Special Collections at Murdoch University

Special Collections at Murdoch University

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Burlong Pool holds many memories

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Bates, K. (1985) Burlong Pool holds many memories. The Express, 13 February 1985. p. 6 [Publication] [Special Collections]

Summary

The Avon River which is one of the main tourist attractions at Northam, which has changed considerably since European settlement in the wheatbelt. One of the most dramatic changes was the silting-up of Burlong Pool about 15 years ago. Burlong Pool was a stretch of water in the river fed by permanent springs which provided recreation for local residents all year round. In the early days farmers used to wash their sheep in the pool before shearing so they could obtain a better price for the wool. The pool provided a valuable source of water for railway workers, camel teams and prospectors during the gold rush of the 1890's. A training scheme in the late 1950's and early 1960's was designed to clear the river bed of debris and silt to allow the river to flow more rapidly and reduce the likelihood of flooding. Unfortunately the dredging of the river allowed the silt to travel more easily down the river, which then settled in the water holes. Burlong Pool is now a desert of silt, with crumbling concrete change rooms on the river bank one of the reminders of the popular swimming hole. Erica and Gordon Oliver have fond memories of Burlong Pool, since they have lived in the area for most of their lives. Swimming carnivals and canoe races held at Burlong Pool were held in the 1930's.

This article contains two photographs: a swimming carnival being held at the Burlong Pool in the 1930's; and Gordon Oliver digging down about 50 centimetres from the surface to the water underneath.

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This article is part of the WISALTS (Whittington Interceptor Sustainable Agriculture Land Treatment Society Incorporated) Collection.

Item Type: Special Collections
Collection: WISALTS Collection
Copyright: ©1985 The Express
Notes: 1 newspaper clipping
URI: http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/59555
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