Goldfields Stories of Western Australia

Norma King interviewed Renzo Mazza in 1979. The Mazza family ran the local store in Gwalia, which is now part of a State Heritage listed property. Norma King was also a resident of Gwalia. Her parents moved there around 1930, Her father treated the slime dumps for gold. Renzo tells of an old miner called Peg Leg, gambling priests, police, a shooting, Italian cooking - little birds of polenta - and underground horses. This is part one of a series of interviews Norma had with Renzo Mazza. The following episodes will be released when they have been restored.With regards to the shooting incident, the person shot was Nicola Rho, aged 53, and the shooter was George Maravich (aged 33). Rho was shot in the base of the spine after an argument about the war. He was taken to hospital where he died 2 days later. Maravich handed himself into the police at Leonora, and he was eventually charged with murder. witnesses stated he was a quiet, sober man, Rho was drunk at the time of the shooting.The jury found Maravich not guilty of murder as they believed he intended to disable him, not murder him.For more stories, go to https://goldfieldstories.com

This radio piece was produced in 1992 about Norma King. For those interested in the early days of Western Australia, this revised piece will be a real treat. The original audio has been complemented with Norma’s photos and historical pictures of the time.for her service to the community. The author of a number of books including Nickel Country-Gold Country, Daughters Of Midas, Wings Over The Goldfields, The Waldeck Story and the autobiography Then They Called Me Norma, Norma King was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2013 for her service to the community as a historian.Mrs King, wife of the late Rob King and mother of 10, was born in Kalgoorlie in 1922 and spent part of her early life in Gwalia, returning to the gold capital in 1955 when the Big Bell mine closed. Her final years were spent in South Fremantle.Aside from her illustrious career as a historian, Mrs King has also been a contributor to the Kalgoorlie Miner and has published many historical booklets.

Step into 1900s Kalgoorlie, where English tradition met Australian irreverence in the short-lived Goldfields Hunt Club. Beagles, red coats, and herrings set the scene in this curious tale of colonial spectacle and spirited satire. Adapted from historian Norma King’s original article, with poetic flair from Dryblower Murphy and narration by Lorraine Kelly for GoldfieldStories.com.

Discover the true story of how a young banker opened a makeshift bank in 1890s Kanowna (then White Feather), using a tent, a chain, and sheer determination. A vivid and humorous tale from Western Australia's Goldfields history.

Step inside Kalgoolie's grand old Mechanic's Institute and the magnificent Trivoli Garden Theatre - where high culture met frontier chaos. From Elegant reading rooms to riotous shows, this episode dives into the beating heart of early Goldfield's entertainment.

In 1915, a group of Kalgoorlie locals built WA’s first aeroplane — and what followed was part triumph, part chaos. Based on Norma King’s research, this episode tells the daring and often hilarious tale of outback aviation history, crash landings, and a very nervous passenger.

In 1910, Albert Eastwood soared over Kalgoorlie in the first balloon show on the Goldfields — then jumped! A true tale of thrills, gasps, and parachutes in triplicate.

In 1897, Coolgardie’s attempt to host an Orange Lodge march turned into a full-blown brawl. With swords, iron bars, and a flying flag or two, Evie and Jim take you through one of the goldfields’ most unexpected public punch-ups—with humour, history, and a dash of disbelief.

The first piano in Southern Cross and Coolgardie had stories to tell. From serenading settlers to exposing a killer and saving a lost soul in the desert, discover the wild history of a goldfields piano like no other.

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.

Recently I began revising an article Norma King had written about the first piano of Southern Cross and then of Coolgardie. In it, she stated that the notorious murderer, Frederick Deeming, who had many aliases, used to play it. She claimed in this article that his reputation as a good pianist helped detectives unravel his alias, which led to his arrest in Southern Cross. The article then went on to tell of how the piano also played a role in saving another man's life. I was interested in learning more about this notorious murderer, so I began searching for articles written about Deeming at the time and it turns out he is one of the suspects for being Jack the Ripper. This podcast looks into the life of the murderous Deeming. Listen to chapter one before listening to this podcast Chapter two of two. For more information, go to Goldfieldstories.com

Recently I began revising an article Norma King had written about the first piano of Southern Cross and then of Coolgardie. In it, she stated that the notorious murderer, Frederick Deeming, who had many aliases, used to play it. She claimed in this article that his reputation as a good pianist helped detectives unravel his alias, which led to his arrest in Southern Cross. The article then went on to tell of how the piano also played a role in saving another man's life. I was interested in learning more about this notorious murderer, so I began searching for articles written about Deeming at the time and it turns out he is one of the suspects for being Jack the Ripper. This podcast looks into the life of the murderous Deeming. Chapter one of two. For more information, go to Goldfieldstories.com

 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.

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.

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.

 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.

 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.

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.

Written by Norma King and first published in the Kalgoorlie Miner in 1979.  Prince Edward spent a day in Kalgoorlie and Boulder in 1920.  This is a brief account of his successful tour in the goldfields and an account of the earlier train-crash in the South-West that the Prince and Lord Mountbatten apparently enjoyed! For more information and photos, go to https://www.goldfieldstories.com/post/untitled

 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.

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.

Historian and author, Norma King, fondly reminisces about her life in Wiluna, Western Australia during the 1940s. First published in "Colourful Tales of the Western Australian Goldfields" in 1980.  To read the story and many more, go to goldfieldstories.com/blogRevised June 2025

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. Updated June 2025

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

By 1910 most of the excitement had gone out of mining in the eastern goldfields. Then the Bullfinch was discovered. Fortunes were made and lost during the boom, but the main mine was a big producer for a number of years. To read the blog and see photos, go to https://www.goldfieldstories.com/post/new-hopes-the-bullfinch-rush-of-1910

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 1980. Published and edited by Lorraine Kelly in May 2019.  Copyright belongs to Lorraine Kelly.

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