Here are the first of a series of entries about Kambalda,a nickel and gold town near Kalgoorlie,WA Australia.This is a personal veiw of the area and the happenings here. Although I research I will probably make mistakes,LOL

The town at present has a population of around 7000 people with FIFO a popular choice due to the lack of accomodation etc.This will be influenced as in the past by the Boom/Bust of mining.

A bush town thats quiet as a country town should be with minimal crime though the local constabulatory are kept busy by somewhat bored teens getting up to the typical teen antics,the usual pushbike helmuts and so on. They also have their work cut out with the usual adult passtimes with Mbikes etc and the few over the limit drivers.A few serious accidents has alarmed them to place a traffic crack down on offenders to help reduce death and injury,though m\y own observations has noted that it hasnt stopped a few from speeding and reckless driving especially with the very long 53m? road trains that are now in use on the roads carrying ore into the nickel smelter near Kal.

The country side varies to open low shrubs with scattered saltbush ,punty bush and erimophilias. In the good seasons these areas show wildflowers in abundance but the last few years have been very dry and this area has had very limited shows.The last ones I saw were the small pink paper daisy types which I hoped we would see this year.

The yellow bushes seen flowering here are mostly punty or Cassia shrubs,a close up is down further.Yellow Acacias are also present in types that are common in dry arid country,prickly,hard foliage types that have evolved for minimal moisture loss.

Next to this is the quite dominant Saltbush that survives on little rainfall and is at present covered in bloom and will been laden with seed that weighs the plants down and gives a weeping look.

Lake Lefroy, a large saltlake that appears dry but is towads the centre a salt crust over mud that mining companies find frustrating in gold exploraton finding their equipment bogging down and adding to the corrosion problems that come with salt areas!! This lake has much gold to be had,its getting to it and getting it out that is the problem,Mother Nature at its best!!

Lake Lefroy extends from Kambalda right around,past Widgie and down to Norseman.The home of the Annual International Blow cart get together.These little sail boats on wheels reach some great speed across the perfectly flat surfaces over the lake!These veiws are from up on Red Hill where Kambalda East, the original Town was built. A great spot to go in the early morn or evening,thunderstorms out across the Lake at night are fantastic sights and in Summer a bundle of hot chippies and bit of soft drink is a treat for families at the picnic tables.

Mining activity across and around the edge of the lake and the lovely Cassia!