Meckering, Western Australia

Meckering is a town 130 kilometres (80.8 mi) east of Perth, Western Australia along the Great Eastern Highway. Meckering is located within the Shire of Cunderdin.

Meckering
Western Australia
Meckering Hall
Meckering
Coordinates31°38′S 117°00′E
Population265 (2011 census)[1]
Established1895
Postcode(s)6405
Elevation203 m (666 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Cunderdin
State electorate(s)Central Wheatbelt
Federal Division(s)Durack

A railway line was completed in the area in 1895 and Meckering was selected as a station site. The first name chosen for the townsite was Beebering, the Aboriginal name for the hills just north of the town.

The townsite of Beebering was gazetted in 1895. The name of the town was changed to Meckering in 1897 to agree with the station name and the name for the town that was used locally. Meckering is an Aboriginal word thought to mean "moon on the water" or "good hunting".[2]

In early 1898 the population of the town was 225, 150 males and 75 females.[3]

In 1932 the Wheat Pool of Western Australia announced that the town would have two grain elevators, each fitted with an engine, installed at the railway siding.[4]

The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.[5]

Earthquake
Main article: 1968 Meckering earthquake

The town was struck by an earthquake on Monday 14 October 1968.[6]

The earthquake occurred at 10:58:52 local time, with a moment magnitude of 6.5 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). Total damage amounted to $2.2 million with 20–28 injured.

Transport

Road freight

Meckering is a main stopping point for freight trucks on the way to the eastern states.

Passenger rail service

The MerredinLink service runs between East Perth and Merredin thrice weekly, terminating at Meckering.[7] The Prospector service between East Perth and Kalgoorlie stops at Meckering most days.[8]

Preceding station Transwa Following station
Northam
towards East Perth
 MerredinLink Cunderdin
towards Merredin
Prospector Cunderdin
towards Kalgoorlie

See also

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Meckering (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  2. Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names – M". Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  3. "Population of Western Australia". Western Mail. Perth: National Library of Australia. 22 April 1898. p. 23. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  4. "Country elevators". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 6 July 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  5. "CBH receival sites" (PDF). 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  6. Bunbury, Bill, 1940-; ABC Radio (Australia). Social History Unit (1986), The Story of the Meckering earthquake, ABC Radio Tapes, retrieved 13 March 2019CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. "Prospector Timetable" (PDF). Transwa. Public Transport Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.

Further reading
  • Gordon, F.R and J.D. Lewis (1980) The Meckering and Calingiri earthquakes October 1968 and March 1970 Geological Survey of Western Australia Bulletin 126 ISBN 0-7244-8082-X
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