44-642: The Newcastle Police Stables on Clinton Street in Toodyay, Western Australia were constructed in 1891 and replaced the original timber stables erected on this site in 1860, which were destroyed by fire. In 1970 the stables were classified by the National Trust and included on the permanent Register of the National Estate in 1978 as part of the Newcastle Gaol , Lock-up and Stables Group. The stables along with
88-475: A horse, but escaped. After a series of crimes and prison terms, he was on the run again, returning to Toodyay in 1865 to steal supplies for an attempt to escape overland to South Australia. The annual Moondyne Festival is a light-hearted celebration of this darker side of Toodyay's history. By the early 1920s Toodyay was being recognised for its potential to develop into a tourist destination, with ample accommodation, its link to WA colonial past, Moondyne Joe and
132-641: A length of five to six metres (16 to 20 ft). Due to the Noongar language having several dialects, the Wagyl is referred to by different groups by different names. Varieties include Waugal, Waagal, Wargyl, Waakal, Waakle, Woggal, Wogal, Waagle, Warrgul and Warkal. In the Wiilman Noongar dialect, the Wagyl is called the Ngunnunguddy Gnuditj (meaning 'hairy-faced snake'). In Noongar mythology, stories about
176-528: A loud noise, only to find the Indian Ocean. Thirsty, they drank from the water to find it was salty. Figuring the water further out was sweeter, they ventured out into the water to only be swallowed up by the Wagyl. The Wagyl then ventured back to the coast where it spat the boys out as two tuart trees . For the Wiilman people , the Wagyl travelled from the north to Collie , where it created hills and rivers along
220-586: A sacred site. The Wagyl also has significant connection to the Busselton wetlands . The Wagyl created many local landscape features between the Porongarups and off the coast of Fremantle . Indeed, Porongarup means 'spirit gathering place', from the Noongar Borong , 'Spirit', Gar , 'Gathering' and Up , 'Place'. The Wagyl was delegated to protect the rivers, lakes, springs and
264-406: Is a single storey stone range with brick quoining and stone window dressings. It has a shallow pitched corrugated iron roof with gables. The façade facing the street is solid stonework with five small high level openings. The entrance to the building is at the rear. The stables remained in use until 1955. Restoration of the building began in the 1970s and the stables are currently open as part of
308-569: Is also the northern end of the Avon Historic Tourist Drive (Tourist Drive 254), which follows the Avon River to Beverley . On 5 May 1947, a motor racing meeting took place, using the towns streets for the course. The circuit was in a clockwise direction, following the route Stirling Terrace (where the start and finish was located)-Henry Street-Duke Street-Fiennes Street-Templar Lane and back to Stirling Terrace. The main race of
352-403: Is believed to be derived from an Aboriginal word "Duidgee" which means "place of plenty", referring to the richness and fertility of the area and the reliability of the Avon River". This meaning appears to be a long-standing belief in the local community, but may be based on an interpretation of an explanation by an Aboriginal guide about the value of the location rather than the literal meaning of
396-539: Is currently served by Transwa AvonLink , MerredinLink and Prospector passenger trains on the route from Perth to Northam and Kalgoorlie . Toodyay is connected to Perth by Toodyay Road , which runs in a south-westerly direction to Great Northern Highway in Middle Swan, Perth . Within Toodyay, it continues as the town's main street, Stirling Terrace . Other major roads radiating out from Toodyay are: Toodyay
440-639: Is harmed, all the water in the world would dry up. One of the earliest description of the Wagyl by European settlers was by Francis Armstrong of the Perth Gazette in 1836, where he described stones believed by the Noongars to be eggs of the Wagyl. When the Government of Western Australia wanted to redevelop land around the Old Swan Brewery in the 1980s, conflicting attitudes around the Wagyl arose. The area
484-599: Is known as Goonininup in Noongar, and is seen in some stories as a resting point of the Wagyl. The Wagyl is often characterised as being green and smokish grey in colour, while also blending into the ocean. It is also characterised as being either female or male. Like the Rainbow serpent, it is depicted as a snake or serpent. The Wagyl is depicted in the 1982 play Kullark by Jack Davis. The design of Matagarup Bridge in Perth over
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#1732883409981528-513: Is responsible for shaping and creating the Swan River , creating the sharp bends at Belmont and Maylands , as well as the Canning River . When it reached the area around Fremantle , it fought with a crocodile and used its tail to separate the salt and fresh water of the ocean and river from each other. The Wagyl is also said to have rested at the base of Mount Eliza in Perth, which is seen as
572-432: Is strongly associated with rivers, lakes like Lake Monger , and is supposed still to reside deep beneath springs. As the Wagyl slithered over the land, his track shaped the sand dunes, his body scoured out the course of the rivers; where he occasionally stopped for a rest, he created bays and lakes. Piles of rocks are said to be his droppings, and such sites are considered sacred. As he moved, his scales scraped off and became
616-540: The Freemasons Hotel , the Victoria Hotel , and Urwin's Store on Stirling Terrace, and Butterly's Cottage on Harper Road. The current Toodyay District High School was established in 1954, replacing an older building constructed in 1886. In 1986 the town was the location used to film the movie Shame . In 1861, Western Australia's notorious bushranger Moondyne Joe was imprisoned in Toodyay for stealing
660-506: The Swan River in Perth. The annual Avon Descent sees a range of crafts make their way downriver through Toodyay, from the starting point at Northam. Toodyay has been impacted by fires – a common occurrence in the summer months – since it was settled. Significant bushfires have regularly been reported in the area from as early as 1853. Two of the most devastating fires to threaten Toodyay have resulted from state government infrastructure, along with other smaller fires, including
704-444: The 1850s, the townsite was moved to its current location in the 1860s. It is connected by railway and road to Perth . During the 1860s, it was home to bushranger Moondyne Joe . The meaning of the name is uncertain, although it is probably indigenous Noongar in origin. In an 1834 reference it is transcribed as "Toodye" while maps in 1836 referred to "Duidgee" The Shire of Toodyay 's official website says that "[t]he name Toodyay
748-458: The 1907 police lock-up were listed separately from the gaol complex on the municipal inventory to enable nomination to the National Trust classified list. Timber stables were built on the site using convict labour in the 1860s. A fire that started in a dung heap destroyed those timber stables in 1890. The stables were replaced with a brick and stone structure designed by George Temple-Poole and built by James Hasell in 1891. The present building
792-570: The Charnok Woman collects spirit children following the path created by the Wagyl across a valley created by the Wagyl and is known as the Swan River. The path led her north to where the Wagyl was creating lakes. In the Mooro myth of two lost boys, two boys were brought to Mindarrie by two tribal elders to learn the law. After the elders went out to hunt, the boys ventured off to discover what had caused
836-615: The Gaol, Connor's Mill, Toodyay Public Library , the old Toodyay Post Office and the old Toodyay Fire Station , as well as several other historic sites. The historic architecture of shops and residences along the main street, Stirling Terrace, presents a distinctive frontage termed the Stirling Terrace Streetscape Group. Some of the buildings are also listed on the Australian Heritage Database . They include
880-714: The Mandurah Performing Arts Centre as part of NAIDOC Week in 2006. On 13 November 2020, a mural in Guildford depicting the Wagyl was unveiled by WA Minister for Water Dave Kelly as part of the Splash of Colour program launched in 2017. On 20 July 2023, a mural depicting the Wagyl was unveiled at a water pump station in Gosnells by the Minister for Water Simone McGurk . The project was led by Nerolie Bynder in partnership with
924-504: The Newcastle Gaol as point of interest. Being an hour's drive from Perth, present day Toodyay is a popular venue for tourists. A picturesque circuit of Toodyay Road through Gidgegannup , Toodyay, Chittering Valley and Great Northern Highway attracts motorists. Other destinations include olive oil farms, lavender farms, holiday retreats, hotels, restaurants, caravan parks, an emu farm and a public archery park. Historically, Newcastle
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#1732883409981968-570: The Newcastle Old Gaol Museum complex. Toodyay, Western Australia Toodyay ( / ˈ t uː dʒ eɪ / , Nyungar : Duidgee ), known as Newcastle between 1860 and 1910, is a town on the Avon River in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia , 85 kilometres (53 mi) north-east of Perth . The first European settlement occurred in the area in 1836. After flooding in
1012-550: The Swan river is sometimes interpreted as representing the Wagyl. The French one-man band Waagal takes its name from the serpent. Erwann Texier-Harth, the individual behind Waagal, incorporates the Aboriginal didgeridoo into many of his pieces. The Waugal Aboriginal Corporation is an Aboriginal art organization based in Pinjara . It received $ 6,400 of funding to hold an exhibition at
1056-562: The Wagyl as the creator of the rivers, lakes and swamps around York , where it travelled along the Avon River to Guildford , going also through Tooday valley . In the Dreamtime story of Wave Rock, the Ballardong people believe that the Wagyl shaped the rock's formation. Another rock believed by the Ballardong to have been shaped by the Wagyl is Boyagin Rock , where it is seen as the winter home or
1100-468: The Wagyl vary among the 14 different Noongar groups. Some groups state that the Wagyl is the ruler of the Earth and sky , and that it inhabits water sources. In contrast, others say it is simply the creator and maintainer of fresh water sources. However, in all Noongar groups it is a central figure and responsible for giving life or sustenance for life to the people who are the custodians of its land. The Wagyl
1144-469: The area from around Bolgart to Burlong Pool on the Avon River near Northam , a range of about 50 kilometres. The Avon River at Toodyay was a key site for food supply for the Ballardong, as was revealed to botanist and new landholder James Drummond as soon as he arrived in the area. The site was also located along the route taken by the river serpent, the Wagyl , in his seasonal underground travels between
1188-461: The earliest inland settlements in Western Australia. Drummond established his homestead Hawthornden a few kilometres to the north. The original townsite was subject to flooding, which led to its abandonment in the 1850s, and a new townsite was established on higher ground 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) upstream. This was proclaimed by Governor Arthur Kennedy on 1 October 1860 as "Newcastle" and
1232-825: The early twentieth century. Saved from demolition in the 1970s, and restored to demonstrate the milling process and machinery, the mill now forms the museum section of the Toodyay Visitor Centre. In May 1910, due to confusion with the New South Wales city of Newcastle , a name-change to Toodyay was proposed and the original townsite, which had by this time declined substantially, became " West Toodyay ". The Heritage Council of Western Australia lists over one hundred places of historical significance in or near Toodyay, including cottages (some of which are now ruins), homesteads, shops, churches, parks and railway infrastructure. The State Register of Heritage Buildings includes
1276-581: The first time in the state. Areas to the south, south-west and east of Toodyay were affected, with more than 3,000 hectares (7,410 acres) of forest burnt and 38 homes lost. Since 2013, the Shire of Toodyay and the Toodyay Historical Society have collaborated with Misplaced Pages editors to create and maintain Misplaced Pages articles about heritage buildings in Toodyay and West Toodyay, and significant people in
1320-477: The flat land around the Leschenault Estuary at Australind . Meanwhile, the young eventually starved and eventually dissolved into water and resupplied underground water reservoirs. This then ended the drought. Due to its deep association with the water, it is said that when the water is murky and dark the Wagyl was swimming and that one shouldn't swim in that water. The Ballardong people also believes
1364-681: The forests and woodlands of the region. During a serious drought, Noongar elders ventured to the coast of the Indian Ocean to pray to the Wagyl to end the drought. The Wagyl then came out of the ocean and created the Peel inlet where she gave birth to her young. After they matured, they went east from the inlet and formed the Serpentine , Murray and Harvey rivers . However the Wagyl went out to look for her young and created Lake Clifton and Lake Preston. Thinking they went south, it ventured south and created
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1408-515: The form "Duidgee" is preserved in the riverside recreation area "Duidgee Park". Before the arrival of Europeans, the Toodyay (Duidgee) region was owned by the Ballardong Noongar people, whose country extended from the Wongan Hills and beyond in the north to beyond Pingelly in the south, though the people whose land included present-day Toodyay probably numbered about 100 people and occupied
1452-447: The last resting place of the Wagyl. In the Mooro clan 's Karda myth, the Wagyl prevents Crocodile from entering the Swan River after his tail was torn off by Shark, which eventually formed Rottnest and Garden Island . Following this, Crocodile was told by the Wagyl to go back to Two Rocks and talk with Yonga (kangeroo) and Bibyur (scrub turkey). In the Charnok Woman myth,
1496-560: The meeting was the 30 mile Toodyay Speed Classic, which was won by Syd Barker. A second meeting was planned for 17 November 1948, to coincide with the King's Birthday holiday, but the holiday was cancelled, as was the race meeting. Toodyay plays host to a leg of the Quit Targa West each year, normally on the Saturday of the event. Toodyay is located on the Avon River , which runs through to
1540-524: The original settlement came to be referred to as "Old Toodyay". The Newcastle Gaol, in Clinton Street, completed in 1864, was in use as a state prison until 1909. It is now preserved as a heritage building and tourist attraction, the Old Gaol Museum . In 1870, a steam-driven flour mill, Connor's Mill , was built on Stirling Terrace by George Hasell. The mill was also used to generate electricity in
1584-487: The south-west of Western Australia . The Noongar describe the Wagyl as a snakelike Dreaming creature responsible for the creation of the Swan and Canning rivers and other waterways and landforms around present day Perth and the south-west of Western Australia. The Wagyl stories may represent the survival in oral tradition of extinct Australian megafauna , as there was a python -like snake, Wonambi naracoortensis , with
1628-574: The spontaneous combustion of a dung heap at the Newcastle Police Stables . On 10 December 1909 a fire was started by a train using the newly opened Newcastle–Bolgart Railway near Coondle ; the fire was referred to as the most disastrous that had ever occurred in the area. It burnt an area of about 15 miles in length and up to 4 miles wide. Three hundred and fifty people fought the fire over two days before putting it out. A later flare up caused further damage to 600 acres of land, 500 of which
1672-485: The spring at Bolgart and Burlong Pool. It had been a focal point of Ballardong life for thousands of years. The Avon River valley in which Toodyay was to be located was discovered for the white settlers by Ensign Robert Dale in 1830, leading to further exploration by settlers including James Drummond, Captain Francis Whitfield and Alexander Anderson. The first village of Toodyay was established in 1836, one of
1716-531: The towns' history. Plaques with QR codes have been attached to some buildings, linking to the corresponding articles. [REDACTED] Media related to Toodyay, Western Australia at Wikimedia Commons Wagyl The Wagyl (also written Waugal , Waagal , and variants) is the Noongar manifestation of the Rainbow Serpent in Australian Aboriginal mythology , from the culture based around
1760-622: The way. It then went to Bunbury and Australind where it formed the Leschenault Estuary. It then came back to Collie via the Collie river to Minninup pool. He then gave to the Wiilman people law and language before the Wiilmans danced and sang for the Wagyl as a farewell. The Wagyl then went back to Minninup pool which is its resting place to the Wiilman people. They also believe that if its resting place
1804-428: The wildlife, and Wagyl sacred sites tend to be natural sun-traps , located beside bodies of water. The Noongar people were appointed by the Wagyl as the guardians of the land, and the Wagyl was seen by certain tribal elders who spoke to the dreamtime being. The Darling Scarp is said to represent the body of the Wagyl, which meandered over the land creating the curves and contours of the hills and gullies. The being
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1848-437: The word. An alternative meaning was ascribed by a research project headed by Professor Len Collard which provides the meaning as "today it is misty and foggy". Yet another version was more recently postulated by local anthropologists Ken Macintyre and Dr Barb Dobson, who provide a very erudite analysis which says that the name most likely mimics a birdcall, possibly the restless flycatcher or one of that family. The name in
1892-694: Was connected to the Western Australian Government Railways network by a line that left the Eastern Railway at Clackline , which then travelled through Western Toodyay to proceed to Bolgart and then on to Miling . This connection was changed when the Eastern Railway was re-routed through the Avon Valley in 1966. The Clackline connection was closed, and Toodyay became part of the main eastern railway route. Toodyay railway station
1936-487: Was on the property of Timothy Quinlan . In 1906, when he was Speaker of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly , Quinlan had been an advocate for the building of the line. A major bushfire, blamed on collapsed power lines, broke out at about noon on 29 December 2009 after outdoor temperature had reached 45.4 °C (113.7 °F) and the "catastrophic" fire risk rating had been used for
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