How a Russian prospector ‘conquered’ Australia

Ivan Fedorov (Fredericks) is little known in his homeland of Russia, but is deeply respected in Western Australia. This native of Arkhangelsk moved there in the second half of the 19th century, at the height of the gold rush.

The two-meter giant, who the Australians called ‘Russian Jack’, possessed remarkable strength. He carried large logs with ease and bent iron crowbars. He also designed and then carried an unusually large and heavy prospector’s wheelbarrow.

However, it was not at all because of his strength that Fedorov became popular in Australia. The secret was in his boundless kindness, sense of camaraderie and readiness to come to the rescue at any moment.

More than once, ‘Russian Jack’ saved the lives of fellow prospectors he would meet in the waterless desert. He would put exhausted and sweltering people into his wheelbarrow and, dropping his own work, would immediately take them into town.

Once, he took one dying prospector more than 160 km to the nearest doctor. It was this episode that formed the basis for the monument to ‘Russian Jack’ that was erected in 1979 in the town of Halls Creek, a place he often visited.