Jess
@jessbarratt.bsky.social
Researcher and writer of historic stories. thedustybox.substack.com
A rainy morning is perfect for reading a story. Grab your coffee, get cosy, and tap the link to read about an Anglican nun and a one-way ticket to Parkerville. open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
Sister Mercy Disappears
An Anglican Sister and a one-way ticket to Parkerville.
open.substack.com
July 12, 2025 at 12:38 AM
A rainy morning is perfect for reading a story. Grab your coffee, get cosy, and tap the link to read about an Anglican nun and a one-way ticket to Parkerville. open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
“Knowing that a ticket to Parkerville was definitely purchased, they assumed that Sister Mercy must have slipped away unobserved, wandered into the bush, and become lost.”
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
Sister Mercy Disappears
An Anglican Sister and a one-way ticket to Parkerville.
open.substack.com
July 6, 2025 at 8:06 AM
“Knowing that a ticket to Parkerville was definitely purchased, they assumed that Sister Mercy must have slipped away unobserved, wandered into the bush, and become lost.”
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
“The Sister looked at them in puzzlement. She had not seen Sister Mercy at Parkerville at all during the week. No one had seen her. Awareness dawned on the Sisters. Sister Mercy was missing.”
💌 Read the story on The Dusty Box (I trust you know where to find me).
💌 Read the story on The Dusty Box (I trust you know where to find me).
July 5, 2025 at 12:32 AM
“The Sister looked at them in puzzlement. She had not seen Sister Mercy at Parkerville at all during the week. No one had seen her. Awareness dawned on the Sisters. Sister Mercy was missing.”
💌 Read the story on The Dusty Box (I trust you know where to find me).
💌 Read the story on The Dusty Box (I trust you know where to find me).
Parkerville Railway Station circa 1902.
If you’re keen to read the upcoming story that this image relates to, be sure to subscribe to The Dusty Box -> thedustybox.substack.com
If you’re keen to read the upcoming story that this image relates to, be sure to subscribe to The Dusty Box -> thedustybox.substack.com
June 25, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Parkerville Railway Station circa 1902.
If you’re keen to read the upcoming story that this image relates to, be sure to subscribe to The Dusty Box -> thedustybox.substack.com
If you’re keen to read the upcoming story that this image relates to, be sure to subscribe to The Dusty Box -> thedustybox.substack.com
Animorphs, but make it 1894. 💁🏻♀️
These illustrations were titled ‘National Emblems’ and were printed in Melbourne Punch in 1894. The kangaroo illustration is further described as ‘the evolution of the train’ while the emu is described as ‘the evolution of the improver.’
These illustrations were titled ‘National Emblems’ and were printed in Melbourne Punch in 1894. The kangaroo illustration is further described as ‘the evolution of the train’ while the emu is described as ‘the evolution of the improver.’
June 5, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Animorphs, but make it 1894. 💁🏻♀️
These illustrations were titled ‘National Emblems’ and were printed in Melbourne Punch in 1894. The kangaroo illustration is further described as ‘the evolution of the train’ while the emu is described as ‘the evolution of the improver.’
These illustrations were titled ‘National Emblems’ and were printed in Melbourne Punch in 1894. The kangaroo illustration is further described as ‘the evolution of the train’ while the emu is described as ‘the evolution of the improver.’
Premier George Leake was unsympathetic when he wrote to Mr Illingworth: “Violent lunatics must be locked up and if there is no place in a hospital I see no reason why the police station should not be used.”
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
A Dressmaker's Tale
A York scandal and a woman who never found freedom.
open.substack.com
May 10, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Premier George Leake was unsympathetic when he wrote to Mr Illingworth: “Violent lunatics must be locked up and if there is no place in a hospital I see no reason why the police station should not be used.”
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
Wandering in Perth and admiring a golden sunset.
May 7, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Wandering in Perth and admiring a golden sunset.
I started this drawing sitting on a bench opposite the Whalers’ Tunnel in Fremantle. What was a quick pencil outline, became this finished fine liner drawing. ✍🏻 #travelersnotebooks #fremantle
April 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I started this drawing sitting on a bench opposite the Whalers’ Tunnel in Fremantle. What was a quick pencil outline, became this finished fine liner drawing. ✍🏻 #travelersnotebooks #fremantle
“In a city like Perth, the rumours about the waiter at the Cafe de Monte Carlo spread quickly. He was not who people thought he was. He was certainly not a waiter. Oh, no. That was all a ruse.” open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
Lord Thornton
When one man fooled the people of Perth.
open.substack.com
March 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
“In a city like Perth, the rumours about the waiter at the Cafe de Monte Carlo spread quickly. He was not who people thought he was. He was certainly not a waiter. Oh, no. That was all a ruse.” open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
Reposted by Jess
WA Labor has endangered the water supply to Perth while pretending to do otherwise.
Roger Cook has allowed US miner Alcoa into high-risk areas, lowered protection standards and ordered its environmental regulator to put mining jobs before water quality.
www.boilingcold.com.au/wa-labor-put...
Roger Cook has allowed US miner Alcoa into high-risk areas, lowered protection standards and ordered its environmental regulator to put mining jobs before water quality.
www.boilingcold.com.au/wa-labor-put...
Labor breaks vow and risks WA's water supply for Alcoa
Roger Cook granting Alcoa greater access to mine near Perth's dams risks could cost taxpayers billions of dollars and result in water restrictions
www.boilingcold.com.au
February 26, 2025 at 9:19 PM
WA Labor has endangered the water supply to Perth while pretending to do otherwise.
Roger Cook has allowed US miner Alcoa into high-risk areas, lowered protection standards and ordered its environmental regulator to put mining jobs before water quality.
www.boilingcold.com.au/wa-labor-put...
Roger Cook has allowed US miner Alcoa into high-risk areas, lowered protection standards and ordered its environmental regulator to put mining jobs before water quality.
www.boilingcold.com.au/wa-labor-put...
“Wilson’s syndicate bought Larl (first known as Tallah) in 1894. Most people knew him as the “famous riding camel of the Murchison.” He set the record for travelling from Coolgardie to Menzies (110 miles) in 16 hours and was known to travel 200 miles “in a pinch.””
📷 Larl, the camel circa 1895
📷 Larl, the camel circa 1895
February 22, 2025 at 11:42 AM
“Wilson’s syndicate bought Larl (first known as Tallah) in 1894. Most people knew him as the “famous riding camel of the Murchison.” He set the record for travelling from Coolgardie to Menzies (110 miles) in 16 hours and was known to travel 200 miles “in a pinch.””
📷 Larl, the camel circa 1895
📷 Larl, the camel circa 1895
“Until a track is made and condensers go out, it would be the greatest folly for any one to rush to the find unless camels are employed.” [1894]
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
A Camel Named Larl
A record-breaking camel on the eastern goldfields.
open.substack.com
February 15, 2025 at 1:34 AM
“Until a track is made and condensers go out, it would be the greatest folly for any one to rush to the find unless camels are employed.” [1894]
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
open.substack.com/pub/thedusty...
The prospectors’ friend circa 1897. 🐪
The Geraldton Express and Murchison Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler; 26 March 1897; Page 6.
The Geraldton Express and Murchison Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler; 26 March 1897; Page 6.
February 11, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The prospectors’ friend circa 1897. 🐪
The Geraldton Express and Murchison Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler; 26 March 1897; Page 6.
The Geraldton Express and Murchison Yalgo Goldfields Chronicler; 26 March 1897; Page 6.
Earlier this year I learnt thread painting (relaxed embroidery) and I finally finished this rose! I’m so happy with it, and I can’t wait to try embroidering something else! 🌹
December 29, 2024 at 12:19 PM
Earlier this year I learnt thread painting (relaxed embroidery) and I finally finished this rose! I’m so happy with it, and I can’t wait to try embroidering something else! 🌹
“On Christmas Eve, there was music in the air. The Temperance Brass Band was still practicing and had chosen to give a rendition of “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” outside a home at the west end of Marine Terrace. Children played on the grass near the lockup.”
December 24, 2024 at 5:07 AM
“On Christmas Eve, there was music in the air. The Temperance Brass Band was still practicing and had chosen to give a rendition of “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” outside a home at the west end of Marine Terrace. Children played on the grass near the lockup.”
Looking at this map again. ❤️
December 19, 2024 at 1:26 PM
Looking at this map again. ❤️
Archaeologists complete largest mass exhumation in Australian history from old cemetery under The Hutchins School
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Australia's largest mass exhumation reveals almost 2,000 bodies underneath school
After workers dug up two skeletons at a Hobart school's hockey field it was believed there'd likely be more, with the location being an old graveyard. But the scale of what the archaeological team fou...
www.abc.net.au
December 14, 2024 at 11:48 PM
Archaeologists complete largest mass exhumation in Australian history from old cemetery under The Hutchins School
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
“It was a scene of holiday bliss until a scream cut through the festivities.” thedustybox.substack.com/p/varleys-ch...
Varley’s Christmas Goose
A Geraldton Christmas dinner that flew away.
thedustybox.substack.com
December 14, 2024 at 1:25 PM
“It was a scene of holiday bliss until a scream cut through the festivities.” thedustybox.substack.com/p/varleys-ch...
“So judge our horror, our despair
Our anguish, our dismay
When we heard our hopes were blasted,
That the goose had got away.”
A Geraldton Christmas story from 1895 -> thedustybox.substack.com/p/varleys-ch...
Our anguish, our dismay
When we heard our hopes were blasted,
That the goose had got away.”
A Geraldton Christmas story from 1895 -> thedustybox.substack.com/p/varleys-ch...
Varley’s Christmas Goose
A Geraldton Christmas dinner that flew away.
thedustybox.substack.com
December 14, 2024 at 7:25 AM
“So judge our horror, our despair
Our anguish, our dismay
When we heard our hopes were blasted,
That the goose had got away.”
A Geraldton Christmas story from 1895 -> thedustybox.substack.com/p/varleys-ch...
Our anguish, our dismay
When we heard our hopes were blasted,
That the goose had got away.”
A Geraldton Christmas story from 1895 -> thedustybox.substack.com/p/varleys-ch...
I love stories like these. Forgotten tiny moments of life in Geraldton at Christmas time in 1895. I’m publishing this story (which includes me reading a poem!) at 5pm. Please subscribe to read/listen first.
The Dusty Box: thedustybox.substack.com
The Dusty Box: thedustybox.substack.com
December 13, 2024 at 6:11 AM
I love stories like these. Forgotten tiny moments of life in Geraldton at Christmas time in 1895. I’m publishing this story (which includes me reading a poem!) at 5pm. Please subscribe to read/listen first.
The Dusty Box: thedustybox.substack.com
The Dusty Box: thedustybox.substack.com
Ready for the fancy Christmas lunch 🎄
December 10, 2024 at 11:46 PM
Ready for the fancy Christmas lunch 🎄
It had gone we thought for ever,
It was out upon the loose,
It was on the razzle-dazzle,
Was Varley’s Christmas goose.
A Geraldton Christmas dinner that flew away. Story coming soon…
It was out upon the loose,
It was on the razzle-dazzle,
Was Varley’s Christmas goose.
A Geraldton Christmas dinner that flew away. Story coming soon…
December 7, 2024 at 10:52 PM
It had gone we thought for ever,
It was out upon the loose,
It was on the razzle-dazzle,
Was Varley’s Christmas goose.
A Geraldton Christmas dinner that flew away. Story coming soon…
It was out upon the loose,
It was on the razzle-dazzle,
Was Varley’s Christmas goose.
A Geraldton Christmas dinner that flew away. Story coming soon…
In the 1890s, mixed bathing (men and women both swimming at the same time) was the topic of the day. The Geraldton Murchison Telegraph had a resident poet named ‘Ubique’ who quickly got to work writing this poem.
December 6, 2024 at 5:46 AM
In the 1890s, mixed bathing (men and women both swimming at the same time) was the topic of the day. The Geraldton Murchison Telegraph had a resident poet named ‘Ubique’ who quickly got to work writing this poem.