A Historical Snapshot
Newdegate, established in 1926, quickly grew into a bustling town by 1928, boasting four general stores, a hotel, a bakery, a saddler, two garages, a fruit shop, and a town hall. Today, it remains a smaller yet self-sufficient farming community, known for hosting one of Western Australia’s major machinery events, the Newdegate Field Day. Additionally, it is famous for its Newdegate Silo Art, which attracts visitors from all over.
Unexpected Detour
Our journey from Hopetoun to Bremer Bay took an unexpected turn when we had to detour via Newdegate due to the South Coast Highway being shut down because of fires near Ravensthorpe. Despite the change in plans, this detour turned out to be a delightful experience.
The Newdegate Silo Art
One of the highlights of our visit to Newdegate was the stunning Silo Art, completed in May 2018. The silos feature beautiful and meaningful artwork that showcases:
- The Western Bearded Dragon: A fascinating reptile native to the region.
- The Red Tailed Phascogale: A rare marsupial that lives only in the Western Australian Wheatbelt.
- The Malleefowl: A native bird known for its unique nesting habits.
The last silo presents a symbolic representation of the area, with a shape resembling a drop of water that is half-white and half-teal. The white symbolizes the salt lakes, while the teal stands for the freshwater lakes and the rain. The background is adorned with colored squares depicting the land from above, with green for the bushland, and brown, orange, and red for the soil and rocks.
Embracing the Unexpected
Our detour through Newdegate was a reminder of the joys of unplanned adventures. The town’s rich history, vibrant community, and captivating Silo Art made it a memorable stop on our journey. If you ever find yourself in the area, Newdegate is definitely worth a visit.
