“Wittspark” of Wittenoom 1971-1978

Collectors know of the damage done to one’s health by asbestos from the mine at Wittenoom but the area is also a picturesque area for tourists, prospectors & others connected to the mining boom in the north west. One such family drawn to the Pilbara was Ferenc (Frank) Soter & his wife Olga & 3 young daughters. Frank was…

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Aerated Water Manufacturers Of Wiluna

Wiluna is situated 947 kls N E of Perth in the goldfields and north of Kalgoorlie. Gold was first discovered here by Woodley, Wotton & Lennon in 1896 in an area known as Lakeway. The townsite of Wiluna was gazetted on 8 July 1897 and by April 1898 many businesses had been built and blocks sold to service the…

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W Watkins, Shamrock Cordial Factory, Boulder

William George Watkins, aka George William and William Watkins was born in 1873 in Victoria. He came to WA in the gold rush era, about 1895 and was connected to I J K Cohn of Coolgardie. His first cordial factory was at Bulong. This town was gazetted in November 1895 and was formerly named the I O U after…

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Swan & Son of Beverley W.A. –Blue Crown Aerated Waters.

Leslie Phillip Swan was born in Sydney in 1889. He arrived in Fremantle aged 7 years with his family & settled in Beverley, which is a sheep & wheat farming area 130 kilometres east of Perth. The area was settled in 1838 & by the 1890’s many large buildings and services had been established for this farming community. After…

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Robert Mackey & Co.Ltd Kalgoorlie

Robert Mackey was born in Devonport, Devonshire, England c1846. He was the youngest child of Richard Mackey and his wife Mary nee Willcocks. His father was a licenced victualler but by 1871 he gave his occupation as Aerated Water Manufacturer & was joined by 24 year old Robert at the town of Tavistock, producing cool drinks for the neighbourhood….

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Premier Aerated Water & Beer Bottling Works, Collie

In November 1900, Kelly & Walker were the Proprietors of the Premier Aerated Water and Bottling Works in Johnston Street, Collie. They had a large 40’ x 20’ iron and wood building with 12’ high walls on Lot 535 and Edward Henry Kelly applied for a gallon licence for the premises at this time. Kelly & Walker continued to…

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