Grand Hotel Kookynie 1905
Grand Hotel Kookynie 2015
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Moya Sharp
Owner at Outback Family History
My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.
Latest posts by Moya Sharp (see all)
- Blood on the Mulga Plains: The Last Day of John Sutherland - 28/02/2026
- A Brother’s Return in Mourning: Tragedy on the Coolgardie Goldfields - 28/02/2026
- The Contract at Old Warden Shaft - 28/02/2026
I am most interested in the history of the Wilkie Bros, my great grandfather was John Wilkie one of the contractor. Bros. They won the successful tender to build the railway to Coolgardie & then Kalgoorlie. We understand they invested in hotels, & other real estate. Can you please direct us to where we may find some information on their history. We are coming to Kalgoorlie soon & would be most grateful. Many thanks. Catherine Morgan (née Wilkie)
Hi Catherine Yes indeed the Wilkie Brothers are indeed well known in the Goldfields mainly for the building of the rail line from Coolgardie. They did indeed have a number of properties in Kalgoorlie as well. The best preserved would be the Wilkie Chambers which are opposite the Railway Station in Kalgoorlie. I do have a brief history of the family written out which I will try to locate. I would make a visit to the Kalgoorlie Boulder Archives in the Kalgoorlie town hall and ask for Tim Moore who I am sure will be able to help you.
Hi Catherine,
I came across your message here today and hope you get this.
I have some information on John Wilkie and family.
You are welcome to email me.
Hi Kath Is this the Wilkie family who built the rail from Coolg to Kalgoorlie and then the Railways hotel and other buildings?
Hi Moya, Great pics of the Grand Hotel.
My grandfather, John (Jack or JB) Baldwin Howe, bought Kookynie Station in partnership with Bill Bright in the 1920’s. In 1927 Jack sent 3,000 ewes and 80 rams from his Moulamein and Swan Hill district properties in the southern Riverina district of NSW by rail from Echuca (VIC) to Kookynie, to stock the station. In 1930 J B Howe agreed to sell his interests in the Kookynie Pastoral Company to William Bright and his sons William and Jasper for £20,000 on the terms of £1,000 per annum, the first ten years free of interest and thereafter with interest at the current rate for each such year.
Hi John I have indeed heard of William and Jasper Bright from my friend Margaret Pusey who wrote the book on Kookynie and Niagara. Have you seen theis book by any chance. There is a great deal in it on the family.