Ewlyamartup
Ewlyamartup was one of the first districts east of Katanning opened up to settlers. Like other communities in the area, Ewlyamartup started to develop quickly after the construction of the Katanning-Nampup (Nyabing) railway. Development was helped by having a large fresh-water lake, Lake Ewlyamartup, in the centre of the developing region.
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ABOUT THE LAKE
WHAT DOES THE NAME MEAN?
The name Ewlyamartup relates to “place where there is a water hole associated with a leg”, and is associated with the important Aboriginal Dreaming story of Mulka.
Mulka’s Cave is located within the vicinity of Wave Rock in Hyden, Western Australia. The name Mulka comes from an Aboriginal legend associated with the cave. Mulka was the illegal son of woman who fell in love with a man with whom marriage was forbidden according to their law.
It is believed that a result of breaking these rules, she bore a son with crossed eyes. Even though he grew to be an outstandingly strong man of colossal height, his crossed eyes prevented him from aiming a spear accurately and becoming a successful hunter.
Out of frustration it is said Mulka turned to catching and eating human children and he became the terror of the district. He lived in Mulka’s Cave, where the imprints of his hands can still be seen, much larger and higher than that of an ordinary man.
It is believed that tribe members killed him for the safety of their children. His body was dismembered and parts buried around the region to ensure that he didn’t reappear. It is also believed that one of his legs was buried at Lake Ewlyamartup.
FROM WIKIPEDIA:
The traditional owners are the Koreng group of the Noongar peoples. The name of the lake means “come now to this place where there is a water hole associated with a leg”. A sacred site is situated on the lakes outskirts and was once an Indigenous camp ground hundreds of years ago. The lake provided fresh water and the Noongar would fish and hunt kangaroo in the area.
James Stirling and John Septimus Roe explored the area in 1835 while travelling from Perth to Albany. Sandalwood cutters worked the area in 1870 and by 1889 settlers arrived to pursue agricultural activities.
The catchment area was extensively cleared, with only 9% of remnant vegetation remaining.
A dam was built along the north western margin of the lake in 1912 by excavating. It had a capacity of 4,650 cu yd (3,560 m3) but there was little water in the lake to flow into the dam.
Lake Ewlyamartup has sources of inflow but no outflow and can become silted up. In 2010 the local community removed 20,000 m3 (710,000 cu ft) of nutrient rich sludge from the lake and planted 100,000 trees in the catchment area. Since then another 150,00 trees have been planted.
The lake is used for recreational purposes such as bird watching and camping. At times when the water levels are high enough it is used for canoeing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, water-skiing and windsurfing. Many facilities are found at the lake, including parking area, picnic tables and seating, shelter, barbecues, toilets, boat ramp, bird hide and camping areas.
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LAKE DAM
EWLYAMARTUP LAKE DAM
The Southern Argus & Wagin Express
27 January 1912 – P4
The water of Ewlyamartup (or the little that is left of it) was turned into the newly constructed dam on its north-western margin on Monday afternoon, in the presence of a number of interested visitors from Katanning. This dam, which is part of the Wilson Government’s extensive scheme of water conservation for the settlers, is considered one of the finest pieces of work of the kind in the State.
The Katanning Road Board, finding that the lake was likely to dry up completely through evaporation before the settlers got through the summer, made representations to the Government through Mr Arnold Piesse, M.L.A., and authority was given to put down a dam to impound the remaining water.
Within 24 hours of this authority being wired to Katanning, Mr E. T. Morrow, Government Engineer in charge of water conservation in that part of the State, had the site selected. A contract was let to Mr J. Solly, and the work actually started. The excavation is now completed and is of the following dimensions. At surface,180ft. x 117ft.; at bottom,126ft. x 56ft.; average depth, 9ft. 4in.; capacity, 4,650 yards, or 784,637 gallons.
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PUBLIC HALL
PUBLIC HALL FOR EWLYAMARTUP
Great Southern Herald
11 March 1925 – P2
For some time lately residents of Ewlyamartup have been exercising their minds as how best to construct a suitable hall for public purposes.
Last October, during a meeting held to discuss the annual school picnic, it was decided to open a subscription list, and £100 was promised within a few days. Since then, the amount has increased to £160, with an additional donation by several persons spread over five years. A general meeting of subscribers has elected Mr. E. A. Hoffmann (chairman), C. R. Harris (Secretary) with Messrs. C. G. Hueppauff, J. C. Antonio and J. H. Steicke as committeemen.
The committee was given authority to proceed with a suitable building, 40-ft. long by 24-ft. wide, and accepted a tender by C. W. Mosel, of silo fame for a reinforced concrete building, on an approved plan, at a j cost of £340. The reinforcement being of iron bars every twelve inches throughout the walls.
Arrangements have been made with the New South Wales Bank to finance the erection Immediately. It is hoped to considerably increase the subscription list, so that it will be possible to clear the debit balance within two years.
The committee is receiving valuable assistance from those not directly interested. Mr. E. S. R. Piesse, of the Langaweira Stud has donated a valuable ram to be disposed of at the committee’s discretion. The site chosen is adjacent to the Ewlyamartup Siding on two acres of land donated by Mr. J. C. Antonio (this block was on the corner of Mr Antonio’s property – on the corner of Langaweira Road and Lake Coyrecup Road – Ed.).
The building, when completed, will fill a long felt want, as the district requires a hall for social functions, religious, political and other purposes. The contractor is now on the job and expects to have the work completed by Easter, when no doubt, an official opening will be arranged.
The first social function in aid of the building fund took place at Mr. E A. Hoffmann’s farm “Glen Hermit,” on Saturday evening last.
Ewlyamartup Hall ruins – July 2023
Photo credit – Arthur Todd
OPENING OF EWLYAMARTUP HALL.
Great Southern Herald
22 April 1925 – p2
Saturday, 18th April was a red-letter day in the history of the Ewlyamartup district, when the newly completed public hall was opened by the member for the district, Mr. A. Thomson, M.L.A.
The hall, which was built by Mr. C. W. Mosel, is constructed with reinforced concrete walls and measures 24 feet by 44 feet, and gives ample room for meetings and social entertainments, thus supplying a long felt want. The committee desires to obtain the consent of the Education Department to use the hall as a supplementary school as the seating capacity of the present schoolhouse is insufficient for the number of pupils.
In a short speech, Mr. E. A. Hoffman (Chairman), briefly outlined the work of the committee up to date and thanked all the residents of the district who had assisted in making the hall an established fact. He especially thanked Mr. J. C. Antonio for his donation of the two acres of land on which the hall had been built. (the block was situated on the corner of Mr. Antonio’s farm at the corner of Langaweira Road and Coyrecup Lake Road – ed.).
Mr. Hoffman then called upon Mr. A. Thomson to declare the hall open. In a brief address Mr. Thomson expressed his pleasure at being present at such a function and made reference to the progressive spirit predominant in the Ewlyamartup district. He then spoke of the need and necessity of some meeting place in country districts, for he said that it is only by cooperation that the primary producer would be able to demand the same terms and conditions as the manufacturer, and from this point of view a hall was essential.
Mr. Thomson then brought under the notice of the farmers of the district a few of the points fought for and gained by the Country Party on behalf of their electors. First, he referred to the writing down of the Industries Assistance securities to a reasonable figure. This was only gained after a lot of fighting on the part of the Country Party. Another concession mentioned was that of freight on power fuel for producers. He said that the Government had now consented to a 10 per cent reduction in freight on all power fuel for the farmers.
He further pointed out to all present the time limit for the cheap rate of freight on superphosphate had been extended until 15th April, and that it was hoped that even a further extension would be granted if necessary.
In closing his address, Mr. Thomson, as member, urged the cooperation of all primary producers and congratulated the district on its acquisition of such a fine hall. Mr. Thomson was then presented with the key, and officially declared the hall open.
The secretary, Mr. C. R. Harris, then announced that a high tea would be held in the hall, and by the enjoyment shown by all present, and the evident relish with which they demolished the various good dishes, the ladies, who are to be congratulated, must have been more than repaid for their work of preparing the festive board. After the tea the floor was cleared, and dancing was the order of the evening.
The committee, under the direction of Mr. E. A. Hoffman, chairman, and Mr. C. R. Harris, secretary, is to be congratulated on the successful management of the opening function.
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MAIL TENDERS
TENDERS ACCEPTED FOR CONVEYANCE OF MAILS
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette
27 January 1921 – P144
130. Katanning-Nyabing-Kwobrup, via Dyliabing, Reserve 12615, Summers’, Robinson & Hunt’s, Filmer’s, Patterson’s, Middleton’s, Rabbit Proof Fence (141-mile Gate), Curran’s Soak, Badgebup, Wernup (Simper’s), Ewlyamartup, weekly by spring vehicle. – A. Barker, Katanning, £120 per annum, two years, terminating 31st December, 1922.
131. Katanning Post Office-Railway Station, twenty-eight times weekly, oftener if required, by spring vehicle. – H. Barrett, Katanning, £98 per annum, two years, terminating 31st December, 1922.
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A TRAGEDY
A Ewlyamartup Tragedy.
CORONAL INQUIRY.
Gnowangerup Times
3 January, 1917 – p3
At the Katanning Court House on Monday afternoon Mr. F. M. Gare (Acting Coroner) and a jury held an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of David Evan Williams, farmer, of Ewlyamartup, aged 57 years, who died at the Katanning Hospital on Saturday evening last from a wound in the neck.
Alice Charlotte Williams said deceased was her husband. On Saturday, December 30, she came into town about 9 a.m. At breakfast deceased complained of not feeling well, but had a light breakfast, and stated he had no sleep during the night. When leaving home witness requested him not to do any stripping. He replied, I must, as the crop is over ripe.
She returned home at about 5 p.m. and saw the stripper idle. The house door was open, and she called out from the sulky, but got no reply. She then tied up the horse and went over to the stables and saw the horses loose. She called again but got no answer and went into the room adjoining the stable, and found her husband lying on the floor in a pool of blood. She spoke to him but got no answer. She then ran across the paddock to where Leppard was working, and told him her husband was dying, or had met with an accident, or had broken a blood vessel.
Leppard assisted her to lift deceased on to a bed and hurried away to summon the doctor. She then saw the wound in her husband’s neck, and said to him, “What happened; did the machine do it.” Deceased shook his head. She then said, “Did the horses kick you,” and he again shook his head. She then said, “What did you do?” And he pointed to the bed opposite, and witness saw a black handle razor lying on the floor, open and stained. She said, “What made you do it,” and he tapped his head. The razor produced was so far as she knew his own.
Charles Alfred Leppard said he was stripping wheat in Barkley’s paddock, adjoining the farm where Williams lived. He had a full view of the house and the paddock in which deceased was working also stripping wheat.
At 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, when going to work, he met Williams on the road near the gate leading to his farm and had a short chat with him about stripping. About 10.30 a.m. he saw deceased at work in the paddock stripping, and he (witness) left his team and went over to him and had another short chat on stripping. About 11.30 a.m. he saw Williams leave his stripper and enter the house where he remained for about ten minutes.
Deceased then returned to the stripper but did no more work, and at about 12 o’clock he (deceased) took the horses out and witness saw them go to the dam for water. At about 5 p.m. witness was called by Mrs. Williams, and, on entering the room, adjoining the stables, he saw Williams lying on the floor saturated in blood. He assisted Mrs. Williams in lifting her husband on to a bed and then drove to the siding and telephoned Dr. Pope.
It was rather dark in the room. Mrs. Williams said her husband had broken a blood vessel. He saw no wound in the neck when lifting deceased on the bed, and did not examine him, nor did he see a razor on the floor, but it might have been there and escaped his notice. He had heard that some months back deceased had been kicked on the head by a horse, but deceased did not complain to him that day. He did not see anyone else about the place that day.
Dr. Edward Campbell Pope said he was called to see Mr. D. E. Williams at Ewlyamartup at about 6 p.m., on Saturday, December 30. On arrival he found the deceased suffering from a very extensive wound of the throat, the cut being transversely across the neck, entering the larynx and causing hemorrhage. He had Williams removed to the Katanning Hospital, where the wound was attended to. Death occurred a few hours later from hemorrhage, the result of the wound. The wound must have been caused by some sharp instrument. The wound could have been self-inflicted.
Sergeant Alfred George Purkiss said Dr. Pope informed him of a certain thing at 9 p.m. on Saturday. He proceeded to the Katanning Hospital and there saw deceased, also Mrs. Williams. From what Mrs. Williams told him he went the following morning to their residence. He found the razor (produced) in a box in a shed near the stable. While at the place Mrs. Williams came out, and at his request she searched in a leather travelling bag for deceased’s razor, in which place it was usually kept. She then found the razor was missing.
The body viewed at the morgue that day by the jurymen was that of David E. Williams. The jury returned a verdict “That deceased met his death by a wound in the throat self-inflicted while temporarily insane.”
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EWLYAMARTUP SCHOOL
Before one achieves anything in this world one must work for it, and so the settlers of Ewlyamartup commenced working towards a school for the children of this district in 1903.
A list of intended school pupils was sent to the Education Department by Mr Chas A Harris: Maud, Adelneid and Edward Reimers; Dorothy, Elliot and Herbert Scadden Theodora A, Helena M, Victor B and Albert A. Steike (children of J.B. Steike) Six boys and five girls in all.
The coming of the Kube family and others the next year assisted the numbers and Mr Kube and Mr Steike built the school where the railway line now runs. Ewlyamartup school first opened 21st February 1905, and closed 30th September,1908. It reopened in 1912 and closed again in December 1943. Continue reading
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THE LAKE EWLYAMARTUP REFURBISHMENT STORY.
LAKE EWLYAMARTUP
Photo credit: Arthur Todd
Katanning Landcare
By Andrea Salmond
January 23rd, 2015
Five years ago Lake Ewlyamartup was a hyper-saline, yellow, smelly lake. Today, the Lake has families water-skiing, kayaking and picnicking every weekend.
What changed?
Above – Before – January 2010
Photo credit – Katanning Land Care Group
After – November 2014 – Families enjoying a day on the Lake
Photo credit – Katanning Land Care Group
Katanning Landcare, the Lake Ewlyamartup Working Group (LEWG), government and an enormous number of community volunteers have lived the Landcare ethos of local action for local priorities, turning around both the environment and community perceptions of this 100 ha Lake located 18km east of Katanning.
Over the past five years volunteers have planted more than 150,000 trees, erected 40km of fencing and removed 20,000m3 of nutrient rich black sludge. Through partnerships, a fertiliser run-off trial was established, a water monitoring program undertaken, school children engaged in a stormwater awareness program and a recreation area plan was developed.
Currently underway are an indigenous acknowledgement art project, installation of new picnic and boating facilities and the finalisation of construction-ready plans for a gated water over-flow channel to control water quality into the future.
Lake Ewlyamartup is home to 95 species of birds, including three priority species, and is important for late season habitat, when other local wetlands have dried up. More than 25 organisations and funders have been involved in the restoration program to date. Ella presented the inspiring Lake Ewly story at the WA Wetland Management Conference in 2014, as part of World Wetlands Day that year. That year they did a Kayak Tour of Lake Ewlyamartup to celebrate World Wetlands Day and our amazing lake.
Lake’s supporters celebrate
Great Southern Development Commission
29 September 2020
Katanning’s Lake Ewlyamartup has a brighter future following major engineering works to manage its water quality. At an event held at the lake on Saturday 26 September, 2020, the working group that initiated improvements around the water body was acknowledged for its decade of commitment to the 100-hectare lake.
Great Southern Development Commission (GSDC) Chief Executive Officer Bruce Manning told attendees that the Commission’s involvement began soon after the Lake Ewlyamartup Working Group called a 130-strong meeting in 2010 to initiate action on the condition of the lake. Mr Manning said the working group and Katanning Landcare were the key bodies in the long-term rehabilitation of the lake. “This is a great example of sustained community pro activity addressing long-term issues,” Mr Manning said.
“Early in the process, following the good work of the working group and Katanning Landcare, we supported planning for engineering and recreation works that informed actions by local landholders and helped to leverage funds for user facilities at the lake. Following that groundwork, the State Government provided $3.7 million in funding for the Living Lakes program, which aimed to improve the water quality of Lake Ewlyamartup and Lake Yealering.
“Those recent works around Lake Ewlyamartup have now established a flushing channel, road culvert and bound to help improve the lake’s water quality by removing saline water. Along with further improvements for users, the aim is to have a healthier water body that attracts visitors and encourages inland water recreation.”
Mr Manning thanked the members of the Lake Ewlyamartup Working Group and they were presented with gifts acknowledging their work to improve the lake. He also lauded the contribution of Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management, which was the project coordinator for the Living Lakes program.