Place Names of South Australia - W

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port

Whyte, Hundred of
Whyte-Yarcowie
Wickham Hill
Wild Dog Creek
Wilderness, The
Wild Horse Plains
Wilgena
Wilkatana
Wilkawatt
Willalo
Willamulka
Willaston
William Creek
Williamstown
Willippa
Willochra
Willogoleechee
Willoughby, Cape
Willow Bank
Willow Plains
Willowie
Wills Creek
Willsden
Willson, River
Willunga
Willunga, Port

Whyte, Hundred of

Nomenclature

John Whyte (c.1825-1902), pastoralist and a member of the grocery firm, Whyte, Counsell & Co.

General Notes

A school of this name opened in 1934 and closed in 1955.
The Whyte Well School was opened by Ida B. Coulls in 1916;
it closed in the same year.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Whyte-Yarcowie

Nomenclature

The prefix 'Whyte' alludes to John Whyte (see above under Whyte, Hundred of), while yarcowie is Aboriginal for 'flood' or 'great waters'.

General Notes

The school opened in 1880 and closed in 1971.
Photographs are in the Chronicle,
8 July 1911, page 30.

A ploughing match and stallion show is reported in the Chronicle,
29 July 1882, page 4f.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Ploughing Matches.

The town is described in the Observer,
4 July 1885, page 32a and
Parliamentary Paper
66/1886.

This is a small village containing about 26 houses, which are considerably scattered, with a population of about 100. The water is obtained almost entirely from tanks supplied with rain water from the roofs. There are two or three wells but the water in them is not used for drinking...

"The New Woman at Yarcowie" is in the Observer,
24 July 1899, page 29b.

A snow fall is reported in the Chronicle,
3 August 1901, page 33e.

The opening of a hall is reported in the Observer,
10 July 1909, page 18a.

Photographs of coronation celebrations are in the Observer,
8 July 1911, page 30.

An obituary of Mrs Jessie Mitchell is in the Register,
25 April 1919, page 6h.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Wickham Hill

Nomenclature

Benjamin Wickham, who held the land in 1842.

General Notes

The school opened in 1912 and closed in 1935.

Information on Daniel Wickham is in the Register,
31 December 1910, page 13f,
Register,
11 October 1911, page 6h,
Observer,
14 October 1911, page 34b,
of Mrs Eliza C. Wickham on
9 July 1927, page 43a (obit.).

The first school Daniel Wickham attended was on the spot now occupied by the Adelaide Railway Station... [The family later] removed to McLaren Vale where the father had taken up a sheep run which on his death in 1875 was transferred to the son...

A photograph of "The Soldiers' Cabbage Patch" is in the Observer,
18 August 1917, page 26.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Wild Dog Creek

A fire on Messrs Tinline and Murray's run near Melrose is described in the Register,
1 January 1869, page 2g.

The same fire which we mentioned as having commenced on the Wirrabara Run broke out again on Christmas Day and extended northward down the Wild Dog Creek Run belonging to Messrs Tinline and Murray...

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Wild Horse Plains

Nomenclature

Named circa 1870 by Thomas Day who found wild horses grazing there.

General Notes

A cricket match against Mallala is reported in the Observer,
21 February 1880, page 304c.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Cricket - Miscellany.

The school opened in 1882 on Lot 52 of the township and closed in 1938.
For information on it see Register,
26 April 1883, page 5b and
Life Around the Light,
page 143.

A fire at Lyons's store is reported in the Express,
17 March 1885, page 2d.

The opening of the Institute is reported in the Register,
6 and 7 April 1885, pages 7b and 4g.

For an account of a hazardous coach trip through flooded country see Register,
4 April 1889, page 6c; also see
20 April 1889, page 5g.

Mr J. Chard, driver for Hill & Co on the North road appears to have had a somewhat sensational experience of the floods having had to lead a sort of Robinson Crusoe existence for fourteen hours on an island on the road between Wild Horse Plains and Two Wells [a full account of his adventure follows]...

Also see South Australia - Transport - Horse Coaches.

The town is described in the Register,
14 January 1904, page 6f.

An obituary of William Jones is in the Observer,
5 March 1910, page 40a,
of Henry A. Lyons on 8 September 1923, page 39a.

A sports day is reported in the Chronicle,
1 January 1910, page 16d.
A photograph of a stripper at work on a farm is in the Observer,
20 November 1923, page 27.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Farming - Farm Implements.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Wilderness, The

The Advertiser of 13 May 1887, page 5c mentions this place near Mount Gambier -
"There is a State school here, and there are many settlers around."

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Wilgena

Nomenclature

Derived from wilgen which the Aborigines applied to a hill in the Musgrave Ranges.

General Notes

A gold discovery is reported in the Register,
17 and 18 July 1899, pages 5c and 6d; also see
4 November 1899, page 5b,
28 May 1900, page 6e.
Also see South Australia - Mining - Gold.

The reminiscences of A. Beviss are in the Register,
15 August 1917, page 7d.

From Pura Rock I packed a portable forge, 10 gallon buckets, explosives, a whole well sinker's outfit on horses out to where Welcome Well is on Wilgena. I took the bullocks 30 miles back to Kingoonya for water and by the time I got the teams out to Wilgena the well was down 40 feet. I got 6,000 gallons (drinkable) at 108 feet. There was no survey when I got there. The explorer, Charley Winnecke did it for me...

Information on the pastoral station appears on
21 and 23 August 1923, pages 12b and 7g,
22 July 1924, page 12f and the
Advertiser,
17 May 1932, page 13c;
a photograph is in the Chronicle,
24 March 1932, page 31.

Information on the pastoral property is in the Observer,
22 March 1924, page 47c.
A photograph of a meat house on the station is in the Chronicle,
21 February 1935, page 34.

The reminiscences of A.W. Cocks are in the Register,
22 July 1924, page 12f.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Wilkatana

Nomenclature

Aboriginal for 'wild dog place'.

General Notes

A photograph of "motoring outback" is in the Chronicle,
28 March 1935, page 32.
Also see South Australia - Transport - Motor Cars and Cycles.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Wilkawatt

Nomenclature

Aboriginal for 'wild dog'.

General Notes

Information on the Wilkawat (sic) Mine near Wallaroo is in the Register,
2 May 1866, page 2h,
7 June 1866, page 2h.
Also see South Australia - Mining - Coal.

The Observer of 18 September 1909 says the site of the Mallee town was formerly known as "Cotton Bore".
Also see Place Names - Cotton, Hundred of.

The school opened in 1909.

An obituary of Thomas Sorrel is in the Observer,
3 December 1927, page 48a.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willalo

A photograph of the Methodist Church is in the Chronicle,
17 March 1928, page 58.
Observer,
24 March 1928, page 10a.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willamulka

Nomenclature

An Aboriginal word applied to copper-green stones.

General Notes

The town and district are described in the Chronicle,
17 June 1899, page 19a.

An obituary of Thomas Jones is in the Observer,
24 March 1906, page 38b,
of W.H.B. Paterson on 10 October 1914, page 42b,
of G. Olsen on 25 March 1916, page 32c,
of Mrs Sarah A. White on 24 July 1926, page 11a.

An obituary of Mrs Sarah A. White is in the Register,
19 July 1926, page 8g.

"Another Tantanoola Tiger - Shot at Willamulka" is in the Observer,
15 February 1919, page 38b.

An occurrence reminiscent of the notorious "Tantanoola Tiger" episode has stirred the residents of Willamulka and Kadina. For more than nine months there has been a scourge in the neighbourhood that has played havoc with the flocks. The animal responsible has been variously described as a wolf and as an immense fox. Awful wolf-like howls were heard from time to time and it is alleged that the animal attacked farmers on several occasions during the hours of darkness... At last Mr Tully was able to dispose of the brute... The animal weighed fully 70 pounds, was 4 feet six inches long and stood about 2 feet three inches in height... Nothing like it has ever been seen in the district... Mr Tully intends to take his "tiger" to the Adelaide Museum.

Also see Place Names - Tantanoola.

"The First Willamulka School" is in the Advertiser,
28 July 1926, page 20c; also see
Observer,
31 July 1926, page 60a.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willaston

Nomenclature

In 1848 and 1849, William Paxton and Samuel Stocks (junior) obtained the land grants of part section 1 of the 'Gawler Special Survey' being 'part of a public highway found unsuitable for such purposes'. Following Stocks' death in 1850 Mr Paxton laid out the village of Willaston.

It has been reported that it was named after William Paxton's home town in Cheshire, but he was born in Whitby, Yorkshire. There is a 'Willaston' in Cheshire and this town probably had some association for the Stocks family, who were merchants in Manchester prior to coming to South Australia. Samuel Stocks (junior) was born in Stockport, Cheshire circa 1813.

General Notes

The South Australian of 31 May 1850, page 4a says -
"The Adelaide hounds met at Wollaston [sic], the property of W. Paxton..."

A horse race meeting is reported in the Observer,
1 January 1859, page 3h and
the Willaston Annual Steeplechase in the Register,
25 May 1859, page 3b.
A horse race meeting is reported in the Express,
6 September 1865, page 3d.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Horse Racing.

A picnic is reported in the Observer,
17 November 1860, page 2f.

The opening of a water fountain is reported in the Register,
5 November 1862, page 2e.

A drinking fountain erected jointly by the Council and public subscription was opened on 3 November 1862 in the presence of the Mayor of Gawler, Mr James Mold, by Mr Scown, Chairman of the Council... Some water was drawn from the fountain and drunk by those present...

Also see Adelaide - Streets - Drinking Fountains.

The school opened in 1863 and closed in 1879; see Register,
1 October 1863, page 2e,
Express,
28 January 1864, page 3c.
The laying of the foundation stone of a school-house is reported in the Advertiser,
24 May 1865, page 2g and
its opening in the Register,
2 and 7 January 1865, pages 3d and 3d,
Chronicle,
9 September 1865, page 3a;
examinations are in the Chronicle,
25 November 1865, page 2g (supp.),
Observer,
29 December 1866, page 4g,
Chronicle,
14 December 1867, page 7d,
Express,
15 March 1873, page 2c.

The laying of the foundation stone of a new bridge across the River Gawler is reported in the Register,
3 March 1869, page 3c.

Information on a footbridge is in the Register,
2 July 1889, page 6e; also see
7, 10 and 13 July 1889, pages 7d, 7h and 4h,
13 August 1889, page 5b,
20 May 1890, page 5e, 18 June 1890, page 6c,
5 July 1890, page 5c,
20 September 1890, page 6a.
A photograph of a suspension bridge is in the Chronicle,
1 February 1908, page 28.

The unveiling of the "Dawson Monument" is reported in the Observer,
17 February 1883, page 30d.

Sketches of the aftermath of a flood are in the Pictorial Australian in
May 1889, page 69, (see South Australia - Natural Disasters - Floods)
"The Willaston Ford" is in the Observer,
17 August 1889, page 30a.

An obituary of David James is in the Register,
9 January 1892, page 5b,
of Mrs S. Hall on 4 June 1903, page 5b,
of T.D. Hine on 12 July 1905, page 4h,
of L.R. Wake on 29 September 1923, page 13h.

An obituary of George Long is in the Observer,
23 October 1915, page 46a,
of R.R. Simons on 11 November 1916, page 34b.

The diamond wedding of H.E. Bright is reported in the Register,
14 and 16 March 1901, pages 4i and 8d,
Observer, 23 March 1901, page 16c;
an obituary is in the Register, 19 February 1904, page 6e,
Observer,27 February 1904, page 20a.

"Eighty Years at the Last [T. Hutchins - bootmaker]," is in the Observer,
24 June 1911, page 18a; also see
Register,
30 June 1911, page 4h.

Information on a hotel is in the Register,
4 March 1920, page 5b.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

William Creek

Nomenclature

Near Lake Eyre North 215 km WNW of Marree, named by John McDouall Stuart in 1858. William Springs in the same locality, named by Stuart on 10 November 1859. William Chambers (1850-1930), the youngest son of John Chambers.

General Notes

According to Education Department records the school opened in 1901 and closed in 1913.
However, a school is discussed in the Observer,
25 September 1897, page 28e.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Williamstown

Nomenclature

In May 1857, Lewis Johnston(e) purchased section 984 and part 985, Hundred of Barossa from Thomas Adams, farmer of Victoria Creek, South Australia and, in 1858, created the village of Williamstown 16 km south-east of Gawler, naming it after his son.

General Notes

A district history is in the Observer,
26 July 1924, page 18.

The laying of the foundation stone of a Wesleyan Chapel is reported in the Register,
27 September 1856, page 3c.
The laying of the foundation stone of a Wesleyan Chapel is in the Register,
14 May 1860, page 2h and
its opening on
6 October 1860, page 3g.

"Early [Church] Days at Williamstown" is in the Register,
21, 27 and 28 September 1911, pages 9e, 8h and 3f.

The laying of a foundation stone of a church by the Bishop of Adelaide is reported in the Register,
23 March 1860, page 3f,
Observer,
19 May 1860, page 2g.
A dog nuisance in the district is reported in the Register,
28 July 1860, page 3f.

The laying of the foundation stone of the school is reported in the Register,
4 November 1858, page 3c,
Observer,
6 November 1858, page 3f;
according to Department of Education records it opened in 1861.
However, a complaint about misuse of the schoolroom is in the Observer,
26 March 1859, page 3b:

(Also see Observer,
2 and 9 April 1859, pages 5g and1d (supp.) and
17 March 1860, page 2h (supp.),
Register,
16 March 1860, page 3h,
10 March 1863, page 3h.

A temperance fete is reported in the Register,
23 May 1861, page 3c,
Chronicle,
25 May 1861, page 3c.
Also see South Australia - Social Matters - Temperance and Allied Matters.

Examinations at the school are reported in the Chronicle,
23 December 1871, page 9f.
A photograph of a "working bee" party is in the Chronicle,
24 July 1915, page 30.

A cricket match against Lyndoch is reported in the Register,
22 March 1862, page 3h.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Cricket - Miscellany.

A dinner to Robert Rankine is reported in the Register,
7 April 1866, page 3f.

The laying of the foundation stone of a bridge over Victoria Creek is reported in the Register,
2 September 1867, page 3c.

A visit to Mr Rounsevell's saw mill at Glen Para is reported in the Chronicle,
1 May 1869, page 4f.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Farming - Mills.

An account of local flooding is in the Register,
2 November 1870, page 5c.

Mr Gilbert's Wangalere's property suffered severely, all the lower part of the vineyard being submerged and the trellisses were washed down and thrown in a heap against Dine's, while on the slopes the vines have been covered with mud and other debris...

Also see South Australia - Natural Disasters - Floods.

The Register of
21 November 1870, page 5d says: "Melville's Rush, about a mile from Williamstown is looking lively lately. A few holes in a line here have struck gold."
A further discovery on section 996 is reported on
5 March 1907, page 4f,
9 May 1907, page 7e.
A gold discovery is reported in the Express,
9 May 1907, page 4h and
a gem discovery in the Advertiser,
9 July 1909, page 6e.
Photographs are in the Chronicle,
7 August 1909, page 30.
Also see South Australia - Mining - Gold.

A bushfire is reported in the Observer,
18 January 1879, page 13c.
Also see South Australia - Natural Disasters - Bushfires.

The local "petroleum works" are described in the Register,
3 October 1881, page 5b (See South Australia - Mining - Petroleum) and
the district on
29 November 1882, page 6b.

Information on the Enterprise Copper Mine is in the Express,
16 May 1888, page 7d.
Also see South Australia - Mining - Copper.

A horse race meeting is reported in the Chronicle,
9 January 1897, page 26g.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Horse Racing.

An outbreak of typhoid fever is reported in the Chronicle,
6 November 1897, page 18d,
Register,
9 and 10 March 1898, pages 7a and 7e (See South Australia - Health - Fevers - Typhoid) and
a lively ratepayers' meeting in the Advertiser,
1 July 1903, page 9g.

"Around Williamstown" is in the Register,
29 June 1899, page 7f,
Observer,
1 July 1899, page 27d.

A snow fall is reported in the Chronicle,
3 August 1901, page 33d.

A photograph of five generations of the Stanley family is in the Chronicle,
17 July 1909, page 32,
of grape picking on
16 April 1927, page 39.

"Cottage Gardens" is in the Register,
26 January 1910, page 5f.

A photograph of the laying of the foundation stone of the Institute is in the Chronicle,
29 April 1911, page 29,
of the opening of a new hall on
20 September 1924, page 37,
of an old settler's home on
24 April 1930, page 36.

A photograph of male members of the Grigg family is in the Express,
23 June 1911, page 4.

A visit to the Mount Bessemer mine is reported in the Chronicle,
6 September 1919, page 7e,
Observer,
6 September 1919, page 13b.

"A Lovely Locality" is in the Register on
17 July 1924, page 3e.
The subdivision mentioned in the Register of
13 April 1854 as being situated on the Main North Road was created by Thomas Williams who took up 12 sections in The Little Para Special survey and became licensee of the Old Spot Hotel in 1849.

A field naturalists excursion is reported in the Register,
8 June 1927, page 5g.

Photographs of the opening of a recreation ground are in the Chronicle,
2 January 1930, page 33,
of apples for export on
23 April 1931, page 36.

Williamstown - Obituaries

An obituary of Samuel Hattam is in the Register,
17 September 1891, page 5b.

An obituary of Thomas Quinn is in the Register,
26 January 1904, page 4h,
of Mrs Emma S. May on 4 November 1918, page 4f.

An obituary of John Mitchell is in the Observer,
23 April 1910, page 38a.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willippa

A photograph of the homestead is in the Chronicle,
24 March 1932, page 31.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willochra

Nomenclature

An Aboriginal word meaning 'a flooded creek, where green bushes grow'.

General Notes

A horse race meeting is reported in the Register,
3 and 10 July 1862, pages 3h and 2e.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Horse Racing.

The private town of "Willochra South" of 105 allotments is advertised in the Observer on 25 January 1879, page 8c.

Reminiscences of Ragless's station are in the Register,
28 November 1921, page 5f.

The town is described in the Observer,
19 January 1878, page 20b,
Register,
21 February 1878, page 6c-f and
Advertiser,
20 December 1881, page 6.
the plains on
21 August 1905, page 5h.

The railway station is about a mile from the township... The township contains two stores, a public house and a few other buildings...

The Willochra School opened in the Methodist Church in 1880 and closed in 1956.
The Hundred of Willochra School opened in 1889 and became "Yapoona" in 1890.

Information on St Dominic's Church is in the Register,
30 November 1878 (supp.), page 18f.

The Hundred and early settlers are discussed in the Register,
6 and 7 March 1882, pages 5f and 6b,
while the district is described on
27 March 1885, page 6b,
1 July 1922, page 13a.

The aftermath of a drought is reported upon in the Chronicle,
5 December 1896, page 20a.
Also see South Australia - Natural Disasters - Droughts.

Information on a proposed irrigation scheme is in the Observer,
10 March 1898, page 29e.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Irrigation.

An obituary of Thomas Finlay is in the Register, 5 March 1902, page 3b,
of Henry French on 23 August 1911, page 4g,
of John Cahill on 19 September 1911, page 9f.

A photograph of a cricket team is in the Chronicle,
11 June 1936, page 35.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willogoleechee

Nomenclature

Aboriginal for 'powerful or strong eagle'.

General Notes

An obituary of George S. Melrose is in the Register,
7 February 1927, page 6f.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willoughby, Cape

Nomenclature

On Kangaroo Island, named by Matthew Flinders on 7 April 1802 after a village in Lincolnshire.

General Notes

A trip to the Sturt Light by the Trinity Board is reported in the Observer,
29 March 1856, page 3f.
Also see South Australia - Maritime Affairs - Lighthouses and Lightships.

An interesting and amusing editorial re gold found in the area appears in the Register,
13 September 1856, page 3d -
for the aftermath see
15 and 27 September 1856, pages 3d and 2d,
17 November 1856, page 2g.
Also see South Australia - Mining - Gold.

The death of Frank Halsey, third keeper, is in the Register,
5 January 1875, page 5c.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willow Bank

This school near Blanchetown opened in 1919 and closed in 1934.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willow Plains

A photograph of a cricket club is in the Chronicle,
11 April 1935, page 35.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willowie

Nomenclature

Aboriginal for 'gum tree waterhole'.

General Notes

A horse race meeting is reported in the Chronicle,
21 October 1876, page 21b.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Horse Racing.

A sale of town allotments is reported in the Chronicle,
18 May 1878, page 4d.

The school opened in 1880 and closed in 1967; also see
Chronicle,
11 August 1883, page 4f;
a photograph is in the Pictorial Australian in
September 1894, page 153,
Chronicle,
17 October 1935, page 38.
The Hundred of Willowie School opened in 1900 and closed in 1947.

A local Show is reported in the Register,
20 September 1881 (supp.), page 1f,
2 September 1882 (supp.), page 1d,
6 September 1884 (supp.), page 1h,
Advertiser,
30 September 1893, page 7d and
a flower show in the Chronicle,
23 November 1907, page 42e.
Also see South Australia - Miscellany - Agricultural, Floricultural & Horticultural Shows .

Information on the local water supply is in the Register,
6 June 1882, page 5d,
Chronicle,
5 August 1882, page 3e.

Mr Bayly moved that "As the present Ministry have promised to obtain a supply of water for Willowie and seeing that the trial pits for the dam were not satisfactory, and they having sent a geologist to report upon the prospects of boring, and that report being favourable, the meeting respectfully urge upon the government the necessity of sending the diamond drill now at Wilmington to Willowie as soon as finished there..."

Also see South Australia - Water Conservation.

"The Willowie and Wirrabara Forests" is in the Express,
10 April 1886, page 3d,
Chronicle,
14 August 1886, page 23e.
Information on forest sawyers is in the Register,
15 November 1886, page 7f; also see
Advertiser,
20 July 1886, page 6e-g,
17 August 1886, page 3d.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Forestry.

A sketch of the pastoral property is in the Pictorial Australian in
February 1890, page 24 and
a photograph of a cricket team in
October 1894, page 169.

A sports day is reported in the Observer,
1 June 1895, page 22c,
Chronicle,
4 January 1896, page 15b.

A cyclone of "unprecedented violence" is reported in the Chronicle,
24 March 1900, page 16b.
Also see South Australia - Natural Disasters - Floods.

The town is described in the Register,
16 February 1905, page 5i.

Information on the Willowie Land and Pastoral Association is in the Register,
18 May 1905, page 3d.

A photograph of a "Sample of Wheat" is in the Chronicle,
3 November 1906, page 29,
of Mr D.E. Greig and "his house on a wagon" on his way to Sherlock in the Observer,
16 September 1911, page 31.

An obituary of James W. Foulds is in the Register, 23 September 1908, page 7a,
Observer, 26 September 1908, page 40c,
of Duncan McCallum on 18 November 1922, page 35b,
of J.J. Richards on 24 January 1927, page 44d,
of H.J. Aiken on 5 February 1927, page 39a.

An obituary of W. Martin is in the Register,
23 September 1915, page 6g,
of Mrs Tilbrook on 8 September 1922, page 6i,
of H.J. Allen on 2 February 1927, page 10h.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Wills Creek

Nomenclature

Probably William Wills (c.1840-1920) who came to South Australia in the Sumner in 1857 and later settled in the Maitland District. A William Wills was a local councillor in 1906-1908. The Register of 15 September 1868 at page 2h carries a report on the taking up of salt leases on Yorke Peninsula - one of the lessees was a Mr Wills.

General Notes

The Advertiser of 7 April 1880, page 6b has an article on Well's (sic) Creek "a natural harbor between Ardrossan and Clinton..."

"Wharfage for Wills Creek" is discussed in the Register,
24 March 1881 (supp.), page 2d; also see
4 October 1883, page 7b.
In latter years the name is often recorded as "Wells Creek" - see
31 August 1903, page 4e and
12 January 1904, page 4f - "Well's Creek also known as Port Price".

A public meeting was held to consider what steps should be taken to get wharfage at Will's Creek... the Surveyor-General had reported that the surrounding country was all scrub, as it had been when surveyed, instead of which there was a large extent of land now under cultivation... Mr Paterson proposed that a clause be inserted in the petition stating that if the government would not undertake the work the residents would do it if the government would survey and hand over to them the allotments of a township on a site to be selected...

The Register of 28 March 1882 at page 6e says:

The residents were desirous that a township should be laid out... a mistake has been made when... Clinton, six miles distant, had been laid out... Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willsden

The school at Port Augusta opened in 1954.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willson, River

Nomenclature

Mr T.W. Willson, the first Justice of the Peace on the island.

General Notes

Biographical information on the Willson family is in the Register,
20 October 1917, page 6i.

An obituary of Mrs Mary A. Willson is in the Register,
22 August 1921, page 9a,
Observer,
27 August 1921, page 37b,
of Lincoln Willson in the Register,
26 May 1926, page 11c,
of Mrs Francis Z. Willson on
18 July 1928, page 12c.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willunga

Nomenclature

Aboriginal for 'a place of green trees'. Some sources link it to the mythical creature Wano (See Piccadilly) and claim it derives from willingga - 'place of the chest'. The Observer of 13 April 1844 has a comprehensive article on an excursion through District C and the mention of the Aboriginal name of a gully near modern-day Willunga is of special interest, viz, wilyahowkungga - the European tongue could conceivably have corrupted it to 'Willunga'!

General Notes

A letter from Edward Loud is in the SA Record,
31 October 1840, page 279.

The Observer of 13 April 1844 has a comprehensive article on an excursion through District C and the mention of the Aboriginal name of a gully near modern-day Willunga is of special interest, viz., wilyahowkungga - the European tongue could conceivably have corrupted it to "Willunga"!

A history of the district is in the Register,
6 September 1921, page 6f,
Observer,
27 August 1927, page 47a.

A list of district pioneers compiled by the Willunga Progress Association is in the Advertiser,
25 January 1929, page 15f.

Information on the early settlement of the district is in the Advertiser,
5 July 1898, page 6a where a banquet to honor a pioneer, Captain Atkinson, is reported; also see
Observer,
9 July 1898, page 31c.
An obituary is in the Chronicle,
20 October 1906, page 43d.

"Memories of a Willunga Settler [Simon L. Sibly]" is in the Register,
15 June 1906, pages4e-6g,
Observer,
23 June 1906, page 47a.
His obituary is in the Register,
18 June 1908, page 5a.

A meeting of the Willunga Agricultural and Pastoral Club is reported in the Register,
5 April 1843, page 2c,
20 March 1844, page 3b.

An overland trip to Encounter Bay is described in the Observer,
16 March 1844, page 7.

A Farmers and Stockholders Annual Show is reported in the Southern Australian,
20 August 1844, page 3b.
A proposed agricultural society is discussed in the Register,
8 December 1855, page 3g.
Also see South Australia - Miscellany - Agricultural, Floricultural & Horticultural Shows .

An 1873 show is reported in the Register,
21 March 1873, page 6e; also see
5 March 1881 (supp.), page 1a,
Chronicle,
23 February 1889, page 22f,
Register,
25 October 1926, page 13b;
the latter contains biographical details of John Binney. Geoffrey H. Manning, Hope Farm Chronicle has information on earlier shows.
A photograph of John Binney and his wife is in the Observer,
25 August 1923, page 30; also see
Register,
21 August 1923, page 10c.

A ploughing match is reported in the Register,
15 July 1848, page 6a,
28 July 1849, page 2d
(See South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Ploughing Matches) and
a horse race meeting in the Adelaide Times on
11 March 1850, page 3d.
Register,
20 April 1867, page 3c.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Horse Racing.

A letter from James Foreman in respect of a ploughing match and a response are in the Observer,
23 September 1848, page 4e and
14 October 1848, page 2c.

The village and district are described in the Observer,
13 April 1844, page 7a,
Register,
21 December 1850, page 3b,
31 December 1857, page 3d,
22 August 1865, page 3c and
11 July 1868, page 3f; also see
9,16 and 23 March 1892, pages 6a, 5g and 7a,
1 December 1909, page 9g,
5 August 1910, page 8d.
"Willunga - Charming Town and District" appears on
18 August 1927, page 7; also see
Observer,
12, 19 and 26 March 1892, pages 10d, 9e and 9c.
Photographs are in the Observer,
29 October 1904, pages 25-26,
18 April 1908, page 28,
23 and 30 January 1915, pages 26-27 and 27.

A letter from Mr James Bassett concerning "official school returns" is in the Observer,
19 January 1850, page 3a (supp.).
Information on his boarding school is in the Register,
2 August 1852, page 2e.

Examinations at Buckland House Academy are reported in the Register,
1 November 1860, page 3h.
Mr Bassett's obituary is in the Express,
12 February 1875, page 2d.

Information on a school is in the Advertiser,
14 December 1875, page 3f,
21 October 1876, page 6d.
The opening of the new public school by Governor Jervois is reported in the Register,
9 October 1877 (supp.), page 1,
The Lantern,
13 October 1877 (cartoon).
For information on local schools see Register,
22 July 1878, page 6e and
5 August 1878, page 6g.
A "Hoisting the Flag" ceremony is reported in the Chronicle,
25 May 1901, page 19c.

A meeting of farmers is reported in the Register,
6 December 1852, page 3c.

A proposal for a district council is reported upon in the Observer,
2 July 1853, page 5d.
Also see South Australia - Miscellany - Local Government.

The Register of 7 July 1854, page 2g has a report of a visit to the village by the Governor.

The laying of the foundation stone of the new Wesleyan Chapel is reported in the Register,
17 February 1855, page 2g and
its opening on
12 February 1857, page 3d;
the opening of the Bible Christian Chapel on
4 May 1855, page 2h.
The 90th anniversary of the Methodist Church is reported in the Advertiser,
8 March 1934, page 19d.

The Register of 2 August 1855, page 2f has information on "several complaints... of some local interference with the female immigrants in the depot there..."

"The Police at Willunga" is in the Observer,
20 October 1855, page 4d.
Also see South Australia - Police.

"The Willunga Murder" is in the Observer,
27 October 1855, page 1d (supp.); also see
Register,
22 November 1855, page 3h.
Also see South Australia - Crime, Law and Punishment - Crime - Murders.

"Death of Foreman, the Champion Ploughman" is in the Observer, 19 December 1857, page 6f.

A dispute over the proposed main south-western road is discussed in an editorial in the Register,
20 and 27 March 1858, pages 2d and 3c; also see
17 June 1858, page 2h.

Parliamentary Paper 54/1858 has detailed information on the proposed Willunga-Onkaparinga Tramway.

Information on St Stephen's Sunday School is in the Register,
6 May 1858, page 2f.
The Church's 80th anniversary is reported in the Advertiser,
16 April 1929, page 11g.

Messrs Thomas Atkinson's, Kell's and Loud's farms are described in the Register,
15 January 1863, page 3f.
A complimentary dinner to Mr T. Smith Kell on
16 March 1871, page 5e.

A visit by Governor Daly is reported in the Chronicle,
19 December 1863, page 2c.
Also see South Australia - Governors and Ancillary Matters.

A coach trip to Port Elliot is described in the Register,
22 August 1865, page 3c and
a journey from Willunga to Square Waterhole on
18 April 1866, page 3a.
Also see South Australia - Transport - Horse Coaches.

Information on the SA Delabole Slate Company is in the Observer,
16 September 1865, page 7g,
25 November 1865, page 4g (supp.),
Express,
25 May 1866, page 2c,
8 October 1869, page 2f.
"Our Slate Quarries" is in the Register,
11 July 1868, page 3f,
Advertiser,
11 December 1869, page 2f; also see
Register,
22 March 1883 (supp.), page 1a.
"Willunga Slates - Trade Opinion of Them" is in the Register,
6 September 1917, page 4h; also see
Advertiser,
15 February 1921, page 5a,
Register,
26 November 1921, page 7h,
25 April 1922, page 6h.
Photographs are in The Critic,
30 November 1921, page 21,
Chronicle,
3 December 1921, page 27,
Observer,
3 December 1921, page 24.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Building Stone.

A presentation to police corporal John Shaw is reported in the Register,
12 June 1866, page 2e.
Also see South Australia - Police.

The laying of the foundation stone of the Primitive Methodist Chapel is reported in the Register,
12 September 1867, page 2f.

The laying of the foundation stone of St Joseph's sanctuary is reported in the Catholic Herald,
20 January 1868, page 66.

A prospectus of the Willunga Flax-Dressing Co Ltd is in the Advertiser,
8 April 1869, pages 1e-2e.
The opening of the Willunga Flax Mill is reported in the Register,
11 December 1869, page 3g; also see
Observer,
26 October 1872, page 7f,
5 December 1874, page 13c,
Register,
9 August 1875, page 6d,
Advertiser,
8 December 1871, page 2c.
"Willunga and Flax Growing" is in the Farmers Weekly Messenger,
25 December 1874, page 5a.
The trial of a flax-pulling plough is reported in the Observer,
29 November 1873, page 3e.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Flax.

An excursion to Kangaroo Island by district residents on the Eleanor is described in the Register,
23 February 1870, page 5e.
Also see South Australia - Miscellany - Leisure and Allied Matters.

A report on the Aldinga and Willunga Athletic Club is reported in the Express,
13 July 1871, page 2c.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Athletics and Gymnastics.

A pigeon shooting match is reported in the Express,
1 August 1872, page 2c.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Pigeon Racing and Shooting.

"Serious Fires" is in the Register,
5 January 1874, page 6e,
Observer,
10 January 1874, page 11b.
Also see South Australia - Natural Disasters - Bushfires.

A "novel" football match is reported in the Express,
3 October 1872, page 2d,
against Kensington in the Register,
7 August 1874, page 6f; also see
Register,
9 August 1876, page 4g,
4 September 1876, page 7a,
Express,
6 September 1876, page 3f,
Observer,
22 June 1878, page 7e,
18 October 1879, page 10d,
Express,
23 June 1879, page 3d,
14 April 1880, page 2d,
5 April 1887, page 4b,
10 April 1889, page 5d,
Observer,
5 September 1896, page 19e.
A photograph of a team is in the Chronicle,
11 November 1911, page 30,
Observer,
8 September 1923, page 28.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Football.

Details of a proposed railway are in the Register,
15 June 1878, page 1e (supp.),
26 June 1879, page 6g,
29 July 1879, page 6b.

An inspection of proposed railway routes is reported in the Register on 14 December 1883, page 6b.
Also see
Register,
27 January 1908, page 5i,
Advertiser,
14 August 1908, page 11a,
13 October 1909, page 6c,
26 May 1910, page 12d (history of),
9 June 1910, page 6e,
19 January 1911, page 6c,
Register,
27 January 1911, page 4c,
8 March 1911, page 7a,
1 June 1911, page 6c,
Advertiser,
20 February 1913, page 11d,
Observer,
24 May 1913, page 52a.

Also see South Australia - Transport - Railways - Miscellany.

Photographs of the railway are in the Observer,
24 May 1913, pages 30-31,
20 December 1913, page 29,
13 June 1914,
Chronicle,
30 January 1915, page 27,
The Critic,
27 JJanuary 1915, page 14.

"A Test Trip" is in the Advertiser,
19 January 1915, page 6h,
"To Willunga by Rail" in the Register,
15 January 1915, page 7a; also see
20 and 21 January 1915, pages 6b-7g and 7c.

A cricket match against North Adelaide is reported in the Express,
17 April 1879, page 3f.
A photograph of the cricket team is in the Chronicle,
29 February 1908, page 32.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Cricket - Miscellany.

A complimentary dinner to C.J. Webb is reported in the Register,
11 May 1883, page 5b.

A gold discovery is reported in the Observer,
22 August 1885, page 13e.
Also see South Australia - Mining - Gold.

The establishment of a chess club is reported in the Register,
7 July 1886, page 5h.
Also see Adelaide - Entertainment and The Arts - Chess.

A trial of twinebinders is reported in the Observer,
6 November 1886, page 9e.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Farming - Farm Implements.

A trip from Adelaide to Port Victor via Willunga is described in the Register,
8 November 1887, page 7c.

A mercury discovery "about 8 miles west from Willunga" near Lower Meadows Creek is reported in the Register,
17 April 1891, page 3e.
A meeting of shareholders of The Willunga Quicksilver Mines is reported in the Advertiser,
9 February 1911, page 12f,
Register,
14 June 1911, page 4i.
Also see South Australia - Mining - Coal.

The opening of a new agricultural hall is reported in the Observer,
7 March 1891, page 30d.

A military camp is described in the Register,
21 April 1892, page 7g.
Also see South Australia - Defence of the Colony.

John Binney's farm is described in the Register,
25 November 1896, page 6g.

"A Living Centenarian", Thomas Skeyhill, is in the Chronicle,
4 November 1899, page 15c.

Local flooding is described in the Chronicle,
20 December 1902, page 36a.
Also see South Australia - Natural Disasters - Floods.

A photograph of a group of pioneers is in the Chronicle,
17 October 1903, page 43.

"Nature Study - Wealth at Willunga" is in the Register,
6 September 1906, page 3f.

The golden wedding of Mr & Mrs John Allen is reported in the Register,
16 January 1907, page 6h (also see 15 January 1917, page 5b) and
the diamond wedding of Mr & Mrs Thomas Lasscock on 19 November 1908, page 7a.

The destruction of "Willunga's Trees" is discussed in the Register,
1 July 1912, page 9e.

"An Interesting Chat With George Sara" is reported in the Advertiser,
30 November 1912, page 21e; also see
27 November 1913, page 17a,
26 January 1914, page 9c (obit.).
His reminiscences are in the Register,
29 November 1913, page 15b and
an obituary on
26 January 1914, page 7c.

A photograph of Mr & Mrs John Allen is in the Observer,
23 January 1915, page 28
(an obituary of Mr Allen on
10 March 1917, page 34c),
of the family of Mr & Mrs James Cornelius on
13 November 1915, pages 30-32a.

Information on early coach services is in the Register,
15 September 1913, page 14b.
"Exit - The Willunga Coach" is in the Register,
16 February 1915, page 4e;
the reminiscences of a former coach driver, W. Du Rieu, on
18 February 1915, page 6f.
Also see South Australia - Transport - Horse Coaches.

The arrival of ostriches from Port Augusta for onward transmission to Mr Culley is reported in the Register,
14 July 1915, page 9f.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Ostrich Farming
"Soldiers and Ostrich Farming" is in the Advertiser,
24 November 1917, page 6i.
Also see South Australia - World War I - Repatriation.

"Willunga Road Tragedy" is in the Register,
15 and 25 September 1915, pages 6g and 13h.

Information on Mr and Mrs John Allen is in the Register,
15 January 1917, page 5b,
Observer,
20 January 1917, page 12a;
an obituary of Mr Allen is in the Register,
3 March 1917, page 11b.

The rampages of "A Boy Bushranger" are reported upon in the Advertiser,
27, 28 and 29 July 1922, pages 7b, 9d and 11c,
3 August 1922, page 7e.

The unveiling of a war memorial is reported in the Advertiser,
17 May 1926, page 18c.
Also see South Australia - World War I - Memorials to the Fallen.

Photographs of haymaking are in the Chronicle,
8 December 1932 (supplement),
of a basketball team on
15 November 1934, page 33,
31 October 1935, page 32.Advertiser,
30 November 1934, page 30d.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Miscellany.

Willunga - Obituaries

The death of Rev. W. Whitefield is reported in the Observer,
11 November 1871, page 8c.

An obituary of H.R. Pounsett is in the Register,
3 August 1891, page 5a, Observer, 8 August 1891, page 30d,
of William Nottle on 2 November 1895, page 5b,
of Thomas Martin in the Register, 2 February 1900, page 5b.

An obituary of George Malpas is in the Observer,
30 July 1892, page 34b,
of Mrs William Nottle on 2 November 1895, page 28e,
of Dr F.W Carter on 5 May 1900, page 23a.

An obituary of Thomas Martin is in the Chronicle,
10 February 1900, page 16c,
of Dr F.W. Counter in the Register, 2 May 1900, page 5a,
of Thomas Skeyhill on 19 January 1901, page 7b.

An obituary of D.G. Beattie is in the Register,
3 July 1903, page 5c,
of George Leaker on 19 July 1907, page 5c.

An obituary of Thomas Stacy Brown is in the Observer,
18 August 1906, page 38d,
of W.J. Hill on 2 March 1907, page 40c,
of George Leaker on 27 July 1907, page 40b,
of T. Lasscock on 17 September 1910, page 41a.

An obituary of Henry Malpas is in the Register,
3 February 1910, page 7b.

An obituary of L.I. Jacob is in the Observer,
25 March 1916, page 32c,
of Mrs R.T. Lasscock on 27 October 1917, page 13d,
of Albert A. Jeffries on 17 November 1917, page 40c,
of Henry Pethick on 13 July 1918, page 19b,
of W.J. Binney on 19 May 1928, page 49a.

An obituary of Mrs F. Coveney is in the Register,
26 March 1917, page 6f,
of Mrs John Allen on 8 November 1923, page 8h,
of W.J. Binney on 14 May 1928, page 11c.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W
Place Names

Willunga, Port

The Register of 8 February 1850, page 2e has a report of the first vessel to load wheat for England:

Observer

A history of the town and photographs are in the Chronicle,
1 June 1933, page 33 and 46.
The infant village and district are described in the Register,
21 December 1850, page 3b; also see
2 March 1859, page 3c.
A report on its flooding appears on
26 May 1860, page 3f. Also see South Australia - Natural Disasters - Floods
Historical information is in the Register,
5 September 1927, page 12c

This morning the inhabitants of this usually quiet place were thrown into a state of alarm at the appearance of a great body of water rolling down the gully. In a few moments the whole flat was covered with four feet of water and at noon... it reached six feet.. At the mouth of the creek where boats were usually moored for safety, four belonging to Mr S. White were swept to sea...

The jetty is described in the Register,
10 May 1856, page 2f;
also see an editorial in the same newspaper of
3 December 1856, page 2c and
10 February 1868, page 3f.
A history of the jetties is to be found in The Tragic Shore by Geoffrey H. Manning.
Photographs are in the Observer,
22 and 29 May 1915, pages 27 and 28.

A flood is reported in the Observer,
26 May 1860, page 8c.

"Marine Excursion to Port Willunga" is in the Chronicle,
7 April 1877, page 7d.
Also see South Australia - Maritime Affairs and South Australia - Miscellany - Leisure & Allied Matters.

A sports day is reported in the Chronicle,
19 January 1884, page 4d,
9 January 1886, page 21d.

The wreck of the Star of Greece at this place in 1888 is recounted in The Tragic Shore, by Geoffrey H. Manning.
See Register, 13 October 1888, page 6d for a letter from its owners:

We have read with indignation of the apparent indifference of the authorities as to whether sailors were drowned or not, and of the inadequate life-saving appliances they provide... Sketches are in the Pictorial Australian in 1888, page 72,
The Lantern,
11 August 1888, page 17.
A dissenting letter from Mr C. Addisson in respect of the part played by Constable Tuohy in the rescue operations is in the Register,
7 November 1889, page 7h; also see
12 November 1889, page 7e for a castigation of Mr Addisson;
a further account of his alleged rescue attempt is in the Advertiser,
14 July 1913, page 14e.
Reflections of a survivor appear on
25 October 1904, page 4f.

Further comment is in the Advertiser,
29 June 1907, page 4e,
Register,
1 June 1923, page 12c; also see
Advertiser,
14, 17, 22 and 24 July 1925, pages 13b, 8d, 13f and 15f,
7 and 10 May 1932, pages 11g and 12c.

Reminiscences of W.J. Kimber and a photograph of the ship's figurehead appear on
29 August 1934, page 17b and
comments from J. Nelson on
6 September 1934, page 17b.
The reminiscences of T.S. Tuohy are in The News,
12 October 1927, page 13d.
A photograph of "relics" is in the Chronicle,
20 July 1907, page 31.

Information on a flag, etc., is in The News,
27 September 1938, page 9d.

Mr William Giles' reminiscences of the wreck are in The Mail,
27 August 1927, page 1d.

An examination of the Willunga life saving team is reported in the Express,
18 July 1893, page 3e.
Information on a life saving rocket practice is in the Register,
18 December 1906.
Also see South Australia - Maritime Affairs - Lifeboats and Rockets.

Reminiscences of Thomas Martin in respect of the brig Harry are in the Register,
17 November 1904, page 9c.

A fatal coach accident is reported in the Chronicle,
21 and 28 September 1889, pages 10d and 23a.
Also see South Australia - Transport - Horse Coaches.

"Sad Bathing Fatalities" is in the Register,
1 January 1900, page 5a.

"A Southern Gulf Port" is in the Observer,
14 April 1906, page 46d.

A field naturalists excursion is reported in the Register,
6 September 1906, page 3f.

A photograph of a shark caught from the jetty is in the Chronicle,
11 January 1908, page 29,
Also see South Australia - Flora and Fauna - Fish and Other Sea Creatures.
of the village in the Observer,
23 and 30 January 1915, pages 26-27 and 27.

An obituary of Arthur Elbourne is in the Register,
8 December 1911, page 6g.

Information on the stranding of the Manhow and the wreck of the Nashwauk is in the Register,
19 August 1927, page 12f (13f?); also see
22 August 1927, page 11a.

Whyte, Hundred of - Willunga, Port
W