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This site, created by
Pauline O'Brien was first installed on 1/6/1998.
Latest
update 1/1/2012
Unless otherwise noted all
photos have been taken by myself or my husband John O'Brien.
Email: obees@upnaway.com Fremantle, Western Australia.
NB:
While all pages are linked some still contain no data or images.
Recently updated pages
- Great Southern Lights
Recent WA Lighthouse News
A Lighthouse by my definition extends beyond
the traditional picture postcard image of the old limestone, cast iron and brick lighthouses
of our coast. This site is an attempt to recognise the role and existence
of both old - some even derelict or destroyed, and the contemporary lights which
might appear as nothing much more than a light on top of a metal pole accompanied
by a solar panel. Each in turn has helped to make the
navigation of our coastline a safer route.
The construction and maintenance of lighthouses along the
Australian coastline was the responsibility of each colony, but it was not until the
granting of Responsible Government in 1890 and the discovery of gold that
Western Australia could afford to build more lighthouses. The need was also
greater, as the rapidly increasing population and spread of settlements meant
a greater number of shipping movements around the coast. The developing
pearling industry and gold finds in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions,
led to further pastoral expansion in those areas. Three lighthouses were built
in WA in the late 1890s, and eight lights came into operation between 1900 and 1905.
In
1906, the Federal Government was indicating its intention to take over control
of all coastal lights. This prompted a flurry of activity from the West
Australian Government, because, as the Colonial Secretary pointed out:
"If we do not get all necessary
lights established before that I am afraid it will be difficult to get the
Federal Govt. to put them there, but if the lights are erected now, the Federal
Govt. must continue them."
The Commonwealth Navigation Act covering lighthouses was
proclaimed in 1911, but the Commonwealth did not take control until 1915.
Archived WA Lighthouse News
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