2012W2 Manjimup Convention – A bit of History and Economy - By Lion Jean-Marc with a few aditives by Dot.
A bit of history:
Manjimup was named the Noongar Aboriginal words "Manjin" (a broad-leafed edible reed) and "up" (meeting place, or place of). Manjimup was first settled by timber cutter Thomas Muir, who took up land near the present town site in 1856. It was declared a town in 1910, and a railway from Perth was completed in 1911.
The population expanded when Manjimup became part of the post - World War I Group Settlement Scheme. The Group Settlement Scheme was largely unsuccessful because the land was difficult to clear and many of the new settlers were not experienced farmers. The settlers who stayed became dairy farmers, which ended during the 1930s Great Depression when the price of butterfat collapsed.
And some economy:
Timber is the town's major industry, but it has been joined by fruit and vegetable farms, dairy farms, wool, grain and vineyards. The Cripps Pink, otherwise better known as the Pink Lady apple was created in Manjimup in 1973 by John Cripps of the then-named Western Australian Department of Agriculture and the trademark is now used on products across four continents. Earlier this year 2016 the newest variety of apple "Bravo" was launched to great fanfare, the apple is only available in small quantities at the moment as there are only 5,000 trees planted in the area so far. Manjimup used to produce frozen French fries,and had a lucrative tobacco industry that ended in the 1960s. Now there is a family owned company which makes hot chip vending machines, keep an eye out for one in your local area. Manjimup exports include marri flooring, apples, primarily to India, and spring water to Saudi Arabia, Singapore and India.
Manjimup is the leading Australian-mainland producer of black truffles and research on truffle-growing is conducted in collaboration with WA universities and annual government grants. Manjimup's climate is similar to that of Périgord and other truffle-growing areas of France. Manjimup truffles are currently supplied to restaurants in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, and requests for samples have been received from restaurants in France and Germany.
Research is also being conducted on green tea production by the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute. Japanese experts identified Manjimup as a suitable area for growing green tea based on "its climate, 'clean green' image, fertile soils and good rainfall". The Manjimup/Pemberton area is at a similar latitude to the prime tea-growing area Shizuoka in Japan, and shares similar acidic soils and average annual temperature. Trials of 10 varieties of green tea will determine which green tea varieties will be most successful.
Well the convention is getting nearer and the weather is getting colder.
I think we will have to do some serious praying for nice weather.
Things are moving along nicelystill plenty to do but we are getting there
but you all have a good time with the friendly people of MANJIMUP