Denmark, Western Australia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (October 2009)

Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (August 2009)

Denmark Western Australia
Denmark - Western Australia
Population:	5,161 (Shire of Denmark, 2008)
Established:	1896N1
Postcode:	6333
Area:	1834 km² (708.1 sq mi)
Time zone:  • Summer (DST)	+8 (UTC) +9 (UTC)
LGA:	Shire of Denmark
State District:	Blackwood-Stirling
Federal Division:	O'Connor
Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Annual Rainfall 20.5 °C 69 °F 9.8 °C 50 °F 998.4 mm 39.3 in

Coordinates: 34°57′36″S 117°21′11″E / 34.96°S 117.353°E / -34.96; 117.353

Denmark sign with logo

Australia Day in the Berridge Park on the Denmark River bank

Frankland River, seen from Monastery Landing, between Walpole and Denmark.

The Bert Bolle Barometer in the Barometer Tower of the Denmark Visitor Centre

Denmark is a town and local government area located 423 km south-south-east of Perth, Western Australia. The population of the Shire of Denmark is approximately 5,200 (2008).

[edit] General

The Shire of Denmark is situated on the south coast of Western Australia, about 50 km west of Albany. The urban area is located on the banks of the Denmark River, which flows into the Wilson Inlet, seasonally connected to the Southern Ocean. There is a lot of pasture, but the major part of the Denmark Shire consists of bush land and wilderness. The 100 km long coast line has over 15 beaches, surrounded by dunes, rocks and cliffs. Denmark has a Mediterranean climate with relatively dry summers and wet winters. The average annual rainfall is about 1,000 mm. The average day temperature in summer is 25°C, in winter 16°C. Denmark was named after the Denmark River in 1896^N1. The inhabitants are sometimes called Denmarkians.

[edit] Population

For many years Denmark was a typical rural town with mainly timber milling, orcharding, beef cattle and dairy farming. A suitable combination of soil and climate later attracted wine growers, which resulted in an important wine industry, although tourism has become the fastest growing business in Denmark. Apart from blue gum plantations for wood chips supply to Japan, Denmark has no heavy industry. There is some commercial fishing, with only a few family-retained licenses being held, most have their own private launchings and fish distributing contacts as Denmark also has no harbour. Salmon fishing just outside of Denmark to the West still exists during the months of the Salmons migratory run up the coast. The town is also home to the Denmark College of Agriculture which provides the specialist education of farming and farm related studies. Many students at the college are housed there all year during their education training as they come from neighbouring towns or even further to complete their studies.^N2

According to the 2006 census,^[1] 1.4% were Indigenous, 70% were Australian-born, 14.6% were born in Britain, 2.1% were born in New Zealand, 1.0% were born in Germany and 1.0% were born in the Netherlands. The population is diverse and retains characteristics of the several waves of settlement to the district – including “old Denmarkians”, Group Settlers, Soldier Settlers and the alternative (hippie) movement. Denmark’s population is a colourful mix of different characters, individualists, followers of natural care, spiritualists, naturalists, artisans, artists and retired people from all parts of the world. Some of them see Denmark more or less as a sanctuary. The environmental awareness of certain groups put its stamp on the town in the last decades of the 20th century and helped Denmark to preserve its pristine nature.

Much attention is given to cultural activities and Denmark Arts organizes festivals, art markets, exhibitions, gigs and workshops for the local community. Protecting native flora and fauna and environmental care in general are important items for many Denmarkians. Denmark was awarded the title of "Australia’s Tidiest Town" in 1998.

[edit] Wine region

• Denmark is a costal neighbor of Albany and is one of the five subregions of Great Southern. It is marginally wetter and cooler than Albany, but the differences are not of any significant magnitude. As one moves north away from the coast, the ocean influence lessens; there is also a series of steep hills and valleys before you emerge onto the rolling slopes of the Great Southern region proper. While there is some north-south variation, the climate is broadly similar to Albany; the varieties being grown and the wine styles are also similar. Lat: 31 56’S; Alt: 50-150 m; Hdd: 1471; Gsr: 354 mm; Mjt: 18.7C; Harvest: Early March to late April; Chief Viticultural Hazard: Birds.^[2]

[edit] History

The coast line of the Denmark area was observed for the first time in 1627 by the Dutchman François Thijssen, captain of the ship 't Gulden Seepaert (The Golden Seahorse). Captain Thijssen had discovered the south coast of Australia and charted about 1,800 km of it between Cape Leeuwin and Nuyts Archipelago. Thijssen named the discovered land after Pieter Nuyts, a high employee of the Dutch East India Company, who was aboard ship as a passenger. His name lives on in the Nuytsia floribunda, the Western Australian Christmas tree.

Two centuries later, when the first white people entered the land around the present Denmark River, the area was inhabited by the Noongar. These aborigines called the river and the inlet Koorabup, which means 'place of the black swan'. The Noongar disappeared out of the Denmark region in the beginning of the 20th century.^N3

Although the 'South Land' was discovered by the Dutch and a major western part of the continent was called Nieuw Holland (New Holland), the Dutch were more interested in the Indonesian Archipelago than colonising their newly-discovered continent. The name New Holland was officially in use until 1824 and can be found on Dutch maps towards the end of the 19th century. When the French showed an interest in the western part of Australia, Britain decided around 1825 to colonise the whole continent.^N4 Many Dutch names for locations, e.g. Nuyts Land, Eendrachtsland and De Wit's Land, disappeared or were Anglicised. For example Swaene-revier became Swan River. Some Dutch names have been retained, for example, as Arnhem Land and Cape Leeuwin.

Leeuwin Land was the old Dutch name for the Denmark area, in which the present Denmark River can be found. The river was discovered in 1829 by the naval doctor Thomas Braidwood Wilson, the first white man to explore the area. Wilson, who was assisted on his explorations by the Noongar man, Mokare, made reports about the soil and the enormous trees ^N5 and named the river after his colleague and friend, the English doctor Alexander Denmark.^N7 The name of Denmark has nothing to do with Denmark in Europe, although many workmen in the wood trade migrated from Scandinavia to the region when milling became a booming business.

Around 1885, timber leases were taken out in the Denmark River area, and 15 years later milling was at its peak with Denmark having a population of around 2,000. A railway line from Denmark to Albany was built to transport the karri timber, which was a wanted article all over the world. Many roads in London were paved with karri blocks, and British houses built with timber from Denmark ^N8. However, resource depletion soon resulted in a total collapse of the timber industry. The population declined dramatically, and started to revive only with the introduction of the Group Settlement Scheme in the 1920s. Small farms of 40 ha (100 acres) were cleared from woodland to create pasture for cattle, dairying and orcharding, mainly apples. Conditions were often poor and some of the small farmers could hardly survive. They worked in one of the timber mills operating around the middle of the 20th century. By the 1960s the population had increased to 1,500 and was Denmark was becoming attractive to alternative life-stylers and early retirees. Intensive agriculturists such as wine growers had discovered the value of the rich karri loam for their vineyards^N9. Riesling and Chardonnay were the first grapes grown on Denmark soil, soon followed by other varieties. Within 50 years the area became a wine region of critical acclaim.^[3][4] The first winery, Tinglewood, opened in 1976^{[citation needed]}, and by 2008, over twenty^{[citation needed]} vineyards had been established around Denmark.

Tourism started when American soldiers, stationed in Albany during World War II, made outings to Denmark and asked for souvenirs and a place for a cuppa. After the war, Denmark became a popular holiday destination for Western Australians.

[edit] Flora and fauna

Denmark is surrounded by native woodland with a large variety of trees, including the eucalypts marri, karri, jarrah and red tingle. The latter can reach a height of 60 metres. The presence of all these trees, in an environment for the greater part still untouched, is unique. A distinctive local tree is the Red-flowering Gum with its eye-catching scarlet blossoms.

In spring, hundreds of different wildflower species can be seen, many of which are endemic to the Denmark area.

There is a large number of indigenous bird species, including Splendid Fairy-wrens, Emus, Australian White Ibis, Australian Magpies and Australian Ringnecks. Many species of reptiles including snakes and skinks can be found. Marsupials such as the Western Grey Kangaroo, the Quokka, the Southern Brown Bandicoot and the Common Brushtail Possum also live in the area.

The abundance of fish, squid and other marine life in the Denmark estuaries and along the coastline attracts Bottlenose Dolphins and seals, and every year Southern Right Whales rest there during their long migrations to the north.

[edit] Location

Denmark is situated along the South Coast Highway and is serviced by the TransWA public transport system. The town has an airstrip for small planes.

The location on the Denmark River with its old wooden bridge and the ample presence of native vegetation in and around the urban area gives the town a picturesque appearance. Some old buildings date from the pioneering era like the wooden Anglican Church, the oldest still existing building on Strickland Street, the shopping street in the centre of town. The Denmark Historical Museum is a rich source of information about the town and its past.

Near the Denmark River mouth is the authentic wooden Railway Bridge, where several walking trails ^N10 come together, like the Denmark-Nornalup Heritage Trail and the well-known Bibbulmun Track, which runs from the Perth region to Albany.

[edit] Tourism

The mild climate, the restfulness, the space and the wonders of nature make Denmark a popular tourist destination. Nature lovers like Denmark for its pristine beaches, walk trails, undulating landscape, tall trees and wildflowers. The environment and most especially the National Parks are carefully monitored and managed and all beaches are well looked after. The Tree Top Walk in the Valley of the Giants near Nornalup in the west part of the Shire of Denmark helps to understand the majesty of the Karri Forest.

In 2007 Denmark opened a Visitor Centre in a totally new set-up. It is an interpretive centre, where guests can get information about things to be seen and make bookings. The centre has a shop, an art gallery and a wine and food room where visitors will find ample information about the wineries and eateries in Denmark and about local produce. The centre also has a woodturner's workshop, where demonstrations are given. The pièce de résistance is the Barometer Tower, which houses The Bert Bolle Barometer, a 12-metre (39 ft) high water barometer, recognised as the largest in the world.

Madfish Bay is in William Bay National Park near Denmark. The bay provides stunning coastal views, excellent fishing and beautiful sheltered natural swimming pools.

Greens Pool in William Bay National Park

The Denmark River and the old wooden bridge

Berridge Park on the Denmark River

[edit] Town Icons and Characters

[edit] See also

• Great Southern (wine region)

[edit] External links

• Denmark Visitor Centre - Bookings - Fully accredited
• The Bert Bolle Barometer
• Denmark Historical Museum
• Shire of Denmark
• Denmark Arts Council

[edit] Notes

1. ^  Quotation: "Unless further information emerges, no precise date can be established for the foundation of the town of Denmark. It must be assumed, however, that some site preparation would have been carried out during the Spring of 1895, while actual construction of the town would not have commenced until the first sawmill was definitely operating. Thus it can only be assumed that construction began in January, 1896" ^[5]
2. ^  During World War II the Narrogin Farm School pupils needed to be shifted to the State Farm in Denmark. After the war the school in Narrogin was reopened, but the agricultural education facilities in Denmark were maintained by the Government. In 1947 the Agricultural School was built, nowadays called Denmark College of Agriculture.
3. ^  Around the time of the British colonization, the Netherlands had become a rather poor country. Belgium rebelled for independence, which eventually happened in 1830. The Netherlands lacked the power to maintain their two centuries old claim that New Holland was a Dutch colony and did not protest when Britain took it over. No records were found that Britain even informed the Dutch government.
4. ^  Quotations: "... we must sadly assume that, by then (i.e. 1914), the Noongars who were actively present when the mill town of Denmark was established no longer remained in the district..." "...it must be acknowledged that 40,000 years of continuous Aboriginal culture and land ownership in the Denmark area was brought to a tragic end within less than 20 years of white occupation..." ^[6]
5. ^  Quotation: "...the surrounding hills are of very fine soil and may be easily turned to good account. The timber principally blue gum ^N6 is the finest I ever saw... " ^[7]
6. ^  Most likely Wilson meant Karri.
7. ^  Dr Alexander Denmark never came to Australia. Quotations:"...he was a surgeon in the Royal Navy, had been a tutor at the Haslar Naval Medical College at Gosport, near Portsmouth and helped Wilson in his career..." "...Denmark had reached the position of Third medical officer to the British Mediterranean Fleet before he retired..." ^[8]
8. ^  Quotation: "World markets for timber were booming in the late 1890s and seemed ever-increasing as orders came in from England, France, Switzerland, South Africa, Natal, India, China, the U.S.A. and South America as well as from Australian states. By 1900 the three mills, with an average workforce of 450, but peaking to 750, were producing over 90,000 super feet of timber per day, necessitating two daily trains to Albany." ^[9]
9. ^ Tinglewood Wines was the first commercial vineyard in Denmark in 1976 and was planted by Bob & Judy Wood.
10. ^  Denmark has more Heritage Trails, e.g. the Mokare Heritage Trail, the Denmark Timber Heritage Trail and the Wilson Inlet Heritage Trail.^[10]

[edit] Other resources

• R.W. Mumford, Denmark Western Australia - A History to 1905.
• G. Sheriff, The History of Denmark, 1951.
• R. McGuinness, A look at Millars and the influence of the railway and tramways on the settlement of the district, Past and Present Intersect and Converge - Denmark through the 1900s.
• P. Clarke, A Colonial Woman, Allen & Unwin, 1986.
• Attraction, Madfish Bay - Australias South West

[edit] References