YELLAGONGA (Perth, Western Australia)
Yellagonga Regional Park is in Perth, Western Australia, in the City of Wanneroo and the City of Joondalup. The park was established in 1989 by the Western Australian government and protects 1,400 hectares (3,500 acres) of land, including 550 hectares (1,400 acres) of wetlands -- Lake Joondalup, Beenup Swamp, Walluburnup Swamp and Lake Goollelal.
The park contains heritage buildings, including Perry's Cottage, Cockman House and Luisini Winery, and recreation areas such as Neil Hawkins Park. It is named after Yellagonga, leader of the Mooro people.
Yellagonga Regional Park consists of high elevation sloping dunes, separated by interdunal swales that contain the park's lakes and wetlands. The western side of the park is quite steep, with a central plateau of up to 50 metres (160 ft) elevation. The eastern and southern parts of the park have a gentler slope towards Lake Goollelal and Walluburnup Swamp.
In 1996, the Department of Environmental Protection identified 217 species of flora, including 103 introduced species.
Over 120 bird species have been recorded in the park, with 18 species using the park for breeding grounds. A number of the recorded species are migratory birds recognised under international agreements. Three species of birds found in the park (Carnaby's Cockatoo, Australasian Bittern and Peregrine Falcon) are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950.
The impact of humans on Yellagonga National Park is extensive in areas. Many areas were previously used for farming and these are still being rehabilitated. The grassed parkland areas have led to the invasion of natural areas by aggressive introduced grass species, and weeds are also an issue. Development of roads, utilities (such as power lines and drainage outlets) and service corridors has degraded the natural landscape. Erosion is also a problem in areas, caused by tracks and pathways created by pedestrians in unsuitable locations such as slopes.
The park contains three locations listed on the Western Australian Heritage Register: Perry's Paddock, Cockman House and Luisini Winery. Two native title claims have also been made on areas of the park by Indigenous Australians.
Panorama of Perry's Paddock
Perry's Paddock, at Lot 1 Ocean Reef Road, is a registered heritage site. Land tenure is held by the Western Australian Planning Commission and it is part of the City of Wanneroo. Perry's Paddock is notable because it is the location of Wanneroo's first land grant, surveyed in 1838, and Picnic Race Days were held at the site in the 1920s. Perry's Cottage was built around 1850 and is an example of a building based on an English design adapted to local conditions. The cottage is currently being restored.
Cockman House is a house built for settler James Cockman around 1870, and it is the oldest residence in Wanneroo. Luisini Winery, located on Lakeway Drive in Kingsley, was built in 1929. There are two heritage trails within Yellagonga Regional Park, the Lake Joondalup Trail and the Yaberoo-Budjara Heritage Trail. The Lake Joondalup Trail explores the development of Wanneroo, and the Yaberoo-Budjara Trail between Lake Joondalup and Yanchep National Park explores areas of significance to Indigenous Australians and European settlement.
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I do not own the music in this video and no copyright ownership is claimed.
Music is Called: - The Lonely Shepherd
By: James Last And His Orchestra
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Intro
Song - Kevin Blight
Graphics - Dan Zeplin
Wanneroo's oldest house
Cockman House. The oldest house I'm Wanneroo, WA is a settlers house from 1861 (around the time of the US civil war to put things in a comparative time frame) in Yellagonga valley on the traditional owners land of the nylon garden. It's now a museum run by volunteers open every Sunday afternoon.
Yellagonga Turtles
Yellagonga Fresh water Turtles, Chelodina colliei, Gary Tate, Friends of Yellagonga