Welcome to the EGHS 2021 RWAHS State Conference Information page


Registration in now closed.

Please click the link below to download your form. Completed forms must be emailed  to: eghs@kalgoorliehistory.org.au

 


The Eastern Goldfields Historical Society (EGHS) are hosting the 2021 Royal Western Australian Historical Society’s State Conference and we would love you to join us is Kalgoorlie. The party is going to be BIG!

Did you know the conference coincides with our 75th Anniversary?

At the EGHS and here in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, we don’t do things that are small. Everything out here is BIG! Let’s look at a few of these BIG things.

The EGHS covers an area of 320,000sq km. That’s BIG on any one’s page. Let us put that into perspective for you;  that’s bigger than the United Kingdom.

Fun fact – it is one of the world’s biggest areas represented by a local Historical Society.

Kalgoorlie is renown for its BIG industry and BIG achievers’ that carry Western Australia through tough times….

Out here we have some  BIG history. BIG Families, BIG Mines, BIG Nuggets, BIG Woodlands, BIG Pastoralism, BIG Bins. You name it. We’ve got it and it’s BIG

At the EGHS we also have BIG collections, with over 50,000 images in our collection.  Below is an example of one of the many images in our collection.      

BIG Mining and Big Minerals

 The BIG Super pit.

       

 

Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM’s) Super Pit operation- right on the doorstep of Kalgoorlie-Boulder has swallowed up more than one mine in its lifetime – the richest square mile of ground in the world was swallowed up by this BIG hole in the ground.

  Fun Fact – KCGM is set to become owned by a single Australian entity – Northern Star Resources Ltd.

 Now that’s BIG and a must see during your visit to the Goldfields. 

More Fun Facts - Did you know that even with today’s modern mining methods, the annual Kalgoorlie-Boulder gold production has never eclipsed the record production set in 1903 of one million ounces!

BIG GOLD NUGGETS!

The BIG Golden Eagle Nugget. Prospectors Jim Larcombe (senior and junior) found this monster nugget at Widgiemooltha in 1931. In today’s value it would be worth over $3 million dollars! Now that’s BIG.

While you are here why not try your luck and you too could take home a BIG souvenir!

BIG NICKEL!

Image: Kalkinemedia.com

Discovered by prospectors and then first drilled in 1966, in Kambalda 60kms south of Kalgoorlie - is the home to Australia’s premier producing nickel province. The world’s 5th biggest Nickel producing area.

BIG NATURE!

The Great Western Woodlands.  The World’s biggest temperate forest.

The Great Western Woodlands is the biggest and healthiest temperate woodland remaining on Earth. Centred here in the Goldfields of WA, the woodlands cover almost 16,000,000 hectares, a region bigger in size than England and Wales.

The early Goldfield communities and miners utilised the timber for energy to power machinery and to condense salt water.  The timber is very strong and was utilised as support for the thousands of miles of underground tunnels on the Golden Mile. The ‘Woodlines’ is the term given to the vast network of rail lines that traversed through the forest.  Mainly manned by migrant families of Italian and Slavic backgrounds the Woodlines provide a rich cultural background that continues today in the Goldfields. Image: https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/management/off-reserve-conservation/the-great-western-woodlands Photo © Ian Herford/Parks and Wildlife

BIG PASTORALISM!

 

Pastoral leases were taken up around the Goldfields in the late 1890’s. Some early pastoralists were miners, some sold fresh meat to the “Fields”.  The Halford’s came over the Nullabor Plain with their cattle. From about the 1920’s Pastoral leases converted to sheep from cattle. Today most leases are cattle due to the wild dog problem. Did we mention that the leases are BIG.

The Halford Family - on their 18 month journey to the Eastern Goldfields, arriving 1904.

BIG INDUSTRY!

The Golden Pipeline was and still is an engineering marvel. Why not follow the excellent tourist trail along the Golden Pipeline on your way up to Kalgoorlie? 

 Click on the image to be taken to the website.

Everything’s BIG in the Goldfields!

Whether it’s the vastness of our region or the BIG majestic salt lakes at sunset; the crystal-clear night skies or the chance to experience the ancient Aboriginal culture of the area; the Goldfields are sure to impress!

Why not take a guided tour to learn more about the local Wangkatha people

For further information on the multitude of BIG attractions and our rich cultural heritage see the link to Australia’s Golden Outback information on the Goldfields:

https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/region/kalgoorlie-and-goldfields.

The Eastern Goldfields Historical Society have been working hard to preserve and promote the abundance of our rich heritage for 75 years and we look forward to meeting you here in Kalgoorlie to join us in the celebrations!

 

Save the dates, book your accommodation and get ready for a BIG event.

When: 3rd, 4th & 5th of September 2021

Register your interest: eghs@kalgoorliehistory.org.au

Book your Accommodation: www.kalgoorlietourism.com

You’ll need longer than three days to see our BIG community.