Greenbushes
Western Australia
The Exchange Hotel in January 2022
Greenbushes is located in Western Australia
Greenbushes
Greenbushes
Coordinates33°50′56″S 116°03′32″E / 33.849°S 116.059°E / -33.849; 116.059
Population361 (UCL 2021)[1]
Established1889
Postcode(s)6254
Area57.8 km2 (22.3 sq mi)
Location250 km (155 mi) S of Perth
LGA(s)Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes
State electorate(s)Warren-Blackwood
Federal division(s)O'Connor

Greenbushes is a timber and mining town located in the South West region of Western Australia. The 2021 population was 365.

History

Greenbushes was founded as a mining town in 1888 following a surveyor's discovery of tin in 1886.[2] Greenbushes was named after the bright green Oxylobium lanceolatum that contrasted against the grey eucalyptus trees.[3] The railway from Donnybrook to Bridgetown opened in 1898, with Greenbushes station located approximately six kilometres north of the main townsite.[3] The area surrounding the railway station was renamed North Greenbushes to reduce confusion.[3]

Henry John (Harry) Robinson born 1862 South Australia and Ada Robinson (nee Woodley) born 1871 in Western Australia

A separate town site of South Greenbushes, also known as Bunbury End began in 1896.[4] The town had its own post office, hall and strong community until the 1930s when most moved to the main town site. The town boasted its own cricket team as well as many other groups.[5]

The town experienced a period of economic boom until the international price of tin slumped in 1893, which caused the Greenbushes' industry to collapse.[2] By 1913, approximately one quarter of Greenbushes' inhabitants were working in the timber industry, which was established shortly after the first mine.[2]

Industry

Greenbushes' two major industries are mining, producing tantalite concentrates, lithium minerals, tin metal and kaolin; and timber milling.[6] Agriculture, viticulture, tourism and art galleries are also part of Greenbushes' industry.[6]

The Greenbushes mine, located to the south of the town, has produced lithium concentrate since 1985.[7] As of 2022, it's the largest lithium mine in the world.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Greenbushes (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021. 
  2. 1 2 3 "Travel: Greenbushes". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 "History of country town names – G". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  4. ↑ "Bunbury End". Blackwood Chronicle and South-West Mining News. Vol. III, no. 186. Western Australia. 9 February 1907. p. 3. Retrieved 1 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "Bunbury End V. Bridgetown". The Blackwood Times. Vol. 2, no. 26. Western Australia. 24 October 1906. p. 6. Retrieved 1 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. 1 2 "Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes: Business and Industry". Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  7. ↑ "Greenbushes Lithium Operations". Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  8. ↑ Kurmelovs, Royce (11 November 2022). "How Australia became the world's greatest lithium supplier". www.bbc.com. BBC. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022.
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