Meckering is a town east of Perth, Western Australia along the Great Eastern Highway. Meckering is located within the Shire of Cunderdin.
A railway line was completed in the area in 1895 and Meckering was selected as a station site. The first name chosen for the townsite was Beebering, the Aboriginal name for the hills just north of the town.
The townsite of Beebering was gazetted in 1895. The name of the town was changed to Meckering in 1897 to agree with the station name and the name for the town that was used locally. Meckering is an Aboriginal word thought to mean "moon on the water" or "good hunting".
In early 1898 the population of the town was 225, 150 males and 75 females.
In 1932 the Wheat Pool of Western Australia announced that the town would have two grain elevators, each fitted with an engine, installed at the railway siding.
The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.
Earthquake
The town was struck by an earthquake on Monday 14 October 1968.
The earthquake occurred at , with a moment magnitude of 6.5 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). Total damage amounted to $2.2 million with 20–28 injured.
Transport
Road freight
Meckering is a main stopping point for freight trucks on the way to the eastern states.
Passenger rail service
The MerredinLink service runs between East Perth and Merredin thrice weekly, terminating at Meckering. The Prospector service between East Perth and Kalgoorlie stops at Meckering most days.
See also
Earthquakes in Western Australia
References
Further reading
Gordon, F.R and J.D. Lewis (1980) The Meckering and Calingiri earthquakes October 1968 and March 1970 Geological Survey of Western Australia Bulletin 126