Sons of Gwalia - Headframe and Winder Engine
The Sons of Gwalia reef was discovered in April/May 1896. Production and settlement by Europeans immediately commenced and the twin towns of Leonora and Gwalia became established and were connected by Railway to Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie, 250 km to the South. Apart from the year 1922 following a disastrous fire which destroyed the greater part of the surface plant, the mine remained in production continuously up to 1963, when it became uneconomic and the underground mine was closed.
In 1971 the Leonora Tourist Committee was formed by the Shire of Leonora. Soon thereafter the Gwalia Museum Historical Society was formed. The museum was established and continues to this day. The museum’s collection includes the timber headframe, winder engine, mines office, assay building, mine superintendent’s house, and many artefacts associated with the mine such as skips, kilns, and gold bar moulds. The headframe and winder engine are the most significant items in the collection.
When the price of gold rose in the 1980’s, a new company, Sons of Gwalia NC was established and open cut operations commenced on the site of the former underground mine. The mine is still operating. The owner is St Barbara. It does not form part of this nomination.
See the biography of Herbert Hoover for additional information about the early days of operation of the Sons of Gwalia Mine.
Click for directions to the see the heritage marker
The panel is in front of the Headframe inside the Gwalia Museum
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Engineering Heritage National Marker (EHNM) |
| Award Date | 31 May 2015 |
| Prominent People | Herbert Hoover, Charles Moreing, Edward Hooper |
| Nomination Document | Available here |
| Ceremony Report | Available here |
| Ceremony Booklet | Available here |
| Interpretation Panel | Available here |
