Charles Cutbush – people profile

Mr Charles Augustus Cutbush was born in Sydney NSW onn the 2nd Jan 1865, the son of William Montague CUTBUSH, pastoralist of Pillacawarrena Station and was educated at the Grammar School in that city. As a youth he figured prominently at cycle meetings, and on several occasions showed his calibre by carrying off certain special prizes. In the acme of his cycling power he created a long-distance record for New South Wales. His capabilities on the wheel, though lucrative from the point of view of competitive sports, were of more practical value to him on his prospecting journeys through the sandy deserts of Western Australia. His attachment to this form of athletic exercise, and others of a more or less kindred nature, has been conspicuously shown by the supreme interest he has taken in sporting matters on the Western Australian fields.

In 1893 Mr. Cutbush arrived in Coolgardie. Making this his headquarters, he set out on various expeditions in search of gold. His returns from these extensive tours were not a full compensation for the time and trouble expended in the attempt to reach some golden grotto. When the great rush to Kurnalpi took place, Mr. Cutbush was among the first to arrive. The balance of fortune swung more pleasantly in his favour, and hopes of future aggrandisement were restored. From this excited vicinity, where hundreds of miners still groped among the alluvial for grains and slugs, Mr. Cutbush, satisfied that the place was exhaustively worked, left for Hannan’s. On reaching there in 1894, he took a look round the neighbourhood, and pleased with its aspect, determined to settle down in the township and start business. He became a partner of Mr. J. W. Fimister in a most profitable venture.

When material affairs began to prosper, Mr. Cutbush resolved to take an active part in municipal life. A Progress Committee was soon formed for the purpose of taking precautions for the security and welfare of the citizens. Although this corporation had no legal existence, its aims and objects are practically the same as those of a municipal council, and the difference, which is everything, consists in the process of executing those aims. A Progress Committee is like a lay-preacher, unpolished, practical, ready, and not over disposed to be eclectic and dignified. This committee was formed, its drastic constitution was drawn up, and Mr. Cutbush was appointed first secretary, being returned at the head of the poll. He discharged the duties incumbent on the office with praiseworthy efficiency.

At a later period, when Kalgoorlie had assumed more definitely the appearances of a thriving town, a hospital was erected, and a committee chosen to superintend its management and interests. Mr. Cutbush was elected to the honourable position of chairman of committee, and was highly successful in this directing capacity. He has also held the secretaryship of the Hannan’s Racing Club for two years.

As one of its municipal pioneers, and most useful citizens, Mr. Cutbush is entitled to the respect of Hannan’s. He contributed his skill and energy towards forming the protocol of the municipality, and though many of the early enactments and provisions have suffered amendment, modification, and abrogation, as environments expanded and circumstances changed, he and his fellows did yeomanlike service for the era for which they were intended and devised. Mr. Cutbush has many traits of character which have created friendships and elicited the good opinion of his fellow men, in a land where honesty of purpose and other ethical virtues are extolled.

He married his first wife, Louisa May ENGLISH in Perth WA in 1894 and she died in Kalgoorlie in 1904. In the following year, 1905, he was then married for the second time to Adelaide May SMITH. Adelaide was also to die in Kalgoorlie two days after the birth of their stillborn daughter in Nov 1915. Both Adelaide and Louisa are buried in the Kalgoorlie cemetery. Charles and Louisa were also to have two sons, William Charles Russell CUTBUSH born 1895 (died aged 5mths) and George Arthur Montague CUTBUSH born 1898 (died aged 6days). He was to marry again for the third time and his wife survived him and was living in Sydney at the time of his death .He died in Perth in the Wooraloo Sanitarium on the 8 Feb 1927 at age 62 and is buried in the Karakatta Cemetery.

76 Ward Street. Lamington

While he was mayor, Charles Cutbush lived at 76 Ward Street, Lamington (Cnr Ward and Graeme). The house is much as it would have been in his day.

This story was submitted by Eric Chamberalian

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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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