History
Kununurra: Town’s 50th anniversary today
Kununurra is now officially 50 years old.
On 10 February 1961 the Governor approved the townsite’s gazettal.
Kununurra Historical Society is celebrating this afternoon with a ceremony, events, and a special museum display.
You can read a statement from the society here:
Fitzroy Crossing: Prospector accused of mate’s murder 1886
In 1886 police apprehended a prospector at Fitzroy Crossing and charged him with the murder of his mate.
This story comes from a New Zealand paper of the time:
Southland Times , 17 January 1887, Page 2 - click on the image to read more
From the archives of the National Library of New Zealand
Have you lived in Kununurra?
Ord Diversion Dam under construction in 1961 - courtesy Kununurra Historial Society
Kununurra Historical Society would like to hear from you.
“At this point in the evolving history of Kununurra, the Kununurra Historical Society Inc. (KHS) Archive & Museum would like to call for the many former residents to provide us a short history and any images of their involvement in the town,” says the group’s website.
Kununurra: Historial society going digital
Kununurra Historical Society is digitising its extensive collection of prints, slides and documents.
Records, including newspaper clippings, go back to the beginning of the diversion dam’s construction in 1960.
Kimberley Echo [read this story]
Broome: On history, tourism and pearls
Community Newspapers’ Nicole Harrison lobbed in Broome, where she learned a little history at Pearl Luggers.
inmyCommunity [read this story]
History: Broome News and the Paddy Roe picture
Broome Museum’s secretary John Kennedy responded to our request for the origin of this Goolaraboolo elder’s photo.
He wrote (thank you sir):
Your web site indicates you thought this photo was from a book, but you didn’t know what.
It is in fact a copy of a full A4 page (page 2) from the August 27th 1990 edition of the Broome News that our museum has in its achives.
Regards,
John Kennedy
Secretary, Broome Museum
Broome News was a popular monthly produced by volunteers in the 1980s.
Although I have not lived in Broome since 1984 I still remember particular issues edited by Roni Francis and Eiva Thomsons. Another notable editor was Bruce Cooper.
Perth readers can also ask to read copies of Broome News at the Battye Library.
-GV
History: Goolarabooloo law man Paddy Roe
A group formed to celebrate an ancient West Kimberley heritage trail has been circulating this old picture.
It is of the late Goolarabooloo law man Paddy Roe. more »
History: The true story of Russian Jack
Our tourists often hear “true” story of a mad Russian depicted in bronze outside the visitors’ centre.
According to the plaque under the statue, “Russian Jack” is supposed to have pushed a sick mate from Halls Creek to Wyndham on a wheelbarrow.
“Not true” says historian and publisher Peter Bridge, who has written a book about the bush legend.
You can read his statement here:
Our Sponsors
Our Sponsors
