Youngsters in the 1940’s/60’s whose fathers worked of the then, Gold Mines of Kalgoorlie company, enjoyed the annual Christmas Tree Party held every year by the company at the Hamilton Park opposite the Boulder Block in Fimiston for its employees, free drinks and sweets and other eats being served to the children from about 6.30 p.m. to about 11 p.m., and including picture shows.
The GMK at that time comprised the Perseverance, Enterprise, Hainault, North and South Paringa and Oroya, on each of which I did some work about 1961 – the South Kalgoorlie, Iron Duke and Federal or Block 45 shafts having closed by then.
All these shafts were within an ellipse running north south, of about two kms length and half a kilometer wide centered at the Boulder Block.
The Boulder Block was situated straight up Fimiston St, east of the Boulder CBD about a mile, and on Fimiston St halfway between the Boulder subway and the Boulder Block was the Hamilton Shaft on the top of which in 1952 in lights to mark the coronation was emblazoned ER, that is Elizabeth Regina or Queen Elizabeth.
Hamilton Park Opposite the Boulder Block Hotel.
I wrote the following poem to describe the above mentioned Christmas Tree Party.
Fimiston in the 1940’s/60’s
Gold Mines of Kalgoorlie Xmas party,
held at the Boulder Block park,
for employees’ families an occasion hearty,
fun and lights dispersing the dark;
just down from the Percy’s frame,
pictures, games and merry go rounds,
for the miners’ kids who came,
their laughter and play carefree sounds;
ice cream, drinks always a treat
and at times during the night
adults making the quick short retreat
to the Boulder Block Hotel site.
Lasting from dusk until about eleven
it has lodged in countless memories
as a little bit of heaven
with its decorated Xmas trees.
Now it’s been many a year
that the last party was held,
that sacred site of good cheer
to eternity having been dispelled,
that eminence whence one would see
Boulder City’s and Mt Burgess’s surrounds,
from just below the Percy’s knee,
there amongst many working shafts’ sounds
where not one head frame remains
along that former majestic golden ridge
which to thousands from far domains
served as a magnet and bridge,
and which from Seven Mile Hill
or the old Kalgoorlie Express arriving
personified the town’s style and will,
a sense of permanence and thriving.
Now on a dusty summer eve
where once the tumble weed rolled
fitful breezes seemingly sigh and grieve
through spaces now empty, once bold.
by Tony Bozich
Moya Sharp
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What a lovely poem. My grandfather & grandmother lived in Boulder way before the 1940s. My mum and her siblings were all born in Kalgoolie. The surname was Alerich. My grandfather worked on the mines. There house from Boulder was bought down to Perth and erected again and it still stands on Great Northern Highway Millendon.
I have read this poem with great interest my childhood was spent on the Great Boulder Mine and the Park in the photograph was part of the lease.
The Christmas Tree was held in the Park for the workers and their families, my father Ron McInerney organised this with a lot of help from workers on the lease. They erected a massive pole in the middle of the park with a huge GB on the top which was lit up at night. Everyone had an amazing night with lots of icecream, lollies and cool drink not forgetting a present for all the kids. A magical night for everyone! We also lived in the house next to the Mine Manager up to 1967. Lots of great memories. Robyn McInerney Winter
I have many happy memories of the Mines Christmas Party and waiting for the ice cream at the end. It was such a luxury for all of us and every year we waited in anticipation of this wonderful event. Sandra Driver (Kelly)
My father Jack Kavanagh worked on the Great Boulder. I can also remember the Mines Christmas Party each year. Ice cream was a special occasion treat in those days. I can’t recall the present I received but it would have been most welcome.