The Death of Dr Maxwell – grave tales

Kalgoorlie Western Argus 25 March 1902, page 20 Death of Dr. Maxwell. Death last Monday claimed one for whose demise this community is the poorer indeed Dr. Patrick Arthur Maxwell, such men as he, whose life as others knew it, was a conspicuous example of the most encouraging side of frail humanity, are but rare. […]

Reminiscences of Kathleen Mary Byrth

The following story is with the kind permission of Kathleen’s family, in particular thanks Kevin Imms (Kathleen’s Grandson) and the late Robyn McLean. THE SMITH/DUDLEY FAMILY AT BARDOC, W.A. Reminiscences of Kathleen Mary Byrth (nee Smith) On August 25 1893 Mary and Lionel Dudley, with their four children and Mary’s brother Timothy Steedman, left Victoria […]

The Legend of ‘Hellfire Jack’

From: The Countryman, 1st Sept 1950 – There was the time that the brokers who were negotiating to purchase the Merton’s Reward Goldmine in 1902 arrived at Menzies by horse drawn buggy at 8pm, after the train for Kalgoorlie had left. It was essential for them to reach Kalgoorlie before midnight when the option on […]

Coolgardie Childrens Hospital – A First !!!

The Childrens Hospital Coolgardie – the first children’s hospital in Western Australia, functioned for a time in Coolgardie but was eventually abandoned and the patients were placed in a special ward in the Government hospital close by.  In 1904 the local authorities took over the building and used it as an infectious disease hospital. Note:  […]

Liquid Gold – The Elliott Brothers Breweries

Tom and Bill Elliott came to Western Australia in 1893 and moved immediately to the Goldfields where they began a business as cartage contractors. After two years, in 1895,  Tom built a cordial factory near the Kalgoorlie rail line and also the Federal Brewery in Kalgoorlie for F W Whitfield. In 1898 he was to […]