The Kalgoorlie Miner’s top news photographs from 2024: part one

Sometimes you have to see it, not only to believe it, but to understand it. And that’s the power of a photograph.

From rodeo riders and remote rescues to power blackouts, the Kalgoorlie Miner photographers are there to capture newsworthy moments from across the Goldfields.

We’ve picked out the most striking photos that our snappers captured in 2024.

Part two will be published in next Saturday’s paper.

1. Yee-haw!

The trick is to ride — and make it to the bell. And for crazy-brave bronc riders during August’s Coolgardie Rodeo & Outback Festival, that bell was “just” eight seconds away. No simple task on a bucking roughstock going bonkers across the red Goldfields dust.

2. Remote rescue

Kalgoorlie-Boulder airport was abuzz with emotion in March when a family of seven who were stranded in the outback for several days touched down in the Goldfields capital. A police officer is pictured speaking with two of the rescued travellers after they landed in a rescue helicopter. Goldfields-Esperance Insp. Mick Kelly described the moment police located the travellers as one of the “happiest moments” of his career.

3. Beat the heat

Eleven teams from Goldfields mining operations put their emergency response skills to the test at Evolution Mining’s Mungari operations in November. An FMR Investments team member, pictured, is competing in the underground fire scenario during this year’s CME Underground Mine Emergency Response Competition.

4. Just bootiful

Leonora’s main drag came to life during the Leonora Golden Gift, which sees some of the nation’s fastest runners go head-to-head across a series of races alongside festivities that keep spectators entertained. Perth competitor Tafara Nyamhunga clinched victory in the much-anticipated steel cap workboot sprint, crossing the line with a comfortable lead.

5. Lights out

Kalgoorlie-Boulder faced a multi-day crisis in January after the city’s power system experienced a catastrophic failure. The Goldfields capital was plunged into powerless limbo after storms battered the Western Power network that extends across the State to the Goldfields. This photograph taken from Mt Charlotte lookout shows the centre of town and surrounding suburbs in darkness.

6. Cacti outbreak

Long-term Kalgoorlie-Boulder locals and nature enthusiasts raised the alarm on rapidly spreading outbreaks of invasive cacti species in bushland around the city. Nature lovers John Rees and Danny Sheehan were shocked to come across multiple sprawling infestations of cacti species in the city’s surrounding bush this year.