Western Australia Condenser Company, c1895

With saltwater more common than freshwater on WA’s arid goldfields, condensing machines were patented to turn saline water into potable water.

 Mammoth government condenser at Coolgardie, 1902

A government undertaking of mammoth proportions to convert saline water to freshwater, in particular to replenish steam trains on the arid goldfields

Gnamma hole (rock-hole), 1894

A black-and-white sketch in two parts illustrating a natural phenomenon that the earliest gold prospectors relied upon for water in WA’s arid interior.

Government well, c1895

The WA government undertook a program of building works, including wells, in attempting to supply water to the arid eastern goldfields.

 No 2 or Bennett's Tank, Coolgardie, 1895

The WA government built such freestanding dams in a futile attempt to supply freshwater for the arid eastern goldfields.

 Flume at Karalee Rocks, 2002

Runoff from large granite outcrops was captured to supply freshwater on WA’s arid eastern goldfields, at this one by an unusual steel flume.

 Granite outcrop at Kellerberrin, 2002

Runoff from large granite outcrops was captured to supply freshwater on WA’s arid eastern goldfields by building low walls at the base.

Black Flag condenser, c1895

Condensing plants to supply water were one of the first “industries” to be established at the site of a new rush on WA’s arid goldfields.

 Innes and Mills condenser, Coolgardie, late 1890s

Entrepreneurs established condensing plants to distil salt water into water suitable for drinking to sell at a profit on WA’s arid goldfields.

 Condenser, c1900

Unusual because a woman, in the minority on WA’s arid goldfields, is among those alongside a condenser to convert saline into potable water.