Some twenty-four years ago I was contacted by Edward Hellewell regarding his grandfather, John Edward Bedford who came to the WA Goldfield as a young man in 1895 to seek his fortune. His grandfather died some years before Edward was born so he never knew him but has always wanted to know more about him […]
Meat for the Fields – The Rowell Boys
25/01/2025 By 1 Comment
Western Mail 12 February 1953, page 23 WESTRALIANA Meat for the Fields by E. Rowell A Butcher who was a heavyweight athlete and successful prospector too, will be remembered by some who were on the Eastern Goldfields in 1894. My elder brother Bill went to Coolgardie some months after Bayley and Ford found the rich […]
Arthur Cyril Leevers – pioneer & publican
25/01/2025 By Leave a Comment
Arthur Cyril LEEVERS was born on the 9th of March 1866 at Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire, England. His parents were John LEEVERS and Mary Ann RATHY. In 1872 he travelled to New Zealand with his parents and brothers. He married twice, 1st to Isabella HEBLY in June 1886 in Wellington, New Zealand and 2nd to Alma […]
The Busiest Place in Town –
07/12/2024 By 1 Comment
The following excerpt is from the book by Mrs Arthur H Garnsey called ‘Scarlet Pillows: An Australian Nurse’s Tales of Long Ago’ and is about her memories of being a nurse in Coolgardie in the early days. The tale of the house that Jack built has his counterpart in Coolgardie in the tale of all […]
No ‘Gods Acre’ for Burbanks –
30/11/2024 By 4 Comments
The town of Burbanks was gazetted in 1894, named after W. Burbank who with his mate Sheldon found the first gold there. Possibly due to its close proximity to Coolgardie, it was considered that no cemetery would be gazetted for the town. In consequence, most of those who died at Burbanks were buried in the […]
