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the town with a windmill in the middle of the road. |
| The area was first know as Western
then Tinaroo before settling for the name of Watsonville. Tin was discovered
in this area in 1880 by Bob Watson and party. The town grew and became
the cultural centre for the area with seven hotels, five general stores,
butchers shops, bakers, blacksmiths, post office, doctor, police station
and Chinese market gardens. |
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There was also a tennis court, golf
course, football ground, rifle range, cricket pitch, school of arts
library and two batteries for crushing tin stone.
A school operated from 1882 until it closed in 1943. Sport was
big in Watsonville and it had its share of top athletics, champion
tennis players and its rifle club was one of the best in the north.
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| Today this area is noted for two special events.
The first is the ANZAC day celebrations held near what has become known
as the ANZAC tree which was planted in 1917. The combined service is for
Watsonville, Stannary Hills and Irvinebank and all the small mining camps
that were in the area. The second event is the Pioneer Women's day, which
is a celebration of the achievements of the pioneering women of the Watsonville/Irvinebank
district. The day is held on the first Sunday of June. |
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