Australia So Much to See
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A model miniature windmill and a tank on a stand representing water resources of the past. This tank stand is made from
old Jam tree (Acacia acuminata) fence posts.
Alongside was this old home made tractor. Probably steam driven
for on farm use.
In front of the building, which was the Shire Office until 1970, is a memorial celebrating 100 years of
local government in Westonia.
This building was then used as the Community Resource Centre (formerly known as Telecentre),
and is now used by visiting medical practitioners. In addition to a nurse practitioner visits, The Royal Flying Doctor
Service brings a doctor into town every six weeks.
The Edna May Tavern opened in 1915. The original building is now known as the Westonia Tavern, and is the only remaining
hotel in the town. It has twelve self contained rooms for visitors to Westonia.
Edna May is said to be the sister
of Alfred Weston, a pioneer sandalwood worker who later made the first gold discovery in the district. The gold mine currently
operating just north of the town is still known as the Edna May mine and is, in most sources, said to be named after mining lease
holder Edmund John Annear's aunt.
A "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" sits high above the verandah.
We saw a beautifully restored
classic 1955 model Chev ute parked in front of the tavern.
Above represents the original Post Office. A more modern public phone box stands in front. Post office and telephone services
were once run by the PMG. The Postmaster General's Department (PMG) was a federal government department, established at
Federation in 1901, to provide postal and telegraphic services throughout Australia.
Above right is a facade representing a boarding
house and coffee shop, which dated back to 1916.
Miner’s Hall is the oldest remaining building in Westonia. It was purpose built in 1914 and extended in 1915.
In
1918, the newly formed Westonia Road Board took over ownership and added offices. This was used until the new shire office was
built in the 1960s. Road Boards in Western Australia became known as Shire Councils in 1961 as they were by this time responsible
for far more than just roads and rates in communities.
The Miner's Hall was restored between 2006 and 2009.
In 2008,
the War Memorial Room was created here.
An old truck is on display on the median strip (above).
Behind it and in photo at right is a building on what was
the original power generator site for the town. It then became a mechanical workshop, and when we saw it, this building looked
derelict and the yard had become a bit of a junk yard with old machinery.
Premises has been
tidied up a little since our stay in Westonia.
Sites where original buildings no longer stand have small facades to represent these stores
Alongside the Miner's Hall, the emergency service buildings that house the present day ambulance and fire truck are housed in, are
replica buildings constructed on the site of the original 1918 fire station, in 2002.
