". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ South West Attractions - Brunswick Junction. Accessed 20 February 2016.
- ↑ Travel Down Under. "Brunswick Agricultural Show". Archived from the original on 27 August 2006. Retrieved 2 October 2006.
- ↑ See Bowelling for details of the lines...
External links
- Town map of Brunswick Junction (Shire of Harvey)
- Brunswick Show
| ||||||||||
| ||||||||||