Spanish Settlers

The history of Busselton is a cosmopolitan one, with a Spanish flavour thrown in for good measure. These robust pioneers started arriving in the area from 1898 at the suggestion of Mr Rutllan Casas, who visited the area earlier. Those families who came at his suggestion were Torrent, Mas, Espinos, Ral, Pifere and Deu-Lofeu, some had family with them and some families followed later. History reveals that the families worked very hard to make ends meet in agricultural pursuits, and having learnt the trade of winemaking before heading to Australia, Miguel Torrent started producing wine in the southwest. It was serious work clearing the land for their own purposes but also working for others and the whole family was involved however there was plenty of fun in the air within the families. “I recall the first time George Espinos, well everybody around knows the Espinos’s because they’re one of the old families, and they came out just after my Father. I recall the first time George ever went to school. It was at the Yalyalup School. We had to walk four miles to it, and there was myself and Frank. George is a few years younger than me. I could have been about twelve, I suppose. (It might have been less than that.)… We just all had our lunch in the school, and George pulled out this little bottle... The teacher asked, “What have you got there, George?” And George said, “Oh, I got wine, Miss.” She said “What are you going to do with that wine?” George said: “Drink it of course.” And she said, “You can’t do that here.” He said, “Why? I always do at home.” And she said, “Oh, you’d better put it away, George, and take it home.” So, I think we all drank it on the way back from school!!” Joe Torrent Words from Busselton Settlement Appeal document.