Western Australian gold rushes

[2][3] Significant finds included: A small rush at Nundamurrah Pool, on the Greenough River, near Mullewa, east of Geraldton occurred in August 1893.

[8] The Kalgoorlie event in particular, following the June 1893 discovery of alluvial gold at the base of Mount Charlotte by Irish prospectors Paddy Hannan, Tom Flanagan and Dan O'Shea, saw a massive population increase and ultimately, brought great wealth to the state.

Capital works, including roads and railways and in 1896, construction of the ambitious Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, came about on the back of the gold rushes.

There was a total of 29,523 immigrants (24,173 males and 5,350 females) in 1895, while the emigration amounted to 11,129, leaving Western Australia the gainer by 18,394 persons.

In terms of gold yield, the rush was not particularly successful, but was the first significant find in the northern and western parts of Australia.

The town's first water supply was a well in the centre of the main street; after an outbreak of typhoid fever, the well was capped with a rotunda built over the top.

Prospectors Paddy Hannan, Tom Flanagan and Dan Shea found 100 ounces of alluvial gold at Mount Charlotte in 1894.

Western Australian population growth between 1880 and 1897. [ 1 ]
members of 1887 syndicate that found gold in Yilgarn region, central figures Ted Payne - found the first specs, William Lawrence Snr - had a rock that triggered the expedition, Richard Greaves - who found the reef.