Latitude : 29 29 S Longitude : 121 50 E
Yerilla is an abandoned goldfields townsite located 830 km east north east of Perth, 105 km east north east of Menzies and 37 kms south east of Kookynie. Gold was discovered in the area in the mid 1890’s, and the miners soon formed a progress committee, and in 1896 requested the declaration of a townsite. The townsite was gazetted in November 1896.
Yerilla Townsite map
Yerilla is relatively unheard of for its gold production between 1895 and the present, it is renowned world wide among the gemstone fraternity, for its green gold. Chrysoprase (green gold), of the quartz family and has been mined there for forty years. Few however, until now, have been aware of the machinations and intrigue that have been associated with its extraction.
Chrysoprase
Yerilla:- 150kms north of Kalgoorlie, in fairly lush pastoral country, lies Yerilla Station. Within a few kilometers of the homestead, are the remains of the old Yerilla townsite, and its early gold workings.
The Yerilla King GM, Yerilla
The word ‘Yerilla’ is currently accepted as being the Aboriginal word for quartz. Jerry McAuliffe disputed this and said the Aboriginal word for Quartz was ‘Waboo’. He also said, after her declined to have it called McAuliffe’s Find, a Scotsman on the site suggested Yerilla, after a property in NSW where he had been employed. Probably nearer the truth, is that Yerilla is the Aboriginal name for ‘Plenty of white stone’. The stones being Quartz of course.
A Yerilla Aboriginal family 1895-1900
The Never Never Land Hotel, Yerilla
Bill Smith’s Never Never Land Hotel Yerilla c 1906
The wall eyed neddy was steaming hot when we pulled up in front of the Never Never Land mud-brick hotel at Yerilla. Leaning negligently, in the doorway was the licensee, a big, burly Scotsman, named Bill Smith, whose thoughtful look, as he scanned the procession, may have meant an inward calculation of what the travelers’ visit would pan out for the upkeep of the pub. Climbing over the counter with unexpected agility, he wiped some glasses with an ancient towel that seemed to be used in general housework, and awaited orders. A couple of rounds of drinks in which Bill and his roustabout, who had sidled in somehow, awakened some geniality in the bosom of the landlord. He dilated upon the resources of Yerilla, and the vast gold-mining and pastoral possibilities of its surroundings.
Bill was still running the hotel in 1916 when the population of the town was listed as three.The closing of the hotel in 1927 heralded the end of Yerilla as a town, but not of Yerilla its self. Its not know what became of Bill Smith.
Yerilla Cemetery
This following book by Alex Palmer will be very much enjoyed by all who are interested in the early days of the goldfields and of the explorers and prospectors that first discovered the area.
“Yerilla” by Alex Palmer, District history, maps and indexed
ISBN 0 9590584 2 7 Available from Hesperian Press
Moya Sharp
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such a joy to read these stories. i have a copy of an article in Australasian Post, August 21, 1993. it is about Tommy Lowe, an 89 year old, who has lived most of his life at Mount Remarkable Station. i also have a souvenir mug, which has ‘MENZIES Keller’ under the crest. maybe it came from Menzies? My late husband went through that area for work in 1963. he was related to Smith family of Wagga Wagga NSW, and knew Tommy.
i would like more information about the mug, or about Menzies.
Have you been on the Menzies page on my website – https://www.outbackfamilyhistory.com.au/records/town.php?town=Menzies
I would love to see a photo of the mug if you have it and to see a copy of the story of Tommy Lowe. You could email me if possible at moyasharp@outbackfamilyhistory.com.au.
You might also like this story – https://www.outbackfamilyhistoryblog.com/harry-tambo-taylor-stockman-of-the-never-never-4/