Borden, Western Australia

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}

{{Use Australian English|date=July 2015}}

{{Infobox Australian place | type = town

| name = Borden

| state = wa

| image = BordenWesternAustralia.jpg

| caption = Welcome to Borden

| lga = Shire of Gnowangerup

| local_map = yes

| zoom = 13

| coordinates = {{coord|34.074|S|118.261|E|display=inline,title}}

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Western Australia

| postcode = 6338

| pop =

| area = {{cvt |input=P2046}}

| est = 1912

| stategov = Roe

| fedgov = O'Connor

| dist1 = 325

| location1= Perth, Western Australia

| dist2 = 111

| location2= Albany

| dist3 =

| location3=

}}

Borden is a small town and locality in the Shire of Gnowangerup, Great Southern region of Western Australia.{{cite web |url=https://maps.slip.wa.gov.au/landgate/locate/ |title=SLIP Map |author= |date= |website=maps.slip.wa.gov.au |publisher=Landgate |access-date=15 October 2024 |quote=}}{{cite web |url=https://nationalmap.gov.au/ |title=NationalMap |author= |date= |website=nationalmap.gov.au |publisher=Geoscience Australia |access-date=15 October 2024 |quote=}} The town is located {{convert|325|km|mi|0}} south east of the state capital, Perth Western Australia, and {{convert|111|km|mi|0}} north of Albany on Chester Pass Road. At the 2006 census, Borden and the surrounding area had a population of 164.{{Census 2006 AUS|id=SSC53246|name=Borden (State Suburb)|accessdate=1 July 2008|quick=on}}

The town was established as a siding on the Ongerup branch railway between Gnowangerup and Ongerup and is named after Canadian Prime Minister Robert Laird Borden.{{cite web|url=http://www.albanygateway.com.au/town/Borden/ |title=Albany Gateway - Borden |accessdate=30 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016231945/http://albanygateway.com.au/Town/Borden/ |archivedate=16 October 2007 }} The stop after Borden, Laurier, was also named after a Canadian Prime Minister, Wilfrid Laurier.{{LandInfo WA|c|B|14 October 2024}} The railway opened for business on 6 January 1913 and closed on 13 October 1957.The Ongerup Branch Milne, Rod Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, May, 2002 pp163-170

The area near Paper Collar Creek near where the town stands was a meeting point for sandalwood cutters in the 1840s for when they used to head to the port at Albany.{{cite web|url=https://www.albanygateway.com.au/towns/borden/|title=Borden|accessdate=29 December 2017|publisher=Albany Gateway|archive-date=4 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504160451/https://www.albanygateway.com.au/towns/borden/|url-status=dead}}

In 1916, {{convert|250|acre|ha}} of land was set aside for a townsite. Although the site had not been surveyed J.G. Jenkins had already erected the first building containing dwelling, dining, refreshment and assembly rooms. Another man, J. Copeland was also constructing a building at this time. A telephone connection with Gnowangerup had also been established and mail was being received twice a week by train.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157475965 |title=Borden. |newspaper=Gnowangerup Star And Tambellup-Ongerup Gazette |volume=1 |issue=28 |location=Western Australia |date=12 February 1916 |accessdate=29 December 2017 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}

The local agricultural hall, constructed of jarrah and cast iron, was opened in 1928 by the Minister of Lands, Michael H. Troy. Local members H. Stewart and Charles Wittenoom were also present.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70188474|title=Borden's New Hall.|newspaper=Albany Advertiser|location=Western Australia|date=17 July 1928|accessdate=1 October 2013|page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}

The main industry in town is wheat farming, with the town being a Cooperative Bulk Handling receival site.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbh.com.au/media/120302/cbh%20receival%20sites%20-%20contact%20details.pdf |title=CBH Receival Sites - Contact Details |year=2010 |accessdate=31 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318082458/https://www.cbh.com.au/media/120302/cbh%20receival%20sites%20-%20contact%20details.pdf |archivedate=18 March 2012 |df=dmy }} The receival bins are able to handle {{convert|170000|t|long ton|0}} of grain during harvest times. In 2017 the receival site was inundated with floodwaters following a heavy rain event.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-14/floodwaters-inundate-cbhs-grain-receival-site-at/8270152|title=Floodwaters inundated CBH's grain receival site at Borden|date=14 February 2017|accessdate=29 December 2017|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} The harvest had been a new record so that large amounts of grain were stored in overflow bins.{{cite web|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/floods-hit-co-op-grain-shipments-ng-b88385135z|title=Floods hit CBH grain shipments at crucial stage of season|author=Nick Butterly|work=The West Australian|publisher=Seven West Media}}