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Leinster is often described as an oasis in the desert and is located 368 kms north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Leinster was built on a sand dune in consideration to the environment, giving the town the impression of an oasis. Locals call it the 'home of the wedge tail eagle' or 'the jewel of the northern goldfields'. In 1976 Leinster was established as the Agnew Gold Mining Company town supporting the nickel mine. The name comes from nearby Leinster Downs Station, one of many large pastoral stations in the area. Other major stations are Pinnacles, Yakabindie, Yeelirrie and Weebo, with sheep as the primary stock. In 1897 mining in the area began with the East Murchison United Company (EMU). WMC Resources purchased the mine in 1989 and began recommissioning the operation. Leinster supports a vibrant community with a population of 1400. The town consists of 283 homes, caravan park, 800 single persons quarters and motels supporting 700 'fly-in fly-out' personnel. Shopping facilities include a supermarket, beautician, hairdressing salon, post office, service station, newsagency, coffee shop and nursery. There is also a tavern and 'wet mess', the tavern offers a-la-carte and speciality menus. Live entertainment is regularly brought to Leinster by sporting and community groups. Leinster's sporting population is well covered with an olympic-size swimming pool, health and fitness centre, squash, basketball, netball and tennis courts, oval, indoor sporting stadium, 18-hole golf course and a race course. There are pre-primary, day-care and playgroup centres. The Leinster Primary School caters for approximately 130 children up to year 8, with the Distance Education Centre Programme for older children. Leinster has a resident doctor, and Silver Chain Nursing Post staffed by two nurses which is open five days a week. Emergencies are covered by the St John's Ambulance sub-centre, operated 24 hours a day by on-call volunteers.
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