Dowerin

A medium-sized community located between the towns of Goomalling and Wyalkatchem in the central wheatbelt district. The town is 157 kilometres east of Perth and noted for the annual Dowerin Field Day. Another town which owes its origins to the local railway. The name Dowerin is of Aboriginal origin and was in place before the town was gazetted. The official name chosen was Wuguni but common use prevailed. The town was gazetted in 1907

Dowerin - Sunrise Near Town

The sun rises over the paddocks a few kilometres west of Dowerin. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN001

Dowerin - Rusty the Tin Dog

Rusty the Tin Dog was created in 2004 via a Dowerin High School project to welcome visitors to town. It got its name from Tin Dog Creek, a nearby watering stop-over for pioneers in the old days, on their way venturing further east. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN002

Dowerin - Stewart Street

A view looking south down Stewart Street just after dawn. You might be able to just make out the Commercial Hotel right down there on the left. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN003

Dowerin - Old Shop

An old shop no longer used as such. The design is typically country Australia. This now appears to be a private residence. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN004

Dowerin - Road Board Office

Here is the former Dowerin Road Board Office constructed in 1924. This is at 20 Stewart Street. It was constructed in 1924. This building was later a Kindergarten and at another time a Pre-Primary Centre. It is currently the occupied by Lifestyle Hair Design. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN005

Dowerin - Post Office

Post Office Dowerin, 6451 at 15 Stewart Street. A rather stately building of 1913 vintage. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN006

Dowerin - Newsagency

A row of shops on Stewart Street containing the Dowerin Newsagency and Farmanco, Farm Management Advisory Services. The bakery is in there too. Just beyond is the Westpac Bank. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN007

Dowerin - Westpac

On Stewart Street is the local Westpac Bank erected in 1910. This was formerly the Commercial Bank of Australia. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN008

Dowerin - Stewart Street

A Stewart Street view looking all the way along from the Newsagency through to the hotel and butcher's shop. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN009

Dowerin - Sewing Centre

A little further along Stewart Street is the Avon Valley Sewing and Patchwork store. On the overhang written is Greg and Deb Beilby. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN010

Dowerin - Bookshop

On the corner of Stewart and Jackson Streets is Bookshop 53. This business is currently for sale. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN011

Dowerin - Commercial Hotel

The large, double-storey Commercial Hotel dominates the main street. This was erected in 1908. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN012

Dowerin - Stewart Street

A view looking north along Stewart Street. You can see part of the NAB and through the Commercial Hotel verandah. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN013

Dowerin - National Bank

The NAB is very well represented throughout the wheatbelt towns although in Dowerin there is also a Westpac. This building dates back to 1909. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN014

Dowerin - Butcher's Shop

A side view of the NAB which also takes in the green overhang of the butcher's shop. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN015

Dowerin - Market Place

On Stewart Street, south of the National Bank and butcher's shop, is the 'The Market Place' building. It doesn't look like it is operating as shops at present. Up until fairly recently, the shop on the right was the premises of Country Selection Sweets and Treats. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN016

Dowerin - Market Place

This row of shops used to be called The Market Place but that sign has now been removed. More than three years after the above photo, the shops are still vacant. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN017

Dowerin - Tin Dog Cafe

Down on the corner of Stewart Street and Goldfields Road is this attractive building. It is the Tin Dog Cafe, or at least was as in my 2015 visit to town the cafe seems to have closed. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN018

Dowerin - Tin Dog Cafe

The rear of the Tin Dog Cafe viewed from Goldfields Road. The dawn sunlight bathes the building. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN019

Dowerin - Tin Dog Op-Shop

Next door to the rear of the Tin Dog Cafe is the Tin Dog Op-Shop. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN020

Dowerin - Wesfarmers

On the other side of Goldfields Road from the Tin Dog Cafe is the former Wesfarmers building. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN021

Dowerin - Railway Station

I don't know whether there ever was a passenger train service going through this way. Most likely yes I'd expect as passenger trains used to run almost everywhere there was a track. The railway station and surrounding equipment are now there solely for the purpose of grain storage and shipment. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN022

Dowerin - Exhibition Hall

In the Dowerin Showgrounds is the 1939 Exhibition Hall. It is within these grounds that the annual Dowerin Field Day is held. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN023

Dowerin - CWA Hall

The Country Women's Association building. The Foundation Stone was laid by Mrs Eric Place on 10th January 1940. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN024

Dowerin - Freemasons Hall

The Dowerin Lodge of Freemasons hall. The Memorial Tablet (Foundation Stone) was unveiled by Bro. F. D. Sewell (Senior Grand Warden) on 9th May, 1929. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN025

Dowerin - Town Hall

The Dowerin Town Hall is relatively modern structure. The Foundation Stone was laid by E. H. Henning Esq., President of the Shire of Dowerin, on 11th March 1963. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN026

Dowerin - Uniting Church

The local Uniting Church. The church is actually in two sections. This is the newer section. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN027

Dowerin - Uniting Church

The original section of the Uniting Church. I scouted around but couldn't find a Foundation Stone. This older section was constructed in 1923. The newer section is off to the left. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN028

Dowerin - Anderson Hall

Anderson Hall now forms part of the school and is used as a drama and music centre. This is the original St Barnabas Anglican Church built in 1909. It was moved to its present site in the school grounds in 1999. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN029

Dowerin - Anglican Church

The current St Barnabas Anglican Church. This was built in 1939 as a Catholic Church but was taken over by the Anglican Church in 1967. The original Catholic Foundation Stone was removed and re-affixed to the new St Therese's Catholic Church. The stone was laid by Rt. Rev. A. Catalan, Abbott Nullius of New Norcia, on September 3rd, 1939. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN030

Dowerin - Catholic Church

St Therese's Catholic Church, Dowerin. The foundation plaque states that this Church was blessed and opened by Rt. Rev. Gregory Gomez, Abbott Nullius of New Norcia on November 10th, 1968. July 2015. Photos Ref: DWRN031

Dowerin - Drive-In Movies

Drive-in movies used to be the go in both country and metro W.A., but most of them have now gone. This one looks like it has seen better days although the screen is still here. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN032

Dowerin - Drive-In Movies

The pay-booth at the drive-in. This place is definitely not open for business. April 2012. Photos Ref: DWRN033

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