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Goldfields Stories of Western Australia

Goldfields Stories of Western Australia

By Lorraine Kelly

History and stories of the Western Australian Goldfields written by local historian, Norma King (OAM) and Lorraine Kelly. Podcasts produced and published by Lorraine Kelly
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Among the Early Ones- Pioneer of Greenough, Western Australia

Goldfields Stories of Western AustraliaApr 05, 2020

00:00
06:59
Norma King and George Bennetts Interview in 1970

Norma King and George Bennetts Interview in 1970

George Bennetts was an early resident of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and became a Member of Parliament.

Synopsis of interview

  • Born in South Australia he arrived in Fremantle in 1896 with his mother and siblings, to join his father who was working at the Great Boulder Mine.  They came out on the steamship 'Innamincka'.  He then details his journey by train to Kalgoorlie; the Cobb &​ Co. coach; Afghans and camel teams.
  • His father had contracted typhoid fever and his mother had to walk a distance through the bush to visit him.
  • Recollections of schooling at Reverend Collick's school in a tank in 1896 and then the Boulder school.
  • After leaving school at 14 he starting work with a building contractor; work with a bike shop, Alfred's Dairy and sandalwooding.
  • He describes his travels to the Whim Creek Copper Mine aboard the SS Koombana and the slave-like conditions he encountered at the mine.
  • Details his walk 69 miles to Roebourne; being caught by police and a night in gaol.
  • To return to Kalgoorlie he is employed as a cook for a cattle droving team and describes the poor treatment of aboriginal stockmen and working conditions.
  • He recollects a conversation he had with an employee of the SS Kombanna, and how the employee told him the ship was dangerous since it was re-plated, as it was top-heavy. This man thought it would sink during a cyclone.  The ship did sink during a cyclone on the 20th March 1912 killing 150 people.  This was the first time Bennetts had told this story.
Nov 23, 202046:38
Was Jack the Ripper caught at Southern Cross, Western Australia? Chapter Two
Jul 19, 202033:26
Was Jack the Ripper caught at Southern Cross, Western Australia? Chapter One
Jul 19, 202025:43
The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 8: The Coolgardie Exhibition of 1899

The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 8: The Coolgardie Exhibition of 1899

 Chapter 8: The Coolgardie Exhibition

A brief history of the International Mining and Industrial Exhibition held in Coolgardie in March, 1899.

The PDF booklet of the Dalmatian Connection and all of the  mp3 files are available from Goldfieldstories.com

Further episodes are as follows:

Chapter 1: The Kazeas.

Jenny and Mat Kazea arrived in Boulder, Western Australia, from Victoria in 1897. They decided to embark on an overseas trip for six months to visit Mat's family in Zlarin and Jenny's family in Ireland. They also decided to go to Paris to see the International Exhibition that was held there in March 1900. 

Chapter 2: Jenny's diary. 

Go back in time with Jenny on the steamship Oroya, as they travel to Zlarin. You will then follow their travels in Zlarin, Trieste, Vienna Leplitz and Paris in the year 1900.

Chapter 3: The Paris Exhibition

Jenny's diary gives an interesting account of the Paris Exhibition of 1900 and the city of Paris. They then travel to England and Ireland. We then travel with them on the Ortona back to Australia.

Chapter 4: Jean

Jenny adopted Mat's niece from Zlarin. Her name was Tomasina. She later married and had a girl named Jean. This chapter looks at her early life in Fremantle and Spearwood.

Chapter 5: The Lime Kilns

In 1933 Jean agreed to work for her brother as housekeeper and cook in a remote settlement on the Transcontinental Railway Line called the Lime Kilns.  This chapter looks at the unique and isolated community that produced lime for the goldfields. Jean lived at the settlement for 33 years

Chapter 6: A First World War Diary

Jenny found a diary written by Sister Fitzpatrick. This diary details her experiences as a nursing sister in the First World War. 

Chapter 7: Continuing Jean's Story

Jenny's recollections of interesting events at the Lime Kilns and the challenges of living in a remote settlement.


May 26, 202010:48
The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 7: Continuing Jean's Story

The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 7: Continuing Jean's Story

Chapter 7: Continuing Jean's Story

Jenny's recollections of interesting events at the Lime Kilns and the challenges of living in a remote settlement.

The PDF booklet of the Dalmatian Connection and all of the  mp3 files are available from Goldfieldstories.com

Further episodes are as follows:

Chapter 1: The Kazeas.

Jenny and Mat Kazea arrived in Boulder, Western Australia, from Victoria in 1897. They decided to embark on an overseas trip for six months to visit Mat's family in Zlarin and Jenny's family in Ireland. They also decided to go to Paris to see the International Exhibition that was held there in March 1900. 

Chapter 2: Jenny's diary. 

Go back in time with Jenny on the steamship Oroya, as they travel to Zlarin. You will then follow their travels in Zlarin, Trieste, Vienna Leplitz and Paris in the year 1900.

Chapter 3: The Paris Exhibition

Jenny's diary gives an interesting account of the Paris Exhibition of 1900 and the city of Paris. They then travel to England and Ireland. We then travel with them on the Ortona back to Australia.

Chapter 4: Jean

Jenny adopted Mat's niece from Zlarin. Her name was Tomasina. She later married and had a girl named Jean. This chapter looks at her early life in Fremantle and Spearwood.

Chapter 5: The Lime Kilns

In 1933 Jean agreed to work for her brother as housekeeper and cook in a remote settlement on the Transcontinental Railway Line called the Lime Kilns.  This chapter looks at the unique and isolated community that produced lime for the goldfields. Jean lived at the settlement for 33 years

Chapter 6: A First World War Diary

Jenny found a diary written by Sister Fitzpatrick. This diary details her experiences as a nursing sister in the First World War. 

Chapter 8: The Coolgardie Exhibition

A brief history of the International Mining and Industrial Exhibition held in Coolgardie in March, 1899.

May 25, 202026:43
The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 6: World War 1 Diary of Sister Fitzpatrick

The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 6: World War 1 Diary of Sister Fitzpatrick

Chapter 6: A First World War Diary

Jenny found a diary written by Sister Fitzpatrick. This diary details her experiences as a nursing sister in the First World War. 

The PDF booklet of the Dalmatian Connection are available from Goldfieldstories.com

Further episodes are as follows:

 Chapter 1: The Kazeas.

Jenny and Mat Kazea arrived in Boulder, Western Australia, from Victoria in 1897. They decided to embark on an overseas trip for six months to visit Mat's family in Zlarin and Jenny's family in Ireland. They also decided to go to Paris to see the International Exhibition that was held there in March 1900. 

Chapter 2: Jenny's diary. 

Go back in time with Jenny on the steamship Oroya, as they travel to Zlarin. You will then follow their travels in Zlarin, Trieste, Vienna Leplitz and Paris in the year 1900.

Chapter 3: The Paris Exhibition

Jenny's diary gives an interesting account of the Paris Exhibition of 1900 and the city of Paris. They then travel to England and Ireland. We then travel with them on the Ortona back to Australia.

Chapter 4: Jean

Jenny adopted Mat's niece from Zlarin. Her name was Tomasina. She later married and had a girl named Jean. This chapter looks at her early life in Fremantle and Spearwood.

Chapter 5: The Lime Kilns

In 1933 Jean agreed to work for her brother as housekeeper and cook in a remote settlement on the Transcontinental Railway Line called the Lime Kilns.  This chapter looks at the unique and isolated community that produced lime for the goldfields. Jean lived at the settlement for 33 years

Chapter 7: Continuing Jean's Story

Jenny's recollections of interesting events at the Lime Kilns and the challenges of living in a remote settlement.

Chapter 8: The Coolgardie Exhibition

A brief history of the International Mining and Industrial Exhibition held in Coolgardie in March, 1899.

May 25, 202033:45
The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 5: The Lime Kilns

The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 5: The Lime Kilns

 Chapter 5: The Lime Kilns

In 1933 Jean agreed to work for her brother as housekeeper and cook in a remote settlement on the Transcontinental Railway Line called the Lime Kilns.  This chapter looks at the unique and isolated community that produced lime for the goldfields. Jean lived at the settlement for 33 years.

The PDF booklet of the Dalmatian Connection and all of the  mp3 files are available from Goldfieldstories.com

Further episodes are as follows:

Chapter 1: The Kazeas.

Jenny and Mat Kazea arrived in Boulder, Western Australia, from Victoria in 1897. They decided to embark on an overseas trip for six months to visit Mat's family in Zlarin and Jenny's family in Ireland. They also decided to go to Paris to see the International Exhibition that was held there in March 1900. 

Chapter 2: Jenny's diary. 

Go back in time with Jenny on the steamship Oroya, as they travel to Zlarin. You will then follow their travels in Zlarin, Trieste, Vienna Leplitz and Paris in the year 1900.

Chapter 3: The Paris Exhibition

Jenny's diary gives an interesting account of the Paris Exhibition of 1900 and the city of Paris. They then travel to England and Ireland. We then travel with them on the Ortona back to Australia.

Chapter 4: Jean

Jenny adopted Mat's niece from Zlarin. Her name was Tomasina. She later married and had a girl named Jean. This chapter looks at her early life in Fremantle and Spearwood.

Chapter 6: A First World War Diary

Jenny found a diary written by Sister Fitzpatrick. This diary details her experiences as a nursing sister in the First World War. 

Chapter 7: Continuing Jean's Story

Jenny's recollections of interesting events at the Lime Kilns and the challenges of living in a remote settlement.

Chapter 8: The Coolgardie Exhibition

A brief history of the International Mining and Industrial Exhibition held in Coolgardie in March, 1899.

May 20, 202014:02
The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 4: Jean

The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 4: Jean

 Chapter 4: Jean - Her early life in Fremantle & Spearwood

Jenny adopted Mat's niece from Zlarin. Her name was Tomasina. She later married and had a girl named Jean. This chapter looks at her early life in Fremantle and Spearwood.

The PDF booklet of the Dalmatian Connection and all of the  mp3 files are available from Goldfieldstories.com

Further episodes are as follows:

Chapter 1: The Kazeas.

Jenny and Mat Kazea arrived in Boulder, Western Australia, from Victoria in 1897. They decided to embark on an overseas trip for six months to visit Mat's family in Zlarin and Jenny's family in Ireland. They also decided to go to Paris to see the International Exhibition that was held there in March 1900. 

Chapter 2: Jenny's diary. 

Go back in time with Jenny on the steamship Oroya, as they travel to Zlarin. You will then follow their travels in Zlarin, Trieste, Vienna Leplitz and Paris in the year 1900.

Chapter 3: The Paris Exhibition

Jenny's diary gives an interesting account of the Paris Exhibition of 1900 and the city of Paris. They then travel to England and Ireland. We then travel with them on the Ortona back to Australia.

Chapter 5: The Lime Kilns

In 1933 Jean agreed to work for her brother as housekeeper and cook in a remote settlement on the Transcontinental Railway Line called the Lime Kilns.  This chapter looks at the unique and isolated community that produced lime for the goldfields. Jean lived at the settlement for 33 years

Chapter 6: A First World War Diary

Jenny found a diary written by Sister Fitzpatrick. This diary details her experiences as a nursing sister in the First World War. 

Chapter 7: Continuing Jean's Story

Jenny's recollections of interesting events at the Lime Kilns and the challenges of living in a remote settlement.

Chapter 8: The Coolgardie Exhibition

A brief history of the International Mining and Industrial Exhibition held in Coolgardie in March, 1899.

May 19, 202008:59
The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 3: The Paris Exhibition of 1900

The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 3: The Paris Exhibition of 1900

Chapter 3: The Paris Exhibition

Jenny's diary gives an interesting account of the Paris Exhibition of 1900 and the city of Paris. They then travel to England and Ireland. We then travel with them on the Ortona back to Australia. 

 
The PDF booklet of the Dalmatian Connection and all of the  mp3 files are available from
Goldfieldstories.com 

Further episodes are as follows:

Chapter 1: The Kazeas.

Jenny and Mat Kazea arrived in Boulder, Western Australia, from Victoria in 1897. They decided to embark on an overseas trip for six months to visit Mat's family in Zlarin and Jenny's family in Ireland. They also decided to go to Paris to see the International Exhibition that was held there in March 1900. 

Chapter 2: Jenny's diary. 

Go back in time with Jenny on the steamship Oroya, as they travel to Zlarin. You will then follow their travels in Zlarin, Trieste, Vienna Leplitz and Paris in the year 1900.

Chapter 4: Jean

Jenny adopted Mat's niece from Zlarin. Her name was Tomasina. She later married and had a girl named Jean. This chapter looks at her early life in Fremantle and Spearwood.

Chapter 5: The Lime Kilns

In 1933 Jean agreed to work for her brother as housekeeper and cook in a remote settlement on the Transcontinental Railway Line called the Lime Kilns.  This chapter looks at the unique and isolated community that produced lime for the goldfields. Jean lived at the settlement for 33 years

Chapter 6: A First World War Diary

Jenny found a diary written by Sister Fitzpatrick. This diary details her experiences as a nursing sister in the First World War. 

Chapter 7: Continuing Jean's Story

Jenny's recollections of interesting events at the Lime Kilns and the challenges of living in a remote settlement.

Chapter 8: The Coolgardie Exhibition

A brief history of the International Mining and Industrial Exhibition held in Coolgardie in March, 1899.

May 18, 202026:14
Prince 'Teddy" Visits the Goldfields
May 17, 202008:17
The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 2: The Paris Exhibition

The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 2: The Paris Exhibition

 Chapter 2: Jenny's diary. 

Go back in time with Jenny on the steamship Oroya, as they travel to Zlarin. You will then follow their travels in Zlarin, Trieste, Vienna Leplitz and Paris in the year 1900.Chapter 1: 

The PDF booklet of the Dalmatian Connection and all of the  mp3 files are available from Goldfieldstories.com

Further episodes are as follows:

Chapter 1: The Kazeas.

Jenny and Mat Kazea arrived in Boulder, Western Australia, from Victoria in 1897. They decided to embark on an overseas trip for six months to visit Mat's family in Zlarin and Jenny's family in Ireland. They also decided to go to Paris to see the International Exhibition that was held there in March 1900. 

Chapter 3: The Paris Exhibition

Jenny's diary gives an interesting account of the Paris Exhibition of 1900 and the city of Paris. They then travel to England and Ireland. We then travel with them on the Ortona back to Australia.

Chapter 4: Jean

Jenny adopted Mat's niece from Zlarin. Her name was Tomasina. She later married and had a girl named Jean. This chapter looks at her early life in Fremantle and Spearwood.

Chapter 5: The Lime Kilns

In 1933 Jean agreed to work for her brother as housekeeper and cook in a remote settlement on the Transcontinental Railway Line called the Lime Kilns.  This chapter looks at the unique and isolated community that produced lime for the goldfields. Jean lived at the settlement for 33 years

Chapter 6: A First World War Diary

Jenny found a diary written by Sister Fitzpatrick. This diary details her experiences as a nursing sister in the First World War. 

Chapter 7: Continuing Jean's Story

Jenny's recollections of interesting events at the Lime Kilns and the challenges of living in a remote settlement.

Chapter 8: The Coolgardie Exhibition

A brief history of the International Mining and Industrial Exhibition held in Coolgardie in March, 1899.

May 16, 202042:05
The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 1: The Kazeas

The Dalmatian Connection, Chapter 1: The Kazeas

Chapter 1: The Kazeas.

Jenny and Mat Kazea arrived in Boulder, Western Australia, from Victoria in 1897. They decided to embark on an overseas trip for six months to visit Mat's family in Zlarin and Jenny's family in Ireland. They also decided to go to Paris to see the International Exhibition that was held there in March 1900. 

The PDF booklet of the Dalmatian Connection is available from Goldfieldstories.com

Further episodes are as follows:

Chapter 2: Jenny's diary. 

Go back in time with Jenny on the steamship Oroya, as they travel to Zlarin. You will then follow their travels in Zlarin, Trieste, Vienna Leplitz and Paris in the year 1900.

Chapter 3: The Paris Exhibition

Jenny's diary gives an interesting account of the Paris Exhibition of 1900 and the city of Paris. They then travel to England and Ireland. We then travel with them on the Ortona back to Australia.

Chapter 4: Jean

Jenny adopted Mat's niece from Zlarin. Her name was Tomasina. She later married and had a girl named Jean. This chapter looks at her early life in Fremantle and Spearwood.

Chapter 5: The Lime Kilns

In 1933 Jean agreed to work for her brother as housekeeper and cook in a remote settlement on the Transcontinental Railway Line called the Lime Kilns.  This chapter looks at the unique and isolated community that produced lime for the goldfields. Jean lived at the settlement for 33 years

Chapter 6: A First World War Diary

Jenny found a diary written by Sister Fitzpatrick. This diary details her experiences as a nursing sister in the First World War. 

Chapter 7: Continuing Jean's Story

Jenny's recollections of interesting events at the Lime Kilns and the challenges of living in a remote settlement.

Chapter 8: The Coolgardie Exhibition

A brief history of the International Mining and Industrial Exhibition held in Coolgardie in March, 1899.


May 14, 202003:41
Wiluna - Memories of Bloomers, Mice & Kangaroos
May 14, 202011:12
William Carr-Boyd - The Prince of Storytellers

William Carr-Boyd - The Prince of Storytellers

In the early days of Western Australia, there were a lot of colourful characters, but none were more colourful than William Carr-Boyd who was known as the Prince of Storytellers. His exploration was recognised by giving his name to the Carr-Boyd Ranges in the Kimberly, Carr-Boyd Rocks in the Eastern Goldfields and, in the 1970s, a mine, the Carr-Boyd Nickel Mine was named after him but he was also famous for his whimsical sense of humour that often went out of control.

May 11, 202017:38
Mt Ida Ghost-town, An Isolated Community

Mt Ida Ghost-town, An Isolated Community

In the early 1900s, Mt Ida was a small, but productive community with no telegraphic communication. 'Bone-shakers' - the trusted bicycle, were used to send messages to Menzies, which was 86 km away, over rough, dirt tracks. Long term Tommy Andrews also gives an account of life there in the early days. To read the blog, go to https://www.goldfieldstories.com/post/history-of-mt-ida-ghost-town-and-long-term-resident-tommy-andrews

Apr 14, 202014:35
New Hopes: The Bullfinch Gold-rush of 1910
Apr 11, 202007:57
The Amazing Escape of Modesto Varischetti - the Entombed Miner, 1907
Apr 10, 202007:43
Reminiscing with Herbert Hoover's God-daughter

Reminiscing with Herbert Hoover's God-daughter

Phyllis McMillan recalls her life in Gwalia and Peppermint Grove. Her father was an Engineer at the Gwalia Mine with Herbert Hoover and her parents were part of the 'fast set'.

For photos and more information, go to https://www.goldfieldstories.com/post/reminiscing-with-norma-president-hoover-s-goddaughter-born-1902

Apr 10, 202011:12
Her Final Walk: A Christmas Tragedy
Apr 08, 202005:55
Underground Horses in WA Gold Mines
Apr 08, 202004:23
The Murder of Tiger (Wimbah)
Apr 06, 202003:48
Mildred Walshaw: Lady Gold-miner
Apr 06, 202003:08
Among the Early Ones- Pioneer of Greenough, Western Australia
Apr 05, 202006:59