Eastern Goldfields Operative Bakers Industrial Union of Workers

Banner

Workers’ rights

This Trade Union Banner made of canvas with silk edging likely depicts an actual bakery in Kalgoorlie, or Boulder, in 1911. Trade Unions were important to workers in the Goldfields. Migrant workers flooded into the region hoping to strike it rich. In the early days of the goldrush, working conditions were poor, and everyone worked very long hours. The first Trade Union Congress in Western Australia was held in Coolgardie on 11 April 1899. Unions in Australia are acclaimed for negotiating the eight-hour workday.

Available at:

Museum of the Goldfields

Lookout for the bright red headframe

The iconic Ivanhoe Headframe is a Kalgoorlie landmark and sits above the Museum of the Goldfields, offering wonderful views of the town. At the Museum you can learn about how Aboriginal people in the...

Address:

17 Hannan Street
Kalgoorlie WA 6430
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9021 8533

Email:

wamkb@museum.wa.gov.au

Open Hours

Mon to Fri 10am - 3pm; ANZAC Day 1 - 3pm; Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday.

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Prayer/promise basket by Marjorie Bonney

A small prayer

Promise/prayer baskets are made with small paper scrolls which contain bible verses. Marjorie Bonney picked up her knowledge of making promise/prayer baskets from her mother, at Mount Margaret, and is...

Candle spider

Safety first

A miner could carry this candle holder, or using the pointed end, spear it into the tunnel wall. Candles were considered an essential part of mining, and all miners had to supply their own candles...