Shire Of Wiluna
Local Government in Wiluna

The discovery of gold caused a gold rush’ to the area and the birth of the township of Wiluna. The town of Wiluna was originally named Weeloona before the spelling of the name was later changed to Wiluna. The origin of the name Weeloona has not been determined, although it is thought to have been derived either from a native word meaning Store of Winds or the sound of the cry of some native curlew birds in the area. Gold mining in the area caused the town to flourish and prosper, with the population growing to over nine thousand people by the mid 1930’s. At its peak, the town had a routine railway service to Perth, four hotels and many other amenities and facilities. The beginning of World War II had a strict impact on the gold mining industry and in turn upon the population of the town of Wiluna. Immediately behind the war underground mining ceased in the area and gold operations were wound down to virtually nothing. In 1981 gold mining recommenced in the Wiluna area, which began the resurgence in the industry that continues today. The pastoral industry in the region is producing quality cattle and sheep and experimentation in some agricultural ventures has occurred with some success. The population of the town of Wiluna has in recent years stabilized at about 300 including a important population of indigenous Australians.

The Council employs the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who is employed to manage to day today running of Shire and to implement and administer Council’s decisions. In order for the Council to be qualified to yield appropriate governance for its district, it employs a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who is responsible for the day today operations of the Shire, strategic management at the Council direction and for the implementation of Council decisions. The CEO then employs a number of staff to aid with these key responsibilities. Corporate Services are responsible for a lot of the inner service provision, that allows other Departments to operate efficiently. This Department provides a number of sporting and recreational activities and programmed to the wider community. Ms Tracey Luke is employed by the Shire to manage the Tjukurba Art Gallery as healthy as the Gallery sales and exhibitions, Tracey works closely with the Biriliburru artists to help them in developing their instinctive and brilliant art abilities. The Shire of Wiluna is an area of low rainfall and harsh temperatures. For many newcomers to this area the vastness of the country and the stark beauty of the rock formations snatch attention. As well, it actually has more diversity of plants, shrubs and trees, then in many other places in Australia places that have far more rain. There is a time set aside each meeting for the public to interrogate questions of the Council. The term of a councilor is four years, with an election being held every two years for approximately half of the councilors. Being a ratepayer within the Shire of Wiluna does NOT mean you are necessarily entitled to vote, you must comply with one of the above three categories. From time to time, the Shire is needed to seek quotations from suppliers for the provision of goods, works or services. There are no unoccupied positions that match your search. The Community Calendar of Events for the stylish year can be found HERE. The town of Wiluna is 966 kilometers northeast of Perth and is situated on the edge of the desert at the gateway to the Canning Stock Route and Gunbarrel Highway. The stock route through 1500 kilometers of desert took four years to complete. The Canning Stock Route is one of the most distant tracks on earth. The Gunbarrel Highway was explored and surveyed by Len Beadell, with completion of the final section of the road in 1958. The road was the beginning east west road to go across the center of Australia. Pertinent preparation should be made earlier attempting to travel across the Gunbarrel Highway. Business is being conducted from the rear of the shop due to damage internal the main place which is expected to be out of action for at minimum a month. Want to stay informed about our local fresh and events? Join our mailing list.