Karlgarin, Western Australia

Karlgarin is a town located 321km south-east of Perth in the eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. A small traditional farming town, in 2010 Karlgarin made national papers, as the poorest town in Western Australia, with an average of $34,054 taxable income.The first European to visit the area was Surveyor General John Septimus Roe who passed through in 1848. He recorded the name "Carlgarin" as the name of a nearby hill. Karlgarin is an Aboriginal word that is thought to mean "fire hill". Karlgarin was selected as a soldier settlement site and a declaration of a townsite was sought in 1924. It was not until 1930 that the railway came to the area. The townsite was gazetted in 1931.EconomyAccording to 2011 census data, 57.3% of Karlgarin residents are employed in Sheep, Beef Cattle and Grain Farming. The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops, as well as being a booming cattle town. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.FacilitiesOn top of the Cooperative Bulk Handling site to support the booming grain industry, Karlgarin townsite has an abandoned school and shop, both of which were destroyed during the Great Storm of 2013. The main hub of this bustling community is the Karlgarin Country Club, established in 1953. Located on Foundation St, this humble country pub offers the usual pub food and a range of drinks. A large portion of the revenue for 'The Club', as it is commonly known, comes from the associated bowls club.