A gift of Light and Water:

Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 – 1916), Tuesday 8 February 1910, page 25

PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAIN- Mr. George P. Doolette’s Gift to Kalgoorlie

The public drinking fountain now on its way out from London to West Australia, the subject of this illustration has been presented by Mr. George P. Doolette, a prominent figure in West Australian mining circles, to the Municipality of Kalgoorlie, for erection on a site to be chosen in Victoria Park.
Messrs. Richard Hamilton and J. A. Agnew have undertaken the responsibility on behalf of Mr. Doolette, of superintending the erection of the fountain free of cost to the citizens. The height from the pedestal to the top of the lamp, is 13 ft. 6 in., and from the pedestal to the basin, about 3 ft. The basin has a diameter of a little over 6 ft., thus making the circumference 18 ft., or thereabouts. The lamppost or shaft rising from the middle of the basin is about 10 ft. in height. The pedestal is octagonal in shape.

This photograph shows the fountain in place in Victoria Park Kalgoorlie and it is an exact replica of the drawing in the Western Argus.

George Philip Doolette

Sir George Philip Doolette (24 January 1840 – 19 January 1924), frequently referred to as George P. Doolette, was a mining entrepreneur and chairman of the Western Australian Mine Owners’ Association.

Doolette was born in Ireland and at the age of 15 emigrated with his parents George Dorham Doolette and Elizabeth “Eliza” Doolette, nee Reynard to South Australia on the immigrant ship Nashwauk, which came ashore near Seaford South Australia on 13 May 1855 and wrecked without loss of life.

With experience in the softgoods trade from his youth in Ireland, Doolette joined the drapery firm of  A McGeorge & Co King William St Adelaide SA, and in 1875 became the business’s sole proprietor, trading as “George P. Doolette, Court and Clerical Tailors” which business continued operating until 1890. He speculated in mining ventures in Broken Hill and formed the Adelaide Prospecting Party in 1893 with Sir George Brookman and others. Doolette was also chairman or a director of many other mining companies, including Oroya Brown Hill Co. Ltd, the Great Boulder Proprietary Gold Mines Ltd and the Sons of Gwalia Ltd.

Doolette was knighted in 1916. He died on 19 January 1924 at Caterham, England and his ashes were returned to Adelaide SA where they were interred in the North Rd Cemetery.

NOTE: It is not know for sure the fate of the fountain, but several years ago I did read a newspaper article (which now I can’t find) which said that the fountain had been gifted to the City of Albany by the Kalgoorlie Council. Should anyone know the fate of the fountain for sure I would live to know. We will all have seen that the rotunda and wishing well are now re located at Hammond Park Kalgoorlie.

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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.

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