Goldfields Stories of Western Australia

Lorraine Kelly
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History and stories of the Western Australian Goldfields written by local historian, Norma King (OAM) and Lorraine Kelly. Podcasts produced and published by Lorraine Kelly

  1. Early Resident of Gwalia - Renzo Mazza

    09/07/2025

    Early Resident of Gwalia - Renzo Mazza

    Norma King interviewed Renzo Mazza in 1979. The Mazza family ran the local store in Gwalia, which is now part of a State Heritage listed property. Norma King was also a resident of Gwalia. Her parents moved there around 1930, Her father treated the slime dumps for gold. Renzo tells of an old miner called Peg Leg, gambling priests, police, a shooting, Italian cooking - little birds of polenta - and underground horses. This is part one of a series of interviews Norma had with Renzo Mazza. The following episodes will be released when they have been restored. With regards to the shooting incident, the person shot was Nicola Rho, aged 53, and the shooter was George Maravich (aged 33). Rho was shot in the base of the spine after an argument about the war. He was taken to hospital where he died 2 days later. Maravich handed himself into the police at Leonora, and he was eventually charged with murder. witnesses stated he was a quiet, sober man, Rho was drunk at the time of the shooting.The jury found Maravich not guilty of murder as they believed he intended to disable him, not murder him. For more stories, go to https://goldfieldstories.com

    20 min
  2. About Norma King- Historian of Western Australian Goldfields. Produced by Louise Madden in 1992

    08/08/2025

    About Norma King- Historian of Western Australian Goldfields. Produced by Louise Madden in 1992

    This radio piece was produced in 1992 about Norma King. For those interested in the early days of Western Australia, this revised piece will be a real treat. The original audio has been complemented with Norma’s photos and historical pictures of the time. for her service to the community. The author of a number of books including Nickel Country-Gold Country, Daughters Of Midas, Wings Over The Goldfields, The Waldeck Story and the autobiography Then They Called Me Norma, Norma King was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2013 for her service to the community as a historian. Mrs King, wife of the late Rob King and mother of 10, was born in Kalgoorlie in 1922 and spent part of her early life in Gwalia, returning to the gold capital in 1955 when the Big Bell mine closed. Her final years were spent in South Fremantle. Aside from her illustrious career as a historian, Mrs King has also been a contributor to the Kalgoorlie Miner and has published many historical booklets.

    20 min
  3. A Hunting They Did Go - The Brief, Bizarre Life of Kalgoorlie’s Hunt Club

    07/30/2025

    A Hunting They Did Go - The Brief, Bizarre Life of Kalgoorlie’s Hunt Club

    Step into 1900s Kalgoorlie, where English tradition met Australian irreverence in the short-lived Goldfields Hunt Club. Beagles, red coats, and herrings set the scene in this curious tale of colonial spectacle and spirited satire. Adapted from historian Norma King’s original article, with poetic flair from Dryblower Murphy and narration by Lorraine Kelly for GoldfieldStories.com.

    8 min
  4. The Tent & Chain Bank of the Goldfields

    07/17/2025

    The Tent & Chain Bank of the Goldfields

    Discover the true story of how a young banker opened a makeshift bank in 1890s Kanowna (then White Feather), using a tent, a chain, and sheer determination. A vivid and humorous tale from Western Australia's Goldfields history.

    8 min
  5. The Mechanics Institute and the Tivoli Theatre: 2 Pillars of Early Kalgoorlie

    07/10/2025

    The Mechanics Institute and the Tivoli Theatre: 2 Pillars of Early Kalgoorlie

    Step inside Kalgoolie's grand old Mechanic's Institute and the magnificent Trivoli Garden Theatre - where high culture met frontier chaos. From Elegant reading rooms to riotous shows, this episode dives into the beating heart of early Goldfield's entertainment.

    12 min
  6. The First West Australian Plane Made in Kalgoorlie

    07/03/2025

    The First West Australian Plane Made in Kalgoorlie

    In 1915, a group of Kalgoorlie locals built WA’s first aeroplane — and what followed was part triumph, part chaos. Based on Norma King’s research, this episode tells the daring and often hilarious tale of outback aviation history, crash landings, and a very nervous passenger.

    7 min
  7. The Acrobat in the Sky: Kalgoorlie’s First Balloon Show

    06/26/2025

    The Acrobat in the Sky: Kalgoorlie’s First Balloon Show

    In 1910, Albert Eastwood soared over Kalgoorlie in the first balloon show on the Goldfields — then jumped! A true tale of thrills, gasps, and parachutes in triplicate.

    5 min
  8. The Orangemen Riot – Coolgardie’s March Mayhem

    06/19/2025

    The Orangemen Riot – Coolgardie’s March Mayhem

    In 1897, Coolgardie’s attempt to host an Orange Lodge march turned into a full-blown brawl. With swords, iron bars, and a flying flag or two, Evie and Jim take you through one of the goldfields’ most unexpected public punch-ups—with humour, history, and a dash of disbelief.

    5 min
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History and stories of the Western Australian Goldfields written by local historian, Norma King (OAM) and Lorraine Kelly. Podcasts produced and published by Lorraine Kelly

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