Pinjarra, Western Australia

History

The name was often shown spelt "Pinjarrup" on early maps, while the accepted spelling for many years was "Pinjarrah". There are conflicting theories regarding the meaning of the name, and it is usually said to mean "place of a swamp", as a corruption of the Aboriginal word "beenjarrup". However, Pinjarra is more likely to have been named after the Pindjarup people who frequented the area.

Pinjarra is one of the earliest European settlements to occur in Western Australia; one of the first settlers in the area was Thomas Peel, who established a settlement at the mouth of the Murray River in 1830. In 1834, at the insistence of Thomas Peel, a group was organised and led by Governor James Stirling to do something about the Aboriginal people; this group attacked the village consisting of over 20 mia-mias just after dawn. They approached from both sides of the river, which forced the people into the river where they caught the victims, mostly women and children, in a crossfire. Many bodies were left to float downstream. Official reports referred to it as a battle, and it was only over 150 years later that it was recognised as one of many colonial massacres in Australia. Surveys were carried out in 1836 and land allocated to settlers in 1837.

By early 1898, the population of the town was 400, 300 males and 100 females.

A British child migration scheme run by Kingsley Fairbridge established a farm school in the area in the early 1900s. Hundreds of orphaned children were educated at Fairbridge Farm between 1913 and 1981. Fairbridge Chapel was built at Pinjarra, in 1924 to Herbert Baker's design.

The author Kenneth (Seaforth) McKenzie grew up in Pinjarra, and parts of his experiences as a child living near the Murray River are found in his first novel The Young Desire It.

In 1974, an alumina refinery was established by Alcoa Australia Ltd, causing a boost in the population of Pinjarra and nearby Mandurah. Pinjarra is also the site of the world's largest bauxite mine.

Facilities

Pinjarra contains Pinjarra Primary School, Pinjarra Senior High School, and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School.

Pinjarra is the operating base for the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway. Peel Zoo, known for its bird wildlife, is situated near Pinjarra.

Pinjarra contains one shopping centre, Pinjarra Junction, which opened in 2008.

Future and growth

Because of its close proximity to Mandurah and recent infrastructure and amenities investments, Pinjarra's population is likely to increase significantly through new subdivisions surrounding the original town-site. Armadale Railway Line also planning to extend till Byford in first phase and till Pinjarra in second phase.

Sport

Pinjarra is home to both Thoroughbred Horse Racing and Harness Racing at Pinjarra Park and Pinjarra Paceway, respectively, under the authority of Racing and Wagering Western Australia. The feature race events held at these venues are the Pinjarra Cups, held in April and March of each year at the respective venues. Pinjarra and the Peel Region is also one of the major centres for WA Racing, with a number of trainers and breeders established in the region.

Transport

Pinjarra station is located on the South Western Railway and served by Transwa's twice daily Australind service from Perth to Bunbury. In September 2012 a Transperth bus service was inaugurated between Murray Hospital in southern Pinjarra and Mandurah railway station, via Mandurah Forum on Pinjarra Road, and Pinjarra town centre.

Pinjarra is also on the South Western Highway between Armadale and Bunbury, something which has both helped and hindered the town. Traffic through the town during holiday seasons has been known to stretch for kilometres north or south. As a result, there have been calls for the construction of a road bypass of the town.

Bus

• 600 Pinjarra to Mandurah Station – serves McKay Street, McLarty Road, George Street and Pinjarra Road
• 605 Pinjarra to Mandurah Station – serves McKay Street, McLarty Road, George Street, Pinjarra Road, Sutton Street, Naturaliste Drive, Hamlet Pass, Sunset Circle and Country Road

Gallery

File:Murray River (Pinjarra Bridge).jpg|Murray River at Pinjarra Bridge c.1900-1910 File:Pinjarra 002.jpg|Edenvale, historic cottage File:Pinjarra Post Office 01.jpg|Old post office File:St John's Church, Pinjarra, September 2019 03.jpg|St John's Church, fifth-oldest in the state

Notable people

• Harley Bennell – AFL footballer
• John Butler – musician
• Peter Dawson – cyclist
• Sabrina Frederick – AFLW footballer
• iOTA – entertainer
• Kamdyn McIntosh – AFL footballer
• Sir Ross McLarty – politician

References

References

1. "Altitude of Pinjarra, Western Australia, Australia".
2. {{Census 2016 AUS
3. (8 February 2004). "Pleasant town on the banks of the Murray River". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
4. {{LandInfo WA. c. P. 2007-04-17
5. (1996–2000). "The History of Settlement". at Mandurah WA.
6. (1996). "NIDJA BOODJAR BINJARUP NYUNGAR, KURA, YEYE, BOORDA": THE GCALYUT RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROJECT". The Gcalyut Research and Training Project.
7. (22 April 1898). "Population of Western Australia". National Library of Australia.
8. "Centre fills long-time needs for Pinjarra".
9. [https://www.pinjarrapark.com.au Pinjarra Park Website] Pinjarra Race Club Inc
10. [http://www.pinjarrapaceway.com.au Pinjarra Paceway Website] Pinjarra Harness Racing Club Inc
11. [http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/Portals/0/Timetables/Australind.pdf?ver=2016-08-29-140537-697 Australind Timetable] Transwa
12. "New routes 600 and 604 servicing North Yunderup, South Yunderup, Mandurah and Pinjarra". Transperth.
13. "Fight to get Pinjarra Bypass on the Road: Randall". Don Randall MP.
14. {{Cite Transperth bus. 600
15. {{Cite Transperth bus. 605
16. "St John's Church". Shire of Murray.