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I just got this vertical air conditioner, a Whirlpool rebadged as a RCA for the Canadian market. A few years before, they were marketed as RCA Victor. Models from about 1972 and later were made by Westinghouse.
A tintype taken in Clason Point, The Bronx, New York City by Tom Griffin.
Here is the image Photoshopped:
www.flickr.com/photos/30484128@N03/6769170945/in/pool-189...
Please mark your calendars for our Spring Bread and Cheese Creek which will be are largest cleanup to date! These photos show the current sad condition of this historic stream. We plan to clean up Bread and Cheese Creek form the Berkshire section to North Point Road on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM, All the assistance from volunteers and sponsor is greatly appreciated! We know this is a huge section of stream to tackle but I know we can do it!
This cleanup will be in conjunction with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Project Clean Stream and it will be our fifth year working with them! This cleanup will also be in conjunction with American Rivers. We will supply trash bags, gloves, water, snacks and lunch. A limited supply of waders and tools will also be available for sign out during the cleanup.
Remember, there plenty of ways for volunteers to participate. We will need every type of person of every ability level to contribute and assist with the Clean Up. Though it is true we will need people to dig out shopping carts and haul trash to the dumpsters, we can use people to run water, food, tools, and trash bags (both empty and full) to individuals in the creek. People to sort recyclables from the debris removed. People will be needed to work the grills as well as many other less strenuous activities. We are also authorized to sign-off on Community Service and Service Learning Hours for students. The more people we have, the easier the work will be for everyone. Please feel free to pass this information on to other who might be interesting in helping as well. As my grandfather always said, "Many hands makes the work light". We run our cleanups as a family event with all age groups welcome by developing plenty of ways for volunteers to participate.
Our cleanups are part of an ongoing effort clean the entire stream by the 2014 bicentennial celebration of War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebration. (Bread and Cheese Creek has been noted as one of the highlighted location on the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail) The creek played a rather significant part in the Battle of North Point which took place on September 12, 1814. Both the American and British Troops camped along its banks. It is rumored that the young heroes Daniel Wells (19) and Henry McComas (18) used the stream channel to sneak up on British General Robert Ross killing him with their muskets before being killed in return fire. This important part of our history should not be left the eyesore it currently is and those who died defending our country honored in this way.
You can learn more about us through our website at www.BreadandCheeseCreek.org, become our friend on FaceBook, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest or follow us on Twitter and/or join the Clean Break and Cheese Creek Group. You can also see photos of our past cleanups on Flickr and our videos on YouTube. You can also subscribe to out Electronic Newsletter.
If you have any comments or questions please contact us. Thank you again for your interest!
A mint condition Steward’s medal from the Royal Commercial Travellers Schools (RCTS) at Elliot Hall near Pinner, Middlesex. This medal would have been issued between 1918 and 1965 before its name changed to The Royal Pinner Schools. The schools closed down in 1967 due to financial difficulties and since then the buildings have gone through many uses before it was purchased by the Harrow Council as a new venue for their Arts Centre. The medal shows the Staff of Mercury which forms the central part of the school’s crest and from which past pupils are known as Old Mercurians.
The RCTS was a boarding school for the sons and daughters of “Commercial Travellers, Sales & Technical Representatives and Manufacturer’s Agents”. Admissions to the schools were prioritised according to the means of their parents for example; orphans of deceased parents or of parents who no longer had the capacity to make a living were given priority. From 1949, fee-paying pupils were admitted provided there were vacancies and subject to the parent’s income with fee levels being set accordingly.
The schools were founded in 1845 by John Robert Cuffley, a commercial traveller, for children of orphaned and “necessitous” fellow commercial travellers. The schools could accommodate around 365 pupils aged from 5 to 18 years and provided education to both O-level and A-level standards. Funding of the RCTS was mainly through voluntary contributions as they received no State grants.
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References:
www.childrenshomes.org.uk/PinnerTravellers/?LMCL=SO7d5D (A good history of the RCTS schools and that at Pinner).
www.royalcommercialtravellersschools.org.uk/ (RCTS website).
www.royalcommercialtravellersschools.org.uk/memorabilia/p... (Interesting article from Picture Post (1956) about everyday life in the RCTS).
drblayney.com/Asclepius.html (Staff of Mercury article).
.
Enamels: 1 (blue).
Finish: Bright gilt.
Material: Brass.
Fixer: Pin ( 2 ½“ long).
Size: 3 ¼“ x 1 ½“ including the ribbon (about 82mm x 37mm).
Process: Die-stamped.
Maker: Spencer, London.
Thank you for reading.
Stuart.
Found this one online awhile ago, figured id share it. they are from this page here: www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?3220... :just so credit goes to the right people. correct me if im wrong on the date, but this has got to be older than my 1955 GE. perhaps this is a 1954 model?
Existing condition of the stone at Grant Memorial before restoration.
Full project details at www.aoc.gov/grant.
-----
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1979 Renault Gordini R1326 ( USA specs), 1647 cc Hemi, engine type 843-13, 109 HP, Bosh- L –Jetronic injection, factory air conditioning and power steering. “Decouverable” sliding fabric electric roof over stainless steel structure.
History:
The chassis and most of the running gear came from the Renault 12, while the 1647 cc 108 PS (79 kW; 95 hp) 843-Type engine in the more powerful R17 TS and R17 Gordini models was derived from the engine in the Renault 16 X. The R17 Gordini was to be the last model to bear the Amedee Gordini name fitted for USA with the 843-13 Hemi engine with 1647 cc. Though the mechanicals of the cars were derived from other Renaults, the body was completely new.
Please check the car and driver test for the R17 gordini at:
forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5770450-JD%92s-archive...
Motosport:
Renault abandoned plans to contest the World Rally Championship which it won in 1973. Instead, the factory developed a high-performance version of the 17 coupé at the Alpine Competition Factory which used many of the A110 bits to compete in "selected" European events. The Gordini-developed engine had two twin-choke Webers, a hot cam, an 11.5 compression ratio, big valves and tuned extractor exhaust system. The body was very light, featured fibreglass doors, boot and bonnet panels, plus plastic windows and a stripped interior. The factory said the car's weight was lowered by more than 25 percent.
Its most famous outing was the "Press on Regardless" WRC in the United States, in Michigan, 1974. The Rally was the USA section of the World Rally Championship. The car that won the rally was a Renault 17 Gordini driven byJean-Luc Thérier and Christian Deiferrer, with a similar car coming third.
This car:
I bought this car in California on April 2012. An extensive restoration took place at my shop located in Miami were my friend Alberto Cordero, a former mechanical engineer from Renault, retired after 42 years working with the company, comes to help me with the restoration of the car. He was the chief mechanic of Juan Manuel Fangio a famous Argentinean race driver who won 5 times the F1 championship and Alberto was at the 84 hs of Nurburgring with the first Renault model derived from the AMC rambler named “Torino 380 W” who gets the third place in that race on 1969.
The car was abandoned in a yard and the last registration proving the car was running was back in 1997.
The car was straight, with only surface rust and off course a not running car.
We start the restoration from the ground up, the car was completely disassembled, body was take it to the bare metal, epoxy primed and painted in its original black color. Gordini stripes and logos were drawn by myself and plotted in 3M vinyl with the original scheme color.
All interior of the cabin, floor, panels, back and engine compartment was fitted with anti-rattle-sound/heat auto adhesive insulation with aluminum foil.
The carpet is a velour German carpet, Burgundy color with leather sewed trims.
I have owned the same model back in Argentina in 1979 so I was completely familiar with the car, and after owning more than 60 high end cars in my life, I always remember the R17 as an outstanding performer, economical yet powerful and beautiful car.
The outstanding design of the “petal” seats, the sliding electric roof that leaves the car completely open, the pillar less design makes this car shine out of the crowd not only now 35 years later, but back in his own era. The feeling you will have driving the car with the roof open will be better than in a convertible car, no wind noise at all.
All parts replaced in the car are original parts coming from France, Argentina, Israel, Puerto Rico, USA.
All suspension, power steering, brakes, hoses,fittings, etc. has been replaced. Engine was with original 45,000 miles, we disassembled the engine, head, valves, gaskets, replaced all necessary parts to meet the original compression specs with 150 PSI on each of the 4 cylinders.
All Bosch –L- Jetronic was overhauled, new sensors, valves, vacuums, switches, electric fuel pump, new injectors, etc. were replaced for original parts, most of them from Germany and others locally as the R17 share most of the injection parts with the BMW 2002 TTI.
The antipollution system was restored at his original state, overhauled air pump, new vacuums, valves, sensors, brand new catalyzer.
New original windshield was fitted to replace the scratched one in the car, new upgraded upholstery in German leather as the original car was fitted with grey cloth. The petal front seat is articulated and adjustable on the sides and behind the knees for firm support as a sport car should be. Is hard to think that 35 years ago this outstanding design on the seats are still bringing one of the most comfortable position that I have had in most top of the line cars.
The car runs perfect, as a brand new car!!!, all electric and electronic components are in 100% working order, the Air conditioning was upgraded with a new Sanden compressor, new condenser, new hoses, blows at 10° Celsius (50 Fahrenheit degrees) as per original specs.
All around upgraded LED lights fitted in back up, brake light, directional lamps. New 4 halogen YELLOW headlights with 45-70w halogen lamps.
Original vintage CIBIE fog lights with covers as the Rally version.
Pioneer stereo with hand free Bluetooth phone and 4 stereo speakers.
The car is fitted with disc brakes at front wheels and drum at the rear wheels with a servo booster and brake limiter valve with weight sensor.
All weather trims were replaced with brand new weather strips.
I have published this car at the Amicale R15 R17 website, you will see the comments on the most important website dedicated at Renault 15 and 17 and you could check the comments of my fellow members about the car on
amicale-r15-r17.forumpro.fr/t6019-restauration-1326-alberto
Also, there is a link I have pusblished with the process of the restoration of this car. You will be amazed of the job we have performed on this car to bring it back to life.Please follow this link with 140 PICTURES:
plus.google.com/photos/105876176090498194630/albums/57689...
In a quest to manipulate people into visiting my photo stream, I've added the appropriate tags to the picture. I wonder if the "erotic" tag is as potent as the "nude" tag.
1979 Renault Gordini R1326 ( USA specs), 1647 cc Hemi, engine type 843-13, 109 HP, Bosh- L –Jetronic injection, factory air conditioning and power steering. “Decouverable” sliding fabric electric roof over stainless steel structure.
History:
The chassis and most of the running gear came from the Renault 12, while the 1647 cc 108 PS (79 kW; 95 hp) 843-Type engine in the more powerful R17 TS and R17 Gordini models was derived from the engine in the Renault 16 X. The R17 Gordini was to be the last model to bear the Amedee Gordini name fitted for USA with the 843-13 Hemi engine with 1647 cc. Though the mechanicals of the cars were derived from other Renaults, the body was completely new.
Please check the car and driver test for the R17 gordini at:
forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5770450-JD%92s-archive...
Motosport:
Renault abandoned plans to contest the World Rally Championship which it won in 1973. Instead, the factory developed a high-performance version of the 17 coupé at the Alpine Competition Factory which used many of the A110 bits to compete in "selected" European events. The Gordini-developed engine had two twin-choke Webers, a hot cam, an 11.5 compression ratio, big valves and tuned extractor exhaust system. The body was very light, featured fibreglass doors, boot and bonnet panels, plus plastic windows and a stripped interior. The factory said the car's weight was lowered by more than 25 percent.
Its most famous outing was the "Press on Regardless" WRC in the United States, in Michigan, 1974. The Rally was the USA section of the World Rally Championship. The car that won the rally was a Renault 17 Gordini driven byJean-Luc Thérier and Christian Deiferrer, with a similar car coming third.
This car:
I bought this car in California on April 2012. An extensive restoration took place at my shop located in Miami were my friend Alberto Cordero, a former mechanical engineer from Renault, retired after 42 years working with the company, comes to help me with the restoration of the car. He was the chief mechanic of Juan Manuel Fangio a famous Argentinean race driver who won 5 times the F1 championship and Alberto was at the 84 hs of Nurburgring with the first Renault model derived from the AMC rambler named “Torino 380 W” who gets the third place in that race on 1969.
The car was abandoned in a yard and the last registration proving the car was running was back in 1997.
The car was straight, with only surface rust and off course a not running car.
We start the restoration from the ground up, the car was completely disassembled, body was take it to the bare metal, epoxy primed and painted in its original black color. Gordini stripes and logos were drawn by myself and plotted in 3M vinyl with the original scheme color.
All interior of the cabin, floor, panels, back and engine compartment was fitted with anti-rattle-sound/heat auto adhesive insulation with aluminum foil.
The carpet is a velour German carpet, Burgundy color with leather sewed trims.
I have owned the same model back in Argentina in 1979 so I was completely familiar with the car, and after owning more than 60 high end cars in my life, I always remember the R17 as an outstanding performer, economical yet powerful and beautiful car.
The outstanding design of the “petal” seats, the sliding electric roof that leaves the car completely open, the pillar less design makes this car shine out of the crowd not only now 35 years later, but back in his own era. The feeling you will have driving the car with the roof open will be better than in a convertible car, no wind noise at all.
All parts replaced in the car are original parts coming from France, Argentina, Israel, Puerto Rico, USA.
All suspension, power steering, brakes, hoses,fittings, etc. has been replaced. Engine was with original 45,000 miles, we disassembled the engine, head, valves, gaskets, replaced all necessary parts to meet the original compression specs with 150 PSI on each of the 4 cylinders.
All Bosch –L- Jetronic was overhauled, new sensors, valves, vacuums, switches, electric fuel pump, new injectors, etc. were replaced for original parts, most of them from Germany and others locally as the R17 share most of the injection parts with the BMW 2002 TTI.
The antipollution system was restored at his original state, overhauled air pump, new vacuums, valves, sensors, brand new catalyzer.
New original windshield was fitted to replace the scratched one in the car, new upgraded upholstery in German leather as the original car was fitted with grey cloth. The petal front seat is articulated and adjustable on the sides and behind the knees for firm support as a sport car should be. Is hard to think that 35 years ago this outstanding design on the seats are still bringing one of the most comfortable position that I have had in most top of the line cars.
The car runs perfect, as a brand new car!!!, all electric and electronic components are in 100% working order, the Air conditioning was upgraded with a new Sanden compressor, new condenser, new hoses, blows at 10° Celsius (50 Fahrenheit degrees) as per original specs.
All around upgraded LED lights fitted in back up, brake light, directional lamps. New 4 halogen YELLOW headlights with 45-70w halogen lamps.
Original vintage CIBIE fog lights with covers as the Rally version.
Pioneer stereo with hand free Bluetooth phone and 4 stereo speakers.
The car is fitted with disc brakes at front wheels and drum at the rear wheels with a servo booster and brake limiter valve with weight sensor.
All weather trims were replaced with brand new weather strips.
I have published this car at the Amicale R15 R17 website, you will see the comments on the most important website dedicated at Renault 15 and 17 and you could check the comments of my fellow members about the car on
amicale-r15-r17.forumpro.fr/t6019-restauration-1326-alberto
Also, there is a link I have pusblished with the process of the restoration of this car. You will be amazed of the job we have performed on this car to bring it back to life.Please follow this link with 140 PICTURES:
plus.google.com/photos/105876176090498194630/albums/57689...
I need to make some money. Prices listed below. :
Toros - sz 9: $200 great condition
Green glows - sz 9: $200 great condition
(Will sell both glows and toros together for $375)
Jordan fusions - no tags, I'd say sz 8 or 8.5 $85 fair condition
Orange dunks - tags say 8 fit more like 8.5 $80 good condition
Jordan flights - sz. 9 $70 fair condition
Gucci belt - offer (price negotiable)
Please text me at (507)696-0800
It is very important to disconnect power to the unit prior to servicng. In Ontario we must have an outdoor breaker box by law to accomplish this. The pulled fuse can be seen in the foreground. I wait a few days before replacing it or until the surround ground has dried up for safety sake.
When you commission an expert for air conditioning installation in Adelaide, you can be assured of high efficiency of your appliance. We at True Air Conditioning stand behind our promises and put our best foot forward when it comes to installation of your air conditioning unit. Give us a call to avail same-day installation assistance. Website: www.trueairac.com.au/service/commercial-air-conditioning-...
SMACNA members attend this years product show. SMACNA's Annual Convention is its premier event that blends exceptional education with world-class networking and social events. This year’s convention held at Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, Hawaii, October 23-27, 2021. The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) is an international trade association representing 1,834 member firms in 97 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. A leader in promoting quality and excellence in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry, SMACNA has offices in Chantilly, VA. For more information go to smacna.org. Photography by Steve Exum & Finley Quillen of exumphoto.com
This old GNR railway station and the adjoining station master's house are in exceptional condition. This picture clearly shows its original wooden canopy overhang, main doors and window frames. Sadly, the current owner seems to be using it as an unkempt junkyard and of which nearly all the stuff is fit only for the recycling centre!
Oldcastle railway station was the terminus on the Navan to Oldcastle branch-line via Kells station. The line was extended from Kells and reached Oldcastle in 1863 but was closed to passenger traffic on the 14th April 1958 and finally closed to all other rail traffic on the 1st April 1963. Only part of the line to remains open for the transportation of mineral ore from Tara Mines connecting to Drogheda station.
The Kells to Oldcastle extension was completed by the Dublin & Belfast Junction Railway, who were taken over by the Great Northern Railway of Ireland (GNR) in 1876. The station is surprisingly intact with many of its associated buildings still standing. The station house was built c.1880 in the Italianate style and is typical of many other Victorian railway stations across Ireland’s old railway network. After 1945, the Irish railway network was taken over by by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE) and who undertook a severe rationalisation of the Irish railway system during the 1950’s, rapidly replacing steam locomotion with diesel and closing down numerous loss-making branch lines with closures continuing well into the 1960’s.
Oldcastle is a small market town and the 18th century creation of the Naper family who had received parts of the Plunkett estate following the confiscations of the Cromwellian wars (1649-1653). Today, the town has a population of around 2,500 and still retains much of it rural character as well as many fine 18th and 19th century buildings. Fortunately, the town survived the destructive forces of overdevelopment that afflicted much of Ireland during the building boom of the 1990’s and 2000’s.
Oldcastle is more famously associated with Saint Oliver Plunkett and the nearby Loughcrew Cairns, a complex of Neolithic tombs built around 5,300 years ago. The town derives its name from a 12th century Norman castle built there by the Tuite family but has long since disappeared.
References:
www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&... (Buildings of Ireland website - Oldcastle railway station).
eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/Railway%20Stations%20O/Oldca... (Other photos of Oldcastle railway station).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldcastle,_County_Meath (Oldcastle town).
www.meath.ie/CountyCouncil/Heritage/ArchitecturalHeritage... (Oldcastle Architectural Statement of Character, Meath County Council).
All the precautions you need to take for the journey ahead!
Going Bush!
A description of the journey across..
with notes courtesy of research by..
On the Indian Pacific train you depart Adelaide 6:40 pm reaching Port August at 11pm; then Tarcoola 4:20 am; the siding of Bates at 7:40am. We have a brief stop at the former township of Cook at 9:45 am. We should reach Forrest in Western Australia about 1:54 pm; Rawlinna at 2:26 pm and Kalgoorlie at 7:10 pm.
As a condition of entering the federation of Australia WA Premier Sir John Forrest insisted on a transcontinental rail link with the eastern states via Port Augusta. Work began in 1912 and was completed in 1917. Water for the steam engines was obtained from bores across the Nullarbor but the high salt content meant steam engines rusted out very quickly. Coal was shipped from NSW and transported across the Nullarbor to tiny rail sidings and left in stockpiles to fuel the steam furnaces. It was a costly and relatively slow way of crossing from SA to Perth. The journey involved several changes of gauges from Adelaide with the first at Terowie where the 5’3” rail gauge line ended. The 3’6” gauge from Terowie meandered north through Quorn and down through the Pichi Richi Pass to Port August. Here was another change of gauge to the new standard line across to Kalgoorlie.
At Kalgoorlie a further change of gauge occurred back to 3’6” the main gauge used in WA. The first train to cross from Sydney to Perth without a change of gauge was in 1970. The first air-conditioned train to cross to Perth from Port Pirie was in 1951. The original trip from Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie took 42 hours but was later reduced to 29 hours by 1936 when the new direct line from Adelaide to Port Pirie opened. Today we travel the same section in 19 hours from Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie.
Nullarbor.
This flat limestone plain is the largest area of karst landscape, with numerous subsurface caves, in the world. It stretches 1,200 kms from near Ceduna to near Norseman in WA. On it southern border high limestone cliffs face the Great Australian Bight; to the north the limestone plain becomes the Great Victoria Desert, a typical sandy desert. Nullarbor comes for the Latin “nullus” meaning not any and “arbor” meaning trees- hence no trees. However, this does not mean the Nullarbor lacks vegetation (or interest). Around 800 species of plants including saltbush and blue bush grow across the Nullarbor or its edges. Wildlife is plentiful but water is not. Somehow Edward John Eyre and his overseer John Baxter, managed to cross the inhospitable landscape with the help of his Aboriginal friend Wylie in 1841. The pair was saved by a French whaling ship on the coast near Esperance. After receiving food and water Eyre and Wylie continued overland to Albany to complete the crossing from Streaky Bay.
Eyre was award the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society in London for this incredible journey. After the journey Eyre took up land in SA and became Protector of Aborigines near Blanchetown (Moorundie).
The Characters of the Crossing.
The stations/sidings which you will probably not even see as they whizz by include a list of many of Australian
Prime Ministers and the eccentric Daisy Bates. In order, after Tarcoola which we pass through during the night, the sidings are: Barton; Bates; Ooldea; Watson; Fisher and Cook where we stop for a short time. Beyond Cook where the line is straight for a very long distance the sidings are: Denman; Hughes; Forrest (which has the major airport); Rawlinna, Chifley; Curtin and finally Kalgoorlie.
Barton. Sir Edmund Barton, 1829-1920, was an Australian born NSW scholar and politician. A staunch federalist he became the first Australian Prime Minister in 1901. He was the driving fore behind the writing of the Australian Constitution. He pushed for the White Australia Policy and got an act to repatriate Kanaka workers from Queensland. He resigned in 1903 to become a judge of the High Court of Australia.
Bates. Daisy Bates, 1863-1951, was an eccentric Irishwoman who migrated to Australia in 1884. She married in 1885 but seldom lived with her husband. After a five year trip to England she returned to Australia and took up living with remote Aboriginal communities, firstly in the Kimberlies and then at Ooldea in SA. She lived at Yalata or Ooldea from 1915 to 1934. She favoured segregation of full blood Aboriginal people, maintained they practised cannibalism and was unpopular with academic anthropologists but she had many articles written in newspapers to popularise her ideas and her work. She died at Prospect and was buried in North Road Anglican cemetery.
Ooldea. Ooldea has been an Aboriginal camping place for aeons as it has permanent water. Ernest Giles the explorer was the first white person to discover the water here in 1875. Ooldea became the rail siding for the Maralinga nuclear testing site and it was the home of Daisy Bates for many years.
Watson. John Christian Watson, 1867 -1941, was the third Prime Minister but served for only four months in 1904. He was Australia’s first Labor Prime Minister and he favoured protective tariffs. He retired from federal politics in 1910. He was known for his “Viking style” beard!
Fisher. Andrew Fisher, 1862-1928, was Prime Minister three times, 1908-9; 1910-13; and 1914-15. He was a founding Labor politician. Whilst PM he oversaw the establishment of the Australian Navy, the founding of the Commonwealth Bank, the founding of Canberra and the splitting of the Northern Territory from SA. He was also PM when a start was made on the Transcontinental rail line from Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie in 1912. Not surprisingly the first few rail sidings across the Nullarbor are named after Labor Prime Ministers, except for Barton, our first Prime Minister. The conservative/national/free trade Prime Minsters generally have sidings in WA towards Kalgoorlie!
Cook. This station and tiny township was not named after Captain James Cook but Prime Minister Sir Joseph Cook, 1860-1947. Cook was the sixth PM in 1913-14. He began as a Labor politician but in the federal sphere switched away from protectionism to free trade. He served as a Liberal free trade Prime Minister. Cook agreed to the British request for troops to support them in World War One in France and Turkey.
Denman. Sir Thomas Denman, 1874-1954, was a British military man. He was appointed as Governor General of Australia in 1911. He conducted the founding ceremony for the establishment of Canberra in 1913. Denman interfered in federal politics and supported the PM who wanted complete Australian control and autonomy for the Australian Navy. Denman publically supported this. He was recalled to England in May 1914. Throughout the 1920s he supported Australia’s point of view in debates in the British House of Lords.
Hughes. William (Billy) Hughes was the first long surviving Australian Prime Minister as he was in power from 1915-1923. This record was not beaten until 1957 by Sir Robert Menzies. Billy Hughes lived from 1862- 1952. Hughes’ other record, being the longest serving member of parliament has not yet been surpassed. He was a politician for almost 52 years! Hughes served in earlier Labor ministries but split the Labor Party in 1917 by proposing conscription for the World War One war effort. He was expelled from the Labor Party! But he won the next election in alliance with the National Party. In 1923 he had insufficient parliamentarians to form government but he remained in parliament as a member of the United Australia Party which later became the Liberal Party. He died whilst still a parliamentarian aged 90 years.
Deakin. This siding is right on the WA/SA border. Alfred Deakin, 1856-1919, served as Prime Minister three times in the first few years of federation from 1903-4; 1905-8; and 1909-10. Alfred Deakin was a protectionists and finally Liberal in parliament. He was a great leader in the federation moment, a former Victorian Premier and is credited with starting the nation building process for Australia when he was Prime Minister. He was a scholar and a lawyer.
Reid. Sir George Reid, 1845-1918, was Prime Minister in 1904-5. He was a devout exponent of free trade and a Liberal but the other Liberal Alfred Deakin would not support him and his free trade policies. He went on to be leader of the Opposition against the Labor governments that followed him.
Forrest. Sir John Forest, 1847-1918, the first Baron Forrest of Bunbury, was an explorer, surveyor and politician extraordinaire. He was born at Bunbury in WA and became the founding Premier of WA when partial self-government was granted by Britain in 1890. Forrest led the explorers who did the first west to east crossing of the Nullarbor from Perth to Adelaide in 1870.
He was the first Western Australian knighted in 1891. He served as Premier of WA from 1890 to 1901 during the decade when the population exploded with the gold discoveries at Kalgoorlie. He acted for the establishment of a water pipeline to Kalgoorlie; he unilaterally rejected Britain’s control of WA Aboriginal Affairs and summarily ended it; he took government control of the Great Southern Railway to Albany; he repealed a section of the state Constitution which stated 1% of all tax royalties must be spent on Aboriginal people. From 1901 to his death in 1918 he was a member of the federal parliament aligned with non-Labor politicians. Although he supported federation he fought hard for rights for WA including the building of a transcontinental railway from Port Augusta.
Forrest’s reluctance to join federation until concessions were promised for WA led politicians and others in the goldfields to propose a new state called Auralia to enter the federation, even if the rest of WA did not. The capital of that state would have been Kalgoorlie. Once Forrest finally committed WA to join the federation this proposal for a separate state of Auralia was dropped.
The Forrest siding or settlement with only a couple for residents is known for its airport. It has the largest runway outside of a capital city in case it is needed for emergency or military use. Light aircraft use the airport as a refuelling stop across the Nullarbor.
Rawlinna. This siding is named after the local sheep station, the largest in the world, with an historical homestead. Up to 80,000 sheep have been shorn in one year on Rawlinna Station.
Chifley. Joseph Benedict Chifley, 1885-1951, was a Labor Prime Minister for Australia after the Second World War from 1945- 1949. Ben Chifley introduced the Snowy Mountains irrigation scheme and founded the Australian National University in Canberra. He was no longer PM in 1951 but still a parliamentarian when he died in office in Canberra. He lost the 1949 elections on his proposal to nationalise the banks of Australia.
Curtin. John Curtin, 1884-1945 was the Labor Prime Minister for Australia during most of World War Two from 1941-45. He died in office in July 1945 just six weeks before the end of the War. His great contribution was to reject British proposals for the deployment of Australian troops to protect their interests and to put them under the command of General Douglas MacArthur from America who used our troops in South East Asia and New Guinea to protect Australia from invasion by the Japanese.
Kalgoorlie.
Gold was discovered here by Patrick Hannan and the city emerged overnight in 1893. The finds were so rich that it is still known as the richest mile on the planet. Thousands swarmed to the gold fields but deep shaft mining meant casual prospectors were soon just mine employees and most left the goldfields. By 1898 the town had a population of around 2,000 but only 500 were women. Once a railway line from Perth reached the town the population grew. The water pipeline reached the city in 1903 offering coastal amenities to outback residents! It was this small population of about 5,000 in 1900 that were in favour of joining the federation of Australia and creating a new state called Auralia. The port for this new colony would have been Esperance. The mine continued giving its riches to the mining companies. When it began in 1893 gold worth £421,000 was produced in WA. By 1900 the value of gold found in WA was worth £6,000,000! And the boom still continues in WA with nickel, oil, gas and iron and Kalgoorlie has the largest open cut mine in the world.
But relations on the gold fields have not always been cordial. Kalgoorlie is known for the 1934 Race Riots as mobs against Greek, Italian and Slavic mobs rioted, attacked and burned Greek and Slavic owned properties. Extra police were sent from Perth to quell the riots. The riot broke out on a Saturday night, a traditional night for drinking and violence. Foreign owned hotels were burned and residences lived in by foreigners had their windows smashed in both Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie. This was and still is the Wild West! Unlike the eastern states WA has always had more land than people and even into the 1970s virgin farmland was being granted or sold to new comers for little money. One of the last large cereal farming areas developed, which would have been in the state of Auralia, was at Esperance in the 1970s.
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