Menzies, Western Australia

Menzies Western Australia
Town Hall of Menzies
Menzies
Population:	56 (2006 Census)[1]
Established:	1895
Postcode:	6436
Elevation:	426 m (1,398 ft)
Location:	728 km (452 mi) ENE of Perth 133 km (83 mi) NNW of Kalgoorlie
LGA:	Shire of Menzies
State District:	Kalgoorlie
Federal Division:	O'Connor
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 26.3 °C 79 °F 12.6 °C 55 °F 250.9 mm 9.9 in

Coordinates: 29°41′17″S 121°02′13″E / 29.688°S 121.037°E / -29.688; 121.037

Menzies is a town located in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, 728 kilometres (452 mi) east-northeast of the state capital, Perth, and 133 kilometres (83 mi) north-northwest of the city of Kalgoorlie. At the 2006 census, Menzies had a population of 56.^[1]

History

Gold was discovered in the area in 1894, and Mr Leslie Robert Menzies, a Canadian-born prospector, and John McDonald were the first to take up a lease here in October 1894, naming their lease the "Lady Shenton". It was a rich gold find, and the Mining Warden for the area recommended a townsite be declared in 1895, named in Menzies' honour. The townsite was gazetted in August 1895.^[2] Land around the town was sold in 1895 and by 1896 it had become a municipality. The town hall was constructed from 1896 to 1898; the hall remained clockless for over 100 years due to the original clock being lost in a shipwreck and the prosperity of the town declining shortly afterwards. A clock was finally installed to celebrate the new millennium in 2000.^[3] The railway line was completed through to the town by 1900.

Water had to be carted to the town from underground supplies and from lakes in the surrounding areas. The government started construction of a dam in 1897 that began to supply water to the town by 1901.^[4] By 1900, Menzies had a population of approximately 10,000 with thirteen hotels and two breweries.^[5] The gold rush lasted for about 10 years and by 1905 most of the miners had left town to try their luck elsewhere. By 1910 the population of the town had declined to less than 1,000. Gold mining continues in and around Menzies to the present day.

Present day

It is a place that has seen many changes over the years. The population is generally low (less than 100); however this can change - and has changed rapidly as mines open and close in the local area. There is a pub with food and cold beer, a roadhouse with all the usual amenities and the old state battery, which is in mint condition and worth a look. The Sand Queen Gold Mine owned by Reed Resources, that had initially been operational in 1904, was reopened in 2006 after being abandoned some years ago.^[6] The town housed a Nursing Post (still operating today) and Police Station but the Police Station closed due to Police budget cuts. The station was manned by two officers who covered and patrolled some 145 thousand square kilometres. Crime was low and the new Police Station which was built still stands today vacant.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Menzies (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=SSC54696&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 17 July 2011. 
2. ^ Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names". http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/corporate.nsf/web/History+of+country+town+names. Retrieved 2007-06-01. 
3. ^ "Australian Explorer - Western Australia Menzies". 2000. http://www.australianexplorer.com/menzies.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-06. 
4. ^ "Shire of Menzies - A Brief History Of Menzies". 2005. http://www.menzies.wa.gov.au/about_us/history.html. Retrieved 2008-09-06. 
5. ^ "The Sydney Morning Herald - Travel - Menzies". 2008-01-15. http://www.smh.com.au/news/Western-Australia/Menzies/2005/02/17/1108500208290.html. Retrieved 2008-09-06. 
6. ^ "ABC News Online - New gold mine opening near Menzies". 2006. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/05/25/1647065.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-06. 

External links

• Shire of Menzies