Snapshot in Time: The life, times & exploration achievements of pioneering WA bushman E. T. Hooley (1842-1903)

Edward Timothy Hooley was born at sea on board the Bolivar on September 30, 1842. He was educated at a school in Portland and also gained much practical experience in agriculture and bushcraft from working with his father. After a failed attempt at becoming a pastoralist at Camden Harbour, he became an explorer and set off on a short expedition to the head of the Sherlock and Harding rivers. Crossing the Murchison with T. C. Murray, he managed to force a passage through the rocky Hamersley Range. On the way he named both Mt Anderson and Mt Murray. After discovering good pastoral land, the two men travelled to Perth to get sheep. Upon reporting his discovery of good land, he reported it to the Surveyor General and was granted a lease of 100,000 acres by the Government. Hooley decided to open a stock route to the north of WA and set off in 1866 with seven men, 2000 sheep and two teams of horses. He arrived at Nickol Bay after a three-month journey, having lost only eight sheep. He was given a fine gold fob watch by grateful settlers. E. T. Hooley died on August 3, 1903, at the age of 60. Snapshots is an initiative of the Geraldton Regional Library. For more information or to donate a historical photo or slide, contact 9956 6659 or library@cgg.wa.gov.au.