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About Outback Family History

Outback Family History was founded in 2009 by Sandy Duncan and Moya Sharp. The aim was simple, to make the local and family history on the rich and diverse Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia available to everyone free of charge.

The web site was originally called "And All So Far From Home" and this site was left to me by my dear friend and fellow researcher Shyama Peebles, you can read more about this on my 'Acknowledgements' page.

When my good friend and research partner Sandy Duncan passed away after a long and brave fight against cancer in 2012 I promised her I would carry on the work. I now continue to carry on without my two closest friends. Of all the extensive information contained in the site at this moment the amount of data still to add makes it only the tip of the iceberg.

Thanks to the wonderful work of 'Design Sense' in making my site look and work wonderfully I can now concentrate all my effort on new information for the site and my blog.

The upkeep of the site relies solely on sponsored advertising and donations. The use of the information is free to everyone for personal or research purposes. I am committed to continuously add new information and to actively seek out new records and to provide a permanent source of reference to everyone with a common interest in the history of the goldfields.

St Albans at Menzies — The Man Who Made the Desert Bloom

16/05/2026 By Moya Sharp Leave a Comment

The information in the following stories was kindly supplied by Gary Cowans and is reproduced with his permission. In 1876, at the age of 19, Gustave Schmidt moved from Victoria, where he was born, to NSW and purchased land 8 miles SW of Moulamein. He married Emma Rebecca BICKFORD in 1884, and his first three […]

Filed Under: About Outback Family History, People, Places & Towns Tagged With: Australian History, Goldfields History, Menzies, Mt Ida, Western Australia, Yalgoo

Dear Readers – a thank you!

21/02/2026 By Moya Sharp 20 Comments

A Heartfelt Thank You I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to all of my loyal readers who have stood by me over these past few difficult months. During my illness, there were days when I had scarcely the physical strength to manage the simplest tasks, and at times my mental energy seemed to […]

Filed Under: About Outback Family History

Its our 12th Anniversary this month –

16/08/2025 By Moya Sharp 9 Comments

The Outback Family History Blog has just turned 12 years old this month. What began as a quiet, personal quest to capture and preserve the spellbinding stories that caught my eye has exploded into an extraordinary adventure! From a humble spark of curiosity, my little project has grown into a vibrant community, with a staggering […]

Filed Under: About Outback Family History Tagged With: Goldfields History, Western Australia

A Heartfelt Farewell to My Beloved Honey

09/08/2025 By Moya Sharp 18 Comments

Dear Readers, This week, my heart is heavy as I share the devastating loss of my cherished Corgi. After enduring a severe illness, undergoing major surgeries, and bravely battling through a regimen of medications, she was finally beginning to reclaim her joyful spirit. Her wagging tail and bright eyes were a testament to her resilience. […]

Filed Under: About Outback Family History

Its Our 10th Anniversary –

12/08/2023 By Moya Sharp 15 Comments

The Outback Family History Blog has just turned 10 years old this month. It has been a remarkable journey from its humble beginnings. Initially, my sole intention was to document captivating stories that crossed my path, purely for my own enjoyment. Presently, the mailing list boasts an impressive 7500 subscribed readers. I am genuinely delighted […]

Filed Under: About Outback Family History Tagged With: Australian History, Goldfields History, Western Australia

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