This Day in History: 1962-11-05

Construction officially commenced on the Standard Gauge Railway, running from Perth to Kalgoorlie via the Avon River Valley. The official starting point was Monument Hill Cutting, where the Premier the Hon. David Brand blasted the top off a hill at the 21-mile peg in the presence of 700 guests.  Tenders had been let for two sections of the Avon Valley route: the lower section to the Perron Bros., and the Northam-Toodyay section to Leighton Constructions.

Sources:
Glenda Oakley. More dates. Friends of Battye Library, 1992, p.19.
Beverley times, 1 Nov. 1962, p.1; 8 Nov. 1962, p.1.
News express, 17 Feb. 1966, p.1.