Waverley, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WaverleyWestern Australia |
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 Waverley
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1898 |
| Postcode(s) | 6431 |
| Elevation | 443 m (1,453 ft) |
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| LGA(s) | City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder |
| State electorate(s) | Electoral district of Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Waverley, also known as Siberia, is a ghost town located in Western Australia. A ghost town is a place where most or all people have left, often because the main reason for the town, like a mine, closed down. Waverley is in the Goldfields-Esperance region, between the towns of Kalgoorlie and Leonora. It was once a busy gold mining town and is part of the traditional lands of the Maduwongga people.
Contents
Waverley: A Gold Rush Ghost Town
This town is found on the road between Davyhurst and Ora Banda. Its history is closely tied to the exciting search for gold.
The Discovery of Gold
In late 1893, two prospectors named Billy Frost and Bob Bonner made an important discovery. They found gold in the area. This exciting find quickly led to a "gold rush," where many people moved to the area hoping to find their own fortunes.
Planning a New Town
As more and more people arrived, there was a clear need for a proper town. So, in 1898, plans were made for a new townsite. The land was measured out, and plots were set up for buildings.
Naming the Town
The new town was first going to be called Siberia. However, the local community group, called the progress association, decided on a different name. They chose to name the town Waverley, after a nearby gold mine. The name Waverley was officially announced in 1898.
Famous Mines Nearby
Some of the gold mines close to the town included the Siberia mine, the Waverley mine, the Mexico mine, and the Pole leases. These mines were very important to the town's growth.
Why the Name Changed
In 1911, the Postmaster General's Department, which was in charge of mail and communication, noticed a problem. There were too many towns in Australia with the same names, and Waverley was one of them. They suggested changing the name to avoid confusion.
Choosing a New Name
People living in Waverley were asked to choose a new name. Some ideas included Wongi, which was the name of a nearby water source called a soak. Another idea was Siberia. The locals preferred Siberia, and this name was officially made the town's name in 1914. The name Siberia comes from Siberia Tank, a water supply close to the town.
Life in the Mines
Mining was hard work, but it could also be rewarding. In 1924, two miners, Emery and MacLachlan, found a continuation of a deep alluvial lead. An alluvial lead is a buried ancient riverbed that often contains gold. Their discovery brought good results for them.
Waverley Becomes a Ghost Town
Over time, the gold became harder to find, and people started to leave Waverley. The last person living in the town moved away in 1954. This is how Waverley, or Siberia, became the ghost town it is today.
