Explorer/Surveyor Charles Hunt (1832-1868) first camped at Weowanie on 3 August 1864 during his Exploration Eastward of York.

Between 17 January and 25 September 1865 Hunt was in the field with a party of probation prisoners and Pensioner Guards constructing a series of wells from York to the Hampton Plains.

He arrived at Weowanie from Duladgin on 27 May 1865 and recorded:

– 5pm, finished the well or tank – it may be considered the latter as there is but the least sign of soakage – but for a tank it is admirably adapted, being only ten feet deep by thirteen feet broad – sunk in the centre of gully from the granite rocks about 200 feet distant – I deemed it unnecessary to stem it up – as it was sunk through solid granite – I trust that the first rainfall will fill it in which case there will be a supply for all traveling purpose for some time to come

The tank is located near the southern base of the rock in a small gully bearing southerly towards a chain of small salt lakes.

Hunt recorded the name as Weonanie and it is not known how or when the change to Weowanie occurred although a transcription error would appear to be likely.

Hunt recommended a 20 acre reserve for this tank, as there was no permanent water at Duladgin seven kilometres to the south-west. The tank is in Weowanie Nature Reserve (reserve No. 3113) that was originally gazetted in 1896. It is now a Class C Reserve for both water and the conservation of flora and fauna. There are many other interesting, unnamed granite outcrops in this vicinity.

 

© Kim Epton 2019-2024
311 words, two photographs.

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