Albert William Rodda – pioneer profile

Albert William Rodda of Boulder City, was born at Tanunda South Australia on the 24th May 1858 and is the son of the late William Murdoch Rodda. He received his education his native town and at the age of 14yrs was apprenticed to the storekeeping trade for four years. At the ned of this time he moved to Moonta and then on to Riverton and Broken Hill working in the same line of business. While in Broken Hill he opened a mens mercery store which he operated for  seven years. The excitement caused by the Coolgardie Gold rush drew him to Western Australian in 1894. He opened his first store on the Goldfields in Coolgardie the same year.

A W Rodda, Clothier, Bayley Street, Coolgardie 1898

In 1898 he moved his business to Kalgoorlie and Boulder where he carried on successfully for some years. In 1900 Mr Rodda first became interested in the hotel trade and he continued in the business. He has been the ‘mine host’ of The Miners Res, The Union Club, The Court and the Grand hotel in Boulder. While conducting these hostelries he also found time to interest himself in the mining industry giving material assistance to numerous mining claims in the district.

Albert William Rodda

I was a member of the Ancient Order of Druids and has been elected a life member of this order. He was also a life member of the Boulder Racing Club, having been connected with this organisation since its inception serving for eleven years as both treasurer and committee member. In his younger days Mr Rodda was well known as an amateur performer on the turf having ridden and trained many winners in both Broken Hill and on the Western Australian Goldfields. His chief recreation is driving and he always has a good horse in his stable.

Mr Rodda died in Boulder on the 20 Sept 1926 at the residence of Mr W Watkins, Richardson Street, Boulder and was buried in the Boulder Cemetery on the 21 Sep 1926, age 68yrs. He was a single man but had a cousin, Mrs H Sparrow who lived in Maddington WA.

Albert William Rodda – Boulder cemetery

Albert William Rodda – Boulder cemetery

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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