Chirritta Station, most often referred to as Chirritta or Cherratta, is a pastoral lease operating as a sheep station in Western Australia.
The property is situated approximately 46km (29miles) south of Roebourne and 86km (53miles) north east of Pannawonica in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. A portion of the Maitland River runs through the property.
The property was established by Donald Norman McLeod in 1872.[1] He returned to Victoria in 1882 and purchased Yannarie Estate near Portland, and later returned to Western Australia, acquiring Minilya Station.[2] In 1884 Chirritta was reportedly sold for £18,000.[3] By 1888 the property was put up for auction on behalf of D.N. McLeod and Company; the property was stocked with 17,000 sheep along with about 200 head of cattle.[4]
The property was owned by Richardson, Edgar and Gillam in 1893.[5] Gillam introduced merino rams into the flock in 1899.[6] A cyclone passed through the area later the same year depositing 3inches of rain at the station and tearing the roof from the old homestead.[7]
Gillam became the sole owner of Chirritta at some time prior to 1905. He sold it in 1907 to the Withnell brothers, who owned the neighbouring Karratha Station.[8] At the time the property supported about 16,000 sheep and shearing that year produced 288 bales of wool.[9]
Cases of leprosy were reported amongst the Aboriginal people who were living at Chirritta in 1912.[10]
The Withnells sold Chirritta in 1920 to Clarence Meares, who paid an estimated £30,000 for the property.[11] The property was stocked with about 22,000 sheep when Meares took possession.[12]