["Faded Glory of Copper Centre", Daily News (Perth, WA), Tuesday 14 April 1942, page 6]
By a Special Correspondent
WHIM CREEK, Tues--Cyclones, droughts, copper mine machinery rusting into decay through years of idleness, and a population that has dwindled almost to nothing have all contributed to Whim Creek's desolation. Today the main, almost the only, establishment functioning is the hotel, store and post office combined, which, in spite of a recent acute shortage, has continued to provide a haven to travellers. Whim Well copper mine, situated about two-thirds of a mile from the townsite, gave Whim Creek its life blood.
History of the mine is, in turn, saddening, romantic and inspiring. If the mine were to resume working, and it may yet do so, Whim Creek would re-live its lively past. The quality of the copper deposits of this area appears to be beyond question and, with the development of war, attention has been attracted again to the Whim Well enterprise.
At the price obtaining for copper today, it might easily become a valuable proposition. Two important factors to face are the labour shortage and the possible influences of Japanese war moves on activity in northern parts of Australia.
RICH ORES
Whim Well mine was started in the early years of the century and influential London interests were behind it. On the spot, Mr H. R. Sleeman, well-known mining authority, has been sponsor and guardian of its interests. Although the mine has been idle for about 17 years and bears a forlorn appearance with its rusted plant, it would not take a great sum to restore it to working order. Some idea of the richness of the ores may be gauged from the fact that the copper showed an average of about 15 per cent, and the higher grades yielded up to 40 per cent. There is apparently an abundance of mineral of payable values. Private interests and Commonwealth Government authorities have recently displayed interest in the possibilities of re-starting operations but the future of the mine is still uncertain.
Much of the 70,000 tons of ores which were got from the mine and shipped from the neighbouring an chorage of Balla Balla were carried overseas in sailing ships. Much also went by steamer, but the shipping shortage and increased freight charges of the post-war years helped to stifle the enterprise. In those early days the mine employed about 170 men.
Whim Creek, with its 300-odd population, two hotels, police station, staff of postal officials, Chinese garden, and other signs of a thriving mining town was a flourishing spot. Whim Creek has been in the track of numerous cyclones and only the remnants of buildings remain. Hardly anything is to be seen of the Sleeman bungalow, a show-place of the North West, which was flattened in a blow three years ago.
Even the latest willy-willy, which passed by the town a week or two back, levelled outbuildings at the mine. Whim Creek is surrounded by some of the best known sheep stations in the North-West. Gold-mining is carried out at scattered points.
