Arrival of the Goldfielders
Bardoc Hotel, circa 1898.
White women were present in Kalgoorlie-Boulder from the beginning of the goldrush. They made the arduous journey by sea, train, camel or horse and buggy enduring the long journey, often months, with their husbands. Many brought their children, some babes in arms who often succumbed to the illness soon after arrival.
With the arrival of families, schools, shops, churches and other services developed and life became more civilised. Disease, illness or accidents claimed the lives of husbands and wives were often left to run businesses, or survive on Mine Workers relief and the charity of friends. Many re-married quickly out of economic necessity. Nevertheless, they made life as civilized as possible, growing gardens for food, shade and beauty. The whole family enjoyed picnics in the bush and the special beauty of the local flora and fauna was widely appreciated. They quickly adapted their domestic lives to the environment, cooking strawberry jam on the tin roof of their houses, sleeping outside in the cool night air and mastering art of settting jelly in the Coolgardie Safe. [1]
Women's Stories
Read more about women from Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the Australian Women's Register.
- Clara Saunders - Hotel owner, midwife and nurse
- Mary Smith - Hotel owner
Images
- Title
- Bardoc Hotel
- Type
- Image
- Date
- c. 1898
- Source
- Robyn McLean and Kevin Imms
- Title
- Families from Goldfields
- Type
- Image
- Source
- Criena Fitzgerald
- Title
- A family at the Siberia Reward Gold Mine, Broad Arrow
- Type
- Image
- Date
- c. 1900
- Control
- 000652D
- Source
- State Library of Western Australia
- Title
- A Goldfields family outside their tent with their transportation, a camel
- Type
- Image
- Date
- c. 1900
- Source
- Outback Family History
- Title
- Goldfields Glee and Orchestral Society
- Type
- Image
- Date
- c. 1930
- Control
- 067043PD
- Source
- State Library of Western Australia
- Title
- A Goldfields private hospital
- Type
- Image
- Date
- 1899
- Control
- 233161PD
- Source
- State Library of Western Australia
- Title
- Goldfields transport: a woman on a camel ca. Late 1890s.
- Type
- Image
- Source
- Outback Family history
- Title
- Mary Smith outside the Bardoc Hotel
- Type
- Image
- Date
- c. 1924
- Source
- Robyn McLean and Kevin Imms
- Title
- Miners camp
- Type
- Image
- Date
- c. 1895
- Control
- 024381PD
- Source
- State Library of Western Australia
- Title
- Three women in foreground and large group of men. Bush scene.
- Type
- Image
- Date
- c. 1900
- Source
- State Library of Western Australia