Pitchford’s Hairdressing Saloon: Coolgardie

These are interesting photographs, as it is unusual to see the inside of buildings. The original store was destroyed in the 1897 fire and this building replaced it. Interior of R Pitchford’s Exchange Hairdressing Saloon, in the Exchange Building, Coolgardie 1895. This is the interior of the original saloon which was destroyed by fire in 1897.

The Sun – goldfields newspapers

The Sun Newspaper was circulated  in the Goldfields from 1898 to 1929 when the name was changed to The Goldfields Observer, which continued until 1939. Printed and published by Frank Walker for Kalgoorlie Newspapers, Ltd at their office,  51 Forrest-street, Kalgoorlie next to the Railway Hotel. The Sunday Times and “The Sun” newspapers in Western Australia. “The Sunday […]

The Freemasons Hotel – Coolgardie

The Freemasons Hotel was originally a single storey structure of corrugated iron which was frequently referred to as ‘The Sweat Box’. It was situated on Bayley Street, near the corner of Renou Street. When the first licensee, J Harris, sold it to Charles Vincent and Josiah Lipman took over the hotel in March of 1894 they […]

Albert William Rodda – pioneer profile

Albert William Rodda of Boulder City, was born at Tanunda South Australia on the 24th May 1858 and is the son of the late William Murdoch Rodda. He received his education his native town and at the age of 14yrs was apprenticed to the storekeeping trade for four years. At the ned of this time he […]

A Generous Man – Romeo Stefani

Romeo Battista Stefani, or Ron to his friends, was best know to the people of the Goldfields as a hard working generous man who ran the Kalgoorlie Wine Saloon and Amalfi Restaurant from 1952 – 1977. For some Italians who were migrants to the Goldfields during that time he became a father figure. Far from […]