Helena Vale, Western Australia

Helena Vale was the original name for Midland Junction (now Midland) in Western Australia between 1885 and 1901. It was also the earlier name of the Midland Junction Municipality between 1895 and 1901. The name has been long associated with the area between Midland and the Darling Scarp.

"Helena Vale" redirects here. For other uses, see Helena Vale (disambiguation).

Racecourse

Despite the name changes of the locality and municipality – the name was kept by the Helena Vale Racecourse (founded in 1896/8)[1] until its closure in the 1970s.[2]

Railway branch

The racecourse was serviced by a short railway siding from the Eastern Railway (Western Australia) at Bellevue – it was opened on 1 July 1896 and closed on 13 February 1966.[3][4][5]

Blackboy Hill troops in First World War

The siding was utilised for the transport of troops during the First World War between Blackboy Hill and Fremantle.[6]

The former racecourse land was converted to an industrial area- and is known variously as the Farrall Road industrial area or business centre – which has the Eastern Railway as its eastern boundary, Great Eastern Highway as its southern boundary and Morrison Road at its north side.[7]

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See also

Notes
  1. "A NEW RACECOURSE". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 31 January 1898. p. 3. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  2. "HELENA VALE RACECOURSE". Western Mail. Perth: National Library of Australia. 8 April 1898. p. 40. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  3. Quinlan, Howard & Newland, John R. (2000) Australian Railway Routes 1854-2000. ISBN 0-909650-49-7 – WN 58 p.67
  4. "HELENA VALE RAILWAY WORKS". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 2 June 1900. p. 2. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  5. "No Title". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 9 September 1939. p. 6. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  6. http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/15821200?q=helena+vale+race+course&c=picture has a good view of the grandstand at Helena Vale, as well as the troops
  7. Russell Taylor and William Burrell (Firm); Mundaring (W.A. : Shire). Council (1976), Midvale structure planning : preliminary investigations into the possible future use of Morrison Park, Helena Vale Racecourse and environs, West Perth (W.A.), retrieved 1 May 2012

Further reading
  • Bourke, Michael J. (1987) On the Swan : a history of Swan District, Western Australia Nedlands, W.A : University of Western Australia Press for the Swan Shire Council, 1987.ISBN 0855642580
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