Population 190 (2006 census) Postcode(s) 6352 State electorate(s) Wagin Postal code 6352 Federal division Division of O'Connor | Established 1907 LGA(s) Shire of Dumbleyung Founded 1907 Local time Sunday 4:20 AM | |
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Location 308 km (191 mi) from Perth
80 km (50 mi) from Wagin Weather 12°C, Wind S at 13 km/h, 75% Humidity | ||
Kukerin is a small town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 308 kilometres (191 mi) south-east of Perth between Wagin and Lake Grace just off State Route 107. The town itself is small but services a considerable agricultural region in the eastern Shire of Dumbleyung. At the 2006 census, Kukerin had a population of 190.
Contents
Map of Kukerin WA 6352, Australia
History
According to an official source, Kukerin's name is of Aboriginal origin, was first recorded as the name of a local soak and gully in 1908 and has also been spelled "Cookerin", but the precise meaning is not known. However, in local languages, words such as karkar mean "east", and the townsite is near the eastern edge of country traditionally owned by the Wiilman people. There is no evidence for a popular theory that the area was named after sandalwood cutters named "Cooke" and "Ring".
Until 1912, the area was known as Merilup (a name that now refers to an area to the south). In the 1870s, John Holland took up a pastoral lease of 9,000 acres (36 km2) in the area and established a sandalwood depot. Sandalwood cutters opened up much of the surrounding area, and in 1904 the Rabbit-Proof Fence was built near the town.
In 1912, the town was gazetted when it became the terminus of an extension of the Wagin to Dumbleyung train line in 1912. The primary school and hall were built in 1914, and Kukerin Hotel began trading in 1928 — all are still open to this day. During 2012 the town will be celebrating its Centenary with a variety of celebratory events.
Present day
Kukerin is largely an agricultural town, with wheat and sheep farming being the main occupations. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling. It functions as a service town for the surrounding agricultural area, and contains a general store, primary school, hotel, newsagency/post office and sports fields amongst other facilities. The TrachMach Fair used to be held with various vintage and modern vehicles on display. In recent years this has transformed into the Kukerin Creekbed and Burnout Competition, which is held during the September long weekend. During this event a mega screen is set up where the AFL Grand Final can be viewed.