Ravensthorpe Historical Society

Grain Equipment

The mainstay of the early Ravensthorpe grain receival point, and indeed of all country receival points, was the grain elevator, operated by Cooperative Bulk Handling (CBH). This particular unit was in Ravensthorpe until the 1980s. It was driven by a single cylinder, water cooled diesel motor. The simplicity, portability and extreme reliability made it a valuable piece of equipment.

Other pieces of mahinery used locally are the grain winnower and the stripper.

Buffalo Pitts Steam Traction Engine

Brought in 1907 to Ravensthorpe by pioneer farm brothers R&L Stevenson, the engine is thought to have been imported from New York, USA. Its history makes fascinating reading! The engine was never a great success, easily becoming bogged in the loamy red soils in winter and achieving the same result in the sandy soils of Hopetoun all year round.

Trucks

The British Chevrolet Truck (General Motors Holden Ltd) has an interesting history. It was first owned by Bill Everett who used it for the transport of salmon from the 12 Mile Beach to the Hopetoun cannery of the Fisheries Cooperative Co Ltd (1949-1951). The truck then stood idle at Hopetoun in the care of Mr. Bill Fulton until Mr. Jim McCulloch purchased it to use on his Ravensthorpe farm. In 1987 Mr McCulloch retired to Hopetoun and donated the truck to the Ravensthorpe Museum. Very few trucks of this model were imported into Western Australia.

In the back of the truck a World War II gas producer can also be seen.

The Maple Leaf Chev truck also has a local history. It was donated to the museum by the Goldfinch family who used the truck on their Jerdacuttup farm when first developing their land in the 1960s.

Grader

The grader, nicknamed Rocking Robin by one of its operator, was purchased by the then Phillips River Road Board in the 1950s and driven from Perth over three days by Hurtle Hosking. The engine and transmission were from an International tractor; the chassis and blade rotation and lifting mechanisms were workshop built. Hydraulic lifting only worked to raise and lower the blade; steering and blade rotation were by worm gear and human strength.

Originally the machine was driven by single rear wheels which tended to make it rock, hence its nickname. Eventually dual rear wheels were fitted by Len Price in Ravensthorpe to improve traction; this also reduced the rocking. The grader was used in the construction of roads into the new land farm area of Jerdacuttup in the 1960s and also to form the first road into what is now Fitzgerald River National Park.

Eventually, Rocking Robin wa sold to the Bolton family in Lake Grace. Ron Elliott arranged for its return to Ravensthorpe in the 1980s where in languished in the Shire works depot until November 2023. Thanks to the Shire and local businesses, the grader finally found its final resting place, down at the old Railway Station historical precinct, just off the main road roundabout. Go and say hello to old Rocking Robin! © Ravensthorpe Historical Society archives. Compiled by A. Chapman, curator, 2023

Bollard

The bollard used to be on the end of the 1902 jetty, which was built to supply the Ravensthorpe mines. You may read about the jetty in our publication Hopetoun Jetty available from the museum (see Contacts). The anchor beside the bollard was found off the end of the jetty by Dave McDonald when scuba diving. Its origin is unknown.

Places of interest

There are many places of interest in town; some have now vanished, others still stand. Their history is worth reading.

Going to the Movies

A night at the movies was always a treat to look forward to in the days before universal TV access. Ravensthorpe, like many other small towns, had its movie nights. Going to the movies is a short history of those halcyon years.

Ritter Dentist chair

Manufactured in 1928, its history too has a local content

Wool press

The wool press was used by the Dunn Brothers at Cocanarup.

Printing Press

During 1904 to 1911 the Phillips River Times was printed in Ravensthorpe, using the printing press displayed in the Old Jail.

Black Smith Forge and Bellows

Although little is known about the particular items, the display set up in the old Jail is worth viewing as it depicts a forge, all set up as it was used in the work horse era.

Old Miner's Camp

The ZA Brake Van houses a well set up display of a typical miner's camp, predating the town of Ravensthorpe. The early prospectors arrived in what is known today as Ravensthorpe after the discovery of gold in the late 1892. All items of this exhibit were donated by prospector and miner Gordon Halbert, born in Kundip, 1902 and died in Hopetoun in 1990.