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.

Return to collection to read more

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...

Bicycle home-made c1899

A very bumpy ride

A miner known as ‘Mulga Bill’ owned this bike, made of mulga, old boxes, meat tins and bullock hide. Mulga Bill reputedly rode this bike between Southern Cross and Mount Barker. The bike also featured...