Malcolm (AU-WA)

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OS Perfin used in Malcolm Gold Mining town 1909
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Malcolm, Leonora WA 6438, Australia is an abandoned gold mining town 15km east of Leonora and 250km north of Kalgoorlie. It lies in the Goldfields-Esperance region.

Gold was discovered in the area in 1895, and in 1896 the local provisional committee lobbied the government to perform a survey and declare a townsite. The town had six stores, three hotels and two bakeries at this time. The townsite was gazetted in 1897. In 1900 the town was incorporated and had kerosene street lights and a swimming pool. In 1903 over 200 buildings were located in town and the population had reached 450. By 1904 the town had a population of 400 along with six hotels and a brewery.

The town derives its name from a geological feature located just outside the town called Mount Malcolm, which was named by John Forrest while he was exploring in 1869. Forrest had named the feature after his friend and fellow explorer Malcolm Hamersley.

The total area of the town was 1 square mile. The town was also the centre of the Mount Margaret goldfield.

Postmark Examples

1909 cancellation of Malcolm on Swan issue.