Below are links to different resources used in the inquiry of the Hester Brook Retreat Project.

(They are from a diversity of sources and so their currency and accuracy is up to the reader to determine for themselves):

Climatology:

The link to the Bureau of Meteorology rainfall and other statistics for the region. Being located further north and in a valley, precipitation tends to be higher and median and extreme temperatures tend to be lower than those stated.

Link: Long Term Comparison (1887-2004)

Link: Daily Figures (13 Months) - [showing July 2006's -5.7 minimum]

Link: Four Day Current Forecast - showing high-low temp and rain probability

Biology:

The resources on the Darling Scarp ecosystems are expanding continuously. Of primary interest are the decline of endangered species and the increase of noxious weeds.

Link: Major Weeds - Identification Resource

Link: Flora Database - Identification Resource

Link: Fungi Database - Education Resoruce

Geology:

The regional geology is one of the features of the location. Being a valley system several different geographical zones are represented in the location (from laterite outcrops to marsh wetland) within a 95m fall zone. Understanding this diversity helps us understand the diversity of ecosystems.

Link: Regional Geography and Soil Science Summary

History:

The townsite of Hester is located about 7 km north north west of Bridgetown. It was gazetted a townsite in 1899, and was originally a siding on the Donnybrook to Bridgetown railway, opened in 1898. The town derives its name from the nearby Hester Brook, a name first recorded by surveyor John Forrest in 1866. Hester Brook is named after Edward Godfrey Hester, an early settler (late 1850's) of the Bridgetown district.

Link: HIstory of Country Town Names

[more to come ... ]