Donnybrook, Western Australia

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Donnybrook
Western Australia

Donnybrook Main Street
Population: 1,933 [1]
Established: 1894
Postcode: 6239
Elevation: 63 m (207 ft) [2]
Location: 30 km (19 mi) from Bunbury
LGA: Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup
State District: Capel
Federal Division: Forrest
Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Rainfall
23.0 °C
73 °F		 9.6 °C
49 °F		 986.0 mm
38.8 in

Donnybrook is a town situated between Boyanup and Kirup on the South Western Highway, 210 kilometres (130.49 miles) south of Perth, Western Australia. The town is the centre of apple production in Western Australia.

Contents

[edit] History

The town of Donnybrook was gazetted in 1894.[3] It was first settled around 1842 when George Nash and others moved to the area.[3] They named the place "Donnybrook" after the suburb of Dublin, Ireland that they came from.[3] The eastern part of the town was formerly called Minninup.[3] The western portion of the townsite is currently known as Irishtown.

In 1897, Richard Hunter discovered gold about 6 kilometres south of the Donnybrook townsite.[4] Hunter eventually sold out to Fred Camilleri (a well known prospector from Kalgoorlie) and Camilleri was able to interest the internationally renowned Polish geologist Modest Maryanski.[5] It was on the basis of Maryanski's report that a new company "Donnybrook Goldfields Ltd" was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1899.[5] A mini gold rush occurred, resulting in the Government gazetting the Donnybrook Goldfield - in the process making provision for a new town to be called "Goldtown".[4] From the census of 1901, it was known over 200 gold miners were camped on the goldfields.[4] The excitement was short lived however, and the Hunters Venture mine closed in August 1903.[4] The area was worked during the Great Depression by locals Laurie and Foster Payne, then re-pegged and explored during the 1980s and again from 2004-5.[4]

[edit] Industry

Donnybrook is the home of Western Australia's apple industry.[6] In 1900, the first Granny Smith apple tree was planted, and the apple orchard industry grew after World War I.[7]

Apples are harvested between March and May, with apple blossoms prominent in October.[6] Donnybrook's industries also include timber, beef, dairy and viticulture.[6] Many visiting backpackers earn money by picking fruit from orchards in the area between November and June.[8]

[edit] Tourism

Donnybrook has many town icons bearing the apple. On the main street, apple-shaped lights line the entrance of the Old Railway Station. These lights have recently been restored. Atop the east Donnybrook hill is a 20 metres (65.62 feet) high tower with an apple at the top. The apple is part of The Big Apple Tourist & Wildlife Park, and from the top of the apple, visitors can view Donnybrook and its surrounding areas.[7] The Lady William big apple is made of fibreglass and is 7.5 metres tall with a diameter of 6.5 metres.[7]

The Apple FunPark, the largest free-entry playground in Australia, opened in Easter 2008 in time for the Donneybrook Apple Festival.[9] The fruit-themed park will have play equipment and an adult exercise area.[9]

The Old Goldfields Orchard & Cider Factory houses a small museum that documents the rise and fall of the goldfield.[4] The Hunters Venture poppet head has been re-built above the original mine shaft, and the Mount Cara Adit is open for tourists' inspection.[4]

Finalists in the 1954 Apple Queen competition from Donnybrook, Manjimup and Bridgetown.
Finalists in the 1954 Apple Queen competition from Donnybrook, Manjimup and Bridgetown.

[edit] Apple festival

Every two years the Donnybrook Apple Festival is held during Easter.[6] The next festival is in 2010.[6] During the apple festival, the citizens of Donnybrook gather at Egan Park to celebrate the apple. The festival includes agricultural displays, sideshow alley, the crowning of the Apple Queen and a parade.[10] During the street parade the Catholic Church of Donnybrook blesses the holy apple, assuring a good harvest in the years to come.

The Apple Queen was traditionally chosen from young females from the Donnybrook/Balingup area, aged between 17 and 25 years. In 2006, this was changed to the title of "Ambassador", with males allowed to enter the competition.[11] Contestants attend dinners and perform community service, and ride on giant apple-shaped floats in the parade. From these floats they give apples, fruit and lollies to the children lining the closed-off section of the South Western Highway.[10]

The Apple Festival also had a mascot, Donny Applebrook, created in 1997.[12] Donny was a giant green apple who promoted the festival.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). Donnybrook (Urban Centre/Locality). 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.
  2. ^ Bureau of Meteorology: Summary Statistics Donnybrook. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.
  3. ^ a b c d Landgate History of Country Town Names: D. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Olsen, Graeme. South West Life: The Donnybrook Goldrush. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.
  5. ^ a b Australia's South West: The Donnybrook Goldrush. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.
  6. ^ a b c d e Tourism Western Australia: Donnybrook. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  7. ^ a b c Next 89km: Big Apple, Donnybrook. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  8. ^ Backpackers Ultimate Guide: Southwest WA. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  9. ^ a b Biggest Free Entry Fun Park In Australia To Be Built In Donnybrook (11 January, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  10. ^ a b Donnybrook Apple Festival. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  11. ^ Donnybrook Apple Festival: History. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  12. ^ Donnybrook Apple Festival: 1997. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 33°35′″S, 115°49′″E