Shire of Roebourne - Cossack Management Plan - What to see and Enjoy at Cossack

The Post and Telegraph Office (c.1884-85) in Pearl Street was the first stone
building in the town and was constructed using local shell limestone. Originally
the lower floor was used as the Customs House and the upper floor was used
as the Post Office and at one time as a Chemist.

The Courthouse (1895) with its wide verandah and heavy pillars make it the
most prominent building in the town. It is home to the Shakespeare-Hall
Social History Museum. The wonderful array of artefacts and memorabilia
take you back to before the turn of the century to a town in harsh land
peopled by men and women epitomising the pioneer spirit.

The Customs House (1895) is now home to the Cossack Café, with various
displays giving valuable insight into the lifestyles in the town over 100 years
ago. The Cossack identities pictorial display pays tribute to some of the earlier
settlers while the Customs, Police and Pearling Industry display show the
visitors the hardships endured in the early development of these services
and industry.

The Bond Store (1895), like so many of the buildings in Roebourne, was
designed by George Temple Poole using local stone. Having survived many
cyclones over the years they were certainly built to last. Later home to a
Turtle Soup factory, the Bond Store is now home to the annual prestigious
Cossack Acquisitive Art Award.

Galbraith Store (1890), Cossack's first building to be constructed from local
bluestone now houses a selection of Aboriginal art and artefacts produced
by the Cheeditha Community.

The Police Quarters and Gaol (1897) in Perseverance Street have also
been restored and highly worthy of a visit.

Cemetery
One area which is of historical significance but has no buildings remaining
is the area between the town and the cemetery. In the 1870s this area was
the winter home for the Asian pearl divers. It was divided into 'Chinatown',
'Japtown' and 'Malaytown' and there is evidence that the separate areas had
stores, tailors, bath houses and even brothels.

The two cemeteries (the European and Japanese) are located on the sand
dunes on the edge of town. The Japanese cemetery is basically the resting
place for Japanese pearl divers who either were lost at sea or drowned while diving.

The European cemetery is the resting place of William Shakespeare Hall,
one of the members of F.W. Gregory's party, and of 10 year old Laura Pearl,
the daughter of the local policeman, who died of tetanus after treading on a
nail. A stark reminder of the hardships of isolated life.

Jarman Island Lighthouse - Lighthouses of Australia
One of the Pilbara region's significant historic landmarks, Jarman Island lighthouse, just off the coast near Cossack has recently undergone a major conservation program to restore the structure back to close to its original condition. The lighthouse operated from 16 May 1888 until 15 May 1985 when the light was finally extinguished. Since then maintenance to the structure has been minimal or non-existent resulting in major deterioration of its metal fabric. With the assistance of Federal and State Government grants received from the Commonwealth Department of Tourism & Resources; the Commonwealth Department of Transport & Regional Services; the State Government Regional Infrastructure Program and Lotterywest, Council, as Custodians of Cossack, was able to undertake the conservation of the lighthouse structure at a cost of approximately $250,000.

The structure has now been successfully restored to its former glory and at a recent function to celebrate the completion of the project, Mort Wignall, Council's Director of Corporate & Community Services, acknowledged the excellent work of the local contractor and staff in undertaking this challenging conservation project. It is proposed to carry out annual preventative maintenance to the lighthouse to ensure it's structural integrity remains intact and to ensure it is preserved as an attraction to many tourists and locals who visit the area regularly.
Conducted tours to Jarman Island are operated by Cossack Adventure Cruises, based at Cossack and details of the tour are also available through the local Visitor Centres in Karratha and Roebourne.

An Interpretive Plan for Jarman Island has also been developed that will assist in enriching the experience of visitors to Jarman Island. Apart from the lighthouse, there is the added attraction of the substantial remains of the light keepers quarters and other items of heritage significance, which help tell the story and reflect the lifestyle and challenges confronted by those pioneers who embarked on the development of Cossack as a major port during that historic era.
In time, it is proposed to replace the roof to the light keeper's quarters to protect the remaining wall structures and secure the building against the ingress of damp, which will cause further deterioration to the fabric. However, the cost of this work will be substantial and will again depend on the availability of Government Grants before committing to this additional conservation project.

School House [corner Perseverance & Fraser Streets]
This building was built in 1897 to replace an earlier school that was destroyed
by a cyclone in 1894.

Settlers Beach and Lookout
The wide, safe and sandy beach is ideal for families or taking a stroll.
Aboriginal rock carvings can also be seen on nearby cliffs. The lookout
pergola on the cliff top offers sweeping views to Roebourne, Wickham,
Point Samson and Cape Lambert and along the coast to De Puch Island.

Swimming, fishing, diving and snorkelling
There is great fishing from the wharf or among the mangroves in the river
or beaches. Catches include mackerel, salmon, bream, mangrove jack and
barramundi. Mud crabs and blue swimmer crabs are also found here.

Superb diving and snorkelling can be experienced close by on the
surrounding islands.

Cheeditha Aboriginal Cultural and Tourist Centre
The Cheeditha Cultural and Tourist Centre is a community based gallery
where everyone can experience Australian Indigenous arts and culture.
Visitors can enjoy watching traditional artworks and artefacts being produced
by members of local Cheeditha Community in the historic Galbraith's Store
at Cossack.

The Centre offers a number of unique experiences for touring groups, schools
groups and individual visitors. These events must be booked in advance, and
include Cultural talks, painting workshops, Story-telling by local Elders
and dance.

The Centre has become a focal point for both the tourists and education groups
wanting to learn about and begin to understand Aboriginal culture through it's
cultural displays, workshops, activities and training. In this way, the Centre
contributes to the process of reconciliation and a greater understanding for
all Australians.

For further information contact the Roebourne Visitors Centre on
Phone: 08 9182 1060
Email: roetour@bigpond.net.au

Cossack Adventure Cruises
Cossack Adventure Cruises offer a unique experience of how life must have been during pioneer times when Cossack was a bustling sea port and home to the first pearling industry in Western Australia.

>> Visit Cossack and tour historic buildings, early settlement cemetery
   and Readers head lookout
>> Cruise to Jarman Island to visit the historic Lighthouse and Lighthouse
    keepers quarters
>> Drive part of the historic Emma Withnell Heritage Trail
>> Cruise Butchers Inlet and see 7 unique species of mangroves near the site
   of the old leprosarium
>> Experience local aboriginal culture
>> Visit Roebourne, Western Australia's Oldest North West town and enjoy an
  interesting and informative stroll through the old Roebourne Gaol and Museum

For further information contact the Roebourne Visitors Centre on
Phone: 08 9182 1060
Email: roetour@bigpond.net.au


™		Cossack - back to Cossack Main Page -
Home About Us Advertising Calendar of Events Community Groups Contact Us Cossack Council Cyclone Info Employment Facilities History Monthly News Projects Rangers Services A - Z Tenders Visitor Info Youth Search		What To See and Enjoy at Cossack Historic Buildings Cossack boasts eight restored buildings and the cemetery all of which have been listed by the National Trust. The Post and Telegraph Office (c.1884-85) in Pearl Street was the first stone building in the town and was constructed using local shell limestone. Originally the lower floor was used as the Customs House and the upper floor was used as the Post Office and at one time as a Chemist. The Courthouse (1895) with its wide verandah and heavy pillars make it the most prominent building in the town. It is home to the Shakespeare-Hall Social History Museum. The wonderful array of artefacts and memorabilia take you back to before the turn of the century to a town in harsh land peopled by men and women epitomising the pioneer spirit. The Customs House (1895) is now home to the Cossack Café, with various displays giving valuable insight into the lifestyles in the town over 100 years ago. The Cossack identities pictorial display pays tribute to some of the earlier settlers while the Customs, Police and Pearling Industry display show the visitors the hardships endured in the early development of these services and industry. The Bond Store (1895), like so many of the buildings in Roebourne, was designed by George Temple Poole using local stone. Having survived many cyclones over the years they were certainly built to last. Later home to a Turtle Soup factory, the Bond Store is now home to the annual prestigious Cossack Acquisitive Art Award. Galbraith Store (1890), Cossack's first building to be constructed from local bluestone now houses a selection of Aboriginal art and artefacts produced by the Cheeditha Community. The Police Quarters and Gaol (1897) in Perseverance Street have also been restored and highly worthy of a visit. Cemetery One area which is of historical significance but has no buildings remaining is the area between the town and the cemetery. In the 1870s this area was the winter home for the Asian pearl divers. It was divided into 'Chinatown', 'Japtown' and 'Malaytown' and there is evidence that the separate areas had stores, tailors, bath houses and even brothels. The two cemeteries (the European and Japanese) are located on the sand dunes on the edge of town. The Japanese cemetery is basically the resting place for Japanese pearl divers who either were lost at sea or drowned while diving. The European cemetery is the resting place of William Shakespeare Hall, one of the members of F.W. Gregory's party, and of 10 year old Laura Pearl, the daughter of the local policeman, who died of tetanus after treading on a nail. A stark reminder of the hardships of isolated life. Jarman Island Lighthouse - Lighthouses of Australia One of the Pilbara region's significant historic landmarks, Jarman Island lighthouse, just off the coast near Cossack has recently undergone a major conservation program to restore the structure back to close to its original condition. The lighthouse operated from 16 May 1888 until 15 May 1985 when the light was finally extinguished. Since then maintenance to the structure has been minimal or non-existent resulting in major deterioration of its metal fabric. With the assistance of Federal and State Government grants received from the Commonwealth Department of Tourism & Resources; the Commonwealth Department of Transport & Regional Services; the State Government Regional Infrastructure Program and Lotterywest, Council, as Custodians of Cossack, was able to undertake the conservation of the lighthouse structure at a cost of approximately $250,000. The structure has now been successfully restored to its former glory and at a recent function to celebrate the completion of the project, Mort Wignall, Council's Director of Corporate & Community Services, acknowledged the excellent work of the local contractor and staff in undertaking this challenging conservation project. It is proposed to carry out annual preventative maintenance to the lighthouse to ensure it's structural integrity remains intact and to ensure it is preserved as an attraction to many tourists and locals who visit the area regularly. Conducted tours to Jarman Island are operated by Cossack Adventure Cruises, based at Cossack and details of the tour are also available through the local Visitor Centres in Karratha and Roebourne. An Interpretive Plan for Jarman Island has also been developed that will assist in enriching the experience of visitors to Jarman Island. Apart from the lighthouse, there is the added attraction of the substantial remains of the light keepers quarters and other items of heritage significance, which help tell the story and reflect the lifestyle and challenges confronted by those pioneers who embarked on the development of Cossack as a major port during that historic era. In time, it is proposed to replace the roof to the light keeper's quarters to protect the remaining wall structures and secure the building against the ingress of damp, which will cause further deterioration to the fabric. However, the cost of this work will be substantial and will again depend on the availability of Government Grants before committing to this additional conservation project. School House [corner Perseverance & Fraser Streets] This building was built in 1897 to replace an earlier school that was destroyed by a cyclone in 1894. Settlers Beach and Lookout The wide, safe and sandy beach is ideal for families or taking a stroll. Aboriginal rock carvings can also be seen on nearby cliffs. The lookout pergola on the cliff top offers sweeping views to Roebourne, Wickham, Point Samson and Cape Lambert and along the coast to De Puch Island. Swimming, fishing, diving and snorkelling There is great fishing from the wharf or among the mangroves in the river or beaches. Catches include mackerel, salmon, bream, mangrove jack and barramundi. Mud crabs and blue swimmer crabs are also found here. Superb diving and snorkelling can be experienced close by on the surrounding islands. Cheeditha Aboriginal Cultural and Tourist Centre The Cheeditha Cultural and Tourist Centre is a community based gallery where everyone can experience Australian Indigenous arts and culture. Visitors can enjoy watching traditional artworks and artefacts being produced by members of local Cheeditha Community in the historic Galbraith's Store at Cossack. The Centre offers a number of unique experiences for touring groups, schools groups and individual visitors. These events must be booked in advance, and include Cultural talks, painting workshops, Story-telling by local Elders and dance. The Centre has become a focal point for both the tourists and education groups wanting to learn about and begin to understand Aboriginal culture through it's cultural displays, workshops, activities and training. In this way, the Centre contributes to the process of reconciliation and a greater understanding for all Australians. For further information contact the Roebourne Visitors Centre on Phone: 08 9182 1060 Email: roetour@bigpond.net.au Cossack Adventure Cruises Cossack Adventure Cruises offer a unique experience of how life must have been during pioneer times when Cossack was a bustling sea port and home to the first pearling industry in Western Australia. >> Visit Cossack and tour historic buildings, early settlement cemetery and Readers head lookout >> Cruise to Jarman Island to visit the historic Lighthouse and Lighthouse keepers quarters >> Drive part of the historic Emma Withnell Heritage Trail >> Cruise Butchers Inlet and see 7 unique species of mangroves near the site of the old leprosarium >> Experience local aboriginal culture >> Visit Roebourne, Western Australia's Oldest North West town and enjoy an interesting and informative stroll through the old Roebourne Gaol and Museum For further information contact the Roebourne Visitors Centre on Phone: 08 9182 1060 Email: roetour@bigpond.net.au
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