Eastern Goldfields Historical Society

14/10/2026

Boulder City Hotel
Corner Piesse and Hamilton St
1 Piesse Street

The Boulder City Hotel was built and opened in August 1897, situated on the northern corner of Piesse and Hamilton Streets in Boulder. It operated for more than fifty years and, as described by the Kalgoorlie Miner on 5 August 1897, was a “commodious and substantial building” featuring well-appointed public and saloon bars, a billiard room, dining room, parlours, and numerous bedrooms and other accommodations.

In 1946, Harry Walker took over the Boulder Palace Hotel from Jack Weir and immediately began extensive renovations, operating temporarily from alternative premises. He also acquired an adjoining block of land, transforming it into a large “entertainment garden” with three open-air coke fires for barbecues and seating for 400 guests.

The hotel offered far more than just b**r: a three-piece orchestra, a dance floor, live artists, a badminton court, table tennis, dart boards, and card tables. Walker’s vision of a family-friendly, recreational pub was revolutionary at the time, drawing skepticism from traditionalists.

As John Quinn recounted in Smith’s Weekly on 26 July 1947, his uncle Obadiah Quinn scoffed at the idea:
"Men were men in Kalgoorlie in them days. None of this nonsense of going down to the pub for a quiet game of badminton or ping-pong. As for darts, we used to play darts with crowbars and the barmen buried the losers. I bet the barmen aren’t like that now. With orchestras and barbecues, they need a pass in domestic science and a diploma in music!"

Despite the initial criticism, Walker’s approach proved commercially successful. Newspaper reports noted that, while overall liquor consumption had decreased, the hotel’s turnover had increased thanks to the broader appeal of its recreational facilities. During winter, Friday family game nights were held where patrons could cook their own steaks and chops on the garden’s coke fires, and Saturday nights featured dances. In summer, dances were held more frequently with performances by visiting artists.

Walker had also planned to include a children’s playground in the garden to further cater to families, but this was prohibited under the Licensing Act of the time. Nevertheless, his innovative approach positioned the Boulder City Hotel as a forward-thinking, family-oriented venue well ahead of its era.

13/10/2026

🤵👰 The Eastern Goldfields Historical Society has a wonderful collection of wedding photographs from across the Goldfields, preserving the stories and memories of our community.

This photograph, titled PORTER, comes from the Mackay-Gore Collection.

Can you recognise anyone in this image? We'd love to hear from you! Share your memories or tag someone who might be able to help identify the people pictured.

All images in our collection are available to purchase, and every purchase helps support the important work of the EGHS in preserving and sharing the Goldfields' rich history. Thank you for your continued support.

13/10/2026

Assorted Magnets, Get your own piece of the Goldfields History priced at just $5.00 each, quite a few to choose from and they'll make great Stocking Fillers as Xmas is just around the corner!

Miners Monument - Pewter Keyrings, Limited Edition Numbers Engraved on the back. Priced at $10.00 each.

We're open from 8.30am to 2.30pm Monday - Friday and open Saturday Mornings 10am to 12pm.

12/10/2026

Taken from the Westminer, Winter 1970.

‘BIG JACK’ CAPPA of CENTRAL NORSEMAN

JOHN JOZEF CAPPA, better known to his colleagues as ‘Big Jack’, was born in 1920 at KERKRADE LIMBURG, a border town between Holland and Germany. His boyhood was spent around local coal mines, and so it was inevitable that he should go to work at the coal face after leaving school. When war came to Europe, Jack joined the Dutch army, becoming an N.C.O. and knowing times of great hardship.

The war over, he migrated to Australia and was employed first in the survey office at Wittenoom Gorge, and later as a surveyor with Central Norseman, when he joined us in 1951.

During the next few years Jack attended Norseman School of Mines, and obtained his Surveyor’s Certificate and 2nd class Manager’s Certificate. In 1954 the lure of the big money to be made underground attracted him and he became a first class machine miner in which work he remained for 14 years.

The last two years, however, have found him in different coloured overalls as an underground supervisor; and at the time this photograph was taken as acting foreman.

Jack is a man of many talents. He speaks three languages fluently (not including the vernacular of the underground worker!) and plays the piano very well. As a sportsman he was an accomplished soccer player and no man to tamper with in the boxing ring having had over 200 professional fights to his credit. He confines his activity now to a sedate game of darts, or table tennis, at the club.

Jack is married with a family of four boys and a daughter. His wife FREDA runs the family Dry Cleaning business in Norseman town. Jack and his family are a fine example to all those striving to build a good life in a new land.

12/10/2026

Still time to get involved.

11/10/2026

Taken from the Westminer, Winter 1970. Vol 4 No. 3.

KAMBALDA’S VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE

(l–r) IAN CLARK, GERALD CLARK, KERRY DEBOMFORD, DICK HATTON, D. DOYLE, GEORGE SCHULTZ, GEORGE McCARTHY, ARCHIE WATTS, WILLIAM ROWE.
(l–r) D. DOYLE, ARCHIE WATTS, GEORGE SCHULTZ, WILLIAM ROWE.

WHEN George McCarthy gives the order “Get to work”, Kambalda’s Volunteer Fire Brigade swings into action, like a well-oiled machine, in a kaleidoscope of canary-yellow oilskins, snaking white hoses and scarlet fire tender. Hydrants clank into place, water leaps triumphantly at the flames (and photographers get their feet wet!)
Admitted, it is only a drill but there is no doubt that these fellows mean business. It is only recently that the 36 men on the brigade’s register have come under the experienced eye of George McCarthy, the newly appointed Fire Officer. It is early days for some in the training programme, all display an enthusiasm that can only be found in an organization whose members work for no reward but the satisfaction of providing a valuable service to the community.

Due to shift work and other commitments about 12 members attend a typical evening for drill. This would be an adequate attendance at a fire also: “. . . any more and we would have to stoke the fire so that they could all participate” was the wry comment from one quarter.

Every team needs a captain and Kambalda’s fire fighters are fortunate to have at the helm Kevin Higgins, a veteran of more than 16 years with the North Kalgoorlie Volunteer Fire Brigade. He is supported by an able secretary and treasurer in John Fitzcharles.

Neither are the ladies idle. Nothing whips a team into better shape than a spirit of competition, and many of the firemen’s wives have joined an auxiliary fund-raising committee to enable the boys to take part in next year’s events.
We wish them luck in the competitions but we trust that the activity is confined to practice. Remember, bed-time smokers, not even firemen think that fires are a good idea.

10/10/2026

Taken from the Westminer, Winter 1972.

INAUGURAL WINNERS OF L.L.L.S.C.
SIR LINDESAY & LADY CLARK TROPHIES

Graham Hart and Mrs. Laurie Hopkins are the inaugural winners of the Sir Lindesay Clark and Lady Clark trophies.

The two perpetual trophies were donated to Lake Lefroy Land Sailing Club by Sir Lindesay and Lady Clark and are now the premier awards for land sailing on the salt lake at Kambalda.

The Sir Lindesay Clark Trophy was designed by LLLSC Commodore Eric Bingley and especially made in Perth. The Lady Clark Trophy is a large silver rose bowl. Each trophy has space reserved for inscribing the names of successive winners.
Graham Hart was inaugural winner of the Sir Lindesay Clark Trophy for being the most consistent land yacht racer off the scratch mark for the first full season of Club competition. Graham was also inaugural winner of the Nobel Trophy for being the most consistent handicap sailor for the first season.

Graham had previous experience in sailing water yachts, which has no doubt assisted him in picking up the techniques of land sailing. He is a recognised hard worker as secretary and held the committee post of Treasurer during the Club’s first season.
This year, Graham is sailing as a scratch marker and managing to pocket ‘fastest time’ pennants, but due to keenness amongst other competitors he has not won a great number of ‘first place’ pennants this season.

Graham was one of the first land sailors to go to the new 100 sq. ft. (approx. 9.29 square metres) sails which has enabled him to keep well clear of the fleet during races.

Laurie Hopkins is Lake Lefroy Land Sailing Club’s most successful lady sailor but unfortunately has not been able to attend many weekend events this season. Laurie has not lost her touch, however, because when she takes part in a race all starters are aware of the fact that the event will be keenly sailed.

Laurie and her husband, Geoff, have assisted the Club’s finances on two occasions since its beginnings by making some home available for very successful and hectic barbecues. In December last year, a Beer-y-fest organised by Laurie as a fund-raiser for the Club has set the standard for other organisations in Kambalda.

Eric Bingley is Commodore of the Lake Lefroy Land Sailing Club this season, having succeeded Foundation Commodore Lou Lindsay and following active participation in the Club’s activities as Vice Commodore—Administration for the inaugural season.
(Above) The Lady Clark Trophy, a magnificent silver rose bowl and (Beneath) the dramatic Sir Lindesay Clark Trophy especially designed by Eric Bingley.

(Far Left) Laurie Hopkins, inaugural winner of the Lady Clark Trophy and (Left) Graham Hart, inaugural winner of the Sir Lindesay Clark Trophy.

10/10/2026

We are open. Call in and grab a calendar!

09/10/2026

Taken from the Westminer, Spring 1970.

Lake Lefroy Land Sailing Club Opened by the Chairman

Pictures show - W.M.C.’s Chairman, Sir Lindesay Clark, announcing the official opening of the Lake Lefroy Land Sailing Club at Kambalda on Sunday afternoon, September 13. Club president Lou Lindsay and Secretary Ian Davies occupied the speaker’s dais with Sir Lindesay.

Gusty winds, high clouds and the brilliant white of the salt lake presented near ideal conditions for the opening day’s racing.

Only a few of some 30 land yachts that were lined up for the Chairman’s inspection, their multi coloured sails creating a cheerful spectacle on opening day. Visitors came to Kambalda from Perth, Northam and Kalgoorlie for the event.

09/10/2026