Tammin's History
Tammin was first settled in 1893 by John Packham with more settlers arriving in the 1900’s. The town of Tammin was gazetted in 1899.
The name “TAMMIN” means grandmother or grandfather according to the “Descriptive Vocabulary of Aborigines of WA” by G F Moore. Other theories are, that Tammin was named after the Tamma, a small animal that once inhabited the area or the Tamma bush which grows throughout the district.
European settlement continued to grow and with the completion of the Goldfields Water Supply and the railway line to Kalgoorlie, the township grew along with necessary shops and facilities.
Yorkrakine, 30km north of Tammin, became a small township with a post office, store and hall.
In 1948 Tammin became a Road Board in its own right, having previously been part of the Meckering Road Boards and later the Cunderdin-Meckering-Tammin Road Boards. With the change in Local Government Act it became the Shire of Tammin in 1961.
In 1987 a Company known as Farmdale was formed with fifty shareholders from the Community purchasing the local hotel and a garage. This was done to retain both in the town. The garage and hotel have since been sold.
There is a local history book, edited by Des Repton, entitled “Wheat, Wool & Wodjil” which is available for purchase from the Shire Office.
About Tammin
The Shire of Tammin is located 184kms east of Perth on the Great Eastern Highway and covers an area of 1087 km², bounded by the Shires of Kellerberrin, Quairading, Cunderdin and Wyalkatchem.
The Shire of Tammin including the localities of Bungulla and Yorkrakine has a total population of 450. The economy of the Shire is primarily agriculture based.
The community appreciates a Mediterranean type climate with weather ranging from 0°C during the winter to 40°C plus during the summer. The average yearly rainfall is 370mm, which mainly falls in winter.
There is a constant flow of vehicles passing through the town along Great Eastern Highway. There is a roadhouse to assist travellers.
The town is serviced daily by the Prospector Train with the Railway Station now in the centre of Tammin.
Sporting facilities are provided to cater for most sports played in Country towns.
Industries are encouraged to establish in the area.
Senior Citizens are well catered for with ten, two bedroom units available in a village concept.
In April 2005 the Shire of Tammin officially opened "Kadjininy Kep" a working Hydrology Model and Amphitheatre. Regular shows and events are held in the Amphitheatre and Community Hall. The grounds together with Memorial Park are a cool and relaxing place to break the journey along the Great Eastern Highway.