Paddy Hannan: exploring the myths behind the man

Public Lecture | Updated 1 decade ago

Two 19th gentlemen dressed in Victorian Era clothing and posing for a portriat
Hannan (left) and Cassidy (right)
Image from the Dwyer Collection, WA Museum

Was he just a lucky Prospector?   Did he die a lonely old Pauper?

This June marks the 120th anniversary of Paddy Hannan & Tom Flanagan’s discovery of gold at what then became Kalgoorlie.  As well as the romance of the true story, a number of myths and legends have become firmly attached and made their way into the history books.

Paddy’s biographer, Tess Thomson, will explore some of these myths with us, to show the real characters and lives of the three prospectors, Hannan, Flanagan and Shea, including:

What was the Mt Youle myth that led to the find?
Who really found the first gold?
Were the rewards paid by the Government a pittance?

Join Tess at the Western Mining Centre, Cheetham Street, Kalgoorlie on Wednesday June 12 at 5:30pm to find out!