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Bedford Downs Station


Coordinates: 17°15′40″S 127°27′47″E / 17.261°S 127.463°E / -17.261; 127.463 (Bedford Downs) Bedford Downs or Bedford Downs Station is a pastoral lease that operates as a cattle station in the Western Australia.

It is situated about 84 kilometres (52 mi) west of Warmun and 109 kilometres (68 mi) north of Halls Creek in the Kimberley region.

Both the station and nearby Mount Bedford were named in 1903 after Admiral Frederick Bedford who was the Governor of Western Australia.

Established some time prior to 1906 by the Buchanan and Gordon Brothers, the property experienced many difficulties including the spearing of cattle and isolation of the area. In two years nearly a dozen men had also been murdered by the traditional owners.

The family business, Quilty and sons, acquired the property in 1917 from Messrs. Mather, Ross, Manning and Ralston for £34,000. The 900-square-mile (2,331 km2) property was stocked with 8,500 head of cattle and 80 horses. Patrick Quilty was left to manage Bedford Downs while his brother managed Euroka Springs in the Northern Territory.

A boundary rider named Harry Annear was murdered by Aborigines on the property near the Durack River in 1921. The Aboriginal artist, Paddy Bedford, was born at the property around 1922. His surname is taken from the station and the station's owner Paddy Quilty was the source of his given name.


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