Burlong Pool, Western Australia

Burlong Pool[1] is a section of the Avon River in Western Australia between Spencers Brook and Northam.[2]

Water trains

Burlong Pool was a former railway stopping place, which was used as a location for drawing water into the water trains[3][4] to the Eastern Goldfield locations prior to the completion of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme.[5]

During dry weather in the late 1890s up to five separate water trains per day would be drawing water from the pool and travelling between Northam and the goldfields.[6]

Swimming location

Following the completion of the Goldfields water supply pipeline the water was no longer extracted from the pool, but the location was notable for being used as the Northam swimming carnival location,[7] swimming location[8] and rail excursions,[9] and the site of drownings.[10][11]

Wagyl location

As a long deep pool that was well watered in summertime, the location was known to Noongars as a place where the Wagyl had a summer resting place.[12][13]

Military history

Burlong Pool was leased by the Australian Army during World War II from the Western Australian Government Railways. During the 1940s and 1950s it was the location for training for water crossings, bridge building and water obstacles. Many bridge parts and tools are believed to lie on the bottom of the pool.[14] A rock river crossing allowed access from the rear of the Northam Army Camp to Burlong and Spencers Brook Roads.

See also

Notes
  1. Due to its proximity to Northam, some references are found as calling the location – Burlong Pool, Northam
  2. Also referred to at times as the Burlong Swimming Pool "[No heading]". Western Mail. Perth. 21 September 1933. p. 4 Supplement: The Western Mail. Retrieved 15 November 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "West Australian Goldfields". The Advertiser. Adelaide. 5 May 1894. p. 5. Retrieved 15 November 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Rainfall on the Fields". The Daily News. Perth. 30 December 1897. p. 2. Retrieved 15 November 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "The Railway Water Supply". The West Australian. Perth. 23 December 1897. p. 3. Retrieved 14 November 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Northam". Western Mail. Perth. 17 December 1897. p. 24. Retrieved 15 November 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "Northam Swimming Carnival". The Mirror. Perth. 2 December 1933. p. 13. Retrieved 15 November 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. http://northamarmycamp.org.au/storylines/military/life-at-the-camp/
  9. "Excursion to Burlong Pool". The Daily News (Late City ed.). Perth. 6 December 1934. p. 9. Retrieved 14 November 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "Boy Drowned In Burlong Pool". The Daily News (Home ed.). Perth. 22 February 1937. p. 1. Retrieved 15 November 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "An Accountant Drowned". Kalgoorlie Miner. WA. 26 October 1903. p. 5. Retrieved 15 November 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. Esperance Express. 8 September 2010. p. 19. Interpretive signs along with restoration of the natural environment and promotion of Nyungar culture have been instigated at Burlong Pool near Northam Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. McKenzie-Smith, G. (1994). The ebb and flow of the Australian Army in Western Australia, 1941 to 1945. Grimwade Publications. ISBN 978-0-646-17768-7.

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