The picture of the man crouching down at 7 mins and 7 sec's in my Grandfather Dennis Aubrey Henderson, he lived and mined in Wittenoom late 50's. He did die of asbestosis in 1986 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. God Rest His Soul.
Thats really unfortunate. Interesting to see the mine closed in 1966, its re-assuring because in my trade there is sometimes mild exposure for me, im safe about it but everyone else seems to ignore asbestos stickers and only think about work at hand and money, if you say anything you loose your job. But its re-assuring to know that its unlikely to be blue asbestos which is the most dangerous because most of the buildings we work on are at oldest 70's.
Thank you for recording this piece of history. I first visited Wittenoom and the Pilbara Region in 1965 and worked right through the area until 1971 on construction of the iron ore mines.
I worked there in the early 1970's for Hancock and Wright, we lived at the old German village, used to dry our iron ore samples in the doorway of the refinery, very fond memories, a truelly wonderful part of the Pilbara, spent a day there in 2008, still amazing. esp for a Kiwi-love the Pilbara
I was there yesterday, the Gem shop has burnt down, had a yarn to a local, there are still five people living there. Nothing has changed since the video. Awesome place to visit, but wear protection near the tails heaps and it the mines. The mines are in near perfect condition nice draft of air going through them. Excellent video by the way.
wow, literally walking through heaps of tailings... i am really wondering how far the wind will take the fibers. The Karijini Eco Retreat for example is just 9km away?
It's definately a great camping spot..not the town of course but further beyond next to the swimming pools. Always reminds of the movie, "Hills Have Eyes".
You never showed the guy that still lives there that takes the weather samples he still alive and well I know this is an old video that I know he's there today he's been there for over 30 years🤔
I remember watching a tv news clip in the early 1980's in NZ about an asbestos mine somewhere in WA that the Australian govt wanted to close down. But all the people working in the mine were moaning about loss of jobs and income. They did not seem to value their health. Which year exactly did they shut down the mine?
MAC R it may be the town they wanted to shut down, in the 80s the mine was already shut but people still lived there and still do to this day. The township, what’s left of it, has no electricity and been de-gazetted. All road signage has been removed and the WA Government does not want tourist to go and neither do the few locals left. But if you mindful and respectful of those houses that are still inhabited you are free to wander and have a look around. Cheers
Did you walk up to the top above the area where you entered that mine shaft? There are visible old telegraph or power lines posts looking up towards there from the base of the stockpile.
Not sure mate, don't think it was anything suspicious. Nice area though. Have you ever gone up Yampire gorge, old asbestos mines up there to, not as big as Wittenoom though.
No mate I was not aware they are still there otherwise I would have made the effort to check it out. In the past when I’ve visited Wittenoom the Gem Shop has been open and I was planning to have a chat before heading out so I had an idea of what to check out. Unfortunately the Gem Shop appears to be shut down so I just got out there and explored and hope I stumbled across everything worth seeing. And your right about the camping spot, had the place to myself and loved it.
I feel bad for the people who once lived there. They can never go back home. never. When I was looking at the pictures I was like "It's like they just picked up and left"
montbrehain I drove through there a few times ( 2011 to 2016)you see houses and you can tell people Live there because there are like any other house in other towns grass areas fresh mowing painted houses and generators for power.
The picture of the man crouching down at 7 mins and 7 sec's in my Grandfather Dennis Aubrey Henderson, he lived and mined in Wittenoom late 50's. He did die of asbestosis in 1986 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. God Rest His Soul.
Amazing, but sad to hear that your grandad succumbed to asbestosis.
Thats really unfortunate. Interesting to see the mine closed in 1966, its re-assuring because in my trade there is sometimes mild exposure for me, im safe about it but everyone else seems to ignore asbestos stickers and only think about work at hand and money, if you say anything you loose your job. But its re-assuring to know that its unlikely to be blue asbestos which is the most dangerous because most of the buildings we work on are at oldest 70's.
Thank you for recording this piece of history. I first visited Wittenoom and the Pilbara Region in 1965 and worked right through the area until 1971 on construction of the iron ore mines.
I worked there in the early 1970's for Hancock and Wright, we lived at the old German village, used to dry our iron ore samples in the doorway of the refinery, very fond memories, a truelly wonderful part of the Pilbara, spent a day there in 2008, still amazing. esp for a Kiwi-love the Pilbara
I went there years ago when the shop was still operating, but nothing else. Bought a couple of can holders, I treasure them.
Found an old family video of wittenoom if anyone is interested, Heading North 1959
My mate Billy Munroe died of blue asbestos exposure of metheloma and asbestosis lung cancer 3yrs ago age of 40 he lived in wittenoom age of 4 at 1984
wow going in there is hardcore. RIP Wittenoom workers and residents.
Just as I remember the town from the 1960's. Even the skeleton of the petrol pump was grafic as it probably one that I installed during that period.
I work there now grading the road
I was there yesterday, the Gem shop has burnt down, had a yarn to a local, there are still five people living there. Nothing has changed since the video. Awesome place to visit, but wear protection near the tails heaps and it the mines. The mines are in near perfect condition nice draft of air going through them. Excellent video by the way.
MOOT BAGAFF a nice draft of air blowing asbestos everywhere
wow, literally walking through heaps of tailings... i am really wondering how far the wind will take the fibers. The Karijini Eco Retreat for example is just 9km away?
Makes me want to take a road trip!
It's definately a great camping spot..not the town of course but further beyond next to the swimming pools.
Always reminds of the movie, "Hills Have Eyes".
You never showed the guy that still lives there that takes the weather samples he still alive and well I know this is an old video that I know he's there today he's been there for over 30 years🤔
I remember watching a tv news clip in the early 1980's in NZ about an asbestos mine somewhere in WA that the Australian govt wanted to close down. But all the people working in the mine were moaning about loss of jobs and income. They did not seem to value their health.
Which year exactly did they shut down the mine?
MAC R it may be the town they wanted to shut down, in the 80s the mine was already shut but people still lived there and still do to this day. The township, what’s left of it, has no electricity and been de-gazetted. All road signage has been removed and the WA Government does not want tourist to go and neither do the few locals left. But if you mindful and respectful of those houses that are still inhabited you are free to wander and have a look around. Cheers
amazingly this place is on Google maps and street view!
Did you walk up to the top above the area where you entered that mine shaft? There are visible old telegraph or power lines posts looking up towards there from the base of the stockpile.
i was there about a month ago (didn't get to go to the gorges) but spoke to a couple locals one of which said the fire wasn't a accident.
Not sure mate, don't think it was anything suspicious. Nice area though. Have you ever gone up Yampire gorge, old asbestos mines up there to, not as big as Wittenoom though.
A face mask...... you have got to be kidding. Rest in peace mate
No mate I was not aware they are still there otherwise I would have made the effort to check it out. In the past when I’ve visited Wittenoom the Gem Shop has been open and I was planning to have a chat before heading out so I had an idea of what to check out. Unfortunately the Gem Shop appears to be shut down so I just got out there and explored and hope I stumbled across everything worth seeing. And your right about the camping spot, had the place to myself and loved it.
I visited Lorraine Thomas a couple of days ago..always great to have a talk with..a remarkable lady
I feel bad for the people who once lived there. They can never go back home. never. When I was looking at the pictures I was like "It's like they just picked up and left"
Eery video of an eery looking place. Am I right in thinking its not even shown on modern maps ? Does anybody live there at all ?
montbrehain I drove through there a few times ( 2011 to 2016)you see houses and you can tell people
Live there because there are like any other house in other towns grass areas fresh mowing painted houses and generators for power.
how come the gem shop burned down?
It’s like a silent film. Why doesn’t someone speak about it.
Its nice to see the government clean up their fucking mess. Just abolish it from maps an pretend it never happend....
makes you wonder doesn't it. Science gets it wrong in a big way. How dare they.
can the small fibres travel thru internet cables and into my face??
akkasoothy YES
It's known as "Fiber Optic Cables"!
Did you wear protection?
Michael Wilson No 😲🤤☹ she said she was clean