This is the first in a series of profiles on Goldfields Photographers. Some, like the T F MacKay Studios, ran a successful commercial ventures, mainly catering for portraiture photography. Others were travellers who went around to the outlying areas taking pictures of both people and places.
In 1917, Joseph J Dwyer sold his studio to fellow photographer, Thomas Faulkner Mackay, who succesfully ran the studio until 1945. There is a large collection on line of the photographs of both Dwyer and MacKay.
Staff of T F MacKay Studios 1937 L-R:- Miss Ainsworth, Iris Gray (Standing) Mrs Wilson (seated), Thomas Faulkner MacKay Jnr, Thomas Faulkner MacKay Snr, Helen (Ellen) MacKay (Standing) Amy Winch (seated) Standing, colourist, name not stated, Mavis Patterson (seated)
Helen (Ella) MacKay wearing a fur coat, outside the T F MacKay Studios, 147 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie with the ‘Buick Goddess’
Helen Mackay (known as Ella) was born in 1903 in Glasgow Scotland. Her father was T.F. Mackay, a professional photographer who had trained in Glasgow at the Studios of T. & R. Annan. The family left Scotland and arrived in Perth, Western Australia in 1916. The following year T.F. Mackay took over J.J. Dwyer’s photography studio in Kalgoorlie, c.1917, and operated a very successful studio of his own.
Ella Mackay was also fascinated by photography. From the age of 12 she began visiting her father when he was at work at his studio. Mackay began working at this studio after she left school at the age of 15. Her father trained her in all aspects of photography, from retouching and mounting techniques to film processing. Her father put Mackay in charge of the amateur film processing section of the studio and eventually made her an assistant studio operator.
Ella Mackay chose not to marry, focusing on photography instead. She once remarked that although many women were entering professions, ‘if I had married I would probably have retired, not because of conventions, but because I don’t think one can succeed in two jobs. One has to choose and concentrate on the most important work: photography was my main love’ Ella Mackay died in 1999, at the age of 96.
The MacKay Family in their home at 10 Croesus Street, Kalgoorlie
Moya Sharp
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Hello Moya,
My wife and I are very interested in the TFMackay studio in Kalgoorlie. My wife’s father was born in Boulder(Ronald Ernest Jones) and we are in possession of a piece of art that was presented to Ron. It is a painting entitled Silver and Gold by Walter Terrell. On the back of the frame is a card with an inscription by T F Mackay galleries. Amazing.
Ron in his younger days went to Boulder Junior Primary school and was a Tennis player of some note.
Would love to know more about the above history or even a photo if possible.
Warmest regards,
Chris Sharp
16 Contest Ave
Falcon
West Aust
8-3-2019
Hi Chris I contacted my friend and fellow historian, John Terrell, this is his reply about Walter Terrell:-
Hi Moya: Walter was not a direct relative, but somehow we are related. Walter Terrell was an excellent water colour/pastel style artist who painted Goldfields landscapes to perfection. I can remember John Bowler taking me through the corridors of the Western Australian Parliament, and him showing me one of Walter’s paintings hanging on one of the walls. Walter lived in South Boulder opposite the Cornwall Hotel, and I can’t quite remember there name of the street. Was it Hopkins Street? John
T F MacKay was a well known photographer in Kalgoorlie and he also did picture framing which is what has happened in the case of your picture. Hope this helps.
Hi Moya
Walter Terrell was my Great Uncle, my grandfather, Richard Terrell’s cousin. I am at the moment writing a book on my family history, I would dearly love a copy of this painting to add to my book. I am slowly trying to collect copies of as many paintings as I can so future generations have the pleasure in seeing these amazing paintings
Kim Turner
Hi Kim I received the original enquiry from
Chris Sharp Christopher.Sharp@education.wa.edu.au
I thought that the artist may have been ralated to my friend and fellow historian, John Terrell, this is his reply:-
Hi Moya: Walter was not a direct relative, but somehow we are related. Walter Terrell was an excellent water colour/pastel style artist who painted Goldfields landscapes to perfection. I can remember John Bowler taking me through the corridors of the Western Australian Parliament, and him showing me one of Walter’s paintings hanging on one of the walls. Walter lived in South Boulder opposite the Cornwall Hotel, and I can’t quite remember there name of the street. Was it Hopkins Street?
Regards,
John