Cosmo Newbery (also spelt Cosmo Newberry) is a small Aboriginal community in Western Australia, 1,036 kilometres (644 mi) east of Perth between Laverton and Warburton in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. In the 2011 census, Cosmo Newberry had a total population of 74, including 64 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.[3]

Cosmo Newberry
Western Australia
Cosmo Newberry is located in Western Australia
Cosmo Newberry
Cosmo Newberry
Map
Coordinates27°59′S 122°53′E / 27.99°S 122.89°E / -27.99; 122.89
Population
Established1920
Postcode(s)6440
Elevation507 m (1,663 ft)
Area12,245.8 km2 (4,728.1 sq mi)
Location
  • 1,036 km (644 mi) east of Perth
  • 85 km (53 mi) north east of Laverton
LGA(s)Shire of Laverton
State electorate(s)Kalgoorlie
Federal division(s)O'Connor

History

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The town is named after James Cosmo Newbery,[4] an industrial chemist noted for his work on improving the chlorination method of gold extraction.[5]

The area was originally leased by two returned soldiers as a cattle station, then as a penal colony for a short time, then later became a government ration depot. The town was first settled in 1920.[6] By 1953 the Uniting Church set up a mission but eventually, in 1976, gave the land back to the Aboriginal people living in the area at that time. The town operated for 11 years and was then abandoned for 4 years. In 1989 four families moved back into the town, quickly followed by others. The town now has a health clinic, school, a hall, windmills, communication centre, fuel station and shop.

The town is one of the stops along the Great Central Road that tracks through the Great Victoria Desert and eventually connects with the Gunbarrel Highway; there is a roadhouse operating in the town.[7]

Native title

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The community is located within the Yilka and Yilka #2 and Sullivan Family (WCD2017/005) native title determination.[8]

Governance

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The community is managed through its incorporated body, Cosmo Newberry Aboriginal Corporation, incorporated under the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 on 31 January 1991.[9]

Town planning

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Cosmo Newberry Layout Plan No.1 has been prepared in accordance with State Planning Policy 3.2 Aboriginal Settlements. Layout Plan No. 1 was endorsed by the community on 19 May 2000 and by the Western Australian Planning Commission on 21 August 2001.[10]

The Layout Plan map-set and background report can be viewed at Planning Western Australia's web site.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Cosmo Newberry (Indigenous Location)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.  
  2. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Cosmo Newbery (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.  
  3. ^ 2011 Census QuickStats – Cosmo Newberry
  4. ^ "About Cosmo Newberry". 2012. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Newbery, James Cosmo (1843–1895)". Australian Dictionary of BiographyCosmo Newberry. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  6. ^ "ExplorOz Cosmo Newberry". 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  7. ^ "NRMA Great Central Road". 2010. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  8. ^ Native Title Determination Details – Yilka and Yilka #2 AND Sullivan Family
  9. ^ Documents for Cosmo Newberry Aboriginal Corporation
  10. ^ Cosmo Newberry LP1 Amendment 2 Layout Plan Background Report
  11. ^ "Layout plans - Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage". www.dplh.wa.gov.au. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
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