PATRICK ANDREW CONNOLLY 1867 - 1946

By David Mizen

This account is drawn from the print and other media records. There is significant disparity between sources regarding basic items concerning Connolly’s early life, date of birth and family details. Many of the conflicts in the unofficial source documents can be rectified by extracting the relevant official documents, time and other constraints mean that this paper has been written without access to those documents. This paper in its original unfinished form is nearly 12,000 words. Word count considerations mean it is not possible to cover all of Connolly’s work particularly aspects of his country charitable work.

Patrick Andrew Connolly is best known locally for his connection to the Kalamunda Hotel. However, his connection to the City of Kalamunda goes back to at least 1898 and is far more significant than that just the hotel. His contribution to Western Australia is immense. Both in terms of his activities in the horse racing industry, which are well know, but will not be examined in depth in this paper, but also in terms of his business interests. Particularly his provision of financial assistance to one hugely significant start up. More importantly though, through his charitable actions. These had a direct impact on Kalamunda. Further, there were huge benefits for the lives he touched as a result of his actions and donations.

“From the day I left Queensland in the Nineties, lured to the West by the adventure that beckons with the discovery of gold I had a love for horses. I wanted then to own a good horse, see him carry my own colours and perhaps some day realise the ambition of every owner and win a Melbourne Cup” (Life Storey of PA. Connolly, Townsville Daily Bulletin, 1 January 1947, Pg.3).

Early Life

Patrick Andrew Connolly, came from a family of six, he was born in 1867 at The Ophir in the west of New South Wales. His father was a farmer and road contractor. Connolly senior moved the family in 1878 to Monteflores, where he purchased a hotel. The family lived there until 1881 when they moved again to take over another hotel in Cunnamulla, Western Queensland. As he grew up Connolly became adept at handling stock. He soon collected a small string of race horses. With these he rode many winners at country picnic meetings. From an early age he was regarded as a good judge of thoroughbreds. In 1894 the gold rush started in Western Australia. Connolly decided to try his luck (Out Among The People, Albany Advertiser, 21 November 1940 Pg.5). There are different versions of what happened next. The various version are not mutually exclusive, all have a common thread. The common thread is the horse Pantomime.

Pantomime was entered into 3 events at ‘Spencers Brook’, where he won a treble (3 races in one day). Pantomime’s jockey on that day was F.B Spencer (Brookton Race Club, The West Australian 15 March 1895, Pg.2). Pantomime gave Connolly his start in the WA racing industry. It also marks the start of Connolly’s interest in the WA hotel industry. Connolly late in his life stated that:

“[I]... purchased the lease of a hotel at Midland Junction ... that was in 1895. In 12 months I disposed of that property and brought the Occidental Hotel in Perth”(Out Among The People, Albany Advertiser, 21 November 1940 Pg.5).

Connolly had an eye for business but his first love was horses. His next venture was a combination of both and lasted the rest of his life. Some time in 1897 or early 1898 Connolly purchased the land that became Helena Vale Racecourse. He was the prime mover in the formation at the Helena Vale Racing Club and was principal share holder until his death (Racing at the Vale, Western Mail, 24 June 1948, Pg. 23). It appears that until the break up of the jurisdiction of the Darling Range Road Board, Helena Vale was under the Road Boards supervision (Darling Range Road Board, West Australian, 8 May 1900, Pg.2). It is not the intention of this paper to cover Connolly’s racing history, it is well known that he won the Melbourne Cup in 1905 with Blue Spec. It is sufficient to point out that Connolly was posthumously inducted into the Western Australian Racing and Wagering Hall of Fame in 2010 (Racing and Wagering, 2010) . As a result of his connections with Helena Vale Race Course Connolly’s connection with the City goes back to at least 1898.

Marriage

The details of Connolly’s private life are difficult to prize open. However, it is reported that he married Alice Julia (maiden name not reported) on the 7th February 1898 at St Georges Cathedral Perth. There were 3 children of the relationship, all died within hours of birth (Connolly Divorce Suit, Geraldton Guardian, 1 December 1923, Pg.1). The respective dates of birth are not recorded in the print media. There are entries in the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board Records that suggest it is likely they were prior to 1905. The deaths of the children may well have played a significant role in his latter philanthropic activities.

The Connolly’s lived in various of the bigger hotels around Perth before they moved to Dunreath (Connolly Divorce Suit, Geraldton Guardian, 1 December 1923, Pg.1).In January 1905 the Sunday Times reported that:

“Mr. C. N. Kidman has sold his beautiful estate ‘’Dunreath” to Mr. P. A. Connolly for £4,600. There was a thousand profit in the deal’. (Late Sporting Notes, Sunday Times, 22 January 1905, Pg. 2).

There are a number of later reports that state that Dunreath was a Kidman Bro’s property (see for e.g. Blue Spec’s Owner, North West Post, 10 November 1905, Pg. 3). There is no single definitive report of the location of Dunreath. Combining a number of reports, Dunreath was situated near the intersection of the now Kalamunda Road and the now Great Eastern Highway. This site is hugely significant to WA and national horse racing. It as the base Connolly operated from for many years. Connolly owned Dunreath prior to his winning the Melbourne Cup with Blue Spec in November 1905 (Blue spec’s Owner, North West Post, 10 November 1905 Pg.3). For that reason and for its prior connection to the Kidman family this aspect of the story requires further investigation. Dunreath was sold following the Connolly’s divorce in 1924.

Charity work

Connolly was involved in charitable activities from early in his time in WA. The newspaper reports indicate that there is a huge amount for which details are not fully recorded or not recorded at all. However, his charitable actions became public in the late 1910’s.

In the mid 1910’s the concept of an ‘ugly man’ competition to raise funds for various projects arose in the lower south west. By February 1917 the idea had reached Perth, carried by Inspector Harry Mann formerly of Kalgoorlie (Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23 December 1920, Pg.55). In that month the Children’s Hospital was in dire need of funds. An appeal was set up. The results, it was politely reported, were “discouraging”. In that year the public at large were suffering. World War I was in full swing, resources were stretched to the limit. Harry Mann called a meeting of the East Perth Football Club, its members and supporters. The meeting was at the Australia Hotel and:

“[I]t was put to the ‘sports’ that things were up to mud, that the ailing inmates of the children’s Hospital could not be allowed to suffer and even die...” (Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23 December 1920, Pg.55).

A new appeal was launched. After some delay it was decided to model the appeal on the Kalgoorlie ugly man competition. There should be candidates, lots of them, on which the public could vote via the ballot box. Votes to be bought for a penny each. The title to be bestowed on the lucky winner - “The Ugly Man of Perth” (Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23 December 1920, Pg.55).

Connolly’s media profile at the time meant he was a natural nominee. Connolly’s tally was in excess of 91,000 votes and saw Connolly crowned the “Ugliest Man in Perth”. The second Ugliest man in Perth was Mr Victor Newton. The third Ugliest man was the Rev Father Crowley. There were 129 other men who ranged from extremely hideous to merely plain (The Ugly Man, Daily News, 20 February 1917, Pg.6). The ranking was calculated according to the amount of money each candidate raised and/or donated.

As a result of his philanthropic activities Connolly was on the managing committee of the Red Cross in 1919 together with Harry Boan (President) and R.O. Law (Vice-President) (Children’s Hospital, Daily News, 25 November 1919, Pg.5). As a consequence Connolly was indirectly involved in the establishment and operation of St Andrew’s Repatriation Hospital Lesmurdie, likewise the soldiers hospital at Keane’s Point and Woorooloo. Both St Andrews and Keane’s Point was managed by the Red Cross (Incapacitated Soldiers, The Western Mail, 11 April 1919, Pg. 37).

In 1919 Connolly gave his second biggest single donation that is recorded. The Children’s Hospital was again reported to be in need. In the immediate aftermath of WWI there was no government money. The required amount needing to be raised was 7,000 pounds. Connolly is at the head of the list of donors at 1,000 pounds (Practical Christianity, Daily News, 21 August 1920, Pg.5). The above resulted in the following being published in the Sunday Times:

“A child’s simple tribute to the work of the Ugly Men and the Children’s Hospital:

To Mr. Clydesdale, President Ugly Men’s Association, Perth. “Dear Sir,-Mother was reading an account of Mr. Connolly’s gift to the Children’s Hospital. It was very nice of him. Twice when I was sick mother took me there, and Dr. MacGregor was very good and clever. I got quite well. I would like to help to get something for the hospital, but I know father and mother are buying our little home, so we have not got much money; so, if you could get some ladies to make up a children’s ball in Perth Town Hall in aid of the Children’s Hospital I would play all music required for dancing. I can play very well and have had good instructors. I could give you a trial any time after school. I am twelve years of age, and a ball would be very nice, and I could sell a lot of tickets for you. I hope to hear from you soon.

Faithfully yours, Ivy Rogers. PS I could also sing a song while supper is being handed round “

(Emphasis added) (Perth Prattle, Sunday Times, 12 September 1920, Pg.6).

Looking back on the letter it is either entirely serendipitous, or, its a contrived political dig at some members of the Red Cross board who served with Connolly. In late 1919 there was a well published spat between Connolly and some members of the Red Cross Board. Connolly wanted women on the board, a ladies committee to help manage the hospital and to do exactly the things referred to in the child’s letter. Further, he wanted them to have full voting rights including the appointment of voting proxies. He was overruled. It was pointed out by one of the committee members that the women seeking positions on the board had donated a 1000 pounds each to the hospital, that is they were financially co-equal with Connolly. One of the putative committee members was a Mrs Foster (for various reasons this requires further investigation potentially this link to J.A. Barton) It appears from the report that Connolly was ready for a full blown Supreme Court battle regarding the issue. In amongst all of this Mr Clydesdale in his capacity as hospital treasure presented his report, the hospital was solvent but only just. The fact the hospital was solvent was due in very large part due the actions of the Ugly Man’s Association (Children’s Hospital, West Australian, 25 November 1919, Pg.8). The hospital committee had a significant crossover with the management of the Ugly Man’s Association, Connolly, Harry Mann and Alex Clydesdale were on both.

The story of the Ugly Man’s Association led by Connolly as their patron makes Telethon look like an anemic picnic. Much of the Ugly Man’s Association actions were directed towards building homes for war widows and their children. In the 1920 annual report it was noted:

“During the year a home had been built for a soldier and his wife at Queens Park. Another home was being built at South Perth, two had been completed at Subiaco, one at Leederville, and one at Cottesloe Beach, while another one at Cottesloe Beach was in course of erection. There was also a home in the course of erection at Midland Junction” (Practical Christianity. Daily News, 21 August 1920, Pg 5).

The homes were often built from scratch, the Ugly Men were all volunteers and the work was done in their own time. In 1920 there was a slanging match between elements of the press and a small group of dis-affected soldiers, in that dispute the following statement was made:

“Against this they[the Ugly men] have done something as their record of 41 widows’ homes renovated free of cost and 22 houses entirely built proves”(emphasis added) (Sooling the Soldiers, Call and WA Sportsman, 6 February 1920, Pg 2).

This was in the first three years of their existence. The Association ran on for many more years after this.

Significant Known business Interests

Connolly owned or had interests in numerous hotels in Perth and around the state during his lifetime. Connolly was the effective owner of the Emu Brewery for a period in the early 1920’s (Big Business Deal, West Australian 23 November 1921, Pg.6.). The Emu Brewery amalgamated with the Swan Brewery in 1927, reports indicate that the amalgamation was by way of a share swap (Sale Of Emu Brewery, Western Aurgus, 12 July 1927, Pg.13.). This would have made Connolly a significant voice in the operation of the Swan Brewery. In 1921 Connolly was at the forefront, as one of the chief financiers, of the establishment of the southern hemispheres first airline and mail service (Aerial Mail Service PERTH TO DERBY, Tambellup Times, 12 November 1921, Pg. 3). Connolly also had substantial pastoral interests, possibly obtained as a result of his early association with the Kidman family. It may have been these interests that led to the financing of Western Australian Airlines. Some relevant extracts and quotes related to Western Australian Airlines are set out in the Appendix to this paper.

Kalamunda Hotel

Connolly owned the Kalamunda Hotel from sometime prior to 1927 until his death in 1946. To determine precisely when Connolly bought the hotel will require an examination of the title to the property. However, the Hummerston’s vacated the property in December 1920 (Social and Personal, WA Family Sphere, 31 December 1920, Pg.2). This is a likely point of sale. A.F. Wood of the Kalamunda Hotel is noted in 1921 (Motors and Motoring, 21 August 1921, Sunday Times, Pg.7). Wood as licensee was prosecuted for possessing adulterated spirits in June 1922 (Midland Junction, The West Australian 12 July 1922, Pg, 9). A further search of the liquor licensing court reports shows that in December 1924 Anthony Kostera was the licensee of the hotel (Guildford Licensing Court, West Australian, 8 December 1924, Pg 11). The facts relating to the construction of the new hotel in 1927 are well known (Kalamunda Hotel, West Australian, 23 April 1927. Pg. 8). However, the architect Herbert Parry does not appear to be referred to in the History Inventory listing. Parry was a significant architect at a local and state level. Kostera remained in place until 21 January 1928, when the license was transfered to Albert Suhard (The Licensing Act, 1911-1923, West Australian, 21 January 1928, Pg.3). There is no mention of Wood or Kostera being proprietors of the hotel, this suggests there was an undisclosed owner in the background. Given Connolly’s ownership of the hotel was public by this time it is highly likely that Suhard was Connolly’s manager. Following Suhard’s appointment Kostera moved to the Freemanson’s Hotel Helena Street Midland (Freemasons Hotel, The Swan Express, 11 May 1928, Pg. 1). Connolly lived for a time in the new hotel (Pertinent Paragraphs, Mirror 19 May 1928, Pg.9). Towards the end of his life Connolly kept a car garaged at the hotel. It appears that he employed a driver (Borrows Employer’s Car, Daily News, 22 June 1939, Pg.12). It appears that Connolly had a hand in the small monument opposite the hotel.

Burkhardt’s Chair

Whether Connolly was involved in the commission or payment of this facility is an open question, the evidence suggests he was. The relevant report refers to a plaque “to the memory of Mr Sam Berkardt, who was responsible of the planting of pine trees at Kalamunda, is to be erected by the Kalamunda District Progress Association”(General News, West Australian, 31 August 1937, Pg. 18)(emphasis added). It is believed this refers to the stone seat and plaque diagonally opposite Connolly’s hotel. The inference is that the seat was constructed after August 1937 to commemorate Burkhardt’s earlier actions. The report refers to a contemporaneous donation by Connolly of 14 pounds towards the Associations funds. Further, the particular association was reported as being formed “last June” as reported on the 31 August 1937 (General News, The West Australian, 31 August 1937, Pg.18) so construction in 1913 is extremely unlikely. Connolly’s method of operation was to donate for a specific purpose. The donation and the construction of the chair are not likely to be coincidental. The Kalamunda History Inventory in relation to this issue needs to be reviewed.

Swan Districts Football Club

The Swan Districts Football Club was formed in 1933. Connolly was the initial club Patron (New Team For the League, Daily News, 18 October 1933, Pg2). Connolly served as club Patron until at least 1940 (Football, West Australian, 7 December 1940, Pg.10). In 1951 it was noted that Connolly was Patron for many years and “assisted the club from its inception” (The Youngest League Team, Western Mail, 14 June 1951, Pg.23). This probably means that Connolly funded a significant portion of the clubs initial financial outlay. Swan Districts Football Club was and still is a significant outlet for Kalamunda football players. There is a playing ‘field’ closer to home that directly affects Kalamunda today.

Kalamunda Children’s Play Ground

In 1939 The West Australian reports:

“ Mr. P. A. Connolly has given the Kalamunda District Progress Association a block of land situated between [undecipherable]-street and Central-road, next to the Church of England, for the purpose of a children’s play ground. The land is very centrally situated. “ (Country News, West Australian, 11 February 1939, Pg.10).

In the same notice the Association proposed to form a traveling baby’s health clinic. In April 1940 it was reported that the Progress Association had completed construction of the swings, merry go round and other items related to Connolly’s block (Country News, The West Australian, 4 April 1940.) This appears to be the land now occupied by the “wooden horse” next to Kalamunda Amateur Dramatics Society and the community hall between the mall and Barberry square. There were other Kalamunda related donations.

RSA & Kalamunda RSL

Connolly had a significant hand in the present state of 35 Canning Road. A block of land was donated by Connolly, together with the sum of 500 pounds as contribution to the RSL building fund. (Presentation of Charter to RSL Sub-Branch, Swan Express, 15 February 1951, Pg.4.) The event was a presentation, and, as part of that presentation, there was a recap of significant events that had occurred over the last few years. This included acknowledgment of the donation of the land. It appears that the donation occurred shortly before Connolly died. It would be useful to locate Connolly’s block. Was the current block two blocks that were amalgamated, or was Connolly’s block sold to raise funds for the building? The building fund donation was recorded in the Listening Post on 1 February 1946: “ Mr. Paddy Connolly’s generosity appears to know no bounds. Practically all patriotic and charitable appeals are handsomely subscribed to by him. Living at Kalamunda, Mr. Connolly has taken an interest in the Darling Range sub-branch. He subscribed £250 to their War Veterans’ Appeal, £100 to the Legacy appeal and hearing that the sub-branch intended to start a fund to build a Memorial Hall he sent President Bob Logie a cheque for £500.” (Personalities, Listening Post, 1 February, 1946, Pg.8). After this there was a return to Connolly’s principal cause.

Kalamunda Infant Health Centre

Shortly before he died Connolly made an unsolicited gift of 250 pounds to be credited to the Kalamunda Infant Health Centre (News and Notes, The West Australian, 31 October 1946, Pg 6.). Evidently the Progress Association was not making the progress with the clinic announced in 1940 that Connolly expected or wished for. The issue of children’s health is the most prominent feature of Connolly’s donations.

Conclusion and Legacy

In a news report published in Sydney very shortly before he died Connolly was asked about his charitable donations – his answer: “Why not? You cant take it with you!”(WA’s Turf Giant: Owner & Bettor, Smith’s Weekly, 9 November 1946, Pg 4). It was reported in numerous places that nobody, not even Connolly himself, had any idea of the total amount he donated, estimates range from 100,000 pounds to 250,000 pounds. The quote from Connolly at the opening of this paper was taken from a substantial tribute from a news paper published in Townsville a few days after his death. It is difficult to comprehend how big a personality Connolly was in the early part of the twentieth century.

In essence his legacy is contained in the child’s letter regarding his donation to the Children’s Hospital and to the countless children of war widows that grew up in a houses built by the Ugly Men led by Connolly.

This does not include the numerous country hospitals in which he bought some, or all of, the land, the building, and/or, equipment, then donated the purchase(s) to the relevant road board. Likewise numerous country RSL Halls were built as a result of Connolly’s donations. All of which due to word count limits are beyond this paper. Connolly’s contribution to the state is immense but sadly not acknowledged.

Connolly died on 28th December 1946 aged 78 years. The probate value of his estate was 149,332 pounds. The bulk of Connolly’s estate was donated to charity.

There were attempts to get honours for Connolly for his charitable works during the last few years of his life, but for reasons that are not known they came to nothing. Below is an example:

“C. K. Heppingstone, St. George’s terrace, Perth, writes: ‘I desire to congratulate The Sunday Times’ on its article in which it mentions the name of the wonderful giver. Mr. P. A. Connolly. I am quite sure that Mr. Connolly has done more for charitable institutions and patriotic funds than any man in Western Australia, and I am sure it would surprise the people of Western Australia if they knew the amount given by Mr. Connolly during the last twenty years to the Children’s Hospital. I would suggest through your paper that the Government of WA take the necessary steps with the Imperial Parliament to do honor to a worthy Australia citizen”

(Tribute to Mr. P.A. Connolly, Sunday Times, 28 December 1941, Pg.5).

Recommendations

1. That steps be taken to search and extract:

1.1 Connolly’s death certificate (this will verify his date of birth, place of birth and age);

1.2. Relevant Certificates of Title for:

1.2.1 Connolly’s “shack” (see 4 below);

1.2.2 Kalamunda Hotel (see also No 3 below)

1.2.3 RSL House 35 Canning Road Kalamunda (see 6 below) and if possible the donated block of land;

1.2.4 The Children’s play ground Central Road.

2. Children’s Play Ground

(a) If the Landgate search referred to above proves the writers contention regarding this block is correct, the City’s History Inventory should be updated to include this block and its history. If the writers contention is not correct regarding the location of the donation, the donation should be listed according to the details on the certificate of title.

(b) The ‘log horse’ is not relevant to the site it is situated on, it would be more appropriate at Location 165 Canning Mills or Bartons Mill. A more appropriate monument should be placed at that site referencing Connolly’s donation.

3. Kalamunda Hotel

The History Inventory should be reviewed and updated to include the results of the Landgate search and the matters referred to in this paper.

4. Connolly residence

It is a notorious fact that Connolly owned a “shack” near the Kalamunda Hotel “at the back of the hotel” possibly on Dixon or Spring Road or possibly on the Central Road side of the hotel. That property once identified should be listed in the inventory for its association to Connolly.

5. Burkhardt’s Chair

The issues raised by this paper with respect to this listing needs to be examined and the listing be revised accordingly.

6. RSL

The writer has not had the opportunity to test the veracity of the land donation referred to above, the relevant Certificate of Title relating to the land should examined to verify the donation report above. If the reports are correct the City History Inventory regarding the above RSL house and land will need to be rewritten.

Appendix

West Australian Airlines

Norman Brearley had secured the contract to carry mail, in the first instance from Geraldton to Derby. It appears that Brearley needed additional capital to buy more aircraft to run the service reliably, and, to expand to carry passengers and freight. As a result of the lack of capital the company was setup to bring in investors. The initial directors and presumed initial financiers were Connolly, C.W Arnott and Brearley. (Geraldton To Derby, Daily News,3 August 1921, Pg.6). It took the technical knowledge of Brearley coupled with the financial clout of Connolly and his connections to get the business up and running.

The story is summed up in the Tambelup Times:

“The chairman of the West Australian Airways Limited, has all most completed arrangements for the inauguration of the first regular aerial mail and passenger service in the southern hemisphere. Major Brearley is managing director and technical adviser to the concern, Messrs. Arnott, Lee Steere, Connolly and [C.E.] Crocker being the other directors. The official opening will be performed on December 3 by his Excellency the Governor, who will make a flight in the first machine.

Five pilots and a staff of expert mechanics have been engaged, and they will be stationed along the mail route to Derby. Buildings to house the fleet of machines are in course of construction. Perth is to have a hanger capable of housing six machines, Geraldton one for six machines, Carnarvon and Port Hedland one each for two machines, while at Onslow and Broome single machine hangars are being constructed. The pilot is due to arrive from England next week.

Three machines will leave Perth for Geraldton on December 4, and on the first trip a day will be spent at each mail centre in order to complete arrangements for subsequent running. Coming south, the machines will drop off to their allotted sectors, and carry out the ordinary time table of leaving Perth every Friday for Derby via ports, returning every Tuesday afternoon to Perth. It is intended, to take cinematographic record of the most interesting episodes (Aerial Mail Service PERTH TO DERBY, Tambellup Times, 12 November 1921, Pg. 3,).

There was an inauguration function at Parliament House:

“North-West Air Service-’It is at least one instance in ,which the Federal Government has looked at matters from a purely Federal standpoint,’ remarked the Minister for the NorthWest (Mr. H. P. Colebatch) at Parliament House yesterday with regard to the subsiding of the aerial mail service to the North-West. The occasion was the Minister’s proposal at a Parliamentary luncheon of the toast of success to Westralian Airways Ltd., and good luck and happiness to the young aviators who will pilot the company’s machines. The company’s directors (Messrs. C. W. Arnott, E. Lee Steere, P. A. Connolly, and [C.E.] Crocker), Major Brearley, and the pilots (Lieutenants C. Kingsford-Smith, L. E. Taplin, R. N. Fawcett, H. A. Blake, and V. B. Abbott) were present as guests,while the North-West members were included among the parliamentarians.”(News and Notes, West Australian, 25 November 1921, Pg 6).

History has focused on Brearly and Kingsford-Smith but without Conolly and Arnott in the first instance history would be very different.

Foot note: CW Arnott was a building contractor and built a substantial part of the Perth CBD - Perth GPO, Burt Memorial Hall, a large portion of UWA, the Savoy Hotel, Walsh’s building and numerous significant hotels.

The Lee Steere mentioned is Ernest, most likely Ernest Augustus. E.A. Lee Steere had significant pastoral interests and interests in the WA Trustee, Executor and Agency Company Ltd, Connolly used WA Trustee Co for a number of his donations.

C.E. Crocker was an engineer and head of the WA Energy Department, he was killed in a traffic accident in 1929 (Late Mr. C.E. Crocker, Daily News, 11 July, Pg.1) Crocker’s widow was friends with Amanda Statham widow of Thomas Statham (Statham’s Quarry) (See Mizen (2023) Thomas Statham.

References

Aerial Mail Service PERTH TO DERBY, Tambellup Times, 12 November 1921, Pg. 3

Big Business Deal, West Australian 23 November 1921, Pg.6.

Blue Spec’s Owner, North West Post, 10 November 1905, Pg. 3

Brookton Race Club, The West Australian 15 March 1895, Pg.2

Borrows Employer’s Car, Daily News, 22 June 1939, Pg.12.

Children’s Hospital, Daily News, 25 November 1919, Pg.5.

Children’s Hospital, West Australian, 25 November 1919, Pg.8.

Connolly Divorce Suit, Geraldton Guardian, 1 December 1923, Pg.1

Country News, West Australian, 11 February 1939, Pg.10.

Country News, The West Australian, 4 April 1940.

Darling Range Road Board, West Australian, 8 May 1900, Pg.2

Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23 December 1920, Pg.55

Football, West Australian, 7 December 1940, Pg.10.

Freemasons Hotel, The Swan Express, 11 May 1928, Pg. 1.

General News, West Australian, 31 August 1937, Pg. 18

Guildford Licensing Court, West Australian, 8 December 1924, Pg 11

Incapacitated Soldiers, The Western Mail, 11 April 1919, Pg. 37.

Kalamunda Hotel, West Australian, 23 April 1927. Pg. 8

Late Mr. C.E. Crocker, Daily News, 11 July, Pg.1.

Late Sporting Notes, Sunday Times, 22 January 1905, Pg. 2

Life Storey of P. A. Connolly, Townsville Daily Bulletin, 1 January 1947, Pg.3

Midland Junction, The West Australian 12 July 1922, Pg, 9

Motors and Motoring, 21 August 1921, Sunday Times, Pg.7.

News and Notes, West Australian, 25 November 1921, Pg 6.

News and Notes, The West Australian, 31 October 1946, Pg 6. New Team For the League, Daily News, 18 October 1933, Pg2.

Out Among The People, Albany Advertiser, 21 November 1940 Pg.5

Personalities, Listening Post, 1 February, 1946, Pg.8

Perth Prattle, Sunday Times, 12 September 1920, Pg.6

Pertinent Paragraphs, Mirror 19 May 1928, Pg.9

Practical Christianity, Daily News, 21 August 1920, Pg.5

Presentation of Charter to RSL Sub-Branch, Swan Express, 15 February 1951, Pg.4

Racing at the Vale, Western Mail, 24 June 1948, Pg. 23

Racing and Wagering., 2010 URL https://www.rwwa.com.au/blog/inductee-2010-paddy-connolly/ Accessed 30/12/2022

Sale Of Emu Brewery, Western Aurgus, 12 July 1927, Pg.13

Social and Personal, WA Family Sphere, 31 December 1920, Pg.2.

Sooling the Soldiers, Call and WA Sportsman, 6 February 1920, Pg 2

The Licensing Act, 1911-1923, West Australian, 21 January 1928, Pg.3

The Ugly Man, Daily News, 20 February 1917, Pg.6.

The Youngest League Team, Western Mail, 14 June 1951, Pg.23.

Tribute to Mr. P.A. Connolly, Sunday Times, 28 December 1941, Pg.5

WA’s Turf Giant: Owner & Bettor, Smith’s Weekly, 9 November 1946, Pg 4