The Dusty Box

Tag: Stories

  • Death at Lake Austin

    Death at Lake Austin

    WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following blog post may contain images and names of deceased persons. On 26 November 1930 Hughie King departed Austin Downs Station (his place of employment) and headed southeast towards Lake Austin. Foxes were a nuisance in the area and, as part of his job, he went…

  • The Oldest Swagman in the State

    The Oldest Swagman in the State

    Like all good bushmen, he knew how to spin a yarn. As he ambled into towns carrying a billy and his matilda (swag) he almost always sought out a man of the press. Paddy Redmonds me name, and I am the oldest swagman in W.A. With attention firmly turned towards him, Paddy would launch into…

  • The Hermit of Mount Clara

    The Hermit of Mount Clara

    All Olaf Magnus Svenson really wanted was a home, food, water, a garden and peace and quiet. To achieve this, he decided to set himself up far away from civilisation; over 50km away from the nearest town; on a remote mountain near the Yellowdine Nature Reserve. Described as a “bare granite rock” and a “waterless,…

  • Monster in the Avon

    Monster in the Avon

    Excitement was caused in Northam when it was reported that a strange creature had been seen on two or three successive nights in the Avon River, near the Central Bridge. On 14 January 1929, The West Australian broke the story of the strange creature in the Avon River. While some swore that what they had…

  • ‘Jonas’ and the Whale

    ‘Jonas’ and the Whale

    While today (in most parts of the world) whaling is thankfully banned, in the past, whaling was an occupation that was carried out regularly. Whales were hunted to extremes for their blubber, oil and bones. Western Australia was no exception with whaling being an early industry in the colony. Early accounts indicate great excitement at…

  • Rocky Bay Joe

    Rocky Bay Joe

    Looking upon the decade as a whole, we can see that many interesting events took place throughout the 1830s. William IV succeeded his brother to the throne of the United Kingdom in June 1830. The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 (abolishing slavery in the British Empire) was passed. Charles Darwin set off on a voyage of…

  • The Ginger-Haired Skeleton

    The Ginger-Haired Skeleton

    The Daily News Friday evening edition was first to break the story and deemed it interesting enough to be front page material. They ran with a concise headline, one which would immediately catch the public’s attention: Skeleton Found At South Perth Perhaps readers were initially sceptical of the find. It was, after all, 1 April 1938 – April Fool’s Day – and…