Ravensthorpe Historical Society

The History of the Hopetoun Ravensthorpe Railway by Ann Williams

RRP $6

Although not long lived, the railway link between Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe provided a vital service, linking inland to port. Its history makes fascinating reading.

Blow Whistle in Case of Emergency: Stories of the Ravensthorpe Hospital, 1901-2003

RRP $10

The hospital was a most important part of the isolated district’s development. The hospital support, even from a tent in the early years, was deeply appreciated. The nurses also provided a welcome pool of ‘fresh blood’ and many became farmers’ wives. The blurb on the back of the book describes the stories as being stories of hardship, humour and immense courage”.

Where the Boodie Rats Used to Dig: the story of Jerdacuttup 1962-2007 by Ann Williams

RRP $15

Mrs Williams was one of the original residents of Jerdacuttup, a former ‘new land’ community 50 km east of Ravensthorpe. The book consists of a collection of stories each pertaining to one of the blocks of land which were developed into farms. The Jerdacuttup Community, like so many other small communities, developed its own character and was widely known for the quality of its entertainments!

“Pioneering at Ravensthorpe”: The Chambers Story 1900 to 1993

RRP $20

The book’s blurb says that “Win Chambers (nee Price) compiled the book in 1993 from records and memories of the early settlers in the Ravensthorpe District of Western Australia, their ancestors and their descendants”. It offers very good descriptions of what farming was like in those days.

And the Dingoes Howled: stories from the bush, gathered by Southern Scribes

RRP $25

The Southern Scribes are a bunch of passionate women who like to write. The Dingoes book is one of their first publication and features recollections of personalities within the Ravensthorpe district, either as personal recollections written themselves or as told to a member of Southern Scribes.

50 Years of Farming: West River–Fitzgerald 1960-2010

RRP $35

From Jan Kuiper’s foreword:
The book is a compilation of records, stories, photos and recollections from the first residents of what became known as the Fitzgerald township, some 75 km west of Ravensthorpe. It depicts the development of the district as a prosperous farming area and a tight knit community.

For the Love of Ivy: Biography of a Naïve artist by Sylvia Chidlow

RRP $25

Ivy Robson was an artist who specialised in bright and colourful paintings in the naïve style. Her parents arrived in the Ravensthorpe/Hopetoun region in 1900. Ivy’s stories of growing up in Hopetoun where her father became postmaster makes for interesting reading.

The History of the Hopetoun Jetty, compiled and collated by Winifred Chambers

RRP $6.00

The Hopetoun Jetty was destroyed in 1984 as it was deemed unsafe for public access. With it died an important part of the history of the district. This is the history of the jetty, and its contribution to the success of the Phillips River Goldfield, later known as the Ravensthorpe district.

Kundip 1901-2001 by Richenda Goldfinch

RRP $6

This delightful booklet brimful of photographs offers a small but excellent snapshot of the history of Kundip, now a ghost town between Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun.

Ravensthorpe Then and Now, by AW Archer

RRP $25

The first edition of this seminal work on Ravensthorpe was first published in 1976. The revised (3rd) edition, published in 2008, includes many more original photographs. Historical inaccuracies were corrected whilst still maintaining the integrity of Mr Archer’s work.

Ravensthorpe Centenary 2001: a collection of historical articles commemorating the centenary year

RRP $6

The inexpensive booklet gathers under one cover articles published in the local Community Spirit by Ravensthorpe Historical Society’s archivist, Mrs. Ann Williams. The articles are well researched and the booklet finishes with an extensive timeline spanning the first hundred years of Ravensthorpe district.

The Hotels Saga of the Phillips River Goldfield, by Laurel Lamperd

RRP $6

A brief history of the various hotels which flourished in the heydays of the Phillips River Goldfield with many period photographs.

The History of Mining in the Phillips River Goldfield, by Madeleine Norman

RRP $6.00

The Ravensthorpe district boasts of an impressive list of minerals, most of which were at some time or other sampled for potential commercial exploitation. Not all of them made it and mines came and went, as they still do to this day.