Cue, Western Australia, about 540km north-northeast of Perth, was once the centre of the Murchison goldfields.
The wonderful
heritage buildings of Cue date from the wealthy goldmining era, when Cue was the "Queen of the Murchison".
Wajarri Yamatji People
The Yamatji people comprise several Aboriginal groups living in the Midwest region of Western Australia.
Wajarri lands are located, in the Mid West (also known as Murchison) region, encompassing an estimated 35,000 square miles (91,000 km2)
The hunter-gatherer groups of this region, lived in a harsh, arid and unpredictable area.
Aboriginal man William Hamlet of the Murchison River district, provided information about the distribution of peoples in parts of Western Australia to Norman B Tindale, who mapped the various tribal groupings of Aboriginal Australians.
In Tindale's "Aboriginal Tribes of Australia" (1974), he
wrote:
"A useful lead came from a Wadjari tribesman of the middle Murchison River in Western Australia with whom I discussed the Wadjari and the large population they once had there. He suggested that his people had an advantage over those people whom he had met on the coast and the Widi of the country southeast of Mullewa, because they placed great reliance on grass seed food whereas the other people lived only on the hammered seeds of shrubs, did not use the process of wet milling of grass seed, and thus, he said, often went hungry." |
| THE PASSING SHOW IN THE NORTH, NORTH-WEST, AND MURCHISON. Aboriginal men dressed for corroboree, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 3 June 1926 |
According to Aboriginal legend, in the dreamtime, the spirit being
Mondong speared a giant kangaroo which leapt over the Weld Range and landed at Widgie Mia. As it died, the giant kangaroo dug a cave into which its blood spilt. The blood became the red ochre, and the bile from the animal's liver became the yellow and green ochre, which can also be
found in the cave.
Only 69 km north of Cue are the red ochre (clay earth pigment) deposits of Widgie Mia. Ochre was used to depict Dreamtime stories and in ceremonies.
Belief in sorcery was widespread in many Aboriginal groups. The most feared magic is a “kurdaitchaman”, a sorcerer who causes death by taking a bone (known as neilyen, gundila or injilla) and
pointing it at a victim while cursing or singing.
Ritual bones can be emu, kangaroo or human.
 |
| MEDICINE MAN 'PROPERTIES' — A bag of emu feathers to hold the instruments of the medicine man of an aboriginal tribe. The instruments shown in the picture are a sharpened stick for death, pointing at persons whose death is desired, and a second death-pointer from an (abo)riginal's rib. This is attached to the pouch by a cord of rabbit wool.Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Saturday 10 December 1932 |
 |
| EMU FEATHER SLIPPERS: These slippers are worn by me 'Boolya' or medicine man of an aboriginal tribe when on special aim secret missions. They are made of emu feathers and practically defy trackers. In the sole of the slipper, on the right is a cleverly concealed receptacle to hold two mother of pearl operating knives for tribal ceremonies. This is a rare curio in the possession of Mr. Mc Vicker-Smyth, of Elder House, Per th, and was secured by him during a recent tour of the Murchison. Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Saturday 10 December 1932 |
At Walga Rock, 48 km north of Cue, is a rock face depicting an European-style white ship, that is over 300 km from the sea. There are various theories about its origin. Read
here |
| At Walga Rock, WA, 48 km north of Cue, is a rock face depicting an European-style white ship |
Other art at the Walga Gallery is of snakes, emus, kangaroos, dated with radio-carbon tests by archaeologists to about 10,000 years old.
 |
| The Walga Gallery is of snakes, emus, kangaroos, dated with radio-carbon tests by archaeologists to about 10,000 years old |
1850s
The British explorer, surveyor and engineer, RobertAustin explored the Murchison hinterland in 1854. While
travelling through the country north of Mount Magnet, he wrote, "The country around Lake Austin is probably one of the finest goldfields in the world".
1890s
The Murchison goldfield was discovered by Messrs. Peterkin and McPherson on 4 November 1890.
There are various claims about who first found gold at Cue. Here is one:
 |
| Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905) |
Another story claims that on New Year's Day 1892 Michael John Fitzgerald discovered gold at Kintore Blow. This is also the site of the later water tanks that provided the first reticulated water scheme.
Another version has Michael Fitzgerald and Edward being given a gold
nugget by an Aboriginal man known as "Governor".
In 1893, Cue was the centre of the Murchison Goldfields, with a population of around 10,000.
By 1895, there were seventeen batteries at work around Cue
(1.), including: the Cue Public Battery, Cue One Proprietary, Kangaroo, Lady Mary Amalgamated, Red, White and Blue, Rose of England, Reward and the Cue Victory.
 |
| Three men who were among- the first to go to the Murchison during the gold fever days of the 90's and who are now drawing the old age pension believe that prospecting is still profitable, intend to return to work 'old shows.' They are 72-year-old John O'Driscoll; 71-year-old Arthur Nicholls and 78 year old Richard Allender: "'The aborigines had not seen white men before and they used to run after us, watch us from behind trees,' the men said. 'When we offered them damper they would take it, handle it for a long time, but never eat it." |
The Cue frontier mining camp was "....constructed for the most part of canvas and brush, with corrugated iron architectural monstrosities defining the course of the main street at intervals." (
2.)
 |
| An early Cue scene, WA, Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954) |
 |
| Victorian Express (Geraldton, WA : 1878 - 1894), Friday 26 October 1894 |
 |
| After an outbreak of typhoid fever at Cue, WA, the well was capped and a rotunda built over the top. Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922), Saturday 15 December 1894 |
After an outbreak of typhoid at Cue, wells were dug at Lake Nallan, 20km north of Cue and carted to Cue.
The Cue Volunteer Fire Brigade was originally founded by James Paterson Campbell in 1894.
 |
| Camel trading, Cue, WA, 1895, SLWA |
 |
| Inquirer and Commercial News (Perth, WA : 1855 - 1901), Friday 27 March 1896 |
 |
| , Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 6 August 1897 |
The Cue Railway opened in 1897, and Cue was the terminus for the Northern Railway in 189, until 1909, when the line was
extended from Nannine to Meekatharra.
 |
| 'THE BLOW,- CUE, AND SOME PROMINENT RESIDENTS OF THE EARLY DAYS, WA, Geraldton Guardian (WA : 1906 - 1928) |
 |
| THE IMPOSING CUE COURT-HOUSE (note the clock tower) and other public buildings were erected in Cue's palmy days. Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 - 1956), Saturday 13 February 1932 (Built in the main street between 1895 and 1897 from locally quarried granite) |
 |
| Cue Post Office, WA, 1896, SLWA |
The old goal built in 1897, is now part of the local caravan park.
 |
| OPENING OF THE MURCHISON RAILWAY.THE CEREMONY AT CUE, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| The old public buildings, Cue, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| William Hepburn Gale was Cue's first Mayor, WA, (and family). Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| Timperley, Gale. and Co., Cue, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| Jacques, McIntosh & Manford, Cue, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| Cue Stock Exchange, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| The Murchison Club Hotel Cue, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| Marshall Fox, late Government surveyor, and now of the engineering firm of Fox, Weekes and May, Austin-street. Cue, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| Cue Hotel, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| Marshall aerated water works, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| Excelsior Hotel, Austin Street Cue, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| Crooks & Brooker Ironmongers, Cue, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| The Hotel Metropole, Cue, WA, Robinson Street, Cue, WA,. Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| The Hotel Metropole, Cue, WA, Robinson Street, Cue, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| The Murchison Club Hotel and billiard room, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| Miners Arms Hotel, Cue, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897, |
 |
| Excelsior Hotel stables, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897, |
 |
| The Crown Hotel, Cue, WA, ca.1897, SLWA |
 |
| Cue Victory Office and Camp, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| Light of Asia Gold Mine, Cue, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905), Friday 26 March 1897 |
 |
| Pride of Cue Lodge (Masonic), WA, Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette (Cue, WA : 1894 - 1925), Tuesday 17 August 1897 |
 |
| Dry-blowing near Cue, WA, Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette (Cue, WA : 1894 - 1925), Tuesday 17 August 1897 |
 |
| Aboriginal people, Murchison Goldfields, WA, Geraldton Express and Murchison and Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler (WA : 1896 - 1905) |
 |
| Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette (Cue, WA : 1894 - 1925), Thursday 1 December 1898 |
The Masonic Lodge on Dowley Street was built in 1899, of timber and galvanised iron, with pressed iron interior.
 |
| A group of station native on the Murchison, Cue, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 24 December 1897 |
 |
| Donkey team carting timber to the mines, Cue, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 1 October 1897 |
 |
| 1. The heights of Cue, WA. 2. Prospectors, Murchision. Western Australian Goldfields Courier (Coolgardie, WA : 1894 - 1898), Saturday 26 June 1898 |
1900s
 |
| Menzies Miner (WA : 1896 - 1901), Saturday 12 May 1900 |
 |
| Workers' Hall, Cue, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 1 March 1902 |
 |
| Anglican Church, Cue, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 1 March 1902 |
 |
| Wesleyan Church, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 1 March 1902 |
 |
| Cue Volunteer Fire Station, Cue, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 13 September 1902 |
 |
| Northern end Table Top, Cue, Murchison, ca.1902, SLWA |
 |
| Captain Eva Dalling and Lieutenant Lucy Atkins riding the only form of transport available in front of the Cue Hall (Salvation Army) in WA, 1903 |
Bell's Pharmacy was built
around 1904 or possibly earlier, the shop was operated by Robert Bell.
 |
| PORTION OF CUE, THE CENTRE OF THE MURCHISON, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Sunday 25 December 1904 |
 |
| Picnicking beside Lake Austin near Cue, ca.1905. Probably members of the Kretchmar family, SLWA |
 |
| A ton of gold, packing gold bullion at the Western Australian Bank, Cue, 1905, SLWA |
 |
| Roads Board Annual Conference Delegates, Delegates outside Amalgamated Workers Association Building, Cue, 1906, SLWA |
 |
| THE CONVENT SCHOOL, CUE, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 24 November 1906 |
 |
| Cue, WA, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 15 September 1906 |
 |
| Cue, WA, 1907, SLWA |
 |
| Cue Hospital, WA, 1907, SLWA |
 |
| CUE JUNIORS FOOTBALL CLUB. Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 17 September 1907 |
 |
| Cue, WA, 1907, SLWA |
The Canning Stock Route is a 1850-kilometre long track running between Halls Creek and Wiluna in Western Australia, is named after Alfred Wernam Canning, who surveyed the route in 1906–07.
 |
| THE CANNING EXPEDITION PARSING THROUGH CUE, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 4 April 1908 |
 |
| Austin-street. Cue, WA, 1908, SLWA |
 |
| Part of Austin Street, Cue, WA, 1910? (Note the bandstand that was erected over the original old well), SLWA |
 |
| Cue, WA, 1910, SLWA |
 |
| Scene in Dowley Street, Cue, WA, after cyclone, with wrecked Catholic Church, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 22 January 1910 |
 |
| Representative Volunteer Fire Fighters from Cue. D Watson. E. J. Lernon. A. Johnson. ~ J. Hickey. Truth (Perth, WA : 1903 - 1931), Saturday 3 June 1911 |
 |
| Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette (Cue, WA : 1894 - 1925), Saturday 3 August 1912 |
 |
| Cue, WA, 1919, SLWA |
1920s
 |
| MR. HARRY SOUTHWELL and Murchison aborigines taking part in a scene for the motion picture "Down Under." Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Friday 29 October 1926 (Down Under, an Australian feature-length film directed by Harry Southwell, was the first full-length feature film made in Western Australia) |
 |
| Camel Team With Load of WooL Coming Into Cue on the Murchison.Truth (Perth, WA : 1903 - 1931), Saturday 11 December 1926 |
1930s
The Cue-Big Bell Chronicle and Reedy Recorder was the only newspaper printed at Cue in the late 1930s.
 |
| Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Saturday 3 November 1934 |
 |
| Murchison Times (Cue, WA : 1924 - 1937), Saturday 27 July 1935 |
 |
| The Big Bell Mine, Cue, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 23 December 1937 |
 |
| MONOPLANE RUSHES SICK WOMAN FROM CUE TO HOSPITAL IN PERTH TODAY, WA, Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 - 1956), Saturday 5 December 1936 |
 |
| The State battery, Cue, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 6 May 1937 |
1940s and WWII
 |
| Murchison Aboriginal people, Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954), Sunday 15 December 1940 |
 |
| Mount Magnet Leader and Youanmi Miner (WA : 1935 - 1947), Friday 21 September 1945 |
 |
| Arthur Stanley Gurney VC. Arthur Stanley Gurney Memorial Park, Cue Born: December 15, 1908, Day Dawn, Western Australia. Died: July 22, 1942, El Alamein, Egypt S312318, yaruman5 |
2000s
Cue had a population of 328 in the 2006 census.
Around Cue
 |
| Cue Shire Offices, WA, built in 1895, was once the London and Western Australian Investment Company offices and then the Gentlemen’s Club. The building was restored in the 1980s |
 |
| Masonic Lodge, Cue, WA. The Lodge was constructed in 1899 as a meeting place for the Murchison Lodge |
 |
| Austin Street, Cue, WA |
 |
| The old Bank of NSW building in Cue, Western Australia, made of local hand-sawn porphyry stone blocks and was built in 1900 |
 |
| Bell's Emporium opened in 1904, Cue, WA |
 |
| Fire Station, Cue, Western Australia. The Cue Volunteer Fire Brigade was originally founded by James Paterson Campbell in 1894. The Cue brigade was wholly volunteer |
 |
| Cue courthouse and post office, WA |
 |
| The Queen of the Murchison Guest House in Cue, Western Australia, brick and iron building was built c1940 as the Capitol Hotel |
 |
| A few kilometres south-west of Shire of Cue, Day Dawn, Western Australia, was home to over 3,000 people in the early 1900s. Its rapid growth and prosperity was mainly due to the Great Fingall gold mine which extended to a depth of 700 metres |
 |
| The Cue Caravan Park houses the old gaol built in 1896, Cue, WA |
 |
| This collection of huts was moved to Cue in 1958 from the Big Bell townsite, WA. At Big Bell they had been used as the nurses' quarters. Today they are being restored for use as backpacker's accommodation |
Things To Do and Places To Go
The Cue Community Resource Centre
Walga Rock
