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Dan Shea Headstone : 12-November-2011
Dan Shea Headstone : 12-November-2011
Photographs supplied by Derek Graham

The headstone over the grave commemorates prospector Dan Shea who discovered gold with Paddy Hannan in Kalgoorlie.

Dan Shea was born in County Cork, Ireland, and emigrated in 1868 to prospect on the goldfields of Australia and New Zealand. He teamed up with Paddy Hannan and Tom Flanagan and the three prospectors worked together to prospect out of Coolgardie. On 15 June 1893 they discovered gold at Kalgoorlie. Paddy Hannan returned to Coolgardie to apply for a reward claim. Flanagan and Shea continued prospecting the site.

After the goldrush to the area, the three men did not remain to see the amazing growth of Kalgoorlie. By 1894 the original claim passed into other hands and the three men went their separate ways. Shea continued to “chase the weight” through the Murchison and Pilbara goldfields. His last years were spent in and around Perth and he died a pauper in 1908. His gravesite was restored in 1973 after a representation by Mr Tom Evans, the then Member for Kalgoorlie.

Mr. O. G. H. Day, of the Perth Marble Works, Wellington Street, has just completed a memorial to the late Dan Shea in Karrakatta Cemetery, consisting of a marble headstone, with inscription in lead letters, also a kerbing and railing. The work has been executed to the order of the Mines Department.
Sunday Times (Perth), 31st January 1909.

Location

Address:Railway Road, Roman Catholic BC232, Karrakatta Cemetery , Karrakatta, 6010
State:WA
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -31.970221
Long: 115.797161
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Grave
Monument Theme:People
Sub-Theme:Industry
Monument Manufacturer:Mr. O. G. H. Day (Perth Marble Works)

Dedication

Approx. Monument Dedication Date:1909
Front Inscription

              DAN SHEA
              Prospector

A Discover Of Hannans (Kalgoorlie)
             1893 
Born County Cork, Ireland
Died 9th Septr. 1908  Perth W.A.

Erected By The Government Of
Western Australia

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au