Historical Statue Installations in Coolgardie

Published on Thursday, 18 June 2020 at 3:00:00 PM

Last week, the Shire of Coolgardie unveiled three new metal statues in the centre of town in Coolgardie.  The statues tell a story of the way of life in Coolgardie through the historically significant depiction of a camel, miner and barrowman.

The statues are now the crowning glory of Tommy Talbot Park and complement the tourism strategy of the Shire. Further initiatives planned under the tourism strategy include soon to commence major works on the historic Post Office Complex and Ben Prior Park. 

Shire President Malcolm Cullen noted the positive feedback already garnered by the art installation.

“Community response on the art installation has been so positive already - we have noted keen community members and visitors stopping and getting out to have a good look.

“I hope this continues and the artwork becomes a tourist attraction in its own right.”

The art installation followed a request from community to have something in town that represented Coolgardie’s rich mining history as the Mother of the Goldfields.

“The miners and barrowman represent the early day workers who, with limited resources, paved the way for development in the town,” said Cr Cullen.

“Camels were often used for transport back then too, and travelled along Coolgardie’s main street – Bayley Street.”

Coolgardie was the first place in the region where gold was discovered by Arthur Bayley and William Ford in September 1892.  By 1898, the town grew to be the third largest town in Western Australia hosting 2 stock exchanges, 3 breweries, 26 hotels, 7 newspapers and two hospitals.  It truly lives up to its name as the Mother of the Goldfields. 

The above image was taken in the 1890s, three camels sitting outside commercial premises in Bayley Street, Coolgardie. Sourced from the National Library of Australia.

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