Gnowangerup History

He set himself up as a merchant in Albany and selected a large, area of land on both sides of the Kalgan River and another area at Moorilup, near the source of the Kalgan River (Kendanup). Around 1835 he settled al Cape Riche, his property being "Bonnington Braes".
By 1836, Cheyne had established a whaling depot and sealing station at Doubtful Island.
His land at Morrilup was sold to Captain John Hassell in 1839, and about this time he chose a safe and well protected harbour east of Cape Riche as a site for a new whaling depot. This became known as "Cheyne' Bay and by 1843, the small private port was established.
Overseas vessels, mostly American, favoured Cheyne's port as at King George's Sound they were forced to pay harbour dues. Sheep were imported from South Africa and run on the rich natural grasses and not only did they yield a return in wool but also provided supplies of fresh meat for the ships' crews.
It was in the 1840s that the sandalwood trade began to flourish and Cheyne, ever alert to increase his business interests, employed men to operate as sandalwood cutters in the virgin country to the north east of Cape Riche.
This was the country watered by the Pallinup River and its tributaries. The wood was carted to his depot at Cape. Riche from which it was shipped abroad.
Cheyne was rewarded for his enterprising nature, for his sandalwood cutters, besides bringing back valuable timber, located permanent water inland.
Taking advantage of the new system of pastoral leases under the Lands Act, Cheyne soon had his sheep camps of 40 acres based on permanent springs centred in large areas of good natural grass country along Pallinup River which today comprise the rich wheat and sheep farms of Borden, Gnowangerup and extending eastwards to Eticup. (Now known as Broomehill).
In 1851, Assistant/Surveyor Chauncey, surveyed an area of 16 hectares for Cheyne. This was to become part of the property known as Sandalwood. Before it was commonly known as Sandalwood, this property was known as 'Glenvale', located near the Pullingup Spring.

Thus, 20 years after his arrival at Albany, Cheyne was finally established as a merchant, grazier and sole proprietor of a private port. 
His one regret was that he was childless. However, he made his plans so that some members of his family could carry on the work he had commenced.
From Scotland the brought his nephews — the Moirs. Andrew was the first to arrive in 1842, Alexander and George followed some years later in 1850, and like their brother went to Cape Riche to earn their passage out. 
John Moir came in 1850 also, with a family of ten. The nephews assisted in his merchant business in Albany, in his enterprises at Cape Riche and in his grazing interests as they spread northwards.
A year or so later, Cheyne bought another nephew who settled at 'Fairfield' the property at Eticup, west of Broomehill. He became the first Chairman of the Broomehill Road Board on its formation in 1892.
For his proposed retirement Cheyne built a house in Albany but his plans went awry and early in 1853, accompanied by his wife, he left for England having arranged for the supervision of his many and varied interests (to his) satisfaction with the marketing of the wool clip at the hands of his English brokers.
That Cheyne's wool clip was fairly substantial is evident, for it is recorded in an instrument, dated March,1858 which Andrew leased from his uncle properties Bonninton Braes Cape Riche and 'Glenvale’ (Sandalwood) on the Pallinup River, that the schedule listed 3,832 sheep
Cheyne died in June, 1869 and was buried in his native soil in Scotland. 
After the departure of their uncle, the Moir brothers pursued  their various interests. 
Alex was to establish himself in Albany and became a prosperous merchant. He was to lease huge tracts of land including Cambellup, Moordinup, Kybellup, Jackitup and the Willemenup Well. 
George Moir was to buy the Barrett brothers' small holding 'Mongup' in 1858.
Andrew Moir and his two sons John and Andrew took over the running of Sandalwood and Cape Riche. 
When Andrew (Snr) retired to Albany in the late 1880s, Andrew was running Cape Riche and John on Sandalwood. 
Sometime later they were to exchange properties.
This nearly broke Andrew's heart as he loved being by the sea. 
Sandalwood was farmed as one property until after the first World War when it was split for Andrew's three sons, Ernest was to take the property named ‘Carinya', Lionel took 'Salisbury' and Andrew G was to retain Sandalwood.
The old shearing shed, or barn as it was known, was to have one of the first shearing plants installed. 
A Burgeon and Ball three stand plant with pullies to the engine room to facilitate its running. Nowadays the shed is mainly used for parties, its large interior making it ideal. 
In the early 1950s, Doug Moir was to take over Sandalwood, a new house was erected in the late 1950s. 

References: Article: The Cheyne Family Website
Gnowangerup Star Newspaperr 25th May 1995

Image: 1 The Cheyne Family Website