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”
