At the bottom of the wall of the Burra Rocks Dam a large galvanised two inch pipe protrudes. It is known that Benny Rampolini, an ex woodliner, had a piggery here in the 1970’s and he had about six pigs. The pipe weas to provide water for the piggery.
A stone wall had been constructed that enclosed a large boiling drum, it was still in place to prevent animals being trapped. Wheat was boiled in the drum for pig feed and had a capacity of about 400 litres.
Near the site of the current CALM display in the main visitors parking area at Burra Rocks there are wrecks of machinery that had included a harvester, ploughs and two trucks. These belonged to Rampolini and were bought to be used to seed, grow and harvest grain on the cleared area near the rocks. One of the trucks was used by Rampolini when he worked as a contractor on the Lakewood Woodline.
Rampolini’s house was located between the piggery and the rusting machinery. He initially had a flock of sheep on the cleared area but lost them all as the area was not fenced. Although he bought all this machinery he never got round to growing his own grain and brought it in from Coolgardie instead. He supplemented his income by working at the nearby Nepean Mine. It is not known what happened to Benny, does anyone know where he went?
Burra Rocks Nature Reserve 55kms south of Coolgardie:- Map http://bit.ly/1eeiLez
Granite Rock surrounded by regrowth woodland. The dam and the catchment wall supplied water to steam driven engines bringing timber to the region on narrow gauge railway during the late 1920’s.
Since originally posting this blog I have found some additional information on Benny Rampallini from the Book ‘Lakewood Woodline 1937-1964’ by Phil Bianchi. Benny lived at Burra Rocks from the mid 1960’s with his wife Norma and his children Ron, Valerie, Brenda and Marlene. He was originally from a town called Melo in Italy and came to Australia with his two brothers in search of a better life. This is a photograph of Benny playing his accordion.
The following information has been supplied by:- John Angelini : I am related to Benny through my grandmother Paola Rampellini who was one of the 6 Rampellini’s (Paola, Abbondio, Cesare, Benny, Alfredo & Maria) who came to WA. They came from the village of Mello in the Province of Sondrio on the Swiss border. 3 of them lived in Somerville. My great grandparents never saw their children again except for one son Cesare who was deported in 1934. Benny’s brother Alfredo also played the accordion and they often played at the Albion Hotel in Boulder as well as at weddings etc.After Benny retired he lived in Busselton. He passed away at age 88 and his wife Norma and children Ronnie and Brenda have also passed away.
Moya Sharp
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Hi Moyà. This is my great uncle Bennie Rampellini. My dad’s uncle. The surname is just spelt wrong. I took dad out there last year to have a look he was very impressed. Awesome work.
Hi Lisa Thanks for getting in touch. I will correct your uncles name. Lovely to find a relative. Did he stay in the Goldfields? Lovely that all his old machinery is still out there. I remember my kids playing on them when they were young.
Hi, he did stay here for a while, but eventually moved to Perth. I am not 100% sure on all the history, but my Dad and his sister still live here if you do need to know anything. Please email me below and I can organize something.
Hi Lisa my name is Darren Muir I am Brenda son I was adopted birth certificate Louis Rampellini she has since passed away looking to find my birth father so I would love to talk to anyone that new the rampellinis cause Brenda never told me
Hi I am wanting any info on the rampellini’s I am an Benny rampellini’s biological grandson looking find my biological father so if U can help with your family contacts in Kalgoolie b awesome thank U
Hi Darren Lisa McDowerll is Bennie Rampellini’s great niece, perhaps she can help you. lisa.mcdowall@bigpond.com
Hi I’m benny’s granddaughter (Brenda’s daughter) Mum is now passed but I’d like to contact you if possible.
Hi moya sharp my at birth was louis Rampollini my mother was Brenda born 66 looking to find my natural father cause so got nothing its know one i spoken to in Family has a clue at all wondering if u mite have some info or may someone who mite
Hi Darren Can you email me they details that you do have and I will see if I can fina anything? moyasharp@outbackfamilyhistory.com.au