History
Since time began…
Meelup Regional Park is part of Wadandi Noongar boodja (land). The Wadandi people (Salt Water people) are the Traditional Owners of the Capel–Augusta region. Nearby Devil’s Lair Cave contains evidence that the Wadandi people have occupied the Capes Region for at least 48,000 years. The South West Native Title Settlement ratified that their connection to their country remained unbroken after European arrival and remains strong today.
Pibulmun Wadandi custodian, Wayne Webb, said that the Park supports significant features such as fresh springs, whales, rocks, trees, ceremonial ground, tharlu and quarry sites. Wayne said, “there is so much significance (in the park) that it continues to be used to this day”. One important tradition still practiced today is ngari (salmon) fishing.
Wayne Webb quote: “Nhi Nhi Kata dwank, listen! The Manitj (black and white cockatoos) are flying and calling, that means Ngari (salmon) are on the coast.
Wadandi people gathered in the shallows while others stood on the rocky outcrops, spotting the large schools of Ngari (salmon) on the move. With Gidjies ready the people gather around, waiting for the shout to begin fishing. Lots of excitement and laughter knowing there was plenty of food and stories to share around the Karla (campfire) tonight.”
Wayne Wonitji Webb (Pibulman/Wadandi Custodian)
1622
Dutch sailors sight the West Australian coast and named it 't Landt van de Leeuwin' —the land of the lioness.
1800s
Captain Nicolas Baudin and Commander Emmanuel Hamelin visited Geographe Bay in the corvettes (small warships) ‘Geographe’ and ‘Naturaliste’. After making landfall at Cape Leeuwin on 27th May 1801, the ships travelled up the coast and into Geographe Bay to study the natural resources in the area. On May 30th, they unsuccessfully looked for water at Eagle Bay.
Many places along the coastline were named in honour of Captain Baudin’s voyage of scientific discovery. Contrary to later British voyages, there were no instructions from the French government to claim land.
The Baudin Memorial commemorates the landing of Captain Baudin in 1801. Brian and Margaret Winchcombe are acknowledged for the work put into building this commemoration.
The British formed the Swan River Colony in 1829. The colony quickly expanded to the southwest in the search for farmland. “The Fishery” at Castle Bay was one of the first settlements in the Meelup area and was set up by the Castle Bay Whaling Company to bring in and process whales. At Cattle Cove, a small beach between Dunsborough and Castle Rock, cattle were penned and swum out to waiting ships, to be hoisted aboard for shipment.
Land was set aside for Dunsbro (Dunsborough) at this time, with the town officially gazetted in 1879.
1900 - 1980
Camping along the shaded Meelup coastline became a favourite summer past time for farmers escaping the summer heat. Many stayed for extended periods and lived off fishing; evidence of extensive camping sites remains. Camping at Meelup Beach was permitted until the 1970’s but failing water supply forced the closure of the facility.
1980s
In 1981, the State Government proposed to build a fishing boat harbour at Point Picquet. The local community opposed the proposal and the Environmental Protection Agency eventually rejected it.
In 1988, a proposal was put forth to develop Curtis Bay into a powerboat marina with quays and residential developments.
Public opposition was organised by Frank Nalder, and the Dunsborough Concerned Citizens’ Association, supported by Claire Guinness, producer of the first Dunsborough newspaper “Maganews”. In a Shire run referendum, the community overwhelmingly rejected the proposal. Subsequently, the local community began promoting protecting the Meelup area. MLC Barrie Blaikie supported this cause in State Parliament.
1993 - onwards
On May 11th 1993, Meelup Regional Park endorsed as an “A” class reserve. The reserve was vested in the Shire of Busselton for the purpose of Conservation and Recreation in 1995.
“Mr Cash said a primary objective of the plan was the conservation of the diverse flora and fauna in the reserve.”Of particular importance is the protection of existing or potential habitats of endangered plant and animal species. There are at least six rare and three vulnerable plant species within the reserve, and the wetlands support a number of rare and unusual invertebrate animal species" Government of WA Media statements, May 11 1993.
Six separate reserves were amalgamated to form Meelup Regional Park. A number of small additions have since been made and the reserve now comprises 16 lots. The reserve now extends from Dunsborough to Bunker Bay, encompassing Eagle Bay along the coast.
The Meelup Regional Park Management Committee and the now City of Busselton continue to manage the Park.
Salmon fishing
Ngari (Australian salmon) fishing is an important and ongoing tradition for the Wadandi people, the traditional custodians of Meelup Regional Park.
Ngari migrate through the Capes Region between Bunuru – Djeran (March –June). The arrival of ngari coincides with the flowering of eucalyptus and cooling of temperatures. The Wadandi cooked ngari through baking whole or salting and then smoking on a frame. Ngari were accompanied by foraged greens such as saltbush, dune spinach, sea celery and coastal figs.
Wadandi/Pibluman elder Wayne Webb recalls his experiences as a kid: “During salmon season, on the weekend we would get taken to Eagle Bay to the “Salmon camp” where we camped, pulling the nets and loading up the old army truck we called Forby. As kids we were not allowed to use the ‘circular saw’ which was used to cut the heads off the Salmon and gut them, but with a wire brush we could clean them up taking great delight in being covered head to toe in fish blood, scales and guts”.
The Eagle Bay Syndicate and current commercial and recreational fishing
In the early 1950s, local fishermen Jack Couch and Noel Wright started the Eagle Bay Syndicate and recruited Dave Reid, Arthur Peak, Jack Farrell and Vince Miles. Local farmers were employed to pull the beach seine nets ashore and then clean the salmon before they were taken to Perth. The syndicate joined forces with Bunbury-based fishermen led by Nicholas Soulos who built accommodation and storage, meals and cleaning sheds. An adjoining “Bakery” mess was later built by Jack Couch. The remaining concrete pads can be located next to the informative signage at the Baudin Memorial carpark.
Commercial salmon fishing started in Western Australia in the 1940s, making it one of the oldest commercial fisheries in WA. Today, the South West Coast Salmon Managed Fishery (SWCSMF) is one of two commercial salmon fisheries in Western Australia.
Commercial and recreational fishers still flock to the Meelup Regional Park coastline to during the autumn salmon run. Please review the Ngari Capes Marine Park map to identify where shore-based fishing is permitted.