Nov 16, 2013

Women in the gold mines

Kal history -1
Kalgoorlie 1890s to 2013 
WA Nov 2013 


As soon as we hear about Kalgoorlie and Women we think of Brothels & prostitution. To know a general view of the history please visit: 

http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/wikb/sexwork.html
&
http://www.questacasa.com.au/

In my visit i did a tour in Questa Casa- The Madame (Carmel) she took us around - i need to agree it was quite entertaining - she is a good story teller and the choice of stories is what the audience wants to hear - so i would give her that credit for a good performance. As she is doing this everyday i am surprised with her act - it is theatrical - but never you feel it is representative.  

yes the audience giggle in every sentence she says. it is exotic and curious for the audience - some people also asks quite a politically stupid questions like - did the girls have medical tests? of-cource they did......

what i liked about the space it is kept quite like a heritage tourist place though it is an active brothel. 
I wanted to know more about the Japanese Girls - i wonder with them did the Ukiyo-e woodcut prints traveled or not - like in Europe during the early 19th century many artists of that time got influenced by these prints. 

the stories about the "Containment Policy" and the 'Starting stalls' was quite a imaginative picture. 

I did see many Buddhist graves - recognized by the symbol. but one in particular i saw of a 21yrs old Buddhist women burred in 1895 - and her name is registered as: Okado Harry - it would have been difficult to bring a Buddhist monk for the ceremony.

The Girls definitely came for prostitution but it isn't right to even say all came for prostitution - they also came for different jobs...and the rest is the same story in every city. The lost identity - forgotten girls - unnamed - untouchables - but in the history the main thing remains is the Curiosity behind the Moralistic mind. 

few images of Questa Casa and the Buddhist grave.





 Okado Harry: 






'Starting stalls'







The Next door active Brothel - it is a new one so no "Walks"




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