About the Midlands District
The Darling escarpment is a natural barrier between the western coastal plain and the midlands wheatbelt area of the western plateau region. The key Avon valley region varies in width from five to twenty kilometers bordering the scarp. The climatic cycles of hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters cause the Avon river and tributaries to flow in the winter and cease flow in the summer. The lower reaches of the Avon become a series of deep pools with abundant flora and fauna which sustained the traditional Aboriginal lifestyle.
After Ensign Dale's 1830 expedition and report on the area, white settlement was attracted to this region because it had natural grasses was lightly timbered, and ideally suited to pastoralism and later to wheat cultivation. This led to a clash of cultures in the region as development progressed and York became the first inland town in Western Australia. The towns of Toodyay (formerly Newcastle) and later, Northam, both developed on the banks of the Avon River.
Toodyay
The town of Toodyay is located 88 km east of Perth. It is said that the name 'Toodyay' is a corruption of the local Aboriginal word 'duigee', which meant 'place of plenty' and referred to the richness and fertility of the area and the reliability of the Avon River. Others say that the name came from an Aboriginal woman who arrived with the firs t European settlers - 'Toodyeep'.
New Norcia
The Benedictine Mission was founded in 1849 by Bishop Salvado to 'Christianise and civilise' Aborigines in the Victoria Plains area. Basically it was a central monastery surrounded by farming and pastoral lands. Institutional care was provided for Aborigines and an education was given in basic literacy and numeracy. In addition to religious education, training in the areas of domestic and farm work enhanced possibilities of prospective employment.
In addition to the positive outcomes, there were Aboriginal people from the various areas throughout Western Australia who did not benefit from their experience at New Norcia. Some highlighted the cruel treatment received during their time at the mission. These people see New Norcia as a forbidden place and are extremely reluctant to return even for one night.