(Research):Although Philip is renowned for his part in opening up the goldfields of the Kimberley District of Western Australia, it is not widely known that before this, he had proved the existence of gold in Western Queensland. An excerpt from the Australian of Wednesday June 19th, 1907, reads:- At the beqinnng of 1864 Saunders was pros pecting with a mate north of what is now the town of Rockhampton in Queens 7-and. IVot hi no papable beinq found, thek struck west to the ]Zeichardt Ranges, but the countrij was too inhospitable. After 6 weeks prospectinc, which could onlp be carried out in dazilight, owing to the treacherous blacks on the Leichardt River, Saunders returned with 15 os. gold, and caused the biggest rush in Western ueens land. In 1872 with Adam Johns he journeyed overland to the Northern Territory of South Australia, where men on telegraphic construction had reported gold. Gerald M. Browne of Perth on June 19th l936 wrote:One of Philip Saunders and Adam Johns bids for fortune as a side line, was the attempt to tame and farm the wild buffalo in that country, with the idea that the meat and hides might become profitable. This, however, after twelve months patient work in collecting young buffcz. and herding them, only resulted in a general stampede of some thousands, which entirely demolished their camp buildings and undid all their work and trouble. In June 1907 the Mt. Ada District Progress Association approached the Secretary for Mines seeking monetary assistance for Philip Saunders. The Secretary for Mines requested a full written history before the matter could be dealt with. The reply was as follows:Mt. Ada, 23 June, 1907. Hon. H. Gregory Esq., M.L.A. Perth. I beg to state that in the month of May, 1881 myself and partner, Adam Johns left Port Darwin in a small vessel chartered by us to Roebourne, North West Australia, with a view of searching for gold. Our first discovery of gold was Nicol River situated 19 miles s.w. from Roebourne. Next find was Ashburton River. Neither of the above finds we considered payable. Copper was the next discovery at J/him Well and Balla Balla. The next gold discoveries made by me was Richenda River 20 miles west of King Leopold Range. Our next find was Kimberley via Mary River, Mount Dockerell, Elvirn River, Paulon River. The abovenamed finds we obtained payable gold. While at Kimberley, Johns my partner was stricken down with paralysis. I was compelled to give up prospecting work and push on to Port Darwin with mp sick mate for medical aid. Durina the ears 1881 and 188t a reward of £ JJ was offered for the discovery of a papable poldfield. cent -In an arplication for the reward, but was informed nnt he reward was withdrawn. fir. Elardman, Sovt. Seologist inbevle7i the cowinp pear after vu discoveru of ft-ed of paId at Kimberiep was undoubtedly the f other finds hetnp opened up. I should be verp thankful should pour Post. th&* I have anu claim to ann consideration prom the State. I remain, Sir. Yours ai tbu 1 1z1, PhIl. Saunders. . Philip Saunders received an Annuity of £75 per annum until his death in 1931. A Memorial tablet was erected on his grave acknowledging the part which he played in shaping the destiny of Western Austral ian goldfields. For more detailed information on Philip Saunders gold prospecting expeditions, refer to the following books: The Rush that Never Ends by Geoffrey Blainey and The Glint of Gold by Malcolm Uren.