He lies here. See the bush
All grey through grief for him
Hoar scrub-like ashes cast
Sprinkles the valley grim
The saltbush is his shroud
Wide skies his only pall
And’in-memoriam’
A thousand stamp-heads fall
Gold-lured to death- and yet
he would have had it so
Say mass, sing requiem
With the grey bush and go
Quietly he has found
Here in the Golden West
The long-sought- for at last
An El Dorado blest
What have we gained?
We have gained romance,
and the tales will be told anew
In the tents of the far Goldfields
when the far dim days fall due
But of all the tales of the roaring days
the wealth and the power of gold
The tale of a mate who would die for a mate
Will be the oftenest told.
by Frederick Ophel – ‘Prospect Good’
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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)
- The Brewery on the Breakaway: Sandstone’s Beer-Making Marvel - 20/06/2026
- The Waitress, the Barman, and the Wife - 20/06/2026
- Lost for Love – The Tragedy of Beth Maynard - 20/06/2026
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