Mullewa Western Australia |
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Coordinates | 28°32′13″S 115°30′43″E / 28.53694°S 115.51194°ECoordinates: 28°32′13″S 115°30′43″E / 28.53694°S 115.51194°E |
Population | 425 (2006 census) |
Established | 1894 |
Postcode(s) | 6630 |
Elevation | 281 m (922 ft) |
Location | |
LGA(s) | City of Greater Geraldton |
State electorate(s) | Moore |
Federal Division(s) | Durack |
Mullewa is a town in the Mid West region of Western Australia, 450 kilometres (280 mi) north of Perth and 98 kilometres (61 mi) east-northeast of Geraldton. Mullewa is well known for an abundance of wildflowers in spring and it is one of the few places in Western Australia that the wreath flower grows. The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.
European settlers moved to the area in 1869 to take up pastoral leases for farming. In 1894, the government built a narrow gauge railway from Geraldton to Mullewa and the town was gazetted in the same year. The town is named for Mullewa Spring, based on an Aboriginal name recorded by surveyor John Forrest in 1873. The meaning of the name is not certain, but the most accepted meaning is "place of fog".
The architect priest Mgr John Hawes built the Church mainly with his own hands and the help of parishioners. Work started in 1921 and the stone and tile church was completed, after some interruptions, in 1927. The eclectic design of the Church shows some influence of Spanish Mission style. Hawes built a presbytery for himself next to the church and this, known as the Priesthouse, was finished in 1929: it’s been used as a museum since 1980.
The Church, front
Gargoyle on the Church
Church, side view
Priesthouse and Church
Priesthouse, street view
One of the Western Australian Government Railways named overnight passenger services from Perth was known as The Mullewa, which ceased operation in 1974. Mullewa is the junction of the railway line northeast to Meekatharra, and south to Northam.