Newcarlbeon Rock | Koorda Shire | WA Wheatbelt

The land now known as the Wheatbelt is a dry hot inhospitable land in many years and the early explorers often described the monotony of the flat scrub and timber covered country.
However nature has provided a little relief in the large isolated granite outcrops found throughout the interior. On the rock face are found holes and indentations which hold water after the rains. The extent of the wonderings of the early colonists was limited by the number and the extent of these outcrops for at the bottom of the rocks shallow wells or seepage soaks could always be found. It explains the crisscrossing from rock to rock of all the tracks of the shepherds, sandalwooders and prospectors.
Sometimes after a very wet year some of the Lakes would be near enough to fresh for a while, some brackish, but most were salty and some would not have water in them for years. Shafts had to be sunk in granite country - there were no boring plants - and there were not many big gnamma holes. The patches of grass were small and surrounding them were often thick patches of box poison.
Location 68, Reserve 12135. In 1909 100 acres was declared a Reserve at Newcarlbeon but a proposed tank (dam) was not built. (Includes Reserve 16110 gazetted in 1915 vested in the Water & Rivers Commission)
A dam sinker from Dalwallinu, named Wilson, won the contract to build a dam at Newcarlbeon in 1926. With wagon, drays, 21 horses, scoops and ploughs he set off by Ballidu across low scrub-covered trackless country that appeared like a desert. He set up camp at Newcarlbeon, where there was a very good garden and fruit trees. His little billycan scoops couldn't do the work of the new P.W.D. straight sided requirements so the dam excavation was taken over by P.W.D. day labour.
In 1937 Tank 482 of 227,000 gallons was constructed at Newcarlbeon. (Well AA 161 on Reserve 12135.) This is now vested in the Minister for Water Resources. A low rock wall was also constructed around the catchment area at this time.
This reserve has both historic and social significance as this is the site of the first known permanent settlement in the district and was also important as a watering place for the shepherds, surveyors, sandalwood pullers and others in their wandering lives. Access to water was essential for both man and beast. It is the site of a dam built by the P.W.D. in 1926 and also a large cement tank built by sustenance labour in 1937. When horses were the main source of power and strength used by farmers, water was essential. It has also been the site for picnics and social gatherings by many people over the years.