Ghostly visions haunt old mill memories

as posted here

BEATRICE THOMAS, The West AustralianNovember 6, 2009, 6:27 am

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There was Arthur and Annie Gibbs, who lost two children to malnutrition, had a stillborn child and whose home on their Perth Hills farm was burnt down in 1894 by a worker who threatened to murder them.

And Mary Weston, who lost her first born Francis at two days. Descendants still tend his small, hand-carved jarrah grave marker in the bush at Carmel.

There's the story of John and Emma Wallis - the policeman turned timber worker and the seamstress whose quality work kept her in demand.

And hotelier Steven Gibbs, who was jailed for cattle theft and whose tin pub was later turned into a boarding house.

Their lives were full of tragedy, triumph and scandal and make up the rich history of the Mason and Bird timber milling days as the Swan River Colony moved into the Hills in the 1860s. These days their stories come to life in a series of ghost walks run by the City of Gosnells, which are in their 15th year and start at the Hardinge Road picnic area from where participants are driven to Victoria Dam and led along a 5.5km track.

On the way, up to 20 volunteers fill the roles of ghosts, tour leaders and sound effect operators to bring early settlers to life.

The Mason and Bird timber milling days started in 1864 when merchant Benjamin Mason was granted a permit for a £20 fee to cut timber in the Darling Ranges.

In 1871, Mr Mason took on partner Francis Bird, who bought into the business for £25,000 and was thought to be the brains behind the timber tramway from Mason's Landing to a mill in Cannington.

Many descendants of the mill's founding families still live in the area in suburbs such as Pickering Brook, Walliston, Orange Grove and Gosnells.

Gosnells mayor Olwen Searle said the ghost walks transported people back to a time rich in history to learn more about an era that helped shape the area.

The ghost walks are held once a month on the full moon with the next on November 27. Tickets are $15 for adults, $9.50 for children or $41 for a family with supper afterwards. To book call 9452 9901.

as posted here