Boofhead

In the middle of 1959 a long legged black and white fox terrier turned up on the platform of Temora Railway Station. A smart and plucky dog, he was given the name Boofhead and it was soon clear that he thought trains were fun. Boofhead became known as Temora’s railway dog.

In the early years Boofhead would mostly ride with Mr Hurtle Bennett in the guard van down back. But it was not too long before this cheeky pup charmed his way into riding up the front of the steam engine. Boofhead didn't care whether he got the driver’s seat, just so long as he was up the front, happy with the wind on his face. Not all the engine crewmen were tolerant of this apparent takeover and there were those who would banish him to the foot plate, the space between the steam locomotive and its tender wagon. It would appear Boofhead was just as happy here too. In those colder winter months while waiting for his next train adventure, he would lay in front of the station master’s fireplace. As he warmed up he would move back away from the heat, eventually ending up under the station master’s desk. But that privileged position at the station master’s feet had one condition, if pungent smells ever drifted up from Boofhead, he would be very quickly and unceremoniously shown the door. He was indeed a free spirit and would travel anywhere he liked, sometimes going missing for several days at a time. There was at least one occasion when the much-loved canine travelled as far as Sydney for the weekend, but he was under the care of a railway employee, a sleeping car attendant who used to live there. On another occasion when he turned up at the Parkes Railway Station. Always amongst it, Boofhead also liked weekends of sport and would regularly attend football games in Temora, on one occasion even following the Temora Rugby League Dragons to Junee. Being the smart dog that he was, it wasn’t about cheering on the Dragons but the good source of tucker that was to be found at football games. Boofhead was also a life member of Temora RSL Club and had a suitably inscribed badge made to hang from his collar to prove it. Apparently, he would sneak in through the front doors of the club as patrons were entering. Once he was detected inside he would be then thrown out via the side exit door, only to go around to the front doors and sneak in again. Maybe they thought it easier to make him a member and just let him stay? Our intrepid terrier continued riding the trains until old age finally caught up with him in the early 1970s. He was diagnosed by the local vet as having chronic arthritis. This was in part because of old age, but more likely from the lifestyle that he had led over the years. The disease was described as untreatable and the vet’s advice was that, in the best interests of Boofhead, he should be put to sleep. Boofhead’s body was brought home where his railway family gave him a heart felt and fitting burial in the railway yards at Temora. The gravesite’s exact location has been lost, however its approximate location is near where the old station master’s cottage once stood.