Walgoolan & the Great Emu War of 1932

19 Dec

You've likely seen videos about the Great Emu War of 1932, but did you know the location is driveable from Perth? One of Western Australia's most famous internet stories - where soldiers attempted to cull tens of thousands of migrating emu's with machine guns (and lose) - happened just off the Great Eastern Highway in a small town called Walgoolan. The town of Campion was also affected, but there's nothing left to see of that. Walgoolan still has farms nearby but while the township is also abandoned, it's at least worth exploring. I've spotted the derelict town hall and tennis club several times over the years. Let's delve into the history of the Emu War and discover what's left of Walgoolan!

Sources:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walgoolan,_Western_Australia

https://web.archive.org/web/20110822112130/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/monument_display.php?id=93362&image=0

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/wa-afternoons/the-great-emu-war-of-walgoolan/13277444

https://inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au/Public/Search/Results?newSearch=True&placeNameContains=Walgoolan&streetNameContains=&suburbOrTownContains=&lgaContains=&isCurrentlyStateRegistered=false

https://inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/8fe58c0e-165c-4e26-90ee-0e51a040387b

https://inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/61eb1e97-d09c-49fc-9bd5-252b03956126

https://inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/03ece113-a0f4-413d-9d5c-78e35aaeea80

https://inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/b1f1e992-7a10-4c23-b111-00434709954

https://inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/b5320ee0-e2c2-448d-926b-004e7ffaa7e5

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emu_War

https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/walgoolan-tally-no-505219-1609

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Emu-War

https://www.exploretravel.com.au/story/8394741/on-the-trail-of-the-worlds-strangest-conflict-the-emu-war-in-wa/

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/john-cleese-jim-jefferies-great-emu-war-2021-afm-1235037607/

Image Sources:

https://encore.slwa.wa.gov.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2000264__SWalgoolan__Orightresult__U__X6?lang=eng&suite=def

https://encore.slwa.wa.gov.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2000269__SWalgoolan__P0%2C1__Orightresult__U__X6?lang=eng&suite=def

https://encore.slwa.wa.gov.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1982797__SWalgoolan__P0%2C2__Orightresult__U__X6?lang=eng&suite=def

https://encore.slwa.wa.gov.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2796512__SWalgoolan__P0%2C12__Orightresult__U__X3?lang=eng&suite=def

https://encore.slwa.wa.gov.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1902741__SWalgoolan__P0%2C15__Orightresult__U__X3?lang=eng&suite=def

http://railheritagewa.org.au/archive_scans/displayimage.php?pid=27184

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emu#/media/File:Emu-wild.jpg

Video Sources:

https://youtu.be/Y1wA0PKeJqc?si=yTDSbzu_zRFu4yTS

Trove Sources:

Nov 27th 1924

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/3503004

Water Scheme Extension: opening in Walgoolan

September 26th 1929

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37676797?searchTerm=walgoolan

A loop track was pulled up? First residents started clearing for farms in 1922. The town hall cost 750 pounds, with tennis courts built at the same time. There’s a photo of the hall.

Jan 11th 1931

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/58638987?searchTerm=walgoolan

“A most enjoyable New Tear's Eve party was arranged by members, and, despite the depressing times everyone enjoyed themselves to the full.”

19th May 1932

CWA Meeting

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/252563872?searchTerm=walgoolan%20cwa

Nov 1st 1932

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/83713401?searchTerm=walgoolan

Emus!

Nov 15th 1932

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/82879830?searchTerm=%22walgoolan%22%20%22emu%22

“Walgoolan’s Appeal for Assistance”