He remained the only European in the area, aside from itinerant sandalwood cutters, until his stepson, A. W. Robinson, took up adjacent land in 1864.

During the 1860s and 1870s, more settlers moved into the area, and took on sandalwood cutting – it sold for £8.9 per tonne (£9 per long ton) – as well as wheat and sheep farming.

The townsite attracted a few businesses and by 1903, the tiny settlement comprised a school, hotel, bank and a few shops.

The Old Police Station Museum located in the town is the base of the local historical society and contains artifacts and memorabilia of the early settlement days.

[3][4][5] A bulk wheat bin was opened in December 1940 and began receiving large amounts of grain immediately.