The name Nyabing is thought to be derived from an Aboriginal word for an everlasting flower and Pingrup signifies a place for digging. Kent Shire takes its name from the commissariat officer of Dr Thomas Braidwood Wilson’s expedition of 1829.
The Shire of Kent encompasses two towns, Nyabing and Pingrup, in a broadacre farming area in the north-east of the Great Southern. Nyabing is about 320km south-east of Perth and Pingrup is 40km east of Nyabing. Both communities are rich in local history and tourist attractions.
The Shire of Kent was established in 1923 as the Kent Road Board. In 1955 the name was changed to the Nyabing-Pingrup Road Board and retained this name in 1961 when it became a Shire. The name was further altered in 1973 to the Shire of Kent.
With a population of 564 and a land area of 5,624 sq km, Kent contributes $55 million of the Great Southern’s gross regional product. Agriculture is the main employer.
Explore Kent
Kent
The Shire of Kent encompasses two towns, Nyabing and Pingrup, in a broadacre farming area in the north-east of the Great Southern. Nyabing is about 320km south-east of Perth and Pingrup is 40km east of Nyabing. Both communities are rich in local history and tourist attractions. Explore Regions Kent Gallery
Kent Lifestyle
Pingrup Silos, credit Shire of Kent
The communities in Kent are something special. I live in Pingrup, and in my opinion, the community here are the kindest, most hard-working people around. Our population might be small to some, but because of that, we have each other’s backs, and we help each other in times of hardship. We love this place, and we love the land…it’s the centre of many of our livelihoods.
Resident of Pingrup, Shire of Kent
News & Media in Kent
