The discovery of gold that led in turn to Golden Valley, Southern Cross, Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie and Western Australia becoming a member of the Federation is a story seldom told. This is an extract from ‘Sand and Stone Vol 1’ by Kevin Moran as follows: –

The Syndicate that discovered the Eastern Goldfields in October 1887.

On Mujakine station, Mrs Jane Glass discovered a drowned possum in her well.  Her son Alex decided to clean the well out and deepen it.  As he scraped the mud into the bucket, his mother hauled it up and emptied it. The glint of gold caught her eye, and the nugget was revealed. Gold was on everyone’s mind because of the discoveries in Kimberley in 1881, and the unsuccessful prospecting for gold in the South West. The Government offered a reward for the discovery of a payable Goldfield near Perth, so when the gold was discovered in the mud, Charles Glass Snr and his wife drove to Perth to have their find verified. Mrs Glass took pleasure in showing it to her many relatives along the way, exhorting the youngsters to remember how their great aunt had found it. Still, it was her husband, Charles Glass (as you can see from the above photo collage), who later received one hundred pounds for the discovery of gold on his property.

Some moments change history, and for the Colony of Western Australia and the future Federation, the keen eyes of Jane Mary Glass provided such a momentous occasion.   If Jane Glass had not discovered the gold nugget, the prospectors would not have come, and the t’Othersiders would not have arrived to campaign for entry to the Federation, and Western Australia would have remained a separate state/country.

Gold would have been discovered on the Eastern Goldfields in due course, but not in time to bring those from the East who successfully campaigned against their host’s wishes.

“The confirmation of the gold discovery by Jane Glass resulted in syndicates being formed. On 5^th July 1887, a prospecting syndicate represented by Dick Greaves, Ted Payne and Harry Anstey left Perth. When they arrived at Mangowine they received a warm welcome. Another rival party led by Bernard Colreavy, H. Fraser and two others arrived on the scene soon after, having already been prospecting.

Golden Valley Stamp Battery – Image SLWA

Alexander Glass, who was with his mother when she found the gold nugget, enjoyed the excitement. Jane and Charles Adams’ own large family, Miss Spencer, the governess and the gathering throng of visitors made a large assembly for this far Eastern run. Happy to see so many to enliven their isolation, the Adams made them welcome, and an accordion provided music for singing and dancing until late.

The following day, Mr Bob Rowles and his wife arrived to work at Mangowine Station. With so many people present a holiday was declared, games were played, concluding with a game of cricket and an exhibition of spear and boomerang throwing by Aborigines. The festivities continued into the night with more singing and dancing.”

The Golden West and How it was Discovered

Proclamation of Golden Valley Goldfield (named for the Golden Wattle that grows there)  was proclaimed a Goldfield on 1st October 1888

“The Fields were now so extended they could not be administered from Perth, and on 11th October 1888, “A. Thompson Esq, Warden, left York at 10am en route to Yilgarn Goldfields in wagonette and horses Mellon and Fire Tail. Accompanied by F. Compton Surveyor and also Nat Abraham.”

They took up their positions at Golden Valley under a bush timber frame covered by a tarpaulin, and Golden Valley prospectors were provided with local bureaucratic necessities. Golden Valley also gained a Police camp.  On 26th December 1888, Sergeant Connell and his Native Assistant, “Left Station at 101 /2 am, accompanying Police Party to Golden Valley where a Station is to be formed on Gold Fields.”Constables Grant and Buckley, “Left Station at 10 1/2 am in route to Golden Valley. Transferred to do duty at Goldfields,” and it is noted Constable Grant was issued one pair of handcuffs No. 6 with key for use at Golden Valley.”   The police on 27^th May 1889 left Golden Valley to set up their new camp at Southern Cross. Other officials did the same.

If you would like to read more about this fascinating period of the History of Western Australia, I would recommend the publications in this article, all available from Hesperian Press:

And so the story begins:   –

MOUNT JACKSON CEMETERY
1896-1914 = 9 burials
Coordinates: -30.20141, 119.11102
110 km from Southern Cross

Mount Jackson was named by the explorer Gregory in 1846. A settlement developed in the Mt Jackson area after gold was found there in 1894. There were two hotels are the height of the gold rush period. Mt Jackson Station and homestead were developed around this time.

‘But in this lonely unkempt spot,
This patch of scruffy land,
Lies all the history we have got
Beneath this burning sand’

Southern Cross Times 24 August 1912, page 2  –
THE MOUNT JACKSON CEMETERY.

It would be a Christian act for the Government, the Cemetery Board or the body who are responsible for the keeping of God’s acre in decent repair, to have a fence erected around the cemetery at Mt. Jackson. There are about a dozen graves there, and it gives one a shuddersome feeling to see from 30 to 40 of Micky Bates donkeys and the station horses and cattle grazing over the resting places of those who were once mortal beings. The cost of a fence would not be great, and the erection of one would show that those who died in pioneering the north end of this field are held in respect by those for whom they blazed the track.

BELL John – c 18 May 1923, 41 years, in the bush 15 miles East of Marda, Occ: Prospector, Cause: Exposure and lack of water, Father: Joseph BELL, Mother: Priscilla PICKERING, Born: Haltwhistle, Northumberland, England, Single, Reg 4/1923 Yilgarn, buried at Mt Jackson Cemetery.

BISHOP James – d 13 Dec 1899, at the Mt Jackson GM, Yilgarn, 40 years, Cause: Killed in an explosion, Occ: Miner, Father: John BISHOP, Mother: Elizabeth CARROLL, Born: Ballarat VIC, Married with 4 children, Reg: 2485/1900, buried at Mt. Jackson Cemetery. Mine Death – www.wavmm.com

Mt Jackson GM Employees – Kalgoorlie Western Argus 25 June 1907, page 19

BYRTH Michael Edward – d 22 Feb 1914, 52 years, at Yarbu 20 miles North of Mt Jackson, Occ: Sandalwood cutter, Cause: Fatty degeneration of the heart & congestion of lungs, Verdict of the Coroner, Reg: Yilgarn 16/1914, buried at Mt Jackson Cemetery. (Last Burial)
Kalgoorlie Western Argus 4 August 1914, page 13  –  A TRAGEDY OF THE MULGA
Bullfinch, July 27. One of those tragedies which are far too frequent, in the Mulga occurred at Yarbu, 20 miles north of Mt. Jackson, on Wednesday morning last. The deceased (Michael Byrth) had been engaged in getting sandalwood. After his death his mate (Patrick Sullivan) rode the 100 miles into Bullfinch to report the matter to the police. Sullivan was 20 hours doing the trip. As Byrth had been working on the day he died, the Coroner decided that an inquiry was necessary.

CALEO Grace – d 15 Jul 1896, 24 years, Cause: Typhoid Fever, Father: Donald FERGUSON (Baker), Mother: Mary HEGGIE, Born: 1871 in KawaKawa, New Zealand, Married to Vincent CALEO in 1894 in Surry Hills NSW at age 24 years, In WA for 7 months, buried at Mt Jackson Cemetery.

DUDGEON John Robert – b 23 Apr 1896, 2 hours, Cause: Premature birth, Father: Robert C DUDGEON (Engineer), Mother: Margaret MCKEOWN, Reg: 2032/1896, buried at Mt Jackson Cemetery.  (First Burial)

GREGORINI Battista – d 13 Sep 1906, 24 years, Occ: Woodcutter, Cause: Murdered by Antonio SALA who was hanged at Fremantle prison for the crime, Born: Italy, buried at Mt Jackson Cemetery.
Coolgardie Miner 18 September 1906, page 3

MOUNT JACKSON TRAGEDY – DEATH OF GREGORINI – SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN –
TRACKED TO A TUNNEL – CHAINED TO A TREE.

Further, particulars state that Gregorini died on Thursday, an hour after the messenger was despatched for a doctor. It appears that two Italians, Gregorini and Sala, had been cutting wood in the bush, and a team started to cart their wood to a mine. Some argument arose regarding helping to load the waggon, Sala refusing to assist and a quarrel ensued. On Thursday morning a carter went into the bush and found that neither of the Italians was there to help him so he went to Gregorini’s camp, to find out why.
He was horrified to see Gregorini lying in bed terribly cut about the head and insensible. There was every appearance that he had been attacked while asleep. Suspicion fell upon Sala, who had disappeared. ‘A black tracker, followed by nearly the whole of the population, set out in search of Sala. The searchers became impatient and kept getting ahead oi the tracker, and filially he returned in disgust to the township.

 The tracker subsequently went quietly out by himself and renewed the search. He picked up Sala’s tracks and followed them into an old tunnel of the Australian mine, where he discovered. Sala asleep. He returned to the township and the party at once went out and secured the suspected man who was still sleeping. He was brought in and chained to a tree.

HATTON John – d 21 June 1906, 45 years, Occ: Publican, at the Mt Jackson Hotel, Father: William HATTON, Mother: Elizabeth GEGG, Married to Annie Rebecca Perry HENDON in 1898, Children: Donald John born 1899, Herbert Perry born 1903, Reg: 3/1906 Yilgarn, buried at Mt Jackson Cemetery.
Southern Cross Times 27 January 1906 – We must record the death which occurred at Mount Jackson on Sunday last of Mr John Hatton, the well-known publican. From what we can gather deceased was considered not to be strong or robust, and some months ago took ill. He arrived in town and consulted Dr. Humphry, with the result that the doctor prescribed for him. However, latterly he did not regain his strength and gradually sank. On Saturday morning a message came from the Mount that Mr Hatton was in a serious situation and assistance was required.
Owing to the doctor having two very serious cases in town he could not possibly go to Mount Jackson, so the police, accompanied by Mr. A. C. Gaston, Mr. Hatton’s brother-in-law, were supplied with the necessary medicine and left town about midnight on Saturday. When they arrived at Jackson on Sunday evening it was too late as death had occurred during that day. The result of his death was natural causes.
The deceased, who was about 40 years of age, was buried in the Mount Jackson cemetery the next day and left a widow and two young children. His widow is a sister to both Mrs. Arthur Constant GASTON. Much sympathy is expressed for the widow, her sisters and brothers-in-law. The deceased had been a resident of Mount Jackson for a long time and had conducted the hotel there.

LINDLEY Beatrice Irene – d 2 Nov 1904, 3 years 3 months, Father: Fred LINDLEY, Mother: Ethel Emily SIEVWRIGHT, Reg 3/1904 Yilgarn, buried at Mt. Jackson Cemetery

PRIOR Frederick Gatheocole – b 3 May 1897, 23 years, Cause: Typhoid Fever, Father: Henry PRIOR, Mother: Mary Huldah NORMAN, Reg: 2396/1897, buried at Mt Jackson Cemetery.

Book Review – Bullfinch and the Yilgarn Goldfield by Gilbert M Ralph

Bullfinch and the Yilgarn Goldfield had its beginnings with a suggestion from Sir Laurence Brodie-Hall that the unique nature of the community at Bullfinch during the Great Western Consolidated era from 1950 to 1963 deserved recording. Sir Arvi Parbo, who began his mining career at Bullfinch, supported the concept and they encouraged Gilbert Ralph, a retired Executive from Western Mining Corporation, to write a history of Great Western and Bullfinch. Gilbert has taken five years to research and write this history.

Bullfinch and the Yilgarn Goldfield

Mary Sutherland, who grew up in Bullfinch, was very helpful in assembling copies of personal recollections, photographs and memorabilia from many long-term residents of Bullfinch and many of these have been included to give a graphic first-hand account of life in Bullfinch during the GWC era.

Many others have also made personal contributions of more recent events and activities.

This book tells the story of not only Bullfinch during the Great Western era, but of the discovery and development of the Yilgarn Goldfield from its beginnings at Golden Valley in 1888 up to the present day. It covers activities at Southern Cross, Marvel Loch, Westonia and Yellowdine and many places in between.

It tells the story of the four gold mining booms which produced ten million ounces of gold over nearly twelve decades and why a half of that was produced in the last twelve years. It mentions many of the prospectors and entrepreneurs who brought the area to life and many of workers and families who struggled to make a living in tough times between the booms. Mention is also made of the Soldier Settlement Scheme and frustrations experienced by farmers and pluralists.

Bullfinch Newsagency 1915

It tells the story of tragic events, heroic rescues, desperate struggles, poverty and of happy times, weddings, school days, carnivals, sporting achievements and celebrations. It gives first-hand accounts from people who loved the community and contributed to its uniqueness.

Much of the book is devoted to life in Bullfinch during the Great Western era when many of the people who lived there describe the struggle to establish community facilities, their homes, living conditions, recreational activities and the events which brought them pleasure and contentment.

Joe Walsh’s Store, Bullfinch 1910

It tells the story of Great Western and its desperate efforts to combat inflation, declining ore grades and troublesome mining conditions. It covers the post-GWC era and outlines the revival of the goldfield following the rise in the price of gold in the latter part of the 1970s and gives an account of major players such as Burmine, Troy, Gasgoyne and Sons of Gwalia in the past and the current rejuvenation of the field by St Barbara Limited.

It is a book about people, their lives, their joy, their sadness and their achievements. This book can be purchased from my book store for $35.00 + postage. All profits from the store goes to the upkeep of the site.  It can also be borrowed through your local library or a second hand book seller such as http://www.abebooks.com/

Yellowdine, Reen’s Soak, Bronti, Kellandi and Mt Palmer – by Delys Howlett

This excellent book, published in 2007 by my good friend Delys Howlett, is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the district. Delys has a strong personal connection to this place she loves, as it is where she was brought up. She dedicates the book to her parents and her sister who helped with the publication.

She writes from both personal experience and from meticulous research.  She not only tells about the people and the places of this district but also about the wildlife that abounds.

In her words:-
Yellowdine: Treasures in the Bush, is centered , in the Yilgarn of Western Australia. It is an historical and social account of the events, which took place not only in Yellowdine itself, but also the surrounding towns of Reen’s Soak, Bronti, Kellandi and Mt Palmer between the years 1890 and 2006. The personal stories of railway workers and former residents of Yellowdine bring the history to life, creating a literary collage of personalities, families and yesteryear events. Tourist routes throughout the area are also described and mapped.

Thank you to John Pritchard for sending in the following photographs:

Reen’s Soak Hotel and Post Office c 1930

The Palmer’s Find Dining Room and H. Temby Butcher at Palmer’s Find now known as Yellowdine, 1930

Mt Palmer’s Hotel c 1930s

ISBN 978-0-646-47156-3
227 pages

Early Goldfields Deaths 1894-1895 Registered in the Yilgarn District (Southern Cross) but died elsewhere.
In the early days of the Western Australian Goldfields it took a number of years for Registrars to be appointed to the new towns as they were established. Southern Cross was the nearest point for the registration of any Birth Death or Marriage registration until offices were set up in each town. The next to be appointed was Coolgardie in 1896.

Some names on the is list will be duplicated elsewhere on this site but it is valuable to know that even if a death is registered as ‘Yilgarn’ ,eg, Southern Cross it still may have occurred some distance away and some time may have elapsed for someone to be able to submit the information to the Registrar.

Walter Ernest THORNHILL

ADAMS Gertrude Emily d 20 Sep 1895 age 38 post-natal Haemorrhage, – buried Kanowna Old Cem wife or Arthur Granville ADAMS – Mine Manager – Kanowna
AMES Walter Everard d 29 Mar 1895 – hotelkeeper  – at Kanowna hospital
ANDERSON Arthur d 22 Jun 1895 age 38, Cause:- Typhoid, Occ:- Manager Hampton Plains near Coolgardie.

Arthur Anderson

ANDERSON Charles Thomas, d 2 Jun 1895, age 34, Occ:- Miner, Cause:- Enteric Fever, Kanowna.
ANDREWS Jean, 11 Jul 1894 age 55yrs, Heart Trouble on the Hannans Road
ARNOT Henry d 7 Feb 1895, age 38yrs, Typhoid at Hannans.
ARTHUR James, d 23 Nov 1894, Age 19, Miner, Typhoid at White Feather.
ATKINSON Joseph, d 10 Nov 1895,  Age 40, Miner, Typhoid Kanowna
BATEY F S, d 11 Nov 1895, age 32, Occ:- Sawyer, Pneumonia at Kalgoorlie
BEATTIE Charles, d 4 Jun 1895, 39yrs, Miner, Consumption at Lake Darlot
BENNET John, d 5 Apr 1895, age 26, Miner, Enteritis at Kanowna.
BILL Philip, d 24 Jun 1895, Miner, Accident at Menzies.
BOWES Thomas, d 22 Jan 1895, age 35, store assistant, Typhoid at Kalgoorlie
BREMNER William, d 10 Nov 1895, 57yrs, Miner, Pneumonia at Kalgoorlie
CAMERON Archibald, d 21 Dec 1894, age 32, Digger, at Hannans Hospital
CAREY Michael, d 9 Feb 1895, age 68yrs, Miner, Heart Disease, Kalgoorlie
CHATER Arthur Reginald, d 14 Feb 1895, age 28, Physician and surgeon – typhoid Kalgoorlie
From the Govt Gazzett; Jan 1895:- MEDICAL.-Registered as a medical practitioner for this colony, under the Medical Ordinance, 1869, Arthur Reginald Chater, M.B.C.S.,E.,1891 ; L.B.C.P., Land., 1891. Registered under the Imperial Act.

Arthur Reginald Chater

CORMACK William, d 17 Sep 1894, 34yrs, Miner, Heart Disease at Hunts Dam.
COUTTS James, d 26 Nov 1895, age 25, Miner, Enteric Fever Kalgoorlie
CRAIG Robert John, d 21 May 1895, age 25yrs, Fever at Lake Darlot, Bother Frank CRAIG
CREED Timothy, d 12 Jun 1894, age 60, Miner, White Feather
CROESE Thomas, d 19 Dec 1894, age 26, Water Condenser at White Feather
CURRY David, d 30 Mar 1895, age 25, Miner, Typhoid at Kalgoorlie Hospital
DONOVAN Thomas, d 19 Oct 1894, age 34, Miner, Pneumonia at Hannans, Brother Joseph
DOUBLEDAY James, d 25 Mar 1895, age 26, Miner, Typhoid, Hospital at Kalgoorlie
DOWNING George, d 22 Dec 1894 at Hannans Hospital age 23, Miner, Accident
DUGGIN James William, d 7 Feb 1895 age 26yrs, Miner, Typhoid at Kalgoorlie
DUNN James, d 25 Jan 1895, 23yrs, Mine, Typhoid, Kanowna
DWYER Mathew Martin, d 1895, age 26, Miner, Typhoid, Kalgoorlie
FITZGERALD Patrick James, d 16 Sep 1895, 28yrs, Miner, Pneumonia, Kalgoorlie
FRASER Simon, d 15 Feb 1895, 25yrs, Miner, Typhoid, The Boulder.
FURNESS Peter, d 21 Jul 1895, age 70, Miner, 45 miles from Coolgardie
GILES William, d 9 Jan 1895, 40yrs, Miner, Suicide at Kalgoorlie
GRIFFIN Catherine, d 12 May 1895, 27yrs, Spinster, Typhoid, Servant, Exchange Hotel Kalgoorlie
HALL James, d 7 Aug 1895, age 45-50, Miner, Heart Disease, White Feather.
HARRISON Henry Norman, d 9 May 1895, age 26, Prospector, Dysentery at Broadarrow.

Henry Norman HARRISON

HAY John, d 7 Dec 1895, age 37, Miner, Pneumonia, Kalgoorlie
HOWARD Martin, d 9 Feb 1895, age 26, Miner, Typhoid, at Kalgoorlie
HUNTER James, d 24 Sep 1894, Miner and Condenser at Kanowna
HEIN Mathias, 21 Jul 1895, 24yrsm Miner, Typhoid, Hospital at Kanowna
KENNEDY Patrick, d 9 Mar 1895, age 45, Miner, at Kalgoorlie
KERTON Henry/Harry, d 11 Feb 1895, 38yrs, Miner, Typhoid, in hospital at Kanowna
LARDNER George, d 16 Jan 1895, age 37, Miner, Typhoid, at Kalgoorlie
LAYCOCK Charles, d 16 Dec 1894, 21yrs, Miner, Fever at Kalgoorlie
LEWIS Charles Naughton, d 12 Jan 1895, age 28, Miner, Typhoid, at Kalgoorlie
LOUGHLIN Patrick, d 15 Jan 1895, age 28, Miner, Typhoid at Kalgoorlie
LYALL John  L, d 13 Dec 1895, age 58, Miner, Internal piles, at 42 mile tank – 90 mile rocks
LYONS William James, d 8 May 1895, age 28, Miner, Typhoid, Lake Darlot
MACK Philip, d 17 Jul 1894, Prospector, Speared, 18 miles NE of 90 Mile.

EPSON MFP image

MCDONALD Donald, d 12 Nov 1895, 40yrs, Miner, Dysentery, at Kalgoorlie
MCEVOY James, d 21 Oct 1895, age 28, Miner, accident at Kalgoorlie
MCEWEN Matthew, d 21 Feb 1895, age 54, Contractor, Typhoid in hospital at Kanowna
MAGUIRE George, d 29 Jul 1894, age 50, Labourer, at 25 Mile Coolgardie
MARRIE William, d 22 Feb 1895, age 18, Bank Clerk, Typhoid at Hannans
MCGUIRK Neil Owen, d 27 Nov 1895, age 50, Miner, Haemorrhage at Kalgoorlie
MASON George, d 25 Dec 1894, age 22, Miner, Typhoid, at Kalgoorlie
MEEHAN John, d 8 Apr 1895, age 23, Miner, Typhoid, at Kanowna
MONCRIEF George, d 10 Mar 1895, age 28, Miner, Typhoid, Kanowna
MORTON William, d 6 Mar 1895, age 21, Miner, Typhoid at Hannans
MOUNTAIN Sydney Charles, d 8 May 1895, 24yrs, Prospector, Kurnalpi
MURPHY Edward P, d 25 Mar 1895, age 22 Miner, Fever, at Christmas Gift Claim 200 miles NNE of Coolgardie
NASH John, d 11 Nov 1894, age 24, Miner, Pleurisy at Kalgoorlie
NORMAN Axel Ludvig, d 27 Nov 1894, Miner, Dysentery, at Kalgoorlie certified by brother F E Norman
OBRIEN Michael, d 14 Mar 1895, age 26, Miner, Typhoid at Kalgoorlie
RAE Herbert, d 24 Mar 1895, age 38, Miner, Typhoid at Kalgoorlie Hospital
REDDROP William, d 12 Mar 1895, age 29, Typhoid, Blacksmith, at hospital Kanowna
RICHES Seaman Simms, d 10 Jul 1895, age 24, Miner, Typhoid at Kanowna brother J B Richards
RIVERS John, d 21 Mar 1895, age 32, Miner, Typhoid at hospital Kanowna
ROBERTS Owen, d 21 May 1894, age 59, Prospector, Heart Disease at Hannans Find certified by May SIMPSON on 25 Jul 1894.
ROGERS William d 16 Nov 1895 Teamster, Accident at Norseman
RUTTER William, d 9 Jul 1894, age 40, Miner, Cosmo Newberry Hills
SAMUELSON Alfred, d 28 Feb 1895, age 38, Miner, Heart Failure, at Hannans
SARGOOD Richard, d 20 Dec 1894, age 36, Teamster, wagon accident at Yellowdine, Lake Coolgardie Road.
SAUNDERS Ernest James, d 22 Jan 1895, age 32 Miner, Typhoid, at Kanowna
SCULLY Thomas d abt 22 Mar 1895, age abt 26, Labourer. Found dead in bush 25miles NE of Mt Jackson
SHEEHAN Marian, d 21 Oct 1895, age 50, cystitis, at Kalgoorlie
SHEPARD I R, d 13 June 1895, age 21, Miner, Typhoid at Kanowna.
SMITH Ernest, d 25 Mar 1895, age 31, Miner Typhoid, Kanowna
STANFORD Charles Septimus, d 16 Jan 1895, age 33, Prospector, Heart Disease at Kalgoorlie
STORAN Dennis, d 6 Apr 1895, age 25, Miner Peritonitis, at Kanowna
STRAUBELL Bernhard, d 18 Jun 1894, age 70, Prospector, Dysentery at Little Siberia
THORNHILL Walter Ernest, d 10 Nov 1895, age 35, Miner, Pneumonia, at Kalgoorlie, certified by James Martin William THORNHILL, Weld Club Perth.

TIMMS John Walker,  d 14 Feb 1895, age abt 35, Prospector, Typhoid, at Goongarri.
TOOMNEY Edward, d 2 Jan 1895, age 42, Miner, Dysentery at Kalgoorlie
WESTERLAND Martin, d 17 Dec 1894, age 37, Miner, Fever at Kalgoorlie

While heading to Perth you will have to have driven past the Moorine Rock Hotel, you may have even stopped there for refreshment. Recently, courtesy of OFH reader Peter Green, I have been lucky enough to be given permission to post the following photographs of Moorine Rock and the hotel. With kind permission from Kath Hnatyszyn.

The Moorine Rock Hotel in the 1930s with a truck outside.

This is what Peter told me:-  I called to see an old Army mate and his wife, Bob and Kath Hnatyszyn, and Kath said that her Grandfather had built the Moorine Rock Hotel and run it for some time.  He had previously owned the Hotel Fremantle and had invested quite a sum of money into building the hotel and stores at Moorine Rock. He also had the Burbridge Hotel near Perth and he transferred the licence from the Burbridge Hotel to The Moorine Rock Hotel.

The Moorine Rock Hotel and Store in the 1930s

His name was Andrew David Lindbergh, his wife was Hilda Maria, and he was originally from either Sweden or
Norway.  Sadly Mrs. Lindberg was to pass away in Jan of 1934. After Moorine Rock Mr. Lindberg moved to Crystal Brook in South Australia where he also ran or owned Hotels.

Sitting on the running board outside the Moorine Rock Hotel

Children on the running board of a car outside the Moorine Rock Hotel.

The only names Kath could remember were the older fellow with a mustache is Andrew David, the older lady Hilda Maria, and one of the children sitting on the running board of the car is Kath’s mother.

Old Car at Moorine Rock

Just one more thing on the Moorine Rock Hotel, there is a ‘Percy Black Memorial shield’ hanging on the wall, this shield was in honour of Major Black who joined up from Bullfinch for WW1. It appears that the local rifle shooting clubs would shoot for this prestigious shield each year, I a

The Percy Black memorial Shield

m not to sure when they ceased to do so. Well worth looking at if you are going past one day.

Percy Charles Herbert BLACK 16th Infantry Battalion from Southern Cross KIA.

One of the Goldfields famous early day explorers, Mr. Gus Luck, was granted a farming block at Moorine Rock, in the photograph below the fellow on the right with a mustache looks very similar to him, seeing that he also was either From Sweden or Norway there could be a possibility that it is him.

It’s not known as yet if the doorway they are standing in front of is at Moorine Rock or at the Edna May Hotel (now the Westonia Tavern) but we will find out. The fellow on the right does indeed look like Gus luck. The book about his adventures in the outback is a wonderful read.

The Outback Trail    –    by A.J. Luck

The Outback Trail by A J Luck – Available from  Hesperian Press 

Gus Luck was one of Western Australia’s most experienced bushmen when he met David Carnegie, who later wrote the classic Spinifex and Sand. He taught Carnegie his bushmanship and in The Outback Trail, he writes of his life and experiences in the bush, camels, natives, prospecting, people, and more, in a fascinating story of the 1880s to 1930s.

The Moorine Rock Hotel 2017

Yellodine, Reen’s Soak, Bronti, Kellandi and Mt Palmer ‘Treasures in The Bush’ by Delys Howlett
ISBN:- 9780646471563

Yellowdine – Treasures in the Bush

Centred in the Yilgarn of Western Australia this excellent publication is an historical and social account of events which took place not only in Yellowdine itself, but also the surrounding towns of Reen’s Soak, Bronti, Kellandi and Mt Palmer between the years of 1890 and 2006.

The personal stories of railway workers and former residents of Yellowdine bring the history to life, creating a literary collage of personalities, families and yesteryear events. Tourist routes throughout the area are also described and mapped.

It was my great pleasure to help the author, Delys, with some small assistance with research and publicity during the launch of her book in 2007. This book was indeed a labour of love for Delys as she grew up in the area which she loved. She wrote the book with the assistance of her parents Abbie and Allen O’Loughlin and her sister Julie Pritchard.

I would recommend this book highly which is available in the public library loan system. If you wish to purchase a copy they are available direct from the author at:- 7 Fenchurch Street, Alexander Heights 6064 PH: 9343 1519

The discovery of gold that led in turn to Golden Valley, Southern Cross, Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie and Western Australia becoming a member of the Federation is a story seldom told. This is an extract from ‘Sand and Stone Vol 1’ by Kevin Moran as follows: –

The Syndicate who Discovered the Eastern Goldfields Oct 1887.

On Mujakine station, Mrs Jane Glass discovered a drowned possum in her well.  Her son Alex decided to clean the well out and deepen it.  As he scraped the mud into the bucket, his mother hauled it up and emptied it. The glint of gold caught her eye and the nugget was revealed. Gold was in everyone’s mind because of the discoveries in the Kimberley in 1881, and the unsuccessful prospecting for gold in the South West. The Government offered a reward for the discovery of a payable Goldfield near Perth, so when the gold was discovered in the mud, Charles Glass Snr and his wife drove to Perth to have their find verified. Mrs Glass took pleasure in showing it to her many relatives along the way, exhorting the youngsters to remember how their great aunt had found it, but it was her husband Charles Glass (as you can see from the above photo collage) , who later received one hundred pounds for discovery of gold on his property.

There are moments that change history and for the Colony of Western Australia and the future Federation the keen eyes of Jane Mary Glass provided such a momentous occasion.   If Jane Glass had not discovered the gold nugget the prospectors would not have come and the t’Othersiders would not have arrived to campaign for entry to the Federation and Western Australia would have remained a separate state/country.

Gold would have been discovered on the Eastern Goldfields in due course but not in time to bring those from the East who successfully campaigned against their host’s wishes.

“The confirmation of the gold discovery by Jane Glass resulted in syndicates being formed. On 5^th July 1887, a prospecting syndicate represented by Dick Greaves, Ted Payne and Harry Anstey left Perth. When they arrived at Mangowine they received a warm welcome. Another rival party led by Bernard Colreavy, H. Fraser and two others arrived on the scene soon after, having already been prospecting.

Golden Valley Stamp Battery

Alexander Glass, who was with his mother when she found the gold nugget enjoyed the excitement. Jane and Charles Adams’ own large family, Miss Spencer, the governess and the gathering throng of visitors made a large assembly for this far Eastern run. Happy to see so many to enliven their isolation, the Adams made them welcome and an accordion provided music for singing and dancing until late.

The following day a Mr Bob Rowles and his wife arrived to work at Mangowine Station. With so many people present a holiday was declared, games were played concluding with a game of cricket and an exhibition of spear and boomerang throwing by Aborigines. The festivities continued into the night with more singing and dancing.”

The Golden West and How it was Discovered

Proclamation of Golden Valley Goldfield (named for the Golden Wattle that grows there)  was proclaimed a Goldfield on 1st October 1888

“The Fields were now so extended they could not be administered from Perth and on 11th October 1888, “A. Thompson Esq Warden left York at 10am en route to Yilgarn Goldfields – in wagonette and horses Mellon and Fire Tail. Accompanied by F. Compton Surveyor and also Nat Abraham.”

They took up their positions at Golden Valley under a bush timber frame covered by a tarpaulin, and Golden Valley prospectors were provided with local bureaucratic necessities. Golden Valley also gained a Police camp.  On 26th December 1888, Sergeant Connell and his Native Assistant, “Left Station at 101 /2 am accompanying Police Party to Golden Valley where a Station is to be formed on Gold Fields.”Constables Grant and Buckley, “Left Station at 10 1/2 am in route to Golden Valley. Transferred to do duty at Goldfields,” and it is noted Constable Grant was issued one pair of handcuffs No. 6 with key for use at Golden Valley.”   The police on 27^th May 1889 left Golden Valley to set up their new camp at Southern Cross. Other officials did the same.

This story credits Greaves as the original discoverer of Golden Valley:- http://bit.ly/1Sbe8TD

If you would like to read more about this fascinating period of the History of Western Australia I would recommend the publications in this article, all available from Hesperian Press:

And so the story begins:   –