Nannup is a town and
shire in the South
West
region of Western Australia
, approximately south of Perth
on the Blackwood River
at the crossroads of Vasse
Highway and Brockman Highway,
linking Nannup to most of the Lower South West's regional
centres.
History
Nannup's name is of
Noongar Aboriginal origin, meaning either
"stopping place" or "place of parrots", and was first recorded by
surveyors in the 1860s. The area was initially known as "Lower
Blackwood", and was first explored by Thomas Turner in 1834. In
1866, a bridge was built over the river and a police station was
established. A townsite was set aside in 1885, surveyed in 1889 and
gazetted on 9 January 1890. In 1906, a primary school and shire
office were built, and in 1909, a railway (no longer in operation)
was built from
jarrah wood,
linking to the South Western Railway and allowing the export of
Nannup timber.
Present Day
Nannup is the only town within the Shire of Nannup, and has a
district high school (1961),
telecentre,
shire offices, roadhouse, a sporting complex, shopping facilities,
accommodation for travellers (hotel/motel,
B&Bs, caravan park), and a gemstone
museum. The main street has changed little over the years so has
considerable heritage value.
The town population is about 600, with 1200 in the Shire of
Nannup.
Economy
Timber milling and agriculture (principally beef cattle) dominate
the local economy although wine, floriculture and tourism are
industries of growing importance. Furniture production and other
local timber value-adding activities are also a minor
employer.
Events and Festivals
Since the beginnings of the tourist industry in Nannup there have
been several events and festivals held to promote the town. These
include the week-long Flower and Garden Festival held in August
each year and the weekend Rose Festival in November. The largest of
Nannup's annual festivals is the
Nannup Music Festival (formerly the
Southwest Folk Festival) held over the
Labour
Day long weekend in March each year and includes street
performance and market stalls as well as a variety of musical
performances.
Image:Nannup_03.jpg|Panorama of main street in June
2007Image:Nannup_02.jpg|Panorama of main street in June 2007
See also
References
External links
Wikis
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