The Queen of White Feather A true story of the introduction of the first barmaid in Kanowna in 1896 by John Drayton. Smith’s Weekly – Sydney – 2 September 1922 TOM DOYLE, licensee of the Kanowna Hotel (White Feather) in 1896, introduced the first barmaid to the fields. There were women in the camp, and […]
Building a Dynasty: The Cock Family’s Journey in Western Australia
17/05/2025 By 3 Comments
I was recently sent some wonderful photographs from the family album of Jon Berry who is a descendant of the Cock family. Alma Godfrey (nee Cock) was his late grandmother. Thanks to Jon for sharing them with us. William Nicholas Cock, born October 7, 1870, in Moonta, South Australia, to William Cock and Dinah Tamblyn, […]
Where Belinda Bought the Drinks –
10/05/2025 By 1 Comment
Where Belinda Bought the Drinks by Andree Hayward – 1896 In the outback pub, it was always known when ‘womenfolk’ would be arriving in town. The news could never be kept secret. When the weekly coach arrived, all eyes would be on the lookout to catch a glimpse of the ‘new girl’. There was no […]
Where the Road Meets the Past -The Graves at Wilson’s Patch
03/05/2025 By Leave a Comment
Wilson’s Patch – Bundarra between Leonora and Leinster Since the construction of the new bitumen road from Leonora to Agnew/Leinster, the approach to Wilson’s Patch has changed. Sixty-four kilometres along this new road from Leonora is the Teutonic Bore mine turn-off, 6km further is a grave on the left-hand side between the road and the […]
Builder of Dreams: Sir James Connolly’s Western Australian Legacy
26/04/2025 By Leave a Comment
Sir James Daniel Connolly (1869-1962) By Robin Connolly Sir James Daniel Connolly was born in Queensland, Australia. Drawn as a young man to the newly discovered Coolgardie goldfields, he quickly established himself as a builder and community leader in the late 1890s and early 1900s. He went on to become a well-known state politician in […]
