‘The Sun’ newspaper April 1905 Coolgardie Paddy Murphy ran a ‘Shypoo’ (sly grog) ranch unbeknownst to the authorities. His establishment was always identified by Paddy’s favorite pet pig. Paddy could not read or write nor could his wife Bridget. Their system of accounting didn’t apply the rules of double entry it answered all practical […]
When the Marvel Loch Mine Fell In:
17/05/2015 By 4 Comments
Recently Australia was shocked by the news that two men had lost their lives 500ft down a Broken Hill Mine. At the same time the name of Mazza appeared in the obituary notices of the local press. Probably it bore little significance to any but sorrowing friend and relatives – for few could cast their […]
Harry ‘Tambo’ Taylor – Stockman of the Never Never
14/05/2015 By 2 Comments
On the 19th May 1924, Harry ‘Tambo ’Taylor applied to receive the old-age pension having reached the age of 65yrs. His application was refused as he couldn’t show proof of his age. Harry was born to an aboriginal mother and an Irish father on the Glenalvon Station NSW in 1859. He had his mother’s skin […]
Dan Shea – Discovered Gold With Paddy Hannan
10/04/2015 By 5 Comments
Dan Shea Headstone : 12-November-2011 Photographs supplied by Derek Graham Memorial headstone in memory of prospector Dan Shea who discovered gold with Paddy Hannan in Kalgoorlie. Dan Shea was born in County Cork, Ireland, and emigrated in 1868 to prospect on the goldfields of Australia and New Zealand. He teamed up with Paddy Hannan and Tom Flanagan […]
Peter Dennis KAVANAGH – Police Officer
07/04/2015 By 1 Comment
Peter Dennis Kavanagh joined the Police Force when he was twenty one. How he crushed the gold stealing industry on the Golden Mile has now gone down in history. He was tutored by that wonderfully astute Excise Inspector – John Mitchell Christie. He was a born detective, keen and shrewd, with boundless energy. He was also […]
