Photographers Roger Garwood and Trish Ainslie fondly recall their 1989 expedition to the remote Goldfields of Western Australia, a journey taken to document the lives of gold prospectors who had experienced the ravages of war. At that time, gold was valued at a modest $350 per ounce, a stark contrast to its recent peak of nearly $5,000, making their adventure even more poignant in retrospect.
However, their quest was not as straightforward as they had anticipated. "We began our search through the region... encountering a variety of colorful prospectors," Mrs. Ainslie shared. Despite meeting many hopeful gold seekers, they found none who had fought in wartime until their final day, when fortune smiled upon them.
In Broad Arrow, located about 40 kilometers north of Kalgoorlie, they came across Hector Pelham, an elderly prospector who was a distinctive character, marked by a patch over one eye and a slouch hat held together with wire. Mr. Pelham had enlisted in the military on the very day World War II commenced in 1939. After capturing his photograph, Mrs. Ainslie inquired if any other war veterans were still prospecting. His somber reply was, "Nah — dropping off like flies," a statement that ultimately inspired the title of their book.
The idea for their publication began to take shape only after they returned to Fremantle post their encounter with Mr. Pelham. Mrs. Ainslie mentioned that the enthusiastic responses from friends and family regarding her stories from the Goldfields played a significant role in motivating her and Garwood. Mr. Garwood noted that once news of their project spread, many eager prospectors reached out to share their own experiences. "Despite the vast distances that separated them, these individuals maintained their connections with each other," he explained.
Their first collaborative book, titled "Off Like Flies," was published in November 1990 and received widespread acclaim. Mrs. Ainslie reflected on how fortunate they were to document what she described as the twilight of an era. By 1989, many of Western Australia’s state batteries—crucial for generations of prospectors to process gold-bearing ore—had ceased operations, leading to a sense of loss among the prospecting community. "Several prospectors expressed that this marked the end of their way of life," she recalled.
Moreover, many of the prospectors they photographed were of advanced age and still relied on traditional methods such as picks, shovels, and sieves. "There weren’t many left, and they were well aware that this was the inevitable conclusion of their lifestyle," Mrs. Ainslie said.
Nearly four decades have passed since their initial trip, yet Mrs. Ainslie vividly remembers how the Goldfields left an indelible impression on her. "It was the most extraordinary experience witnessing these individuals tirelessly panning for gold," she reflected. "I found it incredibly peaceful, especially during the sunrises and sunsets."
For Mr. Garwood, the experience was even more profound; he had first visited the Goldfields in the 1970s while on holiday from England. "It felt like a geography lesson coming to life," he recounted. "The landscape was utterly flat and stark—I couldn’t believe I was truly in desert territory."
While the breathtaking desert scenery was captivating, it was the remarkable camaraderie among the prospectors that left a lasting impression on Mr. Garwood. "There was an incredible sense of solidarity among these individuals, and a level of friendship unlike anything I had encountered before," he remarked. "Whenever someone faced financial difficulties, their peers would rally around and provide support—sometimes even handing over a handful of nuggets to help them through tough times."
He reminisced about a particular prospector known as 'Kingy,' whom he met in Meekatharra. Kingy welcomed Mr. Garwood into his home and excitedly asked if he wished to see some of his gold. He then retrieved a metal trunk from beneath his bed, which was astonishingly filled to the brim with gold nuggets. Mr. Garwood was taken aback and asked, "Kingy, why are you keeping all this here? Why not deposit it in the bank?" To this, Kingy casually replied, "I’ve already got half a million bucks in the bank—what more could I possibly need?"
This story not only highlights the unique lifestyle of gold prospectors but also evokes curiosity about the challenges and triumphs they face in a world that is ever-changing.
