Perenjori, Western Australia

Perenjori is a townsite in the northern agricultural region, 348 kilometres (216 mi) north of Perth and 39 kilometres (24 mi) south-east of Morawa. It is located on the Wongan Hills to Mullewa railway line which was opened in 1915. Perenjori was approved as the name of a siding in April 1913, and later that year the government decided to establish a townsite there. Perenjori townsite was gazetted in 1916.

Perenjori Western Australia
Fowler Street, Perenjori, 2018
Perenjori
Coordinates	29.443°S 116.285°E / -29.443; 116.285
Population	276 (2016 census)[1]
Established	1916
Postcode(s)	6620
Elevation	325 m (1,066 ft)
Location	348 km (216 mi) north of Perth 39 km (24 mi) south east of Morawa
LGA(s)	Shire of Perenjori
State electorate(s)	Moore
Federal Division(s)	Durack

In 1932 the Wheat Pool of Western Australia announced that the town would have two grain elevators, each fitted with an engine, installed at the railway siding.[2]

Overview

Perenjori is the Aboriginal name of a nearby water source, Perenjori Rockhole being first recorded in 1911 when land was set aside for a water reserve at the rockhole. The rockhole was sometimes spelt Perengory or Perangery, and it is believed the name may be derived from the Peranj-jiddee bush which surrounded the rockhole. The bush is similar to the Black Wattle. The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. A bulk wheat bin was constructed in the town in January 1940 which is capable of holding about 220,000 bushels.[3] The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.[4]

History

Dan Woodall was the first permanent settler in the areas. He came to the area in 1905 to manage Perangery Station, then owned by the Lee Steere family. In 1906 the four Farrell brothers came to the area to take up land. The Lands Department approved agricultural lots of 1000 acres instead of the large pastoral leases which had been granted in the past. Perenjori was declared a town on 16 February 1916.[5]

Tourism

Perenjori is on the Wildflower Way a tourist drive that runs from Dalwallinu to Geraldton. Late August to October is the wildflower season and depending upon the season the countryside may be alive with flowers including orchids, carpets of white, pink and yellow everlastings and the unique wreath leschenaultia.[6]

Transport

In 2008, WestNet will be building a loading point for iron ore traffic. Iron ore will be hauled by road 85 kilometres (53 mi) from Mount Gibson, loaded onto railway wagons for haulage 239 kilometres (149 mi) to Geraldton where ships of up to 60,000 DWT are loaded. In 2011 the loader was expected to be completed.[7]

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Perenjori (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
2. "Country elevators". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 6 July 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
3. "Country news". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 1 January 1940. p. 3. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
4. "CBH receival sites" (PDF). 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
5. "Perenjori History". Perenjori Embrace Opportunity. Shire of Perenjori. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
6. "3 days Wildflower Way". Australia's Golden Outbook. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
7. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links

Media related to Perenjori, Western Australia at Wikimedia Commons

• Perenjori Cemetery

Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names – P". Retrieved 2 October 2008.