A Playground of Death – grave tales

After living in Kalgoorlie-Boulder for many years, and talking to lots of people about what they did as youngsters and what games they played. I was told, that although playing on the slime dumps and near mine shafts was 'strictly forbidden', just … [Continue reading]

The Men of the Chaffers –

About 24 years ago the buildings and plant of the Chaffers Mine on the Golden Mile were sold off and the mine was officially closed. As a part of these proceedings, KCGM held a big open day with stalls and displays and tours around the remaining … [Continue reading]

The Krakouer Boys – a family saga

There is a wonderful and interesting link to the Krakouer family with the finding of what is now Coolgardie. Twenty-eight years before either Bailey or Ford had sighted gold at what was later to become Coolgardie, Theodore Isidore Krakouer, a … [Continue reading]

The Billy Can – a swagmans friend

The Quart-Pot and Billy-Can No utensil is so generally used in the bush as the billy-can; none is more widely distributed, none better known in Australia. It is cheap, light, useful, and a burden to no man. It goes with every traveller, it figures … [Continue reading]

The McCann Hoax – burned in effigy

Daily News 1 July 1895, page 5 COOLGARDIE NEWS: THE ALLEGED FIND AT LAKE COWAN. RETURN OF MR McCANN AS DELEGATE. FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR THE FIND. EXCITED MEETING IN BAYLEY-STREET - CHARGE AGAINST THE PRESS - THE COURIER … [Continue reading]