Busselton, Western Australia

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Busselton
state = wa


caption =
lga = Shire of Busselton
postcode = 6280
pop = 15,386 Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL503200|name=Busselton (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=2007-10-02]
est = 1832
stategov = Vasse
fedgov = Forrest
dist1 = 232
location1= Perth
dist2 = 52
location2= Bunbury
maxtemp = 22.0
mintemp = 10.4
rainfall = 812.6
elevation = 4coord|-33.648|115.346|type:city(15386)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000|format=dms|display=title

Busselton is a town in the South West region of Western Australia. Founded in 1832 by the Bussell family, Busselton has been one of the fastest growing regions in Australia in the last decade and has a population of approximately 20,000. Busselton is located 220 km south west of Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Busselton has been voted Western Australia's top tourist town three times in 1995, 1996 and 2005. [cite web|url=http://www.inperth.com.au/travel_guide.shtml?wa_south|title=Inperth Travel Guide - South West Region|year=2002|accessdate=2008-09-27]

History

Pre European Settlement

Prior to white settlement in 1832, and for at least 40,000 years, the Busselton area has been home to the Noongar Aboriginal people. The colonisation of Western Australia in 1829 had a major impact on the life of the Noongar people. Many towns in the Busselton area, such as Wonnerup, Yallingup and Carbunup River, still hold their original Noongar names.

European Settlement

The early history of European exploration of the Busselton area focuses on the French expedition of 1801 which brought Nicholas Baudin, with his ships the "Le Géographe" and "Le Naturaliste", to the coast of Western Australia. Baudin named Geographe Bay and Cape Naturaliste after his vessels, and named the river Vasse after a sailor, Thomas Vasse, who was lost as he went overboard and believed to have drowned.

Busselton was one of the earliest settlements in Western Australia. It was first settled by the Bussell family, who relocated there from their location on the Blackwood River after John Garrett Bussell discovered superior farm land in the area. The Bussells moved to the area in 1834, establishing a cattle station which they named "Cattle Chosen". "Cattle Chosen" quickly became one of the most prosperous stations in the colony, and as a result nearly all of the settlers at Augusta relocated to the area within a few years. A number of settlers established themselves at Wonnerup, and eventually a contingent of troops were stationed there under Lieutenant Henry Bunbury. It was originally intended to locate the townsite at Wonnerup, but the area was low-lying and marshy, and Bunbury considered it unsuitable for a townsite. The present area was then recommended by the Surveyor General, John Septimus Roe. The present name of "Busselton" derives from the Bussell family. It was first officially used in June 1835. The Bussells, who were not consulted about the name, preferred the name "Capel" after a relative in England, Capel Carter, but the name "Busselton" was retained. A town named Capel was later established to the north of Busselton.

Being in close proximity to the tall timber country, Busselton soon established itself as a leading port. In 1850, timber was being exported and the small town prospered. Jetties for this purpose were built at Wonnerup, Busselton and Quindalup. Of these, only the Busselton Jetty remains.

During World War II 476 Busselton born men signed up for service; 20 in the Royal Australian Navy, 110 in the Royal Australian Air Force and 346 in the Australian Army. The names of the fallen are displayed on the towns war memorial alongside those of World War I in St Marys Park. During the war Busselton was home to an Air Force training base - remains of the base can still be seen today from the Busselton Bypass Road. A Royal Australian Air Force P-51 Mustang fighter was given the nickname "Busselton" in honour of the people of Busselton and their support of War Loan fundraising activities.

Railways

Western Australia's first railway line was built just north of Busselton at Lockville in 1871. The privately-owned line was used for the transport of timber [http://www.sro.wa.gov.au/collection/railway.html] .

From about 1927 to 1957, Busselton was also on the WAGR railway line running from Bunbury to Flinders Bay.

Following the closure in the 1950s of the Flinders Bay branch, most of the old line formation was changed in ownership. The railway line also connected onto the Busselton Jetty and was not closed on the jetty until the 1970s.

The connection with Bunbury was closed.

Climate

Busselton's climate can best be described as mild Mediterranean. Moderate weather conditions are enjoyed, with an average maximum temperature of 22°C and a minimum of 11°C. The summers are generally hot (an average daily maximum of 28°) with cooling afternoon sea breezes, and a winter that delivers cooler temperatures (9° min. - 19° max.) and rain that supports diverse agricultural industries, including a world-famous grape-growing region. The annual average rainfall for Busselton is 864 mm, with the wettest period being from May to September.

Busselton is located in the Lower House seat of Vasse, represented by Troy Buswell (MLA), who holds the blue-ribbon seat for the Liberal Party. In the Upper House, Busselton is within the South West Region.

Federal Government

Busselton is located in the safe Liberal seat of Forrest. The seat is currently represented by Hon Geoff Prosser who has held the seat since 1987. Geoff Prosser will retire at the 2007 election. [http://collie.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=general&story_id=489382&category=General&m=6&y=2006]

Busselton Health Study

Busselton is the location of one of the longest running epidemiological studies in the world. Since 1966, the residents of Busselton have participated in surveys concerning such health topics as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary function, diabetes, and allergies, resulting in [http://bsn.uwa.edu.au/bsnpub.htm over 200 publications] . The program was initiated by Dr Kevin Cullen, and is administered by [http://bsn.uwa.edu.au/ Busselton Population Medical Research Foundation] and the University of Western Australia.

Gallery

ee also

*Busselton Regional Airport

References

*Shann, Edward O. G. (1926) . Oxford University Press, London. Republished in 1978 by University of Western Australia Press, Nedlands, Western Australia. ISBN 0-85564-138-X.

External links

* [http://www.busselton.wa.gov.au Official Busselton shire website]
* [http://www.mybusselton.com.au/ Busselton portal]
* [http://www.mysouthwest.com.au/ South West portal]
* [http://www.busseltonhealthstudy.com/ Busselton Health Study]
* [http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_009515.shtml Climate averages for Busselton]