The final contribution of the collection of old images of the early mining days in the northern goldfields of Western Australia, mainly the old Sons of Gwalia Mine at Leonora but also many of other surrounding places.
See this link for a map showing Leonora and Gwalia
Sonsa Dean Din Ras 1909
An Afghan who lived along Nambi Road and had his own personal mosque
Oroya Black Range Gold Mine, Sandstone 1908
Smoke Stack
(The State Hotel in Gwalia is visible to the left)
Machinery Shed, Sons of Gwalia Mine
Sons of Gwalia 1977
The mine was liquidated in 1963 and did not reopen again until 1982. The new entity operated the mine until its being placed into administration in 2004
Images Circa 1963
Maintenance near Headframe 1941
Mine View 1941
1907
Working Underground
Tool Sharpeners
Train Station, Gwalia
Mine 1926
Underground Shift
Atop the Gas Producers, Looking Towards the State Hotel
Tower Street 1905
The building to the right is the National Bank of Australasia – Now the Tourist & Information Bureau (See Here for today image)
“Ken”
Woodline locomotive in what today is the rear car park of the mine offices.
Ken’s Parking Spot During a Rainstorm in 2012
Images Associated with the Woodlines
Woodlines
Large quantities of timber are required for the development and running of the gold mines. This timber was not available locally and so a transport problem arose. The material required had to be shipped from its source to the lease and the best way considered to do this was by a small railway. An application was made for the constructing of the tramway and this was later granted to the Company.
The total area covered by the woodline was approximately 800 square miles. 4000 miles of 20″ gauge track. Only sufficient track was maintained to operate a few spur lines at one time. As an area became exhausted, the track was lifted (in sections complete with mulga log sleepers) and relaid in another area. The spur lines were laid 2 miles apart so that woodcutters were always within 1 mile of the track. The mulga cut was the fuel source for Sons of Gwalia Mine. About 30,000 tons of mulga of wood per year. The wood was used as fuel for boilers producing steam for the winder and to make producer gas for the engines in the power house. These engines drove the alternators generating the mines electricity and compressors producing the compressed air required. Woodline camps were very spartan. Each woodcutter had a small canvas hut with iron roof, which could be lifted onto a railway timber wagon and moved to the next campsite. Bough sheds were erected around the huts for additional shade and pens for chickens and goats were re-erected at each new campsite. Now, remains of bough sheds indicate the location of a campsite. Although a predominantly male occupation, some woodcutters had their families with them.
Washout of the Line at Lake Raeside
Railing Water 1941
Aerial – State Hotel in the background
The current mine offices are today located in the vacant plot in the centre of this image
Winder Wheels
Gold Pouring 1906
The Winder
Before the Fire in 1921
Leonora
Sons of Gwalia Mine 1949
Wooden Head Frame
Tram Car and Barn 1905
Tram 1903
Station Creek Homestead 1904
Trucks in Tower Street, Leonora
Todd Bros Coach Factory
The Mail Car
The Workers Club 1920
The Old Hotel Murrin Murrin 1905
The Smelter, Annaconda Copper Mine, Eulaminna 1900
Tatterstalls Hotel Mt Morgans
Sandalwood Cutters, Wilsons Patch
Unknown
