From the late 1890s until the early 1950s, because all heavy machinery was steam-driven, vast quantities of wood were required to fuel the boilers, and coal was too expensive. Consequently, Wood Lines were born. The last surviving company was ‘The Western Australian Goldfields Firewood Supply Limited’, which ceased operations in 1964. From early 1946 until […]
The Rooks Family – grave tales
14/01/2023 By Leave a Comment
I was recently contacted by Maureen Jones who has sent me two wonderful photographs to share with you. The photographs are from Eric Rooks Collection now belonging to his niece Valerie Grayden, who has given permission for these photos to be shared. Maureen says – “I have been researching the Rooks family here in Melbourne […]
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 […]
Alleged Seduction at Kanowna
31/12/2022 By Leave a Comment
Kalgoorlie Miner 10 October 1906, page 2 Alleged Seduction The Kanowna Case – Serious Charges against Married Man Frances ‘Frank’ Fordham BROWNE (Plaintiff)-v- John Lewis Henry MARTIN (Defendant) The hearing of the civil case of Frank Fordham Browne against John Lewis Martin, in which the plaintiff claims £1000 for the alleged seduction of his step-daughter, […]
Across No Mans Land in Central Australia part 1
31/12/2022 By Leave a Comment
Advertiser – Adelaide SA – 31 January 1933, page 10 This is the first of three articles by Mr. Michael Terry, who recently returned from a prospecting expedition in the wilderness near the the Western Australian border. False reports of rain led to serious trouble. By Michael Terry, F.R.G.S., F.R.E.S. It is now 60 years […]
