Newdegate

Stay a while in the town of Newdegate which lies at the centre of the shire. Newdegate was settled in 1922 and the railway line was extended from Lake Grace in 1926. By 1928, Newdegate had four general stores, a hotel, baker, saddler, two garages, fruit shop and a town hall. Today the town, though smaller, is a self-sufficient farming community which hosts one of the State's major agricultural events - Newdegate Machinery Field Days.

The Field Days are held every September, with 40 hectares of machinery, agricultural goods, art/craft displays, and regional produce. Join in a real country fair, going since 1972, with food, fashion, carnival rides and stalls. Displays include crop information, stock and wool promotions, and speed shear events. Catch up with tourism information at the Pioneer Park gazebo in the town centre, or relax in the park gardens with barbeques for public use.

While you're in the area, come into the Telecentre to check your email. The Hainsworth Building, which houses the Newdegate Pioneer Museum, was originally built as a general store and dining room in 1931/2. The heritage listed building also functioned as a boarding house for railway workers and travellers. Come in to the museum and see a fine collection of photographs, historical objects and musical instruments from times of early settlement. Wander outside to see examples of early agricultural machinery. The Newdegate Cooperative Bulk Handling 'wheat bin' is the second biggest inland grain receival point in WA. Farmers delivered a record 643,158.32 tonnes of grain to this and other wheat bins throughout the shire during the 1999-2000 harvest.