Corrigin
Postcode: 6375
Corrigin is a town located in the central Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 229 kilometres (142 mi) east-southeast of the state capital, Perth, Western Australia, along State Route 40. It is mostly a farming community focused on crops and sheep, and holds the world record of ‘the most dogs in a ute’.
The name “Corrigin”, of Noongar indigenous origin, was first recorded in 1877 relating to a well in the area. The meaning of the name is unknown.
In 1909, the Government planned to build a railway from Brookton on the Great Southern Railway to the town of Kunjin, 17 km west of Corrigin. Some time after, a line from Wickepin was also proposed, and the Government decided to locate the crossing point at Corrigin.
In 1913, a railway siding was built, and named “Dondakin” by railway authorities due to conflict with the name elsewhere. However, after much local protest, the siding was renamed Corrigin and gazetted on 15 May 1914. The railway line from Wickepin, Western Australia opened a month later, and the main office of the local Road Board moved to the town. In 1915, a school was built.
Corrigin has a population of 725 and is a key agricultural centre for a district focussed mainly on wheat and sheep farming. It contains a district high school (originally opened 1915 as a primary school), National Australia bank, shopping facilities, accommodation (hotel, motel, caravan park), council offices and a telecentre. Each year, it hosts an agricultural show. The town is a stop on the Transwa bus service to Esperance via Kulin/Hyden. A large rocky outcrop just to the east of town is Corrigin Rock.