BigRedBusTouringCo.com: Koorda - Corn Dolly Country

BigRedBusTouringCo.com: Koorda - Corn Dolly Country: Koorda - Corn Dolly Country Koorda is approximately 2 1/2 hours north east of Perth and is one of the many small towns, situ...

Koorda - Corn Dolly Country

Koorda - Corn Dolly Country

Koorda is approximately 2 1/2 hours north east of Perth and is one of the many small towns, situated within the heart of the wheat belt of Western Australia.

It has a population of 596 people, a community based a mainly farming - course grains, wheat and sheep.

The town hosts many wonderful facilities through the communities hard work, many of which any town would be only too happy to have,

The town was first settled in 1836, by the then governor general, Septimus Roe.  His camp was believed to be just north of the town, and they found water in the rock and gnamma holes and the soaks of the granite hills nearby.

Some settlers finally made their way into the district, bringing with them flocks of sheep, making use of the grasses in the area.  By the 1860's, a few homesteads, dotted the landscape, but it wasn't until much later, that through changes in the parliamentary legislation - which were designed to facilitate the population of vast pastoral allotments.

Settlers were granted a fee homestead block of roughly 160 acres, on the condition, that improvements were made in the way of fences, buildings etc., then a another block making a total of 1000 acres was given.  Much ploughing and clearing took place, under very difficult circumstances with the harsh realities of the climate, isolation,lack of skills and finance.  This however, appears to have been behind forging the community that it is today, one of friendliness and community spirit.

"The railway north and east from Wyalkatchem was gazetted in 1917 to serve the farmers settling in the area; a siding named Koorda, being at a central point, automatically became the district's name. In the same year a large dam was sunk at Koorda to meet the water requirements of the area.

The township sprang up around the railway workers' camp, then came the General Store, Post Office, Blacksmith, Butcher, Baker and Greengrocer, and then a hostel to accommodate the seasonal workers who were mainly handlers of bagged wheat. In 1917 the settlers built themselves a Hall, (now our Pioneer Memorial Hall), extending it in 1924. The Koorda Road Board, inaugurated in 1928, used the extension for their office until their own building was completed in Railway Street, which now serves as the C.W.A. Community Centre".  (Courtesy of the Koorda Shire Website)

Koorda Shire Council

Koorda Caravan Park

Drive Thru Sites

Camp Kitchen

Sports and Recreation Club

Swimming Pool

Home Of One Of THE Best Doctors - you would be sure to meet. Dr. Lil

Federation Park

Lions Park- Grain Handling Facilities

The Lions Club Park-Depicting The Story Of Koorda

Lions Park Sheep Sculptures

Lions Park With Old Muraled Tanks

Shopping Centre

CWA Building - Craft and Op Shop

Museum - Well Worth The Visit

The Local

Grain, Grain And More Grain

In Koorda a new larger railway dam and a town dam were sunk in 1935/36 by sustenance workers - the unemployed in the depression days. 1958 saw the opening of the new Koorda Memorial Hall and the extension of the Comprehensive Water Scheme to Koorda. In 1962 the Bowling Club was opened, and the following six years saw the Swimming Pool brought into use, the Drive-in theatre opened, the State Energy Commission taking over the supply of electricity to the town, and the Silver Chain Nursing Post was established.

Koorda Drive In is a must to anyone who may lucky enough to strike the lucky night. Held one night a month, this Drive In was a community restoration project.  when they started, they found that all the speakers were still working, after standing idle for over 30 years.

It is the oldest projector still working in Western Australia.

Koorda Drive In

Koorda Drive In

Just have to take your luck on what's showing, but we were half lucky, and enjoyed one of the two movies that was shown.  The ute, seats really leave a bit to be desired, and many others took seats and sat at the front of their cars, and we think they have done this before lol.....And there were no choc tops!!!!!  Most enjoyable night.

Each September, Koorda is home to the Corn Dolly Festival. Held in September each year, and an event I would much like to put on my agenda.  The Shire has adopted the corn dolly as its symbol, as there is such a connection to its history.

The History Of The Corn Dolly

The Corn Dolly dates back over 5000 years, along with the mysteries and myths that go with them.  Pagan farmers believed that a spirit lived in the growing grain, and to ensure a bountiful harvest, the need to keep this spirit was of prime importance.  Therefore, at harvest time, the very last patch cut was fashioned into a likeness of their goddess and taken home to be kept in a place of honor, until the following year.  At the next sowing, the Dolly of 'Maiden' would be returned to the earth to ensure a good harvest.  The dolly has long since become symbolic, and there any many different types fashioned out of the wheat, and decorated with ribbons of different colors. The spirit of the Dolly can be found throughout the world, where ever grain may be grown.

Our time at Koorda is fast becoming a reality.  We have so enjoyed our time here, and will certainly make a point of returning some day.  This town boasts one of the very best doctors, we have come across, and she in her own right deserves a special mention.  As Grey Nomads, one of the real problems is getting access to medical treatment on the road and on an ongoing basis.  Dr. Lil Costello is one very special lady....she has just been wonderful to us.

We leave here on February 5th, headed for our next house sitting job....way down south, but not before we participate in the Australia Day Events in Koorda...The friendliness of the community is simply awesome and we are looking forward to breakfast in the park, the 20/20 cricket, thong throwing, and anything else they would care to throw at us on the day.  So until next time folks..............errr. That's All Folks.

The Corn Dolly 'Maiden' We Bought My Mum - but Don't Tell!!