Greenbushes is a timber and mining town located in the South West of Western Australia.
Noongar PeopleAboriginal people of the southwest of Western Australia spoke variants of a language now known as Noongar (variously spelt), which may have been
distinct languages or related dialects.
The Wagyl is the Noongar manifestation of the Rainbow Serpent in Australian Aboriginal religion and mythology, The rainbow serpent is the rainbow itself, which lives in water holes where light is refracted. Quartz and certain seashells are also associated with the Rainbow Serpent,and used in ceremonies.
Noongar did not practice circumcision or incision as did other clans to the west.
The Noongar identify as a single group, but there are fourteen smaller clans within the
area (Tindale 1974).
Read William St Pierre Bunbury's diary which gives the first detailed description of this route and his comments on the Aboriginals and their way of life. Read
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Read, JOURNALS OF TWO EXPEDITIONS OF DISCOVERY IN NORTH-WEST AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA, DURING THE YEARS 1837, 1838, AND 1839, BY GEORGE GREY,
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| Native of Western Australia. Captain Grey, delt. G. Foggo, Lithographer. M. and N. Hanhart, Lithographic Printers. |
1820s
European settlement of the southwest occurred in 1829 with the
establishment of the Swan River colony.
The 8 June 1829 Declaration announced the settlement within the Territory of Western Australia, recognising the "Aboriginal inhabitants as British subjects and stated that any person behaving towards them in a 'fraudulent, cruel or felonious Manner' would be liable to prosecution and trial."
With the introduction of farming, hunting and gathering became increasingly difficult, and diseases to which Aboriginal people had no immunity also impacted populations.
1880s
The presence of tin at Greenbushes was first noted by Government Geologist E J Hardman in 1886.
David William Stinton in 1888 applied for a 400 Acre mining lease on behalf of the Bunbury Tin Mining Company. This led to an in influx of miners into the area and the development of Greenbushes and North Greenbushes.
The New Zealand Gully tenement was
named after two New Zealand prospectors who worked for Stinton. According to the Bunbury Herald 9 July 1897, 'The New Zealanders have also amassed a goodly heap of mother earth...'
The original Greenbushes Cemetery was located on the South Western Highway three kilometres north of Greenbushes.
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| Southern Times (Bunbury, WA : 1888 - 1916), Monday 8 December 1890 |
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| Store and house of G.M. Williams, Greenbushes, WA, 1895, SLWA |
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| Western Mail, September 1899 |
Greenbushes Advocate and Donnybrook and Bridgetown Advertiser, was active 1899 - 1902.
1900s
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| Greenbushes Advocate and Donnybrook and Bridgetown Advertiser (WA : 1899 - 1902), Saturday 8 December 1900 |
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| Greenbushes Advocate and Donnybrook and Bridgetown Advertiser (WA : 1899 - 1902), Saturday 8 December 1900 |
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| Greenbushes Advocate and Donnybrook and Bridgetown Advertiser (WA : 1899 - 1902), Saturday 8 December 1900 |
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| Greenbushes Advocate and Donnybrook and Bridgetown Advertiser (WA : 1899 - 1902), Saturday 10 March 1900 |
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| TIN SMELTING AT GREENBUSHES, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 20 October 1900 |
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| Greenbushes, WA, (camp) W.A. Record (Perth, WA : 1888 - 1922), Saturday 15 December 1900 |
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| Greenbushes, WA, (camp) W.A. Record (Perth, WA : 1888 - 1922), Saturday 15 December 1900 |
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| Miner's home, Greenbushes, WA, (camp) W.A. Record (Perth, WA : 1888 - 1922), Saturday 15 December 1900 |
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| Greenbushes, WA, (camp) W.A. Record (Perth, WA : 1888 - 1922), Saturday 15 December 1900 |
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| Greenbushes, WA, (camp) W.A. Record (Perth, WA : 1888 - 1922), Saturday 15 December 1900 |
Greenbushes, WA, (camp) W.A. Record (Perth, WA : 1888 - 1922), Saturday 15 December 1900 (constructing a puddler. Puddling machines are a very significant development in the history of Victorian gold mining, as they are one of the only technologies or methods developed entirely on the
Victorian Goldfields.)
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| West Australian Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1897 - 1902), Sunday 9 February 1902 |
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| 1. HYDRAULIC SLUICING ON THE GREENBUSHES TINFIELD. 2. PUMPING STATION AT THE BOTTOM OF KELLY'S FLAT. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 17 January 1903 |
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PROGRESS OF GREENBUSHES. THE GREENBUSHES TIN MINING AND WATER SUPPLY
SYNDICATE. EASTERN VIEW OF THE SMELTING WORKS AND FOREMAN SHELTER'S
COTTAGE. |
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| Greenbushes, WA, No. 1 TIN SMELTING FURNACE. No. 2 SMELTING FURNACE.THE SMELTING REFINERY.Sunday Press (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1903), Sunday 25 January 1903 |
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| POST OFFICE WARDEN'S OFFICE, AND COURT HOUSE. Greenbushes, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 21 February 1903 |
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| 1. Central view of Greenbushes, WA. 2. Police Station, Greenbushes, 3. Anglican Church, Greenbushes, WA. WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 21 February 1903 |
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| Miners' camp, Greenbushes, WA, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 21 February 1903 |
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a man named Creagh with a barrow. He had left Greenbushes (W.A. Midland line) 18 months ago, and wheeled his barrow, made of bush timber. He travelled thence to Itavensthorpe (Philips River), and from there to Esperance Noreeman road and Gibson's Soak, and on to Norseman and Princess Royal, thence via Balladooia and Eucla to Fowler's Buy (where I struck him), weighed his barrowwith contents, then light—140 lb. He went right straight on. bound (as he said) for MacDonnell Ranges. A man like this, and he is a prospector, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), Saturday 10 September 1904 |
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| "SOUTH GREENBUSHES FOOTBALL TEAM. WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 12 August 1905 |
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| Tin mining at Greenbushes, WA, 1. The Co-operative Union Mill, 2. Subiaco Sluicing Co. Show, WA. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 8 December 1906, |
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| TIN MINING AT GREENBUSHESMESSRS. BENNETT AND PARTY'S BATTERY, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 1 September 1906 |
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| Greenbushes, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 27 October 1906, |
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| 1. Greenbushes, WA, 2. Greenbushes Post Office, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 27 October 1906, |
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| The Government Battery, Greenbushes, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 24 November 1906 |
In 1907 the town had a population of 3,000 people.
An article in the Sunday Times 20 January 1907, stated that the Greenbushes Club was a 'gentleman’s club', and was 'a retreat for the
local bloods who, like all bloods, look upon themselves as the cream of the earth, and far too good to associate with the common, horny-handed horde, the beastly-fellow, y' know, that works.'
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| Mr A E Morgans' Ball Mill, Greenbushes Mines and Mining, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 11 January 1908 |
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| Greenbushes Club, WA, Mirror (Perth, WA : 1907 - 1910), Friday 19 February 1909 |
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| THE DUKE OF YORK HOTEL, GREENBUSHES, WA : MRS. WILSON. PROPRIETRESS.Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 26 February 1910 |
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| Court House Hotel, Greenbushes, Western Australia - 1911, Kaye |
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| POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE, GREENBUSHES. WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 1 November 1912 |
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| House at Greenbushes, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 27 July 1912 |
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| Greenbushes, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 16 December 1913 |
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| Sleeper carting at Greenbushes, WA. Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1955), Sunday 9 February 1913 |
WWI
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| PTE. R. DELAPORTE. 28th Battalion. Killed. Late of Greenbushes. Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1955), Sunday 7 November 1915 |
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| PRIVATE W. A. RICHARDSON. 12th Light horse. Serionsly wounded. Only son of Nurse Richardson, of Greenbushes, WA. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 12 January 1917 |
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| Greenbushes, WA, The Bunbury Herald, 16th February 1918 |
1920s
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| The Prime Minister Unveilisg; the Greenbushes War" Memorial, which has been erected at a cost jof £350-a .tine achievement .for so small a population Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1955), Sunday 7 May 1922, |
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| Tin Sluicing at Greenbushes.WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 21 December 1922 |
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| GREENBUSHES. AN EARLY DAY MINER. During the week Mr. G.. W. Ward, who is now farming in the Bruce Rock district, visited Greenbushes arid in a chat with a representative of this paper said he was one of the first /men to drive a pick in Green -bushes having gone there with Ecclestone brothers in 1889 for a Bun-bury syndicate, and commenced work on the south of the township now known as Bunbury end. They started a boarding house for the workers, he undertaking the duties of secretary and treasurer and the late Mr. D. Stintoh took on the cooking. Before he left the field the first hotel was in course of erection. In those days their was not one woman on the field. He was astounded at the size of the town today and mentioned that it was very difficult to locate any of the first, workings. Blackwood Times (Greenbushes, WA : 1905 - 1955), Friday 8 November 1929 |
1930sEarly Days in Greenbushes.
Dear "Non-Com."-My first association with Greenbushes was about 37 years ago, shortly after tin had been discovered in that locality. My father and his brother, who were early prospectors on the "tin fields," made the journey from Fremantle by horse and dray. Mother and I followed later.
In those days, Greenbushes was a very lovely spot, especially at the north end, where we lived for a long time. The only signs of civilisation were the railway and a few settlers' shanties, which were sur-rounded by thick forest. A few bullock teams used to haul piles to the railway yards. These piles, so far as I can re-member, were used in the construction of the Bunbury jetty. The bullock teams had a great fascination for me when I was a boy, and many a rough ride I've had clinging like grim death to a jolting pile attached to a bullock whim. The coming of the teams were heralded by loud whip-cracking, clouds of dust, and a strong flow of bullocky's language. A big log fire at night, around which two or three families used to sit and talk of New South Wales, helped to dispel the loneliness.
Later we moved to South Greenbushes, where a rich tin find was subsequently discovered. Other tin mining areas in Greenbushes were Spring Gully, Dumpling Gully and Lloyd's Flat. Greenbushes, like most mining towns, had its "Roaring Days," and at one time six hotels catered for the thirsts of miners and jarrah jerk-ers. Two hotels meet present day require-ments. Since the slump in tin mining and the
closing down of the Timber Corpora-tion, Greenbushes is gradually changing into an agricultural district.-"Tinny," Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 18 July 1935
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| Blackwood Times (Greenbushes, WA : 1905 - 1955), Friday 4 August 1933 |
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| Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1955), Sunday 5 December 1937 |
1940s and WWI |
Pte J. A. Beer (returned ME), of Bunbury, son of Mr R. Beer and the late Mrs Beer, was killed
in action in New Guinea on November 26. His wife andsmall son live at Greenbushes.Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 2 March 1944 |
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| On Bougainville, Tpr. T. E. Yates of Greenbushes and L/Cpl. G. W. Wells of Collie, back from a patrol deep into enemy-held areas, munch apples dropped by foodplanes. Australian official photoDaily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Monday 2 July 1945 |
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| COUNTRY WOMEN AT GREENBUSHES. At the celebration of the 14th birthday of Greenbushes branch of the C.W.A., visi-tors from Busselton, Donnybrook, East Kirup, Balingup, Manjimup and Bridgetown attended.Blackwood Times (Greenbushes, WA : 1905 - 1955), Friday 1 July 1949 |
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| PRETTY WEDDING AT GREENBUSHES. After the ceremony, from left to right, you see Mr. W. Carter (groomsman), Miss Pat Wallis (bridesmaid), bridegroom and bride, Mr. J. Wallis (best man), Miss Betty Rankine (bridesmaid), Mr. L. Perks (groomsman), and Miss L. Zinnecker (bridesmaid). (The admiring youngster in the front seemed captivated by the happy group, until a parental hand re-claimed possession.) Boyup Brook Bulletin (WA : 1930 - 1950), Thursday 1 December 1949 |
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| CENTRALS FOOTBALL TEAM, GREENBUSHES. Back row (left to right) : W. Woods (umpire), R. Herbert, L. Green, C. Witnish, T. Brooks, W. Rowlands, R. King, J. Eastcott, R. Jones, L. Perks, G Jones, S. Graham. Front row: X. Lindsay, R. Sullivan, W. Carter, J. Glennie. K. Thorley, W. Allen, L. Allen. Pemberton Post (WA : 1937 - 1950), Thursday 28 July 1949 |
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| Greenbushes hockey team, WA, Boyup Brook Bulletin (WA : 1930 - 1950), Thursday 14 July 1949 |
1950s
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| PEGORARO-DE CONTI WEDDING. St, Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Greenbushes, was the scene of a very pretty wedding on Saturday, April 7, when -Olinda Anna, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. E. De Conti, of Greenbushes, was married to Mr. John Pegoraro, of North Perth.Blackwood Times (Greenbushes, WA : 1905 - 1955), Friday 20 April 1951 |
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| ICTORIOUS GREENBUSHES TEAM Standing: D. Walker (12th man), E. Roberts, N. Lindsay, L. Perks, A. Baskerville (captain), R. Rowlands, R. Herbert. Kneeling: R. Dilkes (wicketkeeper), W. Carter, S. Broomfield, B. Williams, B. Westlake (secretary). Club mascot is Young Broomfield.Pemberton Post (WA : 1937 - 1950), Thursday 20 April 1950 |
'Early days in the history of Greenbushes—days when the town boasted a population of thousands—were recalled in 1 interesting reminiscences of Mr. A. S. Mann, tin miner .and timber supplier, Mr. Mann said Mort's Hotel was a stopping place for coaches before the railway came through. He arrived in Greenbushes in the late nineties, Trent to Bridgetown for 6 weeks and when he returned, tin mining claims had been pegged along both sides of the road. Practically overnight the field had attracted miners, builders, contractors, badness people stud speculators. He himself had a dozen teams carrying timber, and a line was running to the mill from which the timber was supplied.
ORDERLY They were a reasonably orderly mining crowd and a friendly crowd, continued Mr, Mann, 2 or 3 police officers, including Sgt. Smith, being sufficient to maintain order throughout the very busy years. There were 24 applications for publicans' general licenses at Greenbushes «nd North; Greenbushes. Eight applicants were successful, 3 at North Greenbushes and 5 at Greenbushes. Courthouse Hotel, a wooden structure, on the south end to the town, was owned by Gerry -Robson and the first brick hotel was erected by Creightmore. Then came the Exchange, Duke of York 'and later Tom Cosgrove built the Shamrock. Tom Curry built a hotel at North Greenbushes.' Blackwood-Warren Sentinel (Bridgetown, WA : 1950 - 1954), Thursday 24 January 1952,
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| Revival Of Tin Mining At Greenbushes. Photo shows workings of Amalgamated, Tin Ltd. at Greenbushes. Testing has proved that 2,000,000 yards of tin-bearing alluvial earth, averaging 1 lb. tin a yard, is available lor treatment and that another 2,600,000 yards averages 2 to 3 ibs. a yard. Western Queen is the latest company to show interest in the Greenbushes field and two offtclals, Messrs. Fernet and Morris, left Greenbushes on Monday taking with them several samples obtained from the southern end of the field.Blackwood-Warren Sentinel (Bridgetown, WA : 1950 - 1954), Thursday 10 April 1952 |
1980s
The Greenbushes mine, in the south of the town, has produced lithium concentrate since 1985.
Around Greenbushes
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| The Exchange Hotel was built in 1907, Greenbushes, WA |
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| Greenbushes, WA |
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| The Greenbushes Road Board office was constructed in 1907, WA |
Greenbushes Discovery Centre Located at 38 Blackwood Road, the Greenbushes Discovery Centre is open from 10.00 am - 2.00 pm Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
