Dick Kearns

Richard Hugh Bell Kearns [Dick], MBE, historian and author, arrived in Broken Hill in 1938 to take a position as an accountant at the North Mine, then became an authority on local history. His interest in Broken Hill’s history was partly personal, since his grandfather, Hugh Bell, came to the area as a pioneer grazier before the North Mine was pegged as Block 17 in 1883.

Born in Adelaide in 1914, Dick Kearns lived in the copper mining town of Burra in South Australia before he came to Broken Hill. At the time he started his new job at North Mine in 1938, BHP was ceasing underground operations, the Barrier Field Naturalists Club’s regeneration project was being initiated, and World War II was looming.

Kearns resumed employment at North Mine after active service with the RAAF during World War 11 and was appointed the company’s Chief Accountant in 1963.

In 1950, Kearns gave his first talk at the Barrier Field Naturalists Club, which happened to be on the literature of Broken Hill. By then he was an advocate for the creation of a historical society and was pressing for a historical archive at the Broken Hill Library.

The Broken Hill Historical Society was finally formed in 1965 with Kearns as a founding member, and then its president in 1966. The Society initially held meetings and organised research trips, collecting and preserving items of historical interest. In 1968, under Kearn’s presidency, the Society completed its first major project: the renovation of the historical Broken Hill Mosque.

Subsequent renovation and tourism projects under Dick Kearns saw the Broken Hill Historical Society provide a plaque to commemorate the 1915 Picnic Train attack; open up the Silverton Gaol and Museum for visitors and hold a public meeting to successfully save the Town Hall, another historic building, from the wrecking ball. Purchasing and restoring the Broken Hill Synagogue in 1990, one year before Kearns’ death, was another significant accomplishment. The Synagogue is now the home of the Broken Hill Historical Society.

In between all these momentous restoration and heritage projects, Dick Kearns maintained his senior position in the North Mine, published a series of books on the history of Broken Hill, and sat on several civic advisory committees.

In 1972 Dick Kearns was awarded an MBE for his significant services to the Broken Hill community.

The Broken Hill Historical Society was awarded the 2021 BHCC John Reid Award for its contribution to the City of Broken Hill.

Publications:

• RHB Kearns 1970: A Pioneer Pastoralist of the West Darling District published by Society.
• 1972 Silverton: A Brief History   1972
• 1973 Broken Hill: 1883-1893. Discovery & Development
• 1974 Broken Hill 1894-1914 The Uncertain Years
• 1975 Broken Hill 1915-1939 New Horizons
• 1976 Broken Hill 1940-1983 Towards The Century
• Broken Hill: A Pictorial History

Audio transcript available.