Kambalda, Western Australia
| Kambalda Western Australia | |
|---|---|
 Kambalda Office and Library | |
| Population | 4,259 |
| Established | Kambalda East ( 1967-1973), Kambalda West (1969-1975) |
| Postcode(s) | 6442 |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Shire of Coolgardie |
| State electorate(s) | Electoral district of Eyre |
| Federal division(s) | O'Connor |
31°12′07″S 121°40′05″E / 31.202°S 121.668°E
Kambalda is a small mining town about 60 kilometres from the mining city of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, within the Goldfields. It is split into two townsites 4 kilometres apart, Kambalda East and Kambalda West; and is located on the western edge of a giant salt lake, Lake Lefroy.
Kambalda was discovered from a huge mining boom which triggered prospectors from all over Western Australia to come flowing into Kambalda. Kambalda's first modern settlement was located at the base of nearby Red Hill in 1897. The original Red Hill settlement owed its existence to Percy Larkin, a prospector who discovered gold in the area. For many years Kambalda was mined for its gold but soon after nickel was discovered. [1][2]
History
Kambalda is a small mining town, in a semi-arid environment, approximately 75 kilometres southeast of Coolgardie and 616 kilometres east of Perth. Kambalda was also known to be within the tribal land of the indigenous Galaagu people. Kambalda's determination to keep as much native flora as possible separates them from other similar mining towns. Kambalda West is approximately 4 km from Kambalda East and is the location of the tourist bureau and the shire offices.[3][4]
The original settlement of Kambalda grew up in the area after Percy Larkin discovered gold in December 1896.[5] The town was officially gazetted on the 10th December 1897 and laid out by the Government surveyor, W. Rowley, who choose the name 'Kambalda' [6] The Red Hill Gold Mine, which began operations in 1897, was relatively short-lived. It was closed by 1907 and the small settlement had become a ghost town. One memory of the original town is the old well in George Cowcill Street. [7]
New interest in the area occurred in 1954 when George Cowcill took samples of what he thought was uranium. Later analysis found large deposits of nickel and by 1966 Western Mining Corporation had established Australia's first nickel mine. It is fair to describe Kambalda East and Kambalda West as Australia's first nickel mining towns. Apart from the Red Hill Lookout, with its views over Lake Lefroy, and the opportunity to drive across the causeway the towns have very little appeal to visitors.
Present day
The first mining company that established the town, Western Mining Corporation (WMC) has been bought and taken over by a larger company that has stations all over the world, BHP Billiton. Other mining companies in the area include Goldfields, Lightning Nickel, and GHB. The town population has more recently been receding, thought to be due to increasing fly-in fly-out operations by mining companies.
Attractions
Kambalda's best attraction is the Red Hill Lookout, which is accessed by following Gordon Adams Road. Red Hill has a bushwalking trail (Red Hill Walking Trail), and from the top travellers have a bird's eye view of nearby Lake Lefroy, a large 510-square km salt pan which stretches to the horizon and is rarely filled with water.
Kambalda's Memorial Garden and Miners Memorial Wall are situated behind the Shire office in Kambalda West. The Garden has a shady gazebo surrounded by native plants and scented roses. The Memorial Wall was built to honour those who had lost their lives while working in Kambalda's mines.
Also located within the Kambalda area are the remains of King's Battery. Located on Woolibah station, the King's Battery was employed to process gold-bearing ores from local gold mines. Today all that remains of the original operation is a tower and some brickwork which housed a water paddle wheel. The King's Battery area also provides a venue for bushwalking and picnic activities.
Each year, Kambalda hosts these and many other events:
- November: Community Trash 'n' Treasure
- December: Community Christmas Tree
Services
The town is well serviced with a medium sized Woolworths grocery store, an ANZ branch, post office, newsagency, public library, recreation centre and two schools.
There are two petrol stations, one within Kambalda West and one near Kambalda East.
Food and entertainment are limited and there are no businesses open at night time.
The Kambalda Health Centre is open 6 days a week and is staffed by two doctors as well as nursing staff. After hours service is available on an on-call basis. The Centre has emergency resuscitation facilities as well as basic x-ray and pathology services.
References
- ^ http://www.nullarbornet.com.au/towns/kambalda.html
- ^ http://www.coolgardie.wa.gov.au/history/kambalda
- ^ http://www.theage.com.au/news/Western-Australia/Kambalda/2005/02/17/1108500208508.html
- ^ Gresham,J.J Kambalda History of a Mining Town,1991 Western Mining Corporation Limited ISBN 0 646 03454 5
- ^ J.J. Gresham, Kambalda: History of a Mining Town, Western Mining Corporation Limited, Melbourne, 1991, pp.20-25
- ^ 'Western Australian Government Gazette', 10th December 1897
- ^ Ralph, Gilbert A Pictorial History of Kambalda, 1992 Western Mining Corporation Ltd ISBN 0 646 11263 5