Australian History

[Anniegee]

Thanks Manpa.

Who Am I?

I was born in Ireland in the early 1800's.
Stories of my political escapades, bad temper and exceptional beauty made headlines all around the world.
I visited Australia during the goldrush, and sadly, died before the age of 40 years.

 

[Anniegee]

If it's too hard, I'll post another clue tomorrow

 

[Manpa]

Lola Montez?

 

[user 4386]

aka Mrs. Eliza Gilbert

 

[Anniegee]

Yep! Well done...both of you are correct :clap:

 

[Manpa]

Go for it Goldierocks, Ive got a busy day in the workshop tomorrow.
Cheers
Manga.

 

[user 4386]

OK - just got home so give me a minute

 

[user 4386]

I am an Australian mining field that was named after an early explorer. Later, my name was changed to one that reflected the dominant activity of my inhabitants.

 

[user 4386]

Come on - we don't have that many early explorers!
There was a war occurring when I was discovered

 

[Manpa]

Hodgkinson?

 

[user 4386]

No. As mentioned, the town itself no longer carries the name of the explorer but a name more related to activities in the town (although the explorers name still exists in other features of the area). The prospectors who discovered it found a mineral different to the one they were exploring for.

 

[just starting]

Mathew Flinders ?

 

[user 4386]

The question was the present name of a mining town, previously named after an explorer before its name changed (I am not aware of one by that name). Its minerals were discovered in 1915.

 

[Manpa]

Coober Pedy, they were originally looking for gold,but I cant find another name for the town.?

 

[user 4386]

Coober Pedy, they were originally looking for gold,but I cant find another name for the town.?

Correct - the town was originally called Stuart Range after John McDouall Stuart (a name perpetuated in the name of the highway, and the range itself, but no longer the town). When it was to become official they found there was already a town Stewart Range so decided to give it another name, Coober Pedy from the aboriginal Kupa Piti. Commonly translated as man in a hole but perhaps is more accurately "the boys' waterhole". Water was always a problem, but by 1918 it was being supplied by camel teams carrying drums of water (one team being run by one of my ancestors).

 

[Ward69]

Sturt range. Opal field

 

[Ward69]

Sorry Robert. Should have refreshed the screen before sending. You bet me to it Well done Manpa. I was stuck on the war clue Was so focus on the Boer War.

 

[Ward69]

Your turn Manpa. Need a hard one

 

[Manpa]

Ward69 not sure how hard this is

I am looking for an event. I occurred in Feb 1879.

 

[Ward69]

Sydney riots feb 1879