Shire History & Heritage Walk

Heritage Walk

Staying in town there are some wonderful sites to see, and many people choose to begin at the top (southern) end of our ‘metropolis’ and work their way through to a hearty lunch or dinner at the Mingenew Hotel, originally the ‘Midland’, built c1890. We have beautiful churches dating back to 1882, several heritage listed buildings such as 14. Linthorne Manor, the home of early pioneer, William Henry Linthorne (1846 – 1920), who actually constructed many of the buildings himself including the Anglican Church and the state school, now the Mingenew Museum.

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Did you know

Like much of the mid-west of WA, Mingenew boasts a rich history. If you are in town, be sure to visit Mingenew’s Historical Museum – open on select days in the peak season (late July to September) or visit our Shire office to borrow the key and have a look inside. Our local history buffs love to share their knowledge of the district’s history. Here’s just a snippet.

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Littlewell Reserve

NOTICE: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the videos linked may feature images and voices of people who have passed away.

The Mingenew Aboriginal Reserve, ‘Littlewell’, was first established in 1938. In the 1950s, houses and ablution blocks were constructed on the 10-acre site, a well was fitted with a windmill and, eventually, town water and electricity were connected. By the 1970s, as residents transitioned to the town centre, the reserve closed.

Presently, only the concrete slab foundations of the eight houses, the laundry, the ablution block, and the steel base of the windmill endure. Scattered artifacts dot the site, as well as the trunk of a large dead tree which is fondly remembered as a central meeting place.

Littlewell is a significant place with a rich history of connection, belonging and hardship for many Aboriginal families. Given its historical importance, in 2010 the Littlewell Working Group was formed, led by Mr Cameron. Members, all former residents, have a strong passion to share their stories and honour the lives of the families who resided there.

For insights into life in Littlewell, explore interviews with former residents to the right or connect with the Mingenew Historical Society.

Living In, Leaving & Returning

Michael ‘Buddy’ Edwards and Thomas (Bynder) Cameron talk about their lives on the Littlewell Aboriginal Reserve. Buddy remembers the happy times when everyone would play music and sing around the main campfire. For Buddy, life on the Reserve was like being a part of a large happy family. He also remembers that when his mother did not have a house to live in he was taken with some of his brothers and sisters to live in the New Norcia Mission. Later, he returned to Mingenew, worked on local farms, played in the Mingenew Football Club and visited his mother who lived in Geraldton.

Having Fun On Littlewell Reserve

Yvonne (Bynder) Bradley, Thomas (Bynder) Cameron and Kathy Jacobs talk about their happy times growing up on the Littlewell Aboriginal Reserve.

Working & Living In Mingenew

Thomas (Bynder) Cameron and Tom Flanagan, a local farmer, talk about growing up in Mingenew and how members of the Littlewell community worked for local farmers.

Yvonne’s Story

Yvonne (Bynder) Bradley talks of her desire to record her personal story, the stories of her family and her community so that she can pass them on to her children. She remembers the difficult time when at the age of seven she and some of her brothers and sisters were taken from the Littlewell Reserve to live at the New Norcia Mission. After some years away from her family, she returned to Geraldton and Mingenew. She made it her business to reconnect with the surviving members of her extended family. Yvonne has written a manuscript which documents her personal and family research.

Life On Littlewell Reserve

Thomas (Bynder) Cameron, Kathy Jacobs, Michael ‘Buddy’ Edwards and Emily Dalgety talk about the Littlewell Reserve as one big happy family where everyone looked after each other. They remember their excitement when their shearer fathers brought home bags of lamb tails which they would throw onto the campfire and eat. They look back on their childhood on the Reserve and discuss how it helped to form them as the people they are today.

Depot Hill, WWII & The Littlewell Mob

Thomas (Bynder) Cameron and Tom Flanagan, a local farmer, talk about Depot Hill which is an important cultural site for the Littlewell Mob and how there are still relics of WWII activities where troops were stationed during the War. Thomas remembers how men from Littlewell were employed in the Army Labour Force which supplied meat for the troops.

Memories Coming Back

Thomas (Bynder) Cameron and Tom Flanagan, a local farmer, talk about the days when government policy prohibited Aboriginal people from being in town after 6:00 PM unless they had given up their rights as Aborigines. They also remember the time when the Mingenew Pub had one bar for Aborigines and another bar for non-Aborigines.

Shire History

  1. 1840s

    In the early 1840s, explorers searching for grazing lands north of the Swan River discovered two coal seams along the Irwin River near what is now Mingenew, though the coal was found to be useless. Mingenew’s fortunes took a turn when Augustus Gregory recognized the region’s agricultural potential.

  2. 1850s

    Land leases were taken up in 1851, and cattle and sheep farming prospered, thanks to abundant springs and soaks.

  3. 1890s

    The late 1800s saw Mingenew’s growth as a trading and shipment hub, aided by the construction of a railway in 1890. The town’s access to water made it a vital stop for steam trains, leading to significant expansion.

  4. 1900s

    By 1900, Mingenew had multiple hotels, general stores, blacksmiths, carriers, and a saddler, underscoring its agricultural-based prosperity even as other gold-dependent towns faced declines in the early twentieth century.

Mingenew Museum

Like much of the mid-west of WA, Mingenew boasts a rich history. If you are in town, be sure to visit Mingenew’s Historical Museum – open on select days in the peak season (late July to September) or visit our Shire office to borrow the key and have a look inside. Our local history buffs love to share their knowledge of the district’s history. Here’s just a snippet.