Rampollini’s Piggery – Burra Rocks

At the bottom of the wall of the Burra Rocks Dam a large galvanised two inch pipe protrudes. It is known that Benny Rampolini, an ex woodliner, had a piggery here in the 1970’s and he had about six pigs. The pipe weas to provide water for the piggery. A stone wall had been constructed […]

The Great Unwashed Preserver of the Peace:

Constable JOLLY – Coolgardie, Western Australia 1909 Nick-named ‘The Great Unwashed Preserver of the Peace’ Constable Jolly blamed the scarcity of water for his economical use of it which in turn, caused some dissatisfaction among his fellow police officers who finally planned to lure him to Silverthorne’s dam and push him in. This drastic step […]

Elephant Advertising Beer

This is one of my favorite photos of an Elephant being used to advertise Swan Beer in Coolgardie, probably would have looked better on a bigger elephant don’t you think?? This pic is from the Book ‘Gold and Liquid Gold’ Obsolete Breweries of the Western Australian Goldfields by Geoff Spiller.

Thomas Cantwell – Died of Thirst or Foul Play?

Thomas Cantwell Died of Thirst or Foul Play? The following item appeared in the local paper in Camblin, Roscrea, Co Tipperary Ireland on the 24th Dec 1895- Perished between Norseman and Coolgardie, supposed from thirst, Tom Cantwell, one of the best fellows who ever pulled off a shirt. Poor Tom was one of the finest […]

Jack The Ripper on the Goldfields???

  Deeming a Goldfields Murderer? ……. Or was he really ‘Jack the Ripper’? This black hearted Englishman caused mass hysteria in the streets of Perth and Melbourne and began with his arrest by two West Australian police troopers at Southern Cross for the brutal pick axe murder of his newly wed bride. It brought Perth […]