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 still making them in the original style, using raffia, cardboard, paper scrolls and sandalwood. Marjorie grew up in Mount Margaret and continues to live in the community. Mount Margaret Mission, south of Laverton, was established in 1921 by Rod Schenck. His wife Isobel May joined the Mission in 1923. She taught the women crafts such as spinning hair and fur and making promise/prayer baskets and raffia products. Mount Margaret stopped operating as a Mission in 1975, however, the community of Mount Margaret still remains.

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

Open Hours

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

More from the Museum of the Goldfields

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...

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...

While you're in the area

Filter
Gribble Creek Walk and Cycle Way
Attraction
Gribble Creek Walk and Cycle Way
The Gribble Creek Walk and Cycle Way provides a well planned route you can...
Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie, WA 6430
Acclaim Prospector Holiday Park
Accommodation
Acclaim Prospector Holiday Park
Prospector Holiday Park in Kalgoorlie is conveniently located at the...
11 Ochiltree Street, Somerville, WA 6430
Kalgoorlie Golf Course
Attraction
Kalgoorlie Golf Course
Surrounded by unique Western Australia flora and fauna, Kalgoorlie Golf...
93 Aslett Drive, Karlkurla, WA 6430
Discovery Parks - Kalgoorlie Goldfields
Accommodation
Discovery Parks - Kalgoorlie Goldfields
Beauty that’s rugged, harsh and raw – that’s what you’ll encounter in...
286 Burt Street, Boulder, WA 6432