Broomehill

Broomehill Western Australia
Broomehill
Population:	377 (2006 Census)[1]
Established:	1890
Postcode:	6318
Elevation:	332 m (1,089 ft)
Location:	302 km (188 mi) South East of Perth 20 km (12 mi) South of Katanning 22 km (14 mi) North of Tambellup
LGA:	Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup
State electorate:	Wagin
Federal Division:	O’Connor

Coordinates: 33°50′42″S 117°38′02″E / 33.845°S 117.634°E / -33.845; 117.634

Broomehill is a town located along the Great Southern Highway between Katanning and Albany, in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.

History

The town of Broomehill owes its creation to the Great Southern Railway, which was completed in 1889. The railway runs from Beverley to Albany. Broomehill is named after Sir Frederick Napier Broome (1842–96) who was then the Governor of Western Australia.

The townsite was gazetted by the Western Australian Land Company in 1890, which was recognised by the state government in 1897.^[2]

A group of settlers from the now extinct town of Eticup moved to the present site of Broomehill to help establish a township after the construction of the railway was completed. These settlers included the Withams, the Walshes, and the Curnows. These three families worked hard to establish the early structures. In 1892, a Police Station and Post Office were also established.

The official spelling of Broomehill was changed from two words to one in 1959.^[3]

The Holland Track, a well known walking track, begins in Broomehill and ends in Coolgardie.^[4]

The economy of the area is dependent on wheat and sheep farming although recently farmers have diversified into viticulture and aquaculture in the form of Barramundi farming.^[5][6]

The town is located 302 km southeast of Perth on the Great Southern Highway and is 20 km south of Katanning.

References