Carrolup
The locality of Carrolup started to develop as settlers began moving west from Katanning. The district is situated on the main road about halfway between the towns of Kojonup and Katanning in Western Australia’s Great Southern region. Although it never developed as a town, the local community did build an agricultural hall in 1902 which was also used as the local school. The hall still stands today and is used by an equestrian group.
In 1915 an Aboriginal settlement was opened which was authorised under the Aborigines Act 1905 in order to provide a facility where Aboriginal persons could be sent, to remove them from the public eye, from the fringes of Wheatbelt and South-West towns.
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CARROLUP AGRICULTURAL HALL
OPENING CEREMONY.
Great Southern Herald
8 March, 1902
On Wednesday last, in the presence of about 200 persons, consisting of local residents and visitors from Kojonup, Broome Hill, Marracoonda, and Katanning, the Carrolup Agricultural Hall was declared open to the public by Mr F. H. Piesse M.L.A.
Carrolup Hall
Mr Piesse was requested to perform this interesting function by Mr Ronald McDonald, chairman of the building committee. Mr Piesse, who was well received, expressed the pleasure he felt at being present on this important occasion, and trusted the building would conduce to the social and educational well-being of the numerous inhabitants of this rising centre.
An adjournment was then made for refreshments, which were provided on a lavish scale by the ladies of the district. After the wants of the inner man had been satisfied, Mr Ronald McDonald, in felicitous terms, proposed the health of their member, Mr F. H. Piesse. The toast was supported by Messrs J. Washington and J. Ladyman, who expressed the confidence they felt in their present member, and assured him of their support if he continued on the lines he had followed for years past. Mr Washington urged the necessity for maintaining the present food duties and spoke strongly against the breach of faith that would be perpetrated by our legislators if the “sliding scale” were abolished and the duties absolutely repealed.
Mr Ladyman spoke eloquently on the educational effect that agricultural halls and schools would have in the country districts if full advantage were taken of the means thus placed at the disposal of the people. He advocated the necessity for farmers acquiring up-to-date and scientific information with regard to the treatment of various soils. He fairly brought down the house when his flight of oratory led him to picture what the future of Western Australia would be when their children and children’s children had made progress which at present would be deemed imaginary, but quite possible when the assistance of science was made use of to the fullest extent.
Mr Piesse, in responding to the toast of his health, which had been proposed in such flattering terms, expressed the pleasure he felt in assisting at the opening of their splendid hall, which was creditable alike to the building committee – Messrs R. McDonald, J. Washington, J. Ladyman, W. Longmire, and R. G. Tree – the contractor (Mr J. H. Brown, of Katanning), and the architect (Mr George Johnson, of Albany).
Five years ago no one would have prophesied that such a commodious building would have been built there. It was to be hoped that settlers in the locality would reap every advantage of the grant made to them by a sympathetic Government.
Farming, to be successful, not only required the use of bone and sinew, but the highest intelligence should be brought into play. The discoveries made in the laboratory should be utilised by the dwellers on the soil. Phosphates and other chemicals were working wonders in increasing the productiveness of land. Machinery of the best kind was now available and should be made use of. He well remembered having to use the flail in company with his brother, Mr C. A. Piesse, of Wagin. He rejoiced to think that the old system of thrashing out corn was now obsolete.
The good things on the tables of local production testified to the fact that not only the necessities, but also the luxuries of life, could be produced here.
Farming was a truly noble occupation, more independent than that of the miner, who might dig gold out of the earth, but was compelled to buy his food from the farmer. The present was not the time for a political speech, but he would take an early opportunity of delivering one at Carrolup now that they had such a suitable building.
His best address, when Federation was being discussed, was given in the State school. He urged his hearers to discard the professional politician and look to the men who had proved by their actions that they had the best interests of Western Australia at heart.
Mr Piesse stated that the day before he had started building a new house for his family at Katanning, and that he would come to live among his old friends in July. He brought his remarks to a close by referring, in highly eulogistic terms, to the efforts of the ladies who had made such good provision for all present. Mr Mark King responded on behalf of the ladies.
Mr R. G. Tree proposed “The Visitors”. During his remarks he stated that his acquaintance with the district dated back to 1852 since when he had visited the district in company with Mr Surveyor F. T. Gregory. Messrs T. Norrish, F. C. Wanke, W. Meharry, and John Anderson responded, all of whom spoke in felicitous terms of the hospitable manner in which they had been treated. Mr F. H. Piesse proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr R. McDonald, who suitably replied.
The Sports.
During the day a varied sports programme was carried out, for which credit is due to the hon secretary, Mr W. D. Grover, who worked hard in collecting funds, and otherwise assisted greatly in making the meeting a success.
Following are the results of the day:
Judges:
Messrs J. Meharry. W. Meharry, and W. Tree; handicapper and starter, Mr J.
McDonald (Katanning); secretary, Mr W. D Grover and a committee consisting of Messrs
J. Ladyman, R. and D. McDonald, W. and M. Longmire, Tree and others.
MAIDEN RACE: 100 yards – First prize 15s, second 5s.
H Rodney 1, D McDonald 2, W Longmire 3.
SHEFFIELD HANDICAP of 125 yards:
First £6, second £1, third 10s.
First round:
First heat: A Quartermaine, 18 yards, 1; A C Prosser, 19 yards, 2. H Rodney and C Hepworth also started. A good race for places. Second heat: W Longmire, 16 yards, 1; A E Goodhind, 19 yards, 2. Only two started. Third heat: J Dearle,17 yards, 2. J McDonald and W Meharry also started. A splendid race. Fourth heat: W Dearle, 18 yards, 1; D McDonald, 17 yards, 2. Won rather easily; a good race between McDonald and Haddleton for second place.
Second round;
First heat: W Dearle, 1; J Dearle, 2. A and H J Quartermaine also started, the latter pushing the brothers Dearle very hard at the finish. Second heat; W Longmire, 1; D McDonald, 2. Won easily, Goodhind and Prosser (the other starters) failing to finish.
FINAL.
J Dearle, 17 yards … … 1
W Dearle, 18 yards … … 2
W Longmire, 16 yards … … 3
D McDonald, 17 yards … … 4
After the two Dearles were penalised a yard each for breaking over their marks a good start was effected and a splendid race resulted. Longmire came very fast at the finish.
HANDICAP HURDLES,
120 yards – First £2. second 15s, third 5s.
First round: First heat: J Haddleton, 9 yards, 1. McNeill and Goodhind also started. Haddleton won easily.
Second heat: J McDonald, 12 yards, 1. H J Quartermaine and A Quartermaine also started. A well contested race.
Third heat: W Longmire, 14 yards, 1. D McDonald and Prosser also started. Prosser struck the first jump and pulled up, Longmire winning easily.
FINAL.
W Longmire, 14 yards … … 1
J McDonald, 12 yards … … 2
J Haddleton 9 yards … … 3
The three men got away together. Longmire struck the first jump but made a good recovery, eventually winning by several yards, only a few inches separating McDonald and Haddleton for second place.
BOYS’ RACE, under 16 years – First 10s, second 3s, third 2s.
C Meharry 1, Oscar Beeck, 2. Eight started, and all finished in a bunch.
BOYS UNDER 12. 75 yards. Freddy Norrish 1, Edwin Beeck 2.
RUNNING HIGH JUMP, First 15s. R Eagle 1, J McDonald 2.
HOP, STEP AND JUMP —First 15s.W Dearle 1, W Longmire 2.
Several minor events were contested, particulars of which were not obtainable. A dance took place in the evening, terminating a very enjoyable day’s outing.
THE BALL.
In the evening almost every young person within miles of Carrolup were to be seen in and around the new hall waiting for the order to commence dancing. Mr C. Stewart acted as M.C., while Mr J. J. Kenny officiated at the piano. Refreshments were handed round at 11 o’clock, And great credit is due to the ladies who provided them. Dancing was resumed and kept up till the early morning hours. Miss M Grover and Mr Baggs assisted at the piano.
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Historical Society visits Carrolup
Great Southern Herald
30 November 1951 – P1
The Historical Society, following its policy of an annual tour of old settlements, made the Carrolup Agricultural Hall its rendezvous on November 24. Mr. Bob Tree kindly consented to act as guide for the afternoon and lost no time in leading the party to the first selection in that district, stopping at the boundary fence a short distance from the rear of the hall.
This area was selected by William Grover in 1858, with the original fence and wire still defying time. In an adjoining paddock were the remains of the early home and men’s quarters on the Ron McDonald selection. The walls had returned to the earth, but the chimneys, built of local stone slabs and bound together by clay, remained.
Mr. Tree then took the party onto the “Wash Pool” on the Carrolup River. The guide carried his listeners back to those days when the pioneers drove their sheep through the pool in order to scour their wool and lessen the weight, and incidentally, the freight on their precious wool. Mr. Tree had personal recollections of fun in this pool.
Mr. Britt Holding too remembered the exhilarating rides on ponies to and into the pool by young boys after having done their duty sitting still in church on a Sunday afternoon. Mr. Bob Haddleton also reminisenced on the heyday of the pool.
The party then followed the Kojonup Road, pausing at the old homestead of the Tree family, where the father and mother, after bitter drought and depression in Victoria, had made another start in W.A. Here they reared sons and daughters to carry on the tradition of their parents.
Mr. Tree took the party to the site of the first church (Baptist), now demolished; then to the site of the old school and tennis courts, which also have been destroyed by fire. Both Mr. Bob Tree and Mr. Holding had warm recollections of the old school. Mr. Tree remembered a long list of teachers who had come and gone, but not in despair – as it was related practically all left to marry.
The party moved on again to the Marron Pool for a picnic tea. No fish tales can be recorded in spite of Mr. Haddleton’s efforts; they would not bite. The gathering later returned to the Carrolup Hall, where, at 8 p.m., Mr. Marcus Beeck, as President of the Historical Society chaired a meeting of members and local residents all representing pioneer families.
After business was despatched and gifts for the museum accepted, including an old Victoria Jubilee mug and HoIIoway’s Ointment and Pill Company’s coin token 100 years old and current in their business only. These two items were presented by Mrs. Luke Bell and Mr. Cattanach respectively.
Mr. Beeck called on Mrs. Stewart Longmire to read her paper on the early days at Carrolup, and her interesting and humourous account was well received. On behalf of the Society Mr. Beeck supported by Messrs Hillman, Conning and C. B. Ball thanked Mrs. Longmire.
Mr. Britt Holding gave a brief and interesting account of his parent’s pioneering, mentioning that their homestead, a piseterre building was still his present home. It is understood the Holding family were the first of the Eastern States pioneers to settle at Carrolup.
The Ladyman family followed closely and Mr. Alan Ladyman spoke in reference to the early settlement of his family and their activities. Mr. Gilbert Warren kindly acted as recording secretary during the meeting.
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CARROLUP ABORIGINAL SETTLEMENT
Carrolup was established as an Aboriginal settlement in 1915 under the Aborigines Act 1905 in order to provide a facility where Aboriginal persons could be sent, to remove them from the public eye, from the fringes of Wheatbelt and South-West towns.
For some years, town-dwellers at Katanning had been objecting strongly to disturbances at the local Aboriginal encampment, and to the lack of facilities there, suggesting that a new camp be established at Carrolup Pool 25 km from town. Continue reading