Unknown Australian relatives

[John Arton]

My cousin emigrated to Australia many years ago and ended up as the matron in one of Perth's main hospital. I stayed with her a couple of times after paying off in Kwinana in the 80's but never really knew her and only recently found out that she died this year.
Then out of the blue my wife found out that she has unknown relatives in Australia. Via our family history on Ancestry.com, she was contacted by an Australian author who is publishing a book on the history of the Forest Inn in Blackmans Flat NSW . One of her Scottish relatives was one of the first owners of this inn, emigrating from Edinburgh as a 25 year old widow, her husband having killed in the Crimean war in 1861. She married a further 4 times in Australia and eventually ended up in Kalgoorlie WA during the gold rush as she actually owned a gold mine. She died their.
This women sounds like a fascinating person trekking all the way across Australia in the mid/late 1800's. Apparently she had left a number of relatives across Australia so the chances of my wife inheriting a share in an Australian gold mine seem very remote.....dammm!!!!
The author contacted us as she wants my wife's permission to use a photo from our family tree in her book and has promised to send us the part of the book relating to this women when it is published. The author has already published another book on another well known Australian inn so we are looking forward to read about this long lost relative of my wife's.
Has any of our Australian members ever visited either Blackmans Flat or Kalgoorlie (originally Calgoorlie) ?
Is not the internet a pretty wonderful thing when out of the blue you can suddenly find you have distant relatives on the other side of the world.
rgds
JA

[Ivan Cloherty]

Is not the internet a pretty wonderful thing when out of the blue you can suddenly find you have distant relatives on the other side of the world.
rgds
JA

That may not always be a blessing!

[Captain Kong]

I have been to Kalgoorlie several times, a pretty little town dominated by the PIT.
I was last there in 2012,
The Exchange Hotel in the centre had Bottomless Barmaids one day and the next , Topless Barmaids. I was amazed that the locals just sat at the bar reading the papers and never even looked at them.
At the top of Hay Street are the `Starting Stalls.` a row of coloured doors and a young or not so young lady behind. At the Bottom of Hay Street is a big Brothel, advertising , `Brothel Tours,` I wanted to go in but Anne said "NO".
At the Pit, the biggest man made hole in the ground in the world, it is one kilometer deep two kilometers wide and three kilometers long, is working 365 days a year, the work never stops, blasting out the Rock containing gold ore. The Dumper Trucks carry 400 tons each and usually driven by young ladies. a car always follows them out, as if a stone falls off and another truck damages its tyres they cost 50,000 dollars each. There is a viewing Platform for visitors, It is a fantastic sight, the trucks at the bottom appear to be so tiny. as it is so deep.
Well worth a visit, about 7 hours to drive from Perth due east. cant miss it. One straight road, through Southern Cross and Coolgarde,
Below some street scenes including the Exchange Hotel, York Hotel the Brothel Tour house.
Just near the Brothel is a nature reserve that is wide open , just a small fence to see the Kangaroos, wallabies, Emus, etc.
Cheers
Brian

[Richard Quartermaine]

John, Brian - Two more items of interest. A good (but sadly late) mate and colleague of mine was named Flatman. He always reckoned he wasn't related to Dorrie. you never know what turns up. Also, at the turn of the 19th Century Kalgoorlie got the water delivered. Only time I know of that it that it was more welcome than beer.
18 Jan 1988 - Perth brothel owner says wealth lies in police policy - Trove
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OsyUJQqte0
Cheers, Richard

[Captain Kong]

That water Pipeline runs for quite a lot of the waY alongside the road from Kalgoorie to Perth, I guess it was a Big job to contstruct in those conditions.
Thanks for the video Richard.
Cheers

Brian

[Doc Vernon]

Bugger that Capt ( I wanted to go in but Anne said "NO". ) LOL I would have been off like a shot!
Mmmmm! I wonder!!
Cheers

[j.sabourn]

If you get the Indian Pacific Train from Perth to Sydney they stop at Kalgoorlie for a couple of hours. The passengers are invited to do one of two side trips, either to the Pit or the Brothel. The new Brothel is all theme rooms, so you can let your imagination run away with you, to either French boudoirs or being spanked by a big butch woman in a kitchen. Not that I know I always go to the Pit which I have seen many times. We usually stay at the Railway tavern when up in Kalgoorlie, the surrounding areas are of note as well used to be a pub where the miners had access through a hole in the floor. When the game of two up was illegal it was played in the bush and is surprising the amount of cash floating around on bets. Is legal now and played openly in the Casino in Perth. From where I live about 50 clicks away from Perth and the Casino, the old persons club in Mandurah run a bus up there for the day, and for 10 dollars you get transport, 5 dollars back in chips, and a free drink. I always ask for a double whiskey but usually only get a single. For 10 dollars or near enough to 5 quid who can grumble and who knows your 5 dollars of chips may make you a rich man. Cheers JS

[Richard Quartermaine]

John S. I believe Mandurah has really moved on since we had our Aussie base in Ardross over thirty years ago. If you know your neighbour, Brian Roylett (Roylett Risk Management) say Hi from me, his colleague of years gone by.
Margaret and I did the Indian Pacific in 1983 from Perth to our daughters wedding in Sydney and put the car on the rear car carrier of the train. A great three day trip with our own cabin. We stopped for only an hour at Kalgoorlie and so took a trip on the special bus around the town and back to waiting train. Of course, those who travel across the Nullabor generally only see Kalgoorlie if they take the train because the Great Eastern Highway breaks off at Coolgardie direct to Norseman.
Flying back to Singapore from a Perth summer it was, because of the humidity against the dry heat like stepping into a cool shower.
Cheers, Richard

[cappy]

John S. I believe Mandurah has really moved onCheers, Richard

##richard on the tele last night a vetrinarian from thirsk going round the farms had a nurse during various operations called helen quartermaine .....any relation regards cappy.....ps JS has a drink problem.....i believe it could be dangerous at his age he was apprentice on the titanic you know...lol cappy

[Richard Quartermaine]

Cappy, Not that I know of but I would like to keep my eye out for the programme if you could let me know.
Margaret and I are very pet friendly and Helen would be a a special lady.
You mentioned recently that you found an injured galah when you were over here. Here's a couple of our regular visitors.
Cheers, Richard