ɪn wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪthˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi tˈuː, smˈɔːl ɡˈoʊld fˈaɪndz ɪnðə kˈɪmbɚli ɹˈiːdʒən ʌv wˈɛstɚn ɔːstɹˈeɪliə pɹˈɑːmptᵻd ðə ɡˈʌvɚnmənt ʌv wˈɛstɚn ɔːstɹˈeɪliə tʊ ɐpˈɔɪnt ɐ tˈɛmpɚɹˌɛɹi ɡˈʌvɚnmənt dʒɪˈɑːlədʒˌɪst tʊ ɛɡzˈæmɪn ðɪ ˈɛɹiə.
In 1882, small gold finds in the Kimberley region of Western Australia prompted the Government of Western Australia to appoint a temporary Government Geologist to examine the area.