Agnew, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AgnewWestern Australia |
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 Agnew
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1936 |
| Postcode(s) | 6435 |
| Elevation | 519 m (1,703 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Leonora |
| State electorate(s) | Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Agnew is a fascinating ghost town located in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. It's about 982 kilometers (610 miles) north-east of Perth, which is the capital city of Western Australia. The closest town where people live is Leinster, which is only 21 kilometers (13 miles) away.
Agnew is named after John Alexander Agnew, a miner who worked for a local company. The town was officially created in 1936.
Contents
History of Agnew
Agnew was once a busy place, especially because of its gold mines. Let's explore some key moments in its past.
Early Days and Growth
When Agnew was first established in 1936, it didn't have a regular post office. Instead, a small, unofficial one opened only two days a week, offering limited services to the community.
In 1937, a large amount of money, over £250, was taken from the town's post office during the night. The post office was located inside the Emu mine buildings. It was noted that the safe where the money was kept was found locked after the incident.
At its peak, Agnew had about 500 people living there. The Agnew Hotel, built in 1945, was a popular spot on the main street. It was one of the last buildings left in town until it was taken down in 2018. You can still see an old head frame from a stamp mill and large piles of tailings (waste material from mining) just outside the town, which are reminders of its mining past.
Gold Discoveries
In 1947, two prospectors named Charles Farranda and Alberto Bernardi made an exciting new gold discovery north of the Emu mine. They found a quartz reef (a vein of rock) that contained a lot of gold. This discovery was considered the best in the area for many years.
Water Supply Challenges
The same year, 1947, the town's water supply faced a big problem. After six days of calm weather, the windmill that pumped water from the town's well stopped working. Most of the town's water tanks became empty. At that time, about 200 people lived in Agnew, including 33 children.
Water was usually pumped from a well about 27 meters (90 feet) deep. Then, it was pumped up to a large 22,700-liter (5,000-imperial-gallon) tank, and from there, gravity helped it flow down to the town. Because of the water shortage, residents refused to pay their water bills to the Goldfields Water Supply Department.
Mine Closures and Population Decline
The Emu mine, a major employer in Agnew, closed in 1948. Mining operations stopped in late January, and over 80 workers were given notice that they would lose their jobs. The mine closed because it was too expensive to operate and they couldn't get enough money to develop it further.
In 1949, the Agnew gold mine also closed. This led to the closure of the town's school, as the number of students dropped from 30 to just 5. The town's population quickly fell from 150 people to only 25.
Modern Mining Operations
Today, an active gold mine called Agnew is located right next to the old townsite. This mine is owned by a company called Gold Fields Ltd.
In early 2012, a serious incident occurred at the mine. Three miners were injured when part of a rock wall underground gave way. The Royal Flying Doctor Service sent two planes to take the injured miners to hospitals in Perth for treatment.
See Also
- List of ghost towns in Australia
