PLEASE NOTE: Any book title starting with "The" - the second word of the title is used to list by.
William F. Rudall. Surveyor and Explorer
by Peter Bridge, Phil Bianchi, Alan Zweck, Gail Dreezens.
ISBN 978-0-85905-672-4, (New, 2019), A4, 176 pages, illustrated, maps, indexed, 490 grams
$45.00* + POST
The biography and expeditions of Rudall and the details of the death of Aubrey Newman.
This long awaited biography contains much previously unknown information from Rudall’s family papers, AZ being a distant relative. His surveys and explorations are treated in detail and are of especial interest due to his being the 2IC to Surveyor Newman who died on their expedition. Rudall named Mt Newman. His work in the desert searching for the lost Calvert explorers brought his name to the public. Unfortunately funding was not forthcoming from the expected Government and corporate sources and so both a two year delay and a shorter print run is the result.
Wittenoom
by Ian Duggan and Katharina Zeelenberg.
ISBN 978-0-85905-688-5, (New, 2018), A4, illustrated, 147 pages, 425 grams
$40.00* + POST
A critical examination of the previously unexamined files of government departments and corporations that inflicted the disasters of asbestosis and mesothelioma on the Australian population from the mines at Wittenoom. An essential read for all involved in Wittenoom.
Woodlines of Western Australia
A comprehensive history of the Goldfields woodlines.
by Phil Bianchi.
ISBN 978-0-85905-725-7, (New, 2019), 170 x 240, french flaps, heavily illustrated, 449 pages, 1.2kg, $85.00* + POST
Without a source of cheap energy to fuel steam boilers and for ore treatment, only the Western Australian mines with rich ore would have been productive.
Firewood companies established privately owned train lines up to 120 miles out from major centres such as Kalgoorlie to bring in firewood. Although the Kurrawang and Lakewood woodlines are the main feature of this book; other woodlines included Lakeside south of Boulder, Kurramia/Kanowna, Cue, Laverton, Gwalia and Westonia.
Firewood cutters, carters and loaders from war torn Europe, came to Australia seeking a better life; they lived in hessian walled basic camps with earthen floors and a tin roof. The book features 22 first-hand accounts of the hardships faced by woodliners working, living and growing up on the woodlines. Many a wife and family joining the husband after a few years were shocked at the conditions; suffering flies, heat, cold, loneliness, maggots in meat and poor quality drinking water.
Between 1900 and 1964 a total of 21.6 million tons of firewood had been cut; during 1912-16 average production was 650,000 tons per year. By the time the firewood companies ceased operations they had clear-felled a staggering 3.04 million hectares of goldfields woodlands; almost half the area of Tasmania.
Other woodline topics discussed include: racism, riots, internment, exploitation and bribery, shanties, sports days, strikes and deaths and accidents.