The following verse was written by Tony Bozich in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the discovery of gold in Kalgoorlie by Paddy Hannan, Thomas Flanagan and Dan Shea. Thus setting off a major gold rush in the area, and the rest, is as they say, is ‘History’.
Someone will say it was a dream
that passed before the mind,
of the trio who pursued the gleam
of gold and made the find;
But Hannan, Flanagan and Shea,
I’d swear it was that group,
across the flat did make
their way,in weary file troop.
In the deep small hours of the night
the town was all asleep,
the wind blew shrill and cold with spite,
a fitful moon stood steep.
A barking dog was heard somewhere
amidst the wind and dark,
and I unsleeping rose to stare
outside, no light or spark.
On looking through the window glass
some distance from my place
I saw the three in file pass
in slow and measured pace;
they trudged, not looking to the side,
it seemed toward one spot,
lean, bearded they seemed to glide,
from whence I still know not.
Towards the mine head on the rise
their path it seemed to lead,
and everything that round one lies
in no way did they heed.
The night was June the Seventeenth eve,
that date sprang to my mind,
and through my head began to heave
thoughts of an eerie kind;
I called but they did not turn round
or vary from their aim,
across the way without a sound
they went on just the same.
With turned up lamp and pounding heart
I gave another call
but once again as at the start
they answered not at all.
A moment and they disappeared
and have not since returned,
though through the years I’ve often peered
and for their coming yearned.
Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie 1895
Moya Sharp
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Love the photo, and your work. I must get back one day, to the beautiful sky and the land.
Love reading tales from Kalgoorlie. Especially enjoyed Tony Bozich’s verse.