KALGOORLIE
3.1.1978

Dear Albert

Going back pre-war there were four pigeon clubs on the Goldfields; namely The Boulder Racing Pigeon Club, The Goldfields National Homing Club, The Boulder Homing Club and the Eastern Goldfields Homing Club. The Boulder Racing Pigeon Club being the first club to use the Benzing Timer which were purchased through Livinson's in Perth for eight pounds ten shillings. I was President and OV Richards was Secretary. In 1947, the clubs decided to amalgamate and so the Goldfields Homing Association was formed. I was made president and Mr OV Richards Secretary and Mr Les White Treasurer. I am pleased to say I am still a flying member and was the first Life Member of the Club. With myself a organiser, numerous raffles were conducted and soon the club was financial enough to purchase a block of land in Whitlock Street, which is situated halfway between the two towns of Boulder and Kalgoorlie and so built their own club room. This was a great achievement as they were the first homing club in Western Australia to own their own club house. In previous years the club has flown the East line as far as Tarcoola in South Australia and as far as Minilya in West Aust and South to Esperance.

Each year the club conducts a show and exhibition of pigeons, plus a mob toss at the community fair, which creates quite an interest to pigeon fanciers and public alike.

You will have to excuse me Albert as my memory is not as good these days, but I do trust this has been of some help to you. I am enclosing some certificates which you the Presidents and Secretaries names over a few years, also a photo taken of the last year of the GNH of which you can see the blue Derby ribbon I was lucky enough to win. Unfortunately I cannot find a certificate going back pre-war when we flew a race from Perth 340 miles in 3.5 hours the pigeons flying a little better than 90m.p.h Of course that day the birds had a terrific tail wind, but nevertheless, that's the time they did it in. You will see I have added a lot more names to your list, some present, others past. Well, Albert, there is not much more I can add and I hope this has been of some benefit to you.

Cec Quaife

GOLDFIELD MEMBERS (to 1978)

Cec Quaife (Inaugural President on formation of the G.H.Assoc.)
Les White Treasurer and OV Richards Secretary

WJ (Paddy) Johnston	Charlie Blackmore	Paddy Carmody
Jack Cunningham	Fernie Bros (John & Robert)	Harry Lague
Ken Lawrence	Collard & Son (Ron)	Ted (Cut throat) Norton
Pud Lawrence	Phil Hodge	Bill N Chadwick
Bill Saddington	R (Bob) Kenworthy	Softley Bros (Bert & John)
George Elliott	Ron Bridges	John Thomas
Mick O'Brien	E (Ted) Pickering	Mick Lock
Harry O'Brien & Son	Don W Bruce	Murray Angus
R (Bob) Wray	Stan Danes	Jim Millwood
W (Bill) Pidgeon	Winstanley	Pop Richards O.V.
Arthur McKay	Les White	Bill Woods
Stan McKay	Peter Chadwick	Tom Angwin
Les Durbridge	Graeme Hornby	Tom Hodge & Son
Jim Wilson	Kevin Collins	Eddie O'Donnell
R (Bob) Allen	Jack Hewitt	Kevin Young
Scotty Bryson	Albert Sampson	W (Bill) Schutz
Cec Gearing	Ken Blair	John O'Hehir
Cedric (Buff) Norris	Jack Neal	John Wilmott
Alan (Buff) Thomas	Keith Bowden	Ted Brown
Jack Crannage	Jack Regan (Musgroves)	Vern Ingram
Jim (Wicker) Crannage	Frank Regan (Railways)	Brown (Son Cec Brown)
Ray Crannage	Ron Peters	Norm Oliver
Jim Rowe	J Hindle	Max Osborne
Scotty Fraser	H Harris	Charlie Slee

Goldfields National Homing Club, Foundation Members 1946
1946 First Place Certificate

NORSEMAN MEMBERS (1957)
Guy New
B Goodwin
Jim Harvey
Tony Panuzlic
Bob Harvey
Nobby Clarke

One year Norseman members flew with the Goldfields Homing Association and they travelled 200km each way to compete with GHA (as one club)

The Policeman at Norseman used to control the plug off. Times were read and phoned through. Clock papers, rubbers etc then mailed to GHA for confirmation. On long distance races they used to take clocks through to Kalgoorlie. How keen they must have been!

---