William Bay, Western Australia Explained

William Bay is a rural locality of the Shire of Denmark in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, on the shore of the Southern Ocean. The South Coast Highway runs through William Bay from east to west. The entire coastline of William Bay is covered by the William Bay National Park, with both the locality and national park sharing its name with the bay of the Southern Ocean.^{[1] [2]}

History

William Bay and the Shire of Denmark, according to the shire's website, are located on the traditional land of the Bibulman and Mineng people of the Noongar nation.^[3] The Mineng's traditional lands cover the majority of the shire while the Bibulman's traditional lands are to the west and, according to other sources, do not extend into the Shire of Denmark.^{[4] [5] [6]}

The Parryville Hall and the Parryville Group Settlement House are located in William Bay and not in the neighboring locality of Parryville, despite their name. The area was settled as part of the Group Settlement Scheme in the 1920s, being part of Group Settlement number 113.^{[7] [8]} The William Bay Group Settlement was referred to as Wiltshire in the 1920s and part of the Group Settlements number 41 and 42.^[9]

The historic Wynella homestead, also on the shire's heritage register, dates back to at least 1913, but was only moved to its current location from Wagin in 1991. It serves as a living museum of the Group Settlers era.^[10]

The siding of William Bay on the Elleker to Nornalup railway line was located on the northern border of the current locality. The siding opened in 1929 and closed in 1957.^{[11] [12] [13]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: SLIP Map . . maps.slip.wa.gov.au . . 2 December 2024 .
2. Web site: NationalMap . . nationalmap.gov.au . . 2 December 2024 .
3. Web site: Welcome to the Shire of Denmark . The Shire of Denmark respectfully acknowledges the Minang and Bibbulmun people of the Noongar nation who have cared for these lands and waters around Denmark for thousands of years . . www.denmark.wa.gov.au . Shire of Denmark . 2 December 2024.
4. Web site: Map of Indigenous Australia . . aiatsis.gov.au . . 2 December 2024.
5. Web site: Minang (WA) . . www.samuseum.sa.gov.au . . 2 December 2024.
6. Web site: Pibelmen (WA) . . www.samuseum.sa.gov.au . . 2 December 2024.
7. Web site: Group Settlement House (Parryville) . . inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au . . 2 December 2024.
8. Web site: Parryville Hall . . inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au . . 2 December 2024.
9. News: William Bay . . . 22 March 1923 . 2 December 2024 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
10. Web site: Wynella . . inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au . . 2 December 2024.
11. Web site: Western Australian railways passenger stations & stops . www.branchline.uk . 2 December 2024.
12. Web site: Back along the line: An historical gazetteer of railway stations, sidings and related facilities along Western Australian railway lines . www.geoproject.com.au . 2 December 2024.
13. Web site: Railway map of Western Australia, 1952 . Trove . 2 December 2024.