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History of Kellerberrin

History of Kellerberrin

The origin of the towns name comes from the local indigenous language. In the 1860s a nearby hill was always known as ‘Killabin’ (there are various spellings). The hill was first recorded as “Killaburing Hill”. In 1864 the explorer Charles Hunt recorded it as Kellerberrin Hill. The meaning of the name is up to interpretation one source claims that Kellerberrin is the name for the fierce ants that are found in the area, while another gives it as meaning “camping place near where rainbow birds are found” – “kalla” meaning camping place and “berrin berrin” being the rainbow bird.

The area of Kellerberrin was settled around 1880s and in 1895 Kellerberrin was surveyed as a townsite with the town being gazetted in March 1901. The town then developed quickly soon after boasting a hotel, post office, flour mill, three churches and a number of businesses. The discovery of gold at Southern Cross seemed to assure the local community’s prosperity as prospectors passed to and from between Perth and the Goldfields. The Railway between Perth and Kalgoorlie secured Kellerberrin a permanent spot on the map and life within the town has grown to become as rich as the landscape it’s found in.

A Man, His Dog & A Dead Kangaroo

Council commissioned the writing of the book for the centenary of the gazettal of the town of Kellerberrin.  

“Excerpt

In compiling this history I have simply had to look over the shoulders of writers or to listen to those who can remember. These are the pioneers and the generations of those who followed in their footsteps. Over time they have felt it important to jot down memories on paper. This is their story, not mine.

Terry Spence”

About the Book

The pioneers of the Kellerberrin district faced hardship notoriously common to all those early settlers who set out to farm the 18th century lands of Australia. At times it seemed all the elements were conspiring to thwart their pioneering endeavours. But they prevailed on their isolated patches of soil and carved a future for those who followed – those who work and live in the present day Kellerberrin district. In A Man, His Dog and a Dead Kangaroo, its author Terry Spence gathers together their stories into a book that is full of human interest, comprehensive and well-illustrated history spanning the 140 years of the Kellerberrin district.

Copies of the book can be purchased from the Shire Administration Office.

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