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]

Red Flannel Joe –

Western Mail - Perth - 28 February 1935, page 9 He is known as 'Red Flannel Joe' throughout the district. He is old and somewhat pompous and lives in a tin hut in what was once the main street of this little nor-west town of Peak Hill. … [Continue reading]

Billy ‘Cyclone’ Aitken – a man of many parts

William 'Billy' Gaskell Aitken was Mayor of Coolgardie in 1906 and a councillor in the town prior to this. After his term of office, he was presented with an elaborate engraved and coloured citation to commemorate his service. It said:         … [Continue reading]