Population 356 (2011 census) Postcode(s) 6514 Elevation 7 m Postal code 6514 Lga Shire of Coorow | Established 1961 State electorate(s) Moore Founded 1961 Local time Wednesday 6:05 AM Federal division Division of Durack | |
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Location 300 km (186 mi) North of Perth
77 km (48 mi) South of Dongara
43 km (27 mi) North of Jurien Bay Weather 17°C, Wind S at 14 km/h, 66% Humidity | ||
Leeman is a small coastal town in the Shire of Coorow in Western Australia.
Map of Leeman WA 6514, Australia
Land was first surveyed and sub-divided in 1961 and the townsite was gazetted in 1961 as Snag Island, a name that is still in common use. Snag Island is a rocky island a small distance off-shore from the town.
The town was named after Abraham Leeman van Santwits, a Dutch sailor. He was second officer on the Dutch East India Company ship Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon) which was wrecked in April 1656 just south of Ledge Point, 107 km north of what is now Perth. Leeman was sent with a party of seven by captain Pieter Albertszoon to Batavia (now Jakarta) for help; they arrived there in June 1656. In 1658 Leeman returned as first officer on board the Waeckende Boei in search of the wreckage. He was in charge of the shore party which was abandoned when a storm blew in. Leeman and his crew then took a six-month open boat voyage to Batavia via Java.
In 1971 the Western Australian Education department opened the Leeman Primary School, and the town adopted the new name.
The actress Mandy McElhinney grew up in a caravan park in Leeman.