The History of Greenbushes
A surveyor from the Mines Department reported in 1886 that the area near Greenbushes Well contained tin in alluvial deposits.
In 1888, David William Stinton found a half pound of tin in a gully south of the present townsites and the resulting influx of prospectors and miners created a demand for tradesmen, merchants and storekeepers, with the population peaking at over 3000 by 1907.
Premises were erected in three separate centre's:
- Bunbury End (or South Greenbushes)
- Greenbushes
- North Greenbushes
There are now two townsites; Greenbushes, which is 1 km off the South West Highway, and North Greenbushes, which is located alongside the Bunbury to Manjimup railway line. The two townsites are about 3 km apart.
Although regarded primarily as a mining town, timber milling and farming have also played a significant role in the history of the district.
When mining activities were at a low, the timber industry and farming activities provided the main source of employment. The first timber concession of 5000 acres was issued in the district in the early 1890s. Greenbushes district was also allocated as one of the Group Settlement areas.
Greenbushes Primary School
In 1893 a two-acre site was allocated for the first school to be established at Greenbushes. The school was open for three months of the year and was attended by seven boys and ten girls.
In 1899 a school was built on the present site, located opposite the Miners' Institute Hall and Courthouse. In 1900, attendance stood at 102. In that same year, two more rooms were added, able to accommodate up to 125 pupils.
Tragedy struck on February 14th, 1965 when the main school was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt and the new school building was occupied for the first time on 1st Nov 1965.
In 1993 the school celebrated their centenary with a "BACK TO GREENBUSHES" day. Old pupils attended a school reunion and other activities.
In 2000 there were 55 students in years 1 to 7 and 25 in pre-primary. In 2009 there are 77 students and 5 teachers at the school.
To contact the school phone: (08) 9764 3535
Click here for the 'Year by Year Greenbushes History'
MILLING TODAY
The 'Whittakers' mill was originally owned by George Smith Lumber Company, then around 1954 it was sold to Lloyds. Whittakers purchased the Mill on 31 January 1973 and in 1998 they produced 50,000 cubic metres of timber (Jarrah, Karri & Radiata Pine.)
In 1999, the Whittakers operation was shut down and the work force of around 200 employees was stood down. Blue Leaf Corporation took over the operations at Whittakers Mill and commenced production in July 2000.
MINING TODAY
Talison Minerals operates the Greenbushes mine at which tantalum, lithium and tin are mined and processed.