Golden Pipeline

No 5 Pumping Station is actually just west of Yerbillon which was a railway siding on the Eastern Railway, extended as far as Kalgoorlie in 1895.

For practical purposes pumping stations were built at suitable locations along the railway line with a siding off the main line to take equipment, such as the pumping machinery, bricks and, in fact, everything required to the exact spot.

No 5 is at the 270 km mark from Mundaring Weir along the pipe track. Its positioning was largely determined by the lift from No 4 since a decision was made to equalise the lifts between stations.  Close proximity to the railway for delivery of building materials, machinery parts and fuel was also important.

If you were to travel a few kilometres from No 5 along the pipeline maintenance track (not sealed) you would find it curves around a Kurrajong tree that marks the spot of the old stopping point of Yerbillon on the railway line. It was immortalised in a sketch included in a project done by Marianne Seitz who was schooled there after coming to Australia with her family as Displaced Persons after the Second World War.

Despite its isolation, several former residents thoroughly enjoyed their time spent there. Edna Lorman, for instance has recorded recollections of her childhood years at No 5 and Joan Hutchinson prepared them for presentation.