Yorkrakine

Situated approx 30km NE of Tammin is the locality of Yorkrakine. At one time this community boasted a school, general store, hall and wheatbin serving the local farmers of the district.
The Agricultural Hall which was constructed in 1926 still remains and over the past few years has been renovated allowing functions to continue to be held in the hall. Both the school and the general store have closed due to decline in population, improved roads and transport to adjacent towns.

Yorkrakine Rock Reserve is a large granite rock which is located on the Tammin Wyalkatchem Road about 10km SE of the old Yorkrakine townsite. The reserve has recently been upgraded by CALM, providing access roads and vehicle parking.

Centenary

On Saturday the 11 October 2008, the Yorkrakine community celebrated 100 years of settlement.

In 1908, Mr James Mitchell, who at that time was Minister for Lands and Agriculture, but would later become Premier of Western Australia, made 51 lots available. People came from near and far to head to Yorkrakine to clear the land and settle their families.

On Saturday, 11 October 2008, many of these families were represented and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the photographic and telephone displays, machinery displays and bus tours of the district, which were ably led by Eric Charlton. There were in excess of 400 people at the event and the noise from the chatting and reminiscing was at times very loud!

Eric Charlton said a few words to introduce the Hon. Brendon Grylls who unveiled a plaque and applauded the current residents for their community spirit and passion for where they live. Mrs Phylis O’Loughlin continued an O’Loughlin tradition by making a beautiful cake that was iced superbly by Mrs Margaret Wheeldon. Mr Ernie Hutchinson, being the oldest resident in Yorkrakine, cut the cake and then Carmel Charlton entertained the crowd with some songs.

That evening about 250 people enjoyed a wonderful meal that was cooked by ex-Yorkrakine residents Phil Reid and his wife Totty. Phil did a magnificent job serving lamb with vegies that were cooked in camp ovens over a fire.

The Kellerberrin band “The Young Once” entertained the crowd and a few locals got up to help them. Well done girls!!

The Yorkrakine Hall Committee would like to extend their thanks to the Shire of Tammin and the Councillors for their continued support of Yorkrakine. They helped to make this event the overwhelming success that it was.

Thanks also to LotteryWest for their generous support and to the Water Corporation for their donation of water.

Finally thanks to the small but extremely hard working committee. It took a lot of organising and hard work but the looks on peoples faces when they saw someone they hadn’t seen for so long and the chatting that went way into the night, made it all worth while.

- Libby Hutchinson