Stories of the Bremer River and Wellstead Estuary: Introduction

Introduction

This oral history has been developed according to the accounts of six people: Max Wellstead, Athol and Jess Jury, Mick Aggiss, Alice Thomas and John Fregon.

Reference: Thomas, S. (1972) Wellstead's of Bremer Bay Unpublished biography, Jerramungup Library.

Stories of the Bremer River and Wellstead Estuary is a collation of anecdotal stories from residents in the Bremer Bay district.

In June 2000, the Water and Rivers Commission at Albany contracted Johanna Capalutti from the Jerramungup Landcare Centre to record the cultural and historical values of the Bremer River and Wellstead Estuary. The project was funded by the Natural Heritage Trust and the Water and Rivers Commission.

The Bremer Bay townsite is located on the south-west bank of the Wellstead Estuary. The Bremer River drains almost 70 kilometres - beginning just south of Jerramungup - to the Wellstead Estuary, which opens periodically to the sea. Bremer Bay is a popular holiday destination, particularly in summer. Its drawcard is the Wellstead Estuary and the surrounding beaches. The clear blue ocean waters and white sandy beaches in the area attract holiday pursuits including whale watching, wildflower appreciation, fishing, boating, adventure sports and general relaxation.

The Wellstead Estuary provides habitat for many birds - 400 swans have been recorded feeding at one time - and it is one of the most important breeding grounds for the Hooded Plover in the South Coast Region. The estuary is also an important fishing ground for tourists and local residents, and was fished commercially up until the 1980s.

Stories of the Bremer River and Wellstead Estuary captures some of the cultural and social values of the waterways in the Bremer River district. It was the aim of the oral history project to record, using the landholder's own words, their connection with the Bremer River and Wellstead Estuary. The documented inteviews reveal how important they consider the waterways are, the changes they have noticed, and some of the initiatives and projects being done to restore them.

Carol Daniels at the Jerramungup Landcare Centre and Kaylene Parker of the Water and Rivers Commission compiled a list of possible interviewees. The combination of original and early settlers gives a broad perspective of perceptions of the river and its care. Six people were interviewed and comments from their interviews appear in the Stories of the Bremer River and Wellstead Estuary by Johanna Capalutti.

Please note that the views expressed are those of the interviewees and are not necessarily those of the Natural Heritage Trust of the Water and Rivers Commission.