The Group Settlement Scheme was the brainchild of James Mitchell, Minister for Lands for Western Australia. The Scheme aimed to promote speedy settlement within the state, and to open up the South-West. The attraction to the settlers from the United Kingsom was the lure of free land. Most blocks were about 100 hectares in size and were allocated by ballot amongst the members of the Group, who usually numbered between twelve and fourteen families. The first group was formed in Manjimup in 1921. Bill Bunbury's programme about the Scheme, "They said you'd own your own farm", was broadcast on ABC radio in 1982.
From the description of Correspondence relating to Group Settlement in Western Australia. 1982. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 222787500
