Jess
@jessbarratt.bsky.social
Researcher and writer of historic stories. thedustybox.substack.com
“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.’
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
“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
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. ❤️
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.
On 23 December 1895, the Yalgoo Court House tent was blown away by a willy-willy and landed against the Registrars’ office.
Geraldton Express & Murchison Goldfields News; 24 Dec 1895; Pg 7
Geraldton Express & Murchison Goldfields News; 24 Dec 1895; Pg 7
December 5, 2024 at 10:51 AM
On 23 December 1895, the Yalgoo Court House tent was blown away by a willy-willy and landed against the Registrars’ office.
Geraldton Express & Murchison Goldfields News; 24 Dec 1895; Pg 7
Geraldton Express & Murchison Goldfields News; 24 Dec 1895; Pg 7
In 1895, Mr Boyes of Wainwright & Co. created a toy room on the first floor of their premises on Marine Terrace in Geraldton. He filled it with toys, knickknacks, and Christmas wares and ensured that it was “brilliantly lighted and decorated for the occasion.”
December 5, 2024 at 7:02 AM
In 1895, Mr Boyes of Wainwright & Co. created a toy room on the first floor of their premises on Marine Terrace in Geraldton. He filled it with toys, knickknacks, and Christmas wares and ensured that it was “brilliantly lighted and decorated for the occasion.”
“A tram employee first pointed out Donnelly to Constable Aubrey Lamond at the end of February 1909. From that moment, detectives shadowed his every move.”
🗃️ Treasure on the Swan. Published on The Dusty Box.
📷 Courtesy of the State Records Office of Western Australia.
🗃️ Treasure on the Swan. Published on The Dusty Box.
📷 Courtesy of the State Records Office of Western Australia.
November 30, 2024 at 12:08 AM
“A tram employee first pointed out Donnelly to Constable Aubrey Lamond at the end of February 1909. From that moment, detectives shadowed his every move.”
🗃️ Treasure on the Swan. Published on The Dusty Box.
📷 Courtesy of the State Records Office of Western Australia.
🗃️ Treasure on the Swan. Published on The Dusty Box.
📷 Courtesy of the State Records Office of Western Australia.
Perth looked simply stunning tonight. Look at that orange glow 🧡
November 27, 2024 at 12:15 PM
Perth looked simply stunning tonight. Look at that orange glow 🧡
I spent the afternoon painting my cockatiel, Arthur. Art always completely refreshes me. 💛 #watercolour
November 24, 2024 at 11:16 AM
I spent the afternoon painting my cockatiel, Arthur. Art always completely refreshes me. 💛 #watercolour
I already knew people communicated through the personal columns of the newspapers, but this was new. The police responded in The West Australian to a criminal who’d written to them anonymously. This was published under the ‘Missing Friends’ column in 1909.
November 24, 2024 at 3:35 AM
I already knew people communicated through the personal columns of the newspapers, but this was new. The police responded in The West Australian to a criminal who’d written to them anonymously. This was published under the ‘Missing Friends’ column in 1909.
After a very busy day, a quiet night drawing was very much needed. My cockatiel, Arthur. 💛
November 23, 2024 at 1:32 PM
After a very busy day, a quiet night drawing was very much needed. My cockatiel, Arthur. 💛
“The thieves had used the keys to open the premises and the safe. Brooches, bangles, chains, and rings made of gold, sapphire, ruby, pearls, and diamonds were gone.”
Read the story of the burglaries that shocked Perth in 1909 -> thedustybox.substack.com/p/treasure-o...
Read the story of the burglaries that shocked Perth in 1909 -> thedustybox.substack.com/p/treasure-o...
November 23, 2024 at 10:57 AM
“The thieves had used the keys to open the premises and the safe. Brooches, bangles, chains, and rings made of gold, sapphire, ruby, pearls, and diamonds were gone.”
Read the story of the burglaries that shocked Perth in 1909 -> thedustybox.substack.com/p/treasure-o...
Read the story of the burglaries that shocked Perth in 1909 -> thedustybox.substack.com/p/treasure-o...
Treasure.
The word caught my attention as if it were gold itself—gleaming among other words, sentences, and paragraphs. My research for A Moora Mystery halted as my interest piqued. What treasure? Knowing that my mind would not rest until it had the answer, I began to search.
The word caught my attention as if it were gold itself—gleaming among other words, sentences, and paragraphs. My research for A Moora Mystery halted as my interest piqued. What treasure? Knowing that my mind would not rest until it had the answer, I began to search.
November 22, 2024 at 5:50 AM
Treasure.
The word caught my attention as if it were gold itself—gleaming among other words, sentences, and paragraphs. My research for A Moora Mystery halted as my interest piqued. What treasure? Knowing that my mind would not rest until it had the answer, I began to search.
The word caught my attention as if it were gold itself—gleaming among other words, sentences, and paragraphs. My research for A Moora Mystery halted as my interest piqued. What treasure? Knowing that my mind would not rest until it had the answer, I began to search.