Plan for new WA locality to honour local hero

A generous crowd of participants joined in the ceremony led by members of the Undalup Association, cleansing themselves in smoke before moving to the ocean to leave their blessings in the water.

Wadandi man and local fountain of knowledge Zac Webb spoke of the importance of standing up for country and connecting with the land, sharing local context of the Australia Day story to an enthralled and at times emotional group.

Earlier, WA Lands Minister Ben Wyatt voiced his support to explore the proposal from the Undalup Association to recognise Noongar man Samuel (Yebble) Isaacs with the creation of a new locality in the South West corner of the State.

The project would see a portion of land between Gracetown and Burnside excised and renamed to honour local Aboriginal man, Samuel (Yebble) Isaacs.

Read more: 100 Years | Remembering Samuel Isaacs

The proposal to create the new locality was put forward by the Undalup Association with support from Dr Robert Isaacs AM OAM JP PhD (Hon).

The plan would see approximately 2,700ha of land renamed Yebble.

"Submissions on this proposal are open until 12 February 2021 and will be tabled for a Council decision around March," Shire of Augusta Margaret River CEO Stephanie Addison-Brown said.

"If successful, a recommendation for approval will be made to the Minister for Lands, who is responsible for excising the portion of land from the existing localities of Gracetown and Burnside."

Mr Isaacs was born in Augusta in 1845 and given the name Yebble by his Aboriginal mother Darinder, who died during childbirth.

He was raised by Anne Dawson, who herself had given birth to a son some weeks earlier.

According to reports held by the Margaret River Historical Society, Mr Isaacs grew to be a well-mannered man and skilled bushman working in the forestry industry and for settlers.

On December 1 1876, Mr Isaacs was working for the Bussell family as a stockman when he saw the SS Georgette stranded in Calgardup Bay.

He rode 20kms on horseback to Wallcliffe House, recruited 16-year-old Grace Bussell, and spent the next four hours bringing passengers to shore. The pair rescued 54 people from the rough seas.

While Ms Bussell was awarded a Silver Medal and gold watch from the Royal Humane Society, another gold watch from the British Board of Trade, and had the towns Gracetown and Lake Grace named after her, Mr Isaacs received a Bronze Medal from the Royal Humane Society and a parcel of land near the Margaret River.

"The proposed locality of Yebble is not far from the land Mr Isaacs was gifted in 1887," Ms Addison-Brown said.

"It's on the north side of Margaret River and also includes the Ellensbrook Homestead and Meekadarribee Falls, which are both of historical and cultural significance to the local Noongar people."

2020 marked the 100th anniversary of the death Mr Isaacs, who passed away when he fell off his sulky near Monaghans.

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Minister Ben Wyatt said the new locality would rightfully honour Aboriginal heroes like Mr Isaacs.

"This is another significant step in correcting the wrongs of the past," he said.

"If passed, the new locality will ensure Mr Isaacs' legacy lives on, strengthening his connection to the land and cementing his name in WA's history.

"I hope this locality gives Mr Isaacs, his descendants and the Aboriginal community the great honour and respect they deserve.

"I'd like to thank the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River for their support proceeding with the proposal to honour the incredible efforts of Yebble and cement his heroic actions in history."