History of West Australia/William Gordon Brookman
WILLIAM GORDON BROOKMAN.
MR. Brookman was born at Prospect, Adelaide, in 1863, and received his education at Whinham College, in the same city. His scholastic career was one of unqualified brilliancy, and he succeeded in carrying off several scholarships, a performance which marked him out as a student of rare ability and exceptional merit. For several years after leaving school he was employed in the Government service of South Australia, but its monotonous regimen and limited scope did not tend towards enamoring him with the Civil Service of the colony. Growing tired, ultimately, of its surroundings, he resolved to launch forth on the commercial world, and embarked on several large and most enterprising ventures in the city. From the early moments of his introduction to the regimé of business life he showed a remarkable aptitude for acquiring a rapid and clear knowledge of its many-sided details, and a thorough practical exposition of his commercial attainments proved him a capable and shrewd business man. His high educational training aided him considerably in his lengthened cruises on the sea of competitive enterprise and commerce.
South Australia about this time was pulsating with thrills of emotion over the great Coolgardie discoveries. Many rushed to the West in the hopes of wooing early fortune. In June, 1893, Mr. Brookman left Adelaide in company with Mr. Pearce, and took boat to Albany. On arriving at the latter port they provided themselves with a spring dray and two good horses, and set out on that tedious and ever-to-be-remembered journey to Coolgardie. After considerable exertion they reached their El Dorado, but deemed it more desirable, after a short sojourn in Coolgardie, to push on to Hannans, which was then a mere embryo. On reaching Kalgoorlie they pitched their tent and went forth prospecting.
Mr. Brookman and his companion represented a capital of £150, which, though a small amount, was sufficient for the time. In the interests of their Syndicate they set to earnest work, and prospected the vicinity of Hannans. In a short time they pegged out the Great Boulder, Lake View Consols, Ivanhoe Lake View South, and the Associated Mines. They worked away at these claims with untiring energy and trusty confidence, but a lack of funds in the treasury of the Syndicate somewhat disappointed the sanguine prospectors. However bright may have been their anticipations of success, their prospect was ever darkened by terrible odds and straits. Again—the exchequer nearing depletion—exemption was unprocurable, and many so-called mining experts of note endeavoured to damp their ardour by decrying the claims, and suggesting abandonment. Yet, in the teeth of these cruel handicaps and vicissitudes they plodded gallantly on, hoping that soon their discoveries would refute the damaging and cynical opinions of their critics. Eventually, after much hard striving to comply with the stringent labour conditions they successfully floated the Ivanhoe mine in Melbourne for £30,000, and the Lake View for £80,000. These claims, now of such gigantic value, and so celebrated, gained popular appreciation and belief, at a humble exhibition of ls. and ls. 6d. per share in these early days. Few guessed the rich transformation that was in store for these despised and ill-favoured stocks. Encouraged somewhat by these flotations, the plucky prospectors unceasingly plied their labours to acquire as much ground in the vicinity of their claims as possible. They did not pause in their work of enrichment and aggrandisement till they had pegged out 500 acres in the richest part of Australia. Lease after lease was added to their existing possession, and when the batteries gave forth their sweet, melodious music, the fact of the richness of their claims fell on the astonished world with the crash of a thunderbolt. Shares were rushed for, and prices rose with unprecedented celerity. The richness of the claims was a theme in everyone's mouth, and its attractive influence made many hurry eagerly to the scene, and peg out anything in close or remote proximity. The dauntless courage and perseverance of Mr. Brookman were gloriously rewarded, and he became at once the mining celebrity of the hour. Promises, congratulations, and all manner of exhibitory tokens of enthusiastic joy were showered upon him.
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WILLIAM GORDON BROOKMAN |
Mr. Brookman could now afford to rest on his laurels, and indulge in larger schemes. The Great Boulders—the mighty princess of the group—was sent to London, for flotation, and its great success was the signal for a new era in gold mining in Western Australia. All Mr. Brookman's claims were floated off with enviable success, and he was now free to proceed to London and look after his numerous interests. In the great metropolis he is held in high esteem and admiration. His mining career has been fraught with many retarding and harassing obstacles, but he has overcome all these triumphantly, and has girt and decked his exploits in colours of great splendour. His name is a synonym for success and wealth in Westralian mining, and anything that bears the slightest connection with the name is sufficient to augur happy omens and future prosperity.
Mr. Brookman's success has not been wrongly used. His belief in the mines of Kalgoorlie seems to be analogous and parallel to the enthusiastic and wavering confidence of Mr. Lansell in the mining interests of Victoria. Brookman has not, like many regardless mining potentates, withdrawn his wealthy capital and interests from the colony. It is refreshing and pleasant to see him investing extensively in the capital—actions which prove more strongly than words his true belief in the future of this Colony. On every side he is doing an ample share in developing the Colony and sounding the march of progressive advance.
In Western Australia he is honoured with the much-coveted appellation of the "greatest mining magnate of the age," and this conferment has been worthily assigned to him. From his vast services to the Colony as a whole, he possesses an indisputable right to precedence; and had there not been a W. G. Brookman to persistently cling to and develop those despised claims round the Boulder, the mining wealth of Western Australia might have been considerably postponed. The discoveries resulting from his fortunate energies have attracted the eyes of the world to Westralian auriferous resources, and have magnetised the influx of wealthy capital.
Mr. Brookman still continues in close connection with his former finds, and is entrusted with the supervision of the Company's extensive interests.
Mr. Brookman is respected for his many social beatitudes. If we can study human nature better on the side of fortune, then we can unhesitatingly say that Mr. W. G. Brookman has acquitted himself as a true and upright gentleman, consistent in the discharge of his manifold duties, and a staunch and faithful patriot. His virtues are those of a man who knows how to bear misfortune with unmurmuring stoicism, and fortune with equanimity and grace. His myriad interests keep him continually busy, and his sense of duty demands ready compliance with its dictates. Conscientious, scrupulous in honour, and true of heart, Mr. Brookman is a noble example for many who would benefit by learning and practising his commendable ethical attributes.
A few reflections on the mining fields may aptly be appended as being Mr. Brookman's own racy observations. In 1893, the year of Mr. Brookman's arrival in the Golden West, the train from Albany did not go past York, which was then the terminus of the line in the goldfields' direction. Neither railway nor telegraphic communication existed at this early period of awakening, and those who wished to go to the fields were obliged to walk the whole distance from York. It is only recently that the railway from Perth to Kalgoorlie has been opened, thereby providing an easy means of transit to travellers. Kalgoorlie, as it is now known, was 1893 nothing but a mere miners' camp, occupied by those who were merely endeavouring to get what little alluvial gold could be obtained to recompense them for their labour and exertions. It was not until two years after the field was discovered that the town that now appears on the map as Kalgoorlie was surveyed by the Government. From that time forward the population of the town has grown in proportion to the progress of the adjoining country. "Judging from what I have seen, the present population of Kalgoorlie and adjoining mining districts," Mr. Brookman says, "must total 60,000 souls. In 1893 there were only a few hundreds, but the opening-up and development of the mines has brought in its train a career of success, not merely for commercial and professional men, but for all engaged in every phase of business not excluding those interested in the gold mining of the district."