About Us

 

In 1946, a little more than half a century after the gold rushes that brought European settlement to the region, the Eastern Goldfields Historical Society was formed as a branch of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society.

The first meeting was held in the Council Chambers of the Kalgoorlie Town Hall, where the Society met until October 1952. Members then met at the Elliot Red Cross Room in the RSL Rooms in Dugan Street.

From 1961 to 1973, the Society used the hall behind St Paul’s Congregational/Presbyterian Church in Boulder Road (now the People’s Church). In 1973 the organisation moved to The Old Fimiston Fire Station (formerly the Trafalgar Fire Station) on Fimiston Road and now part of the Super Pit.

In 1979 the Society opened and ran a display centre at the Boulder Railway Station (now the Loopline Railway Museum and Information Centre).

Also in 1979, the Society became an independent, incorporated entity. The Eastern Goldfields Historical Society currently operates from the old Boulder Power Station in Hamilton Street, Boulder, our home since 1996.

What we do

Our Society is a non-profit organisation run mostly by volunteers dedicated to the collection and preservation of Goldfields history. Each year, members share this history by helping hundreds of visitors and researchers learn about the region and the people who built it.

Thanks to a grant generously provided by the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the Society has now employed a fulltime Executive Officer who commenced work in January 2017. This appointment has not only enabled the Society to extend our opening times, but also demonstrates the growing significance of our organisation to the local community and the heritage tourism sector.

The Society’s demonstration of the dryblower – an early gold extraction machine – at the monthly Boulder Markets regularly draws interested crowds. We also hold workshops, film nights, lecture evenings, book launches, excursions to places of historical interest, heritage walks and tours of some of our magnificent old buildings. Non-members are always welcome to join in.

Opening hours

The Eastern Goldfields Historical Society is open to the public from Monday to Friday between 9am and 2pm for assisted research. Fees charged for this service help support our preservation work. We are also open on Boulder Market days, held on the third Sunday of every month.

Meetings

Committee meetings are held from 7pm on the third Wednesday of every month at the old Boulder Municipal Power Station, Hamilton Street, adjacent Loopline Park, Boulder. Members and visitors are most welcome to attend.

Membership

The Society is always looking for new members and volunteers. We welcome any assistance in undertaking the rewarding tasks of preserving and promoting the rich history of the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Our experienced members can provide advice and training in historical research, preventative conservation and compiling photographic records.

Become a member

How we are funded

The work of the Society is funded from membership subscriptions, general fundraising, donations, sponsorship and special purpose grants.

Management

The Society is managed by an elected volunteer Committee whose President is elected annually.

Current Committee members

 

  • President - Tim Cudini
  • Vice President - Ken Needham
  • Secretary - Robin Bowden
  • Treasurer - Rob Wall
  • Curator - John Rees
  • Research Coordinator - Vacant
  • Librarian - Jan Lamont
  • Photographic Coordinator - Vacant
  • Social Functions Coordinator - Helen Sheehan
  • Ordinary Member - Ethel Chinnery 
  • Ordinary Member - Scott Wilson
  • Ordinary Member - John Fanetti