History of Nannup Nannup is a town that lies on the Blackwood River in the south-west agricultural region of Western Australia. The district is renowned for its jarrah,
karri and pine forests and the economy relies on timber farming and fruit growing. The word Nannup is an
Aboriginal word which was used by the Noongyar people of the region. There are several theories on the
meaning of the word including 'place of the waters', 'place of parrots', 'stopping place'. Originally known
as the Lower Blackwood, Nannup, was first explored by Thomas Turner during his exploration of the Blackwood
River in 1834.  The first Europeans to settle in the area were farmers who saw the
agricultural potential in the 1850's. Life was difficult for the early settlers as they struggled to fell the
huge hardwood karri trees with only axes and crosscut saws. Farming was made all the more difficult with
cattle having to graze in the heavily timbered forests. In 1866 a bridge was built across the Blackwood River
which opened up the area and lead to the establishment of the town. The town site was officially declared in
1890.
During the late 1890's and the early 1900's the timber industry in Western Australia boomed with
much of the exported timbers being used on London streets as paving blocks (under tar). Locally timber was used for
railway sleepers, telegraph poles, jetties and housing. The town flourished during this period as timber mill
workers and farmers moved into the area. Today, Nannup has a population of over 1,200 and the timber and cattle industries continue to dominate Nannup's economy. Though Nannup is expanding into tourism. |
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The Bunnings mill was one of the first mills to be established in Nannup
and Bunning Bros Pty Ltd remained the major employer in the town during most of the century. It was in 1886
that Arthur and Robert Bunning arrived in 