The local story of one fruit - the apple - characterises our broader farming history. Our first small orchards were productive by the 1860s and by 1900 we were exporting apples to London. Later, the extension of the railway provided further impetus for the fledgling industry.
Our region is now the largest apple producing area in WA. The climate is ideal, with water and land available to supply the growing world market. The resourcefulness of our earliest apple growers lives on in our orchards and other farming ventures today.
Before the railhead reached Manjimup in 1911, my brother and I would make the three day journey by horse and dray to Bridgetown and back, selling our apples and produce, often not returning until late at night with supplies. (Archie Fontanini)
