Police Pools Twonkwillingup
Twonkwillingup was an important meeting place and water source for local Aboriginals (Noongars) long before European settlement. It came to be known as Police Pools after the area was used as an outpost of the Kojonup Police Station from 1865 – 1870.
It was the original campsite of the first Pensioner Guards (early policemen) in the Katanning district enabling them to visit isolated sandalwood cutters and early settlers in the area. The policemen appointed to the post were Terrance McKenna, Constable William Grover, and Constable E.M. Fahey, serving for two, three, and one year respectively.
With the closure of the Police Post in 1871 and the settlement of Katanning in 1889, Police Pools became a highly popular recreational facility.
Between 1908 – 1909 Daisy Bates lived at the pools as part of her life long association with Aboriginal people. She encouraged greater understanding amongst Europeans of traditional Aboriginal ways.
The opening of the Katanning swimming pool in 1938 saw a decline in visitors to the area. However the site was still used for school excursions and local recreational activities. In 1939, the Katanning branch of the Western Australian Historical Society erected a cairn to commemorate the first police outpost in the district and those who served there.
During the 1950’s there was a further decline in popularity as salinity became a problem, degrading the area.
The First Police Officers (Pensioner Guards):
Trooper Terrance. McKenna : 1865 – 67
Trooper William Grover : 1867 – 70
Trooper E.M. Fahey : 1870
National Police Memorial Day
Photo from WA Police Legacy website
The Katanning Police Memorial Day is celebrated here each year and the National Police Remembrance Day was held at Police Pools in Katanning on the 27th September 2019.
TWONKWILLINGUP
Nature Reserve
Renewed interest was sparked in the area during the early 1980’s, initiating the rehabilitation of the reserve during the 1990’s. Funding was obtained through the Natural Heritage Trust in 1997 for extensive rehabilitation and revegetation works. Local people and agencies carried out much of the work, including planning, earthworks, flora and fauna surveys and monitoring. Native flora species have been established along a boardwalk through the wetlands, enabling easy access to the entire site.
This area holds immense importance to the local Aboriginal community
and to the local community at large.
Today, this oasis hosts a rewarding walking trail through lovely and peaceful bush, with a boardwalk and an abundance of wildlife. Walk along the boardwalk trails over the wetlands, and spot 80-plus identified bird species. Picnic tables, shade and parking available just four km out of Katanning along Police Pools Road.
POLICE MEMORIAL
Police Memorial
The memorial is in an area of natural bush five km’s from Katanning on Police Pools Road. The stone memorial was erected by the Katanning Historical Society in 1939, its first project as a group. This is the camp site of the first police outpost from 1865 to 1870.