R is for REDMOND and ROCKINGHAM

I am including Redmond because it is the first place where my folks farmed when they arrived here from England.  This was some years before I was born.  They also farmed at Chorkerup before finally settling at "The Pines" in Narrikup (see earlier post).

REDMOND is a town in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. It is located 399km (226 miles) SSW of Perth and the closest populated town is Albany.  The town began when a railway siding was opened in the area in 1912 which was initially called 'Mulikupp'.  The townsite was later renamed Redmond.  In 1913 blocks were subdivided and by 1916 a school had been built and the town was gazetted.  (My folks arrived here, disembarking in Albany, in May 1920, so Redmond would have been a very new town).

ROCKINGHAM is actually a southern suburb of Perth but is still a town in its own right and a place with lots of history (see previous post).  I have talked about driving down to Rockingham to meet friends for lunch and spending time on the lawns overlooking the ocean (Indian Ocean).  We always enjoy time spent at this delightful seaside suburb/town.

Rockingham is a city and primary centre in Western Australia south-west of Perth city centre and south of Fremantle.  It has a beachside location at Mangles Bay, the southern extremity of Cockburn Sound. To its north stretches the maritime and resource-industry installations of Kwinana and Henderson. Offshore to the north-west is Australia's largest naval fleet and submarine base, Garden Island, connected to the mainland by an all-weather causeway.  To the west and south lies the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.

It got its name from the sailing ship "Rockingham" (see my previous post)  Settlers from the wrecked ship supposedly camped near the wreck and used the name "Rockingham Town" as their address.

The region had been inhabited for several thousand years by tribes of the Noongar people whose leader at that time was Galyute.

Rockingham was first surveyed and lots offered for sale in 1847.  However, few lots were sold until the development of a railway and jetty in 1872 to transport jarrah timber and sandalwood from Jarrahdale to be shipped overseas.  Rockingham prospered until the construction of the Inner Harbour of Fremantle in 1897, which caused Rockingham as a timber port to steadily decline.

During WW2 Rockingham and Garden Island were used as a base for the army, navy and "Z" force. Garden island is now the HMAS Stirling which is Australia's largest Fleet Base with facilities available to support half the fleet.  The island is linked to the mainland by a 4km causeway although has restricted access for naval personnel stationed at HMAS Stirling.  Visitors can travel to the base by private craft.

Now, as a satellite city in Perth's southwest, together with Mandurah, it is among Australia's fastest-growing residential districts.  The maritime tradition has been strengthened by steady growth of HMAS Stirling and by the development of major shipbuilding and marine support services at nearby Henderson:

Rockingham is known as "Your Aquatic Playground" with the city facing the sheltered waters of Cockburn Sound.  Garden Island, Penguin Island and Seal Island are situated nearby.  Penguin Island, located south-west of Rockingham is home to colonies of fairy penguins, sea lions and other rare seabirds.  It is possible, at low tide, to cross to the island on foot but a number of people have been drowned when endeavouring to do so because of the treacherous tides. It is therefore recommended to use the special ferry that goes to the island.

Since the 19th century, abundant sightseeing and recreational attributes have been the basis of a tourism industry.  Visitors can launch small boats or board ferries to view dolphins. seals, pelicans and penguins in the adjacent Marine Park.  The coast at nearby Safety Bay is ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Free barbecues and picnic facilities are provided at the seafront, supplementing a choice of hotels and restaurants.  There are great places to eat either in cafes or BBQ your own on the beautiful lawns on the seafront.

Rockingham is a wonderful place to visit and spend a few hours.  A few kilometres inland there is a very large shopping centre and there are numerous light industrial areas.  Just a few pics I've found here and there of eating places (on the boardwalk):

and other scenes: