The following story is about a teacher who went from town to town setting up schools for a short time then leaving under a cloud of suspicion. First in Perth in 1892 then to Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie then on to Perth again then Bunbury with the same results. However, Mr. Murtagh was in no way […]
Across No Mans Land in Central Australia part 2
07/01/2023 By Leave a Comment
The Chronicle SA – 9 February 1933, page 52 Part 1 can be read here – Across No Mans Land part 1 Next day we reached the shore of the lake, an immense area of white and brown salt, extending west and south-west until the dancing mirage hid the further reaches. It is larger than […]
When the Marvel Loch Mine Fell In
07/01/2023 By Leave a Comment
Recently Australia was shocked by the news that two men had lost their lives 500ft down a Broken Hill Mine. At the same time the name of Mazza appeared in the obituary notices of the local press. Probably it bore little significance to any but sorrowing friend and relatives – for few could cast their […]
The Spell of Coolgardie – a verse
07/01/2023 By Leave a Comment
Ships brought men to Perth From all parts of the earth Lured by fabulous tales of gold yields Some biked it, some hiked it But no one quite liked it The long dreary trek to the fields The ground was their bed A stone for ones head Four bags made a Wagga like quilt Bough […]
The Smetherham’s – a family story
07/01/2023 By 2 Comments
The Coolgardie Memories of the Smetherham’s by Elsie Turner William SMETHERHAM and his wife Angelina ‘Louisa’ nee MOYLE arrived in Coolgardie from Eaglehawk near Bendigo in the mid 1890’s. With them came their children – 6 year old twins Elsie and Sydney and 2 year old William junior. Their first home in Coolgardie was in […]
