Western Australian School of Mines

The Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) is a department of the Curtin University of Technology, located on the Kalgoorlie Campus, in the heart of Australia's mining industry. Since its foundation in 1902, it has earned a reputation for excellence in mining education and research, both locally and internationally.

WASM graduates are highly sought after by industry and consistently receive amongst the highest starting salaries of any graduates in Australia with virtually a 100% employment rate. Through their studies in Kalgoorlie, students gain detailed insight into the operation of the mining industry prior to graduation and develop the skills necessary for a professional career in mining.

WASM offers the early years of its courses at the Bentley campus of Curtin (as well as Kalgoorlie) for students who initially wish to stay in Perth. However, all WASM students study their professional (final) years in the mining centre of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, to obtain the technical and personal skills that are the hallmark of a WASM graduate.

WASM is the only school in Australia which has an undisputed 100% employment rate for all of its graduates since it was founded in 1902. It is also a mostly self supporting unit of Curtin University of Technology.

History

The school was initially set up at Coolgardie in a building erected for the International Mining and Industrial Exhibition of 1899. It moved to Kalgoorlie in 1903 after State government funds were released. One of the co-founders was Edward Sydney Simpson.

The following description appeared in the "Western Argus" on 7 June 1903:

"The first week in October should see the completion of the Kalgoorlie School ofMines building, which is now being erected in Egan-street, next to the Chamber of Mines. It is a spacious structure with a frontage of 135ft. 2in. and a depth of 117ft. 4in., and when completed will be a handsome addition to the many big buildings in this city. In front there will be a verandah with a concrete floor 10ft. in depth and 76ft. in length. Then there will come the main entrance hall, close on the left of which is to be the senior laboratory, and on the right the secretary's office, lobby, lecturer', assistants', and directory rooms. The extreme right will be taken up by a class room, preparation room, lecture hall, and drawing office. [...] . On the extreme left side will be the furnace, assay, metallurgists'laboratory, laboratory assistants' and balance rooms, and at the back will be another balance room, lobby, and the caretaker's and class rooms. There is also space for central courtyard. Altogether there will be 16 fume covers, 11 melting furnaces, and six muffle and assay furnaces, and for carrying off smoke from these, a large chimney stack is to be built. A drainage scheme is provided for throughout. Mr. A.E. Clarke is the architect, and Messrs. W. and J. Park are the contractors for the work." [ cite web|url=http://register.heritage.wa.gov.au/PDF_Files/C%20Reg/Chamber%20of%20Mines,%20Kal%20(P).PDF |title=Register of Heritage Places — School of Mines, Kalgoorlie |accessdate=2007-09-28 |date=1993-09-20|publisher=Heritage Council of Western Australia ]

The school was administered by the Department of Mines until 1969 when it became a branch of the Western Australian Institute of Technology (now the Curtin University of Technology).

Famous Alumni

Numerous students over the more than hundred years that WASM has existed have gone on to lead important roles in society. Some of the more notable alumni include:

Troy Cheaib (TC) - Former WWE Champion, Founder of Jonny's drinking Team.

Alex Cull (AC or Felix) - Olympic gold medalist(10km run), Co-founder of WASM Pluggers.

James Didovich (Jimmy) - First man to wear a Maroon Jumper and get lucky, former pin up model.

Steven Gardiner (Big Steve) - NBA number 1 draft pick 2000 (LA Lakers).

Chris Jones (C-Jones)- Former MotoGP World Champion.

Steve Pickford (Nancy)- Former Liverpool football Captain/Player.

Further reading

* White, M. A.(1971) "School of Mines of Western Australia : a history, 1900-1971" Perth: Murdoch University

References

External links

* [http://wasm.curtin.edu.au Western Australian School of Mines Homepage]
* [http://www.wasm.curtin.edu.au/resandcons Research conducted by WASM's non teaching arms]
* [http://www.wasm.curtin.edu.au/current/StudentSiteHome.htm WASM Student Website]
* [http://www.wasm.curtin.edu.au/current/courses.cfm Courses available through WASM]