The Early Years
Northam lies on the banks of the Avon River about a 100km east of Perth in Western Australia. The area around Northam and York was first explored in 1830 by Ensign Robert Dale and a party of colonists, who were looking for suitable agricultural lands. The townsite was surveyed in 1830 and the town was gazetted in 1833. Northam was believed to be named by Governor Stirling after a village in North Devon, England.
By the 1830s farmers had begun settling in the town and nearby properties eager to establish farmland.
Goldrush
During the late 1800s, gold was discovered in Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie, starting a goldrush like no other in the State’s history. Towns were being built virtually overnight as prospectors flooded into Western Australia to try their luck.
In the 1890s Sir John Forrest (State Premier) made a decision that would change the history of this agricultural town. In 1891 Sir John Forrest announced, that Northam would become the point of departure for the rail to the goldfields. The towns of York and Beverley were also vying for the honour. Northam would soon become the gateway to the eastern goldfields and centre of development as a rail line, roads and C.Y.O’Connor’s goldfields water pipeline passed through the town. How well the town prospered is evident in its architecture. There are over 180 buildings in Northam, having both heritage and architectural significance. Many of these buildings can be found on Fitzgerald Street and Wellington Street.
White Swans Introduced
The white Swan was first introduced to Northam in the early 1900s by a Russian Settler. It is now the only natural breeding place for white swans in Australia.
Dark Past
A dark time in Northam’s history happened in 1933 when the entire Aboriginal population of Northam was removed and placed in the Moore River Settlement. The reason for the action was a fear of scabies. The Northam Shire Council, believing they were a health risk, ordered the police to round them up.
World War II
Large army bases were established in Northam during World War I & II and an Australian General Hospital was built in 1941 to accommodate wounded troops from both Australian & American to rehabilitate.
Immigration Camps (1940s-1960s)
In the late 1940s to the early 1960s following the end of the war the 118th Battalion Military Hospital became the Department of Immigration Reception and Training Centre (Holden Immigration Camp), where thousands of refugees (mainly from Eastern Europe) were accommodated in camps. This was the first time that the State had seen such a large influx of non-British migrants. Many came from Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Greece.The camp originally housed the women and children of men who were sent to work in isolated areas of the State.Another camp was set up at the Northam Army Camp (original home of the 10th Light Horse Brigade) following a coalminers strike. The strike had forced a virtual shut down of the industry leaving a large group of migrant workers still in transit unable to be placed in employment. The army camp provided temporary accommodation for over 4,500 migrants coming for Latvia, Yugoslavia, Russia, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Italy. For over 30,000 migrants, Northam would become their first place of residence in Australia. Many of the refugees later chose to settle in Northam and finding work on the water supply scheme and railways.
Meckering Earthquake (1968)
In 1968 Northam was shaken by the Meckering earthquake which registered 6.9 on the Richter scale, causing structural damage to several buildings. The earthquake also forced many families in Northam to sleep outside for several days because of fears that another quake was imminent. There were over 40 aftershocks in the days that followed but no new earthquake occurred.
Avon Descent (1972)
In 1972 the Avon Descent was established, following a push by the local council to attract tourists into the area. The whitewater boating event, which is considered to be one of the most challenging river races in the world, starts at dawn at the concrete chute on the Avon River in late August.