14 Facts About Frank Hann

Frank Hugh Hann was an Australian pastoralist and explorer.

The young Frank Hann boys grew up handling cattle and when their father died in January 1864, followed by their mother in June the same year, they assumed responsibility for the family's share of the properties.

Frank Hann became manager of Lolworth prior to turning 20 years old.

Frank Hann discovered deposits of silver and lead in the Lawn Hill area, but commercial operation of the finds did not occur until 100 years later, leading to the present name of Century Mine.

Frank Hann survived, but Flick was cornered and shot dead by other police in the early hours next morning.

Frank Hann decided to try his luck in the north of Western Australia, so in 1896 with six Aboriginal companions and 67 horses he travelled overland from Lawn Hill to Halls Creek.

In 1897 from a base at Nullagine, Frank Hann explored the east Pilbara, and noticed creeks in the area flowed inland.

Frank Hann followed them expecting to find a large fresh water lake, but to his disappointment the lake turned out to be salt.

Frank Hann's explorations covered a great deal of the state while searching for mineral wealth and pastoral prospects.

Frank Hann left a legacy having named over 500 geographical features, including the rivers Rudall, Isdell, Charnley and Phillips ; lakes Yeo and Rason; and ranges Mackay, Sir Frederick Bedford and McFadden Range.

In 1909 Frank Hann shocked people in Perth by a report saying that he had an encounter with Wongi warriors north of Laverton, and regretted not shooting one as he wanted to get a skull for Fred Brockman to send to London.

Brockman subsequently wrote that Frank Hann did get him a skull but it was from a person who had died four years earlier.

Frank Hann maintained an association with an aboriginal man, Talbot, who seems to have been an assistant and possible companion.

Frank Hann was buried in the Karrakatta cemetery in Perth, and in October 1986 a memorial plaque was added to the gravesite.