FOR thousands of years the Wardandi Aboriginals wandered and foraged the fertile coast that became the Margaret River area.
They could never have imagined what was to come
• 1621 Dutch vessel 'Leeuwin' makes first sighting of south west coast of WA 1830s.
• A group of white settlers are persuaded by the WA Lieutenant-Governor to settle near Cape Leeuwin, forming the town of Augusta.
1830
• The advantages of Jarrah is noted in 1832 when the severely damaged hull of HMS Success was repaired using jarrah and successfully sailed back to England.
1850s
• A party of convicts cuts the first jarrah timber for export from Augusta. Work takes so long, due to difficulties with the tough jarrah, that no profit is made and the convict party recalled.
• "Ellensbrook" homestead built by Alfred and Ellen Bussell in 1857, the first settlers in the Margaret River area.
1870s
• WA government grants long-term leases and "Special Timber Licences" to stimulate timber industry.
• In 1875 Lockville Timber Co is granted 14 year lease to cut timber from 75,000 areas in Augusta district.
1880s
• Timber industry grows throughout 1880s.
• Timber industry supports infrastructure and commercial growth in the region: a number of mills (Kudardup, Karridale, Boranup and Jarrahdene), two long jetties (Flinders Bay and Hamelin Bay) and the foundation and growth of the MC Davies' company town of Karridale .
1890s
• Demand for timber steadily growing in second part of 1890s, majority of orders from South Margaret River timeline Australia.
• Augusta District Road Board formed in 1891.
1900s
• From 1900-14 about 17 million railway sleepers are cut from Augusta-Margaret River region's forests.
1910s
• In 1912 three houses exist in the area that was to become the Margaret River town site.
• An area of 1000 acres around what was known as the Upper Margaret Bridge is gazetted as Margaret River town site on February 7, 1913.
• Forests are denuded by the timber industry push and the remaining forest is not economically viable. By 1913, three of the region's timber mills have closed.
1920s
• The Group Settlement scheme brings settlers to the area from 1921. Settlements are located at
numerous locations in the area, including Margaret River. The last group settlement to the area is in 1926.
• Commercial and community development in Margaret River grows to support Group Settlements and the growing population. These include a bakery, fresh food (fruit, vegetable, meat and milk) shop, post office and hospital Augusta-Margaret River Road Board is formed in 1924.
• From 1919-29 the population of Augusta-Margaret River increases more than 10-fold from about 200 to 2400 people.
• A number of schools are established during the 1920s to support group settlements.
• The railway line from Busselton to Margaret River is completed in 1924.
• The first Margaret River Agricultural Show is held in Higgins' Paddock in 1929.
• The Bunbury Butter Company buys 10 acres to build a factory in Margaret River. In 1929 the factory is built by Wesfarmers and in 1933 it is purchased by South West Co-operative Dairy Farmers Ltd.
• First St John Ambulance classes held in 1928.
1930s
• Large number of Country Women's Associations formed in region, including Margaret River. Also
beginnings of other clubs: Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Red Cross and Returned and Services Leagues.
• First pines are planted in region in 1933. Extensive planting took place till 1941, when wartime restrictions brought about the curtailment of the program.
• Last quokka seen in region.
• In 1937, electricity supply comes to Margaret River, although not on a 24-hour basis.
1940s
• Exploratory tobacco crops planted in 1940 in the shire, including Margaret River, with some success. By the 1950s this crop had become unviable and farmers turned to vegetable and fruit growing and dairy farming.
• 1943, Italian Prisoners of War work as farm labourers in and around the district.
• Following World War II, a number of displaced Europeans, seconded to the Forests Department for the mandatory period of two years bonded to the government, are sent to Margaret River where they hand fell about 300 acres.
• War Service Land Settlement is established, with new settlers arriving to the Augusta-Margaret River area. This settlement scheme proved more successful than the Group Settlement Scheme allowing for greater areas of cleared pasture and an improved standard of housing.
1950s
• Main road from Vasse to Margaret River is sealed in 1950.
• Pine planting resumes in the area in 1951. Planting continues to 1957 when policy change caused the cessation of all soft wood plantations.
• The volunteer bushfire brigade is formed in Margaret River in 1951.
• The butter factory in Margaret River (South West Co-operative Dairy Farmers Ltd) is converted to a cheese factory in 1952. The cheese factory is closed in 1950s.
• Prevelly Caravan Park opens in 1953, marking Augusta-Margaret River as a growing holiday/tourist destination.
• Margaret River District High School opens 1953. Many children now bus to major centres for school following closures of the small group schools.
• The Augusta-Margaret River tourist bureau is incorporated in 1956.
• The railway line to Margaret River closes in 1957.
1960s
• The Commonwealth Development Bank makes long-term loans for farm development available.
• The Augusta-Margaret River Shire Council is formed in 1961.
• In 1965 the Margaret River region is reported to be eminently suited to commercial viticulture. The first commercial vines are planted in 1966.
1970s
• Influx of "alternative lifestyle" groups such as surfers and the Orange People to the area. Some of these stay to become long-term residents.
1980s
• Immense growth in the shire: population grows from 3054-5331 in the 10 years from 1976-86.
• Farming areas are taken over with vineyards throughout the 1980s.
• Tourist accommodation and visitor numbers multiply.
• Increase in eucalypt plantations in both commercial and private sector with many farms being planted out with Tasmanian blue gums.
• Shire history The Light of Leeuwin is published 1989.
• Leeuwin Estate winery hosts the London Philharmonic Orchestra for their inaugural outdoor concert in 1985.
• The first professional surfing competition, the Margaret River Thriller, is held in 1985.
1990s
• Shire population continues to grow - doubled between 1981 and 1996.
• Cape to Cape walk trail opens in 1999.
2000s
• Movement of vineyard ownership in area from family-owned to corporate-owned.
• Deregulation of dairy industry in 2000.
• New Margaret River Education campus opens in 2004.
• Drug-Aware Margaret River Pro surfing competition is conducted in March annually.
• Margaret River Classic Professional Surfing competition is conducted in November annually.
• Margaret River Wine Region Festival is conducted annually in October.
• "The Old Settlement" returns to shire control, historic buildings leased to Margaret River and Districts Historical Society in
