Kambalda, Western Australia

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Kambalda
state = wa


caption = Kambalda Office and Library
lga = Shire of Coolgardie
postcode = 6442
pop = 4,259
est = Kambalda East ( 1967-1973), Kambalda West (1969-1975)
stategov = Electoral district of Eyre
fedgov = Kalgoorlie
dist1 = 616
location1= Perth
dist2 = 55
location2= Kalgoorlie
dist3 = 130
location3= Norseman
dist4 = 74
location4= Coolgardiecoord|-31.202|121.668|type:city(2706)_region:AU-WA_scale:100000|format=dms|display=title

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. [http://www.nullarbornet.com.au/towns/kambalda.html] [http://www.coolgardie.wa.gov.au/history/kambalda]

History

Kambalda is a small mining town surrounded by desert 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 4km from Kambalda East and is the location of the tourist bureau and the shire offices. [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]

Modern Kambalda is a very different settlement from the one that grew up in the area after Percy Larkin discovered gold in 1887. The Red Hill Gold Mine 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.

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. [Ralph, Gilbert "A Pictorial History of Kambalda", 1992 Western Mining Corporation Ltd ISBN 0 646 11263 5]

From then until 1985, many buildings including the primary school (1970), post office and two hotels were constructed. In 1885, the Bridgetown Agricultural Society was formed and local farmers produced sheep, cattle, dairy products, timber, fruit and nuts. The gold rush from 1892 onwards saw a considerable increase in settlement. In 1907, a number of significant buildings including the police station were built.

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. In the 20th century more facilities have been erected all over Kambalda, East and West, such as a public pool, football field, Woolworths food facility, single-mens quarters, memorial garden, country club, nursing post, tennis club and a lot more. At west a recreation centre is under construction for the public's entertainment purposes, and a retirement village. An industrial area has also been made.

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

References