Pioneer Publican – Richard Fagan

Richard Fagan was born in Kelso, Bathurst NSW in 1866.  he was the son of Matthew FAGAN and Mary Anne ROBINSON, he had seven brothers and five sisters. Following the lure of gold and riches he travelled by ship with many others, arriving in Albany Western Australia on the 4th September 1890, he then proceeded […]

Thomas Smith Ickeringill – pioneer profile

The following photo and story was kindly sent in by Jan Merry, Thomas Smith Ickeringill is her relative. Residents of Southern Cross: Bob the Pieman, Tom Ickeringill and Jock Mavor -Photo Jan Merry This is a fascinating picture showing some of the colourful characters of the Outback. My relative is Thomas Smith Ickeringill, second from […]

Snatched from the jaws of death:

Lost in the Bush Five Days Without Food or Water Miss Janeczek’s Awful Experience! Southern Cross seems determined to make a name for itself. Beside those persons interested in the mines in the place, nobody scarcely knew of this town, in the barren desert of West Australia. Then it was heard of as a starting-place […]

A Golden Wedding – pioneer profile

Golden Wedding Group MR. AND MRS. UREN, of Kelmscott, and their  Decendants.   Western Mail – Perth – 1 October 1915, page 7   On Saturday, September 18, Mr. and Mrs Uren of Kelmscott, celebrated their golden wedding (50yrs) in the presence of all their, children and grand children, numbering 25. Mr. and Mrs. Uren […]

Tom McMillan and the Wobblies – by David McMillan

As we commemorate the ANZAC battles of a century ago, it is not generally appreciated today that Australia was bitterly divided over its commitment to the war effort.  The Labor Prime Minister, Hughes, had promised Britain another 80,000 men but was unable to get the necessary legislation through the Labor-controlled senate; two thirds of the […]