Kundana is situated 25kms west-northwest of Kalgoorlie and 27 kms nor-northeast of Coolgardie. In the 1890’s the area was known informally as the ’21 Mile’ because it was 21 miles from Coolgardie on the Black Flag Road. Other unofficial names used were ‘Barkers Find’after the first prospector in the area and also ‘White Flag’ (see story below).
21 mile hotel barkers find mm 1897 later Kundana
In April of 1896 the locals people sent a petition with 58 signatures to the Inspecting Surveyor H S King asking for the town site to be gazetted so that businesses and public utilities could be established. This application was approved. King wrote to the lands department and proposed the name as Kundana for the new town site ‘Kundanha’ an aboriginal word meaning ‘place of the quite one’ in the Wankgatah language. It is not know why King selected this name. King selected the street names from the names of some nearby leases. A school site and a cemetery were marked out but there was never a teacher, school house or any burials. The only official building to be opened was a post office. Sadly by the time the town was finally gazetted in Sept 1897 many of the mines were closing down.
From “Dolly Pot’ by John Malcolm
Western Mail 24th Sept 1942
WHITE FLAG – Earliest know name was the 21 Mile (also known as Kundana and Barkers Find)
DEAR ” John.”Yes”I certainly knew White Flag. In fact it was I who gave it that name! We were seated one night around the condenser fire on the Lady Brassey Gold Mine, trying to find a name for the township and I suggested White Flag. I went there in July, 1895, and was for a short time, the only woman there. So I was there at its birth, death and burial. I do not remember Alf Perkins by name, as the water for Cobb and Co’s, horses was always booked to the firm, but I clearly remember the driver. He was a young man, rather dark, knew how to handle the horses and was pleasant to speak to. Yes, I could tell a little about rations. We had desiccated potatoes (minced and dried) which we used to put in the flying pan with a little dripping, pepper, salt and water and cook until all was a pulp. We also had dried mixed vegetables, which we used for soup and stews. The dried goods were put up in air tight tins by Swallow and Ariel. To make our bread, we used to save a “pup” (a piece of dough) and keep it in the flour until wanted. At the Mutual Store, apples were 10d per lb.
The ground was very rotten and required a lot of strong timber. I think it was reported the gold went off in solution, when crushed, but I picked up a piece of stone on the Glasgow, showing gold freely. That gold was hard and bright. At the present day, there are so many improvements in gold saving devices, that shows which would not pay in the early days are showing good profits. A four inch pipe line from the Kalgoorlie Water Scheme, would supply fresh water. I think it may be 12 or 16 miles across country, and if possible, clay piping should be used, as all the ground is so highly mineralised, that iron piping would soon be rusted through. There is plenty of water, but, put your hands in, and In a few minutes, they will be white and glistening with salt. Perhaps I may some day tell about the walk to the White Flag from Coolgardie. Now the days are so short and I have only one pair of hands and lots for them to do.
by AGNES GITTOS, Northcliffe WA.
Kundana
“Kundana” by Ann T Freeman & Julie H Thom
history of an early gold mining area of the town &
of the mine –
lots of pictures but no index
Published by White Flag Joint Venture
ISBN 0 7316 4950 8
Moya Sharp
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