Goldfields Stories of Western Australia

Modesto Varischetti was entombed underground for 9 days in a goldmine at Bonnievale, Western Australia. He was kept alive with the assistance of brave divers who gave him food, tobacco, candles and diluted claret daily. To read the blog and see photos, go to https://www.goldfieldstories.com/post/the-amazing-escape-of-modesto-varischetti-entombed-miner-in-1907 .  First written by Norma King in...

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

Mrs Quinn had just arrived from Scotland to visit her son in Bulong, Western Australia on Christmas Day 1915. She decided to save a few pounds by not catching a taxi, this decision became fatal.  This story is taken from my book, Goldfield Stories: Early days in Western Australia.  For more posts, go to https://www.goldfieldstories.com/blog

In Western Australia, the Sons of Gwalia mine near Leonora had a long history of using pit horses. Discover why and other interesting information relating to mining horses in Australia.  Read this blog and more, go to https://www.goldfieldstories.com/post/underground-horses-in-wa-mines

Tiger (his Aboriginal name was Wimbah) was murdered in 1898. He was a genius at gold-specking and was the first to find gold in Bulong. His murder by Pindinnie Aboriginies made national news at the time. To read this blog and more, go to https://www.goldfieldstories.com/post/murder-of-wimbah-tiger-who-was-the-first-to-find-gold-at-bulong

Mildred was the only permanent resident of the ghost town of Comet Vale and was most likely the only active woman prospector with her own gold mine in Australia in 1957. She was born in 1896 in Yellowdine, just outside Southern Cross, Western Australia. To read the article, and many more, go to https://www.goldfieldstories.com/post/mildred-walshaw-lady-gold-miner

A brief account of Lillian King (nee Waldeck) who was my Great-Grandmother and pioneer of Greenough, Western Australia. I found this letter to Norma King, my Nanna, which has been reproduced and published. Her father was one of the first missionaries in the region. To see photos and read the account, go to https://www.goldfieldstories.com/post/among-the-early-ones