Shackleton, Western Australia

Town in the Wheatbelt region in Western Australia

31°56′00″S 117°50′00″E / 31.93333°S 117.83333°E / -31.93333; 117.83333Population114 (SAL 2021)^[1]Established1951Postcode(s)6386Elevation249 m (817 ft)Area533.8 km² (206.1 sq mi)Location

210 km (130 mi) east of Perth
30 km (19 mi) west of Bruce Rock
36 km (22 mi) south of Kellerberrin

LGA(s)Shire of Bruce Rock State electorate(s)Central Wheatbelt Federal division(s)O'Connor

Shackleton is a small town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.

The town is located close to the Salt River and along the disused railway line between Bruce Rock and Quairading.

The 2016 population was 96.^[2]

Originally a railway siding for the railway line when constructed in 1913, the town was developed privately before being gazetted in 1951. The town is named after the Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton.^[3]

The local Agricultural Hall was officially opened in 1920 by Mr. H. Griffiths MLA; it was built on land provided by Dr. Germyn.^[4]

The Bankwest branch in the town claimed to be the world's smallest bank. The building measures 3 by 4 metres (10 by 13 ft), but was closed in 1997.^[5]

The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.^[6]

The town had an Australian rules football team from 1925 to 1970 before it disbanded.

References

^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Shackleton (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
^ "2016 Census QuickStats: Shackleton".
^ "History of country town names – S". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
^ "Country". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 8 May 1920. p. 9. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
^ "Shire of Bruce Rock – Shackleton Bank". 2005. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
^ "CBH receival sites" (PDF). 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013.