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Picnic at "Double Dam" Wilga Station 1920 Courtesy of the Borland, Hawkins, Lasscock and Rounce Families

GRIFFITH & DISTRICT PIONEERS A B iographical Register

SERIES 3 PART 1 A-K

Compiled & Published by Griffith Genealogical & Historical Society Inc. PO Box 270, Griffith NSW 2680 1993

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all the Pioneers but especially to the young women, their babes and small children - they came from many countries, backgrounds and lifestyles.

Copyright This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealings for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted by the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. This work has been partially assisted by funds allocated to the Royal Australian Historical Society by the Ministry for the Arts, New South Wales.

First published 1993 ISBN 0 949043 09 5 (Set) ISBN 0 949043 13 3

Printed by Star Printery Ply Ltd, Erskineville, New South Wales

Contents Part 1

Editors' Notes

Foreword

vii

Acknowledgements

viii

The Pioneers - Part 1

The Pioneers - Part 2

Introduction

xii

The Pioneers' Stories/Biographies - Part 1

Epilogue

439

Index

441

Editors' Notes

As in the two previous Series, this Series 3 - Part 1 and Part 2 - are the biographies of local pioneer families who settled the land from the 1880s onward and through to the early days of the irrigation area. As a whole they represent a complete cross section of the people occupying and working the land now known as Griffith and District. There are still many families who have declined the opportunity to participate. Nevertheless, the response to what was originally intended as a single volume has been so overwhelming that the exercise has swollen into four volumes. With regard to the photographs, it is to be appreciated that whilst many are in pristine condition and reproduce beautifully, many are old, faded and/or damaged. For this reason there is considerable variation in quality throughout the books which has been unavoidable. No effort has been made to convert £ into $ because any such conversion would have no relevance to todays values. While every effort has been made to be as accurate as possible regarding this early history we are entirely reliant on peoples memories and family traditions. While some might disagree about certain minor details, we feel that the overall picture of life and conditions during these early times, as depicted by the Contributors, is done so with great clarity and integrity. However this Society and we as Editors can take no responsibility for any statements made in these biographical entries.

Hilary Dalton (née Millynn) Wendy Polkinghorne (n& Bested)

Foreword

It is with a great deal of pride that I write the foreword to the third in our series of Biographical Registers of the Pioneers of Griffith and District. With so many fascinating stories still to be told, our Editors, Hilary Dalton and Wendy Polkinghorne, felt it necessary to print two volumes in this instance, bringing the total of books in this wonderful series to four. Among the stories in these two volumes are many of the Selector families in the preirrigation years and also many of the early Italian families who helped establish this irrigation area especially from the mid 1920s onwards. It documents their struggles to assimilate and the marvellous contribution they have made through hard work and determination. This beautifully bound and illustrated series of volumes will bring enduring pleasure to the descendants of the families whose stories are documented herein, while ensuring that the day to day lives of the pioneers who helped establish this exceptional area are recorded for posterity. Hilary and Wendy have dedicated a large part of their lives in the last few years to this tremendous project and their reward is the fine sense of achievement that comes from creating a permanent record of the lives of the early settlers in this district.

Margaret Thomas President Griffith Genealogical & Historical Society Inc.

vii

Acknowledgements We would like to again acknowledge the generous support we have received. At the top of the list must come our own members who gave their contribution as a tribute to the memory of their parents who were pioneers. Mrs Kay Mitchell Mr Jeff Stevenson Mrs Nora Gibbons Mr Tony and Mrs Marlene Gras Alderman Jim McGann Mrs Nora Southgate Mr Roger and Mrs Betty Blake Mrs Margaret Hare We would like to especially thank those who have generously supported us and contributed to our funds and assisted so positively in making it possible for all three Series to be printed. Lancaster & Del Gigante Mrs Olive Langburne Lions Club of Griffith Mirrool Mrs Dorothy Low Mrs Sue Macdonald Mrs Frances Mansell Marsh Chiropractic Clinic Mrs Nesta McWilliam Mr Reg & Mrs Dorothy Palframan Polkinghorne, Budd & Longhurst Mrs Beth Procter Ricegrowers Co-op Mills Ltd Rotary Club of Griffith Rotary Club of Griffith Central Rotary Club of Griffith East Rotary Club of Yenda Mr & Mrs Roy Sainty Mr Don Simpson SR Bakeries Pty Ltd State Bank Mr & Mrs Allan Taylor Mr Gerry & Mrs Giulia Vio Messrs A F ("Jim") & C B Watts Yenda Fruit & Case Supply

2RG Sunshine Club Apex Club of Griffith Mr Ray Barnes Mr & Mrs Bill Blance Mrs Yvonne Bromley Cafe Beautiful Mrs Margaret Campbell CWA - Griffith CWA - Hanwood Mr John Dalla Mrs Vina Dalla Mr Nino Gatto Mrs Judy Gruber Griffith City Council Griffith Community Bi-centennial Committee Griffith Ex-servicemen's Club Ltd Griffith Garden Club Griffith RSL Innerwheel Club of Yenda Service Mrs Pat Jones Mrs Dorothy Judd Mr George Kayess Mrs Nancy Lacey

VIII

We would like too, to extend our very special thanks and appreciation to our Members who have given so unstintingly of their time and expertise.... Enid Atkinson for her artistic design of our dustcover and for the many delightful sketches within these pages. Enid also interviewed many of our contributing Pioneers and their Families and wrote many of their stories. Wally Quinlivan and Enid designed our beautifully appropriate logo. Allan and Edna Wakely spent many hours copying the very many precious photos for the "Griffith Collection". Many have helped in different ways - interviewing the families, writing the stories, checking information and perhaps most important of all, proofreading the drafts. Special thanks to Enid Atkinson, Nerida Barber, Nolene Bell, Lynette Brown, Jenny Elwin, Grace Forner, June Harriman, Val Marquis, Kay Mitchell, Marie Neville, Ann Permezel, Brenda Prenzel, Wally Quinlivan, Diane Ralph, Ann Stevens, Lynette Villata and Betty Watts. Thank you to Jim Bugno for his cheerful and willing help - especially among our people of Italian descent. Our Contributors without whom, of course, this social history could never have been recorded. Many have been patiently waiting for many years for the publication of their pioneer families. Others had to be cajoled to write down their, sometimes painful, memories. We do hope the wait has been worthwhile and that you are proud to have your Pioneer Family included. Special thanks to Pamela Young, Chief Librarian, Western Riverina Community Libary and her Staff for their unfailing courtesy and help.

Editors

The Pioneers Part 1

Adams Allen/Painting Alpen Andreatta Atkinson

Ballestrin Barber Barnes Bartley Bassett Bellicanta Benyon Berry, JT Berry, T Betts Black Blumer Bodycomb Borland Bowditch Bromley Brown, CA Brown, Florence Bryan Buckle Bugno Bull Burghart Bynres Calabria, P Calabria, G Carrell Carney Cavenagh Chadney Chadwick Chapman, AE Chapman, C Chapman, M

Chauncy Chettle Clark Clarke Collier Collins, C Collins, J Colwell Condon Cooper/Naylor/King Croce, S Croce, C Cudmore Cummins Cunial Dal Broi Dalby Daveron De Martin de Saxe De Valentin Devitt Dickie Disher/Cameron/Watt Dredge Drew Dwyer Edmiston Elder Enness Evans Everingham

Farrell Fitz-Gerald Flack Flood Foscarini Fraser x

Gales Gambell Gatto Gee Gibbs Goldberg Graham Gribble Griffin, T Griffin, WR Hall Hamilton/Low Hardwick Harris, CR Harris, J Hart Hawkins Henderson Hicken Home Hudson Hughes Irvin Jackson Jansen Johns Johnstone Jones, AE Jones, LM Josling Kearey Keary Keen Kelly/Parslow Kelly Keys Kinkead Kubank

The Pioneers Part 2

Leaver Leckie Leonard Letheby Long Lorenzi Lucca Macedone MacKenzie Mahy Manser Marcus Marin Marks Marriott/Swales Martin, AM Martin, AL, BA, BH Mason McCarthy McDonald McEachem McFadzean McKenzie/Mitchell McKirdy McManus McNabb Meehan Meneghini Miller Millis Mills Millynn Miranda Mitchell, CC Mitchell, JJ Mitchell, WE Murray Negro Neville Newth

Nicholls Niven O'Brien Olivero Page Palframan Parker Pastro Peeck Peruch, G Peruch, V Peruzzi Pfitzner Poole Poscoliero, A Poscoliero, A Pratt Prest Prior Procter Rawle, F Rawle, H Recetti Reginato Reidy Reilly Ridley Ritchie Robinson, ATW Robinson, F Rose Rossetto Rounce Rydon Sainty Salvestro, A Salvestro, E Salvestro, S xi

Sandberg Sanders Scrivener Sharam Shaw Signor Simpson Slingsby Smeeth Smith, AA Snaidero Snaith Speirs Spry Stacy Stephens Stewart Stockton, AA Stockton, J Stokes Strachan Summers Taylor Theeuff Thompson Vardanega Villata/Guadagnini Watson Watts Wells Wood Wright Zanatta Zandona Zerbst Ziliotto, G Ziliotto, I Zuccolotto

INTRODUCTION Australian Broadcasting Corporation broadcaster, John West, said "It is sad when lumps of history are lost because once it's gone it is lost forever". Like the two previous Series this one is also all about people as well as a social history of this part of the Area, recording in the main, the experiences and reactions to the utterly primitive conditions in which our pioneers found themselves and/or in which circumstances placed them. It is also intended as an accolade to those adventurous souls who pioneered this lovely, fruitful part of Australia we call "Home". Not only those who joined in the spirit of adventure which started with the mammoth concept (envisaged as early as the 1880s) and culminated in the construction of Burrinjuck Dam and the setting up of this unique irrigation experiment, but with the families who inhabited this part of the world before then. The Selectors and their families. These were a group of pioneering families who came to the unfenced, virgin bush and who lived, worked and for the early years, lived in equally primitive conditions before establishing their homesteads and gardens. Gardens watered from the wells they sunk, often with the skills of the Chinese who initially ring-barked so much of the timber of the pastoral runs, as well as cultivating vegetable gardens wherever they lived for a time. It is interesting that until the publication of Series 1 the stories of these people had largely been untold. These were the Selectors (Conditional Purchasers) who had been in the area from the 1880s and about whom there is almost no mention whatsoever in official publications. When the first subdivision of Griffith was named "Driver" I personally thought what a strange name to be chosen. However, it sparked off a curiosity to know why. The result was to learn that this whole area - officially referred to by the WC & IC as "West Mirrool" - had been known as "Jondaryan" and was occupied by a complete patchwork of pioneer farming families who had come in and taken up small parcels of land in the 1880s. This land had been part of the enormous pastoral runs such as "Kooba", "Gogelderie", etc. These pastoral runs were Crown Land Leases and it wasn't possible for the less wealthy to acquire land until John Robertson's Land Act of 1861 (the Crown Lands Alienation Act). Under this Act the right was given to any person to "select" (hence the name 'Selector') from 40 to 320 acres from the established pastoral runs. This Act also meant that virtually the whole of unalienated (i.e. Leasehold) land of New South Wales was thrown open for selection. As a consequence of this many families came and established themselves from the early 1880s - Bulls, Duns, Drivers, Quilters, Davies, Smiths (see Series xii

1); Peecks (this Series), Matchetts, Sawyers, Cummings, Andersons - just to name some. From these families many placenames are derived - e.g. "Bilbul" (the village so named at the suggestion of John Jacob after Bill Bull); the subdivision of "Driver" and so on. A number of the Selector families inter-married and almost all reared their families here over those first thirty years. Then came the 1906 "Barren Jack and Murrumbidgee Canals Construction Act", followed by the "Murrumbidgee Irrigation Resumption Act" of 1910 which resulted in their being blatantly informed that their country (despite many being certified as "Freehold") was to be resumed for the implementation of the proposed irrigation scheme. A letter dated 17 August 1911' stated that occupancy of their land was required by the end of that year and they were bluntly instructed to "make your own arrangements". An elderly descendant of these families has said that while most of the men considered that the f3/101- per acre they were paid by the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Trust for their country was less than half the market value at the time, it was the women who were most bitter. After years of struggle, deprivation and living in the most primitive conditions, loss of family members because of their isolation and distance from medical help, they had finally come through the horrific drought and disastrous economic depression of the late 1800s and early 1900s and established their homesteads and gardens. At last, life was beginning to look Good! Then Bureaucracy moved in. While the Selectors were eligible to ballot for the new irrigation blocks no consideration was to be given to previous occupiers. In reality this meant that someone else could draw their homestead block while they could draw that adjoining. The result of this was that they would have to watch someone else move into their established home while they would have to begin all over again. Small wonder that hardly a single Selector family stayed. In most cases they did have to start all over again, in other areas. In light of these circumstances it was so surprising and pleasing to welcome thirty descendants of various Selector families to the launch of Series 1. Many said that they had always considered their people to be pioneers of this area but up until now they had been completely ignored as such. Even though the proposed irrigation scheme was advertised extensively worldwide by the Irrigation Trust, most of the mining areas of New South Wales and South Australia were also targeted. This resulted in large numbers of original settlers coming from these areas. As early as 1912 the Irrigation Trust sent a representative to Broken Hill to speak to the miners there, publicise the scheme and receive applications for farming blocks. At this time many Italian migrants also worked in the mines there and became aware of the development to the south. In 1913 it is estimated that one fifth of MIA settlers came from Broken Hill and Bagtown was home to many Broken Hill families.

xl"

By 1914 promotion of the scheme extended from London to San Francisco while at the same time it was extensively advertised in Sydney in glossy, colourful posters in trams, trains and ferries depicting abundant farm produce and inviting city dwellers to become prosperous farmers! As a result, the original farm grantees came from an extraordinary diversity of backgrounds and nationalities. A casual glance through the list of the first five hundred settlers give testimony of this. With the outbreak of World War I monetary resources were syphoned off and directed towards the war effort while the great majority of eligible young men joined the AIF and volunteered for service oversees. This resulted in the irrigation enterprise virtually coming to a standstill over these four years - 1914 to 1918. Even before the cessation of hostilities, as early as 1916, the government was looking towards the repatriation and resettlement of thousands of men returning from overseas. This same year, 1916, the WC & IC reports the establishment of a "Soldiers' Working Camp near the site of Griffith township" (Beelbangera Barracks). As well as 'grass root' Australians, it is quite extraordinary how many of these soldier settlers were English, together with some Welsh and some Irish, and most of whom had no knowledge of farming of any kind. Reading through a list of their previous occupations it is astounding the variety of backgrounds from which they came - watchmaker, clerks/bookkeepers, journalist, shopkeepers, landscape gardener, postman, policeman and even a goldsmith. Undoubtedly they were all looking for a new life, one with the promise of new opportunity. In the early 1900s many young northern Italian men migrated to Australia seeking work. The outbreak of the First World War put a temporary end to the flow of Italian migrants to Australia. By April of 1915, with the signing of the Secret Treaty of London, Italy and Australia became allies in the "Great War". As a result thousands of migrants worldwide were returned to Italy, in many cases unwillingly and forcibly, to serve in the Italian Army. From Australia, in most cases, they travelled back to Italy on Australian Troop ships. (See photo in "Halse" entry in Series 2). Post World War I, during the 1920s and 1930s, a steady influx of Italian migrants came to Australia. Even earlier, many had worked in the construction gangs at Burrinjuck and digging the irrigation channels or as labourers. Later they invested their savings in buying land and slowly took over the many farms which had proven uneconomic in the hands of their former owners. With a background of small acreage farming, agricultural skill and their willingness to work hard most were very successful. In 1921 the Italian population of Griffith numbered approximately thirty-three. By 1945 a third of all farms were Italian owned and by 1954 the ownership was nearly half.2 One of these very early Italian settlers was to say towards the end of a life mainly spent here - "If I were asked for the reason of the MIA being a model of assimilation now I would reply that we all started from scratch, going through the

xiv

same deprivations and hard work for our betterment and at the same time causing the advancement of the area and of common understanding."3 In those early years the women, regardless of where they came from, must have longed for the security and stability of established home, family and community. In most histories the role of women is largely unsung. Theirs was, invariably, a role of slogging hard work, often in completely foreign circumstances to their former lifestyles, yet these ladies were usually the backbone of the family, giving courage, encouragement and stability to those families. In short, the men tamed the bush but it was the women who civilised it! All in all our pioneers were ordinary people undertaking a very "unordinary" task. Unlike so many of the closer settlement schemes introduced by the government of the day at the end of World War I this one is successful and on-going. The contribution of the European and British settlers should not be overlooked but appreciated too. They brought with them a sophistication and culture which has enriched the whole community. To-day we are fortunate to enjoy and live in such a cosmopolitan community. With the influx, over the last several years, of so many other racial groups it is undoubted that twenty years on the character of Griffith, as a community, will be further enlarged. Finally, disregarding individual family histories, these Registers are an important Social History document, told in a way never used before - told by the people who were here when it happened.

Hilary Dalton.

References:1.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation Trust letter - Bull entry page 109.

"The Italians" by Gianfranco Cresciani (By courtesy of Mary and Phillip Andreatta).

Redento Cunial - Cunial entry page 210.

PART 1

ADAMS Charles William Adams came to the MIA in February 1926 when he and his wife, Mary, and eleven children arrived to take up "Pinefield", a property at Yenda.

The Adams Family on the verandah of "Pinefield" about 1926 Back: Merce, Roy, Alice, Walter, Bob Centre: Nancy, Mary Front: Charles, with Dick, Alf, Bill, Mary snr, Arthur Courtesy Merce Wilmott (nee Adams)

ROBERT ADAMS, Charles' grandfather, was born on 29 September 1811 at Prestbury, Cheshire, England to Robert and Sarah Adams. Robert jnr and his father worked as "Silk Throwsters"' for the Soho factory at Macclesfield. In April 1829 Robert jnr was arrested on two counts of larceny, 1 shirt, a pair of pants and a vest. He was then tried for stealing 70Ibs of iron worth 2/- and sentenced, on 13 July 1829, to 7 years transportation to Van Diemen's Land. He sailed on the "Prince Regent" on 4 August 1829 and arrived in January 1830. Robert served five different masters and was not known as a model prisoner. He earned his ticket-of-leave then worked for John Pascoe Fawkner arriving in Melbourne with him on 2 April 1836. After he had served his time with Fawkner, he went to work for the Learmouth brothers on a sheep station at Buninyong near Ballarat in Victoria.

Throwster - one who twists or winds silk into threads.

Robert then worked with Joseph Hawdon and Charles Bonney who took the first herd of cattle to Adelaide arriving in April 1838. Robert settled in South Australia and married Mary Ann O'Connell, in Adelaide, on 20 May 1839. Mary Ann had come from Ireland to Adelaide, as a servant, in July 1838 on the "Henry Porcher". She had been born at sea about 1820, her father being a ship's Yeoman. Her parents were Martin and Eliza O'Connell. Robert could read and write which in those days was the exception. He may have been "gentry" or at least well-bred. Robert and Mary Ann had eleven children - Samuel (1840-1909), James (18411894), Charles (1842-1921), Alfred John (1844-1906), Sarah Ann (1845-1929), Ruben (1846-?), David (1848-1892), Catherine (1850-1928), Henry (1851-1911), Mary (1853-1932) and Robert John (1856-?). Robert snr worked as Manager of "Fairview" Station near Lucindale SA (now a National Park) for about nine years. In 1856 they moved to Robe, where he worked as a carrier. Robert snr then bought land and farmed until 1865 when he built the "Six Mile Inn" at Peeweena near Mt Gambier SA and was a publican there until his retirement in 1874. Robert snr died on 20 October 1884 and was buried at Mt Gambier SA. Mary died at Casterton Vic on 9 October 1891 and she was also buried at Mt Gambier SA. ALFRED JOHN, the fourth son of Robert and Mary Ann was born on 15 June 1844 at Adelaide and later married Hannah Fensom at Mt Gambier SA on 15 September 1870. Hannah had been born in Offord Cluney, Huntingdonshire, England about 1845 to John Fensom and his wife Mercy Sanders. Alfred and Hannah had five children - Robert John (1871-1946), Elizabeth Hannah (1873-1953), Charles William (1875-1945), Mary Mercy (1877-1945) and Sarah Helen (1880-1961). Alfred died on 29 November 1906 at Warracknabeal Vic and Hannah died on 13 October 1931. They are both buried at Jung Jung Vic. CHARLES WILLIAM, the second son of Alfred and Hannah was born on 30 September 1875 at Mt Gambier and married Mary Blyth Bower on 15 July 1903 at Echuca Vic. Mary was born on 3 January 1880 at Echuca to David Salmon/d Bower and Margaret More (née Rennie). David Salmon/d Bower was a Master Mariner and co-builder of the paddle steamers the "Riverine" at Balranald and the "Murrumbidgee" at Echuca. The "Riverine" was the first paddle steamer to use the port of Echuca. David had been born on 25 January 1827 in Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland to James Bower, a "Farrier" by trade and Margaret (nee Salmon). David married Margaret More Rennie, a lady, in Melbourne on 3 January 1868. Margaret was born on 19 July 1844 at Tealing, Angus, Scotland to James Rennie, a "Blacksmith" by trade and Elizabeth (nee Bennett). Charles called himself a "Rechabite" - he didn't smoke, drink alcohol or swear and lived a good, decent life. Charles owned land at Torrumbarry, fourteen miles from Echuca in Victoria. Prior to this he had sharefarmed at Womboota. While living at Torrumbarry, Charles and Mary had eleven children - Alice May, Roy, Margaret Mercie ("Merce"), Robert Charles ("Bob"), Walter Benjamin, Arthur Alexander, Mary Blyth, Nancy Elizabeth, Alfred John, William 2

James ("Bill") and Richard Forest ("Dick"). All the children, except Dick (the youngest), attended the Torrumbarry School. The property at Torrumbarry consisted of 600 acres and produced wheat, oats, barley and sheep. With seven sons growing up, Charles needed more land to farm, so he decided to look at the MIA. In 1925, Charles drove his Maxwell car to the MIA and bought a dry area property of 800 acres, for £4 an acre, called "Pinefield" at Myall Park near Yenda NSW from the Coombs family. It was covered in rabbits, had about sixty pigs on it and only one cleared paddock - the remainder of the property was covered in dense timber. On the way home to Torrumbarry, Charles scouted for waterholes for the return trip to "Pinefield" to be undertaken by his four eldest sons in a wagon and sulky. In mid January 1926, the four eldest sons, Roy, Bob, Walter and Arthur left Torrumbarry with a wagon loaded with chaff and oats for the team of eight horses needed to pull it, a sulky and pair and a hack to travel to their new home, "Pinefield".

Roy, Bob, Walter and Arthur leaving Torrumbarry, January 1926 Courtesy Arthur Adams

The boys travelled through Echuca, Deniliquin, Finley, Jerilderie, Narrandera, Leeton and Yenda before arriving at "Pinefield" about three weeks later. They averaged about twenty to twenty two miles a day - Bob "riding scout" on the hack to find water for them to camp by each night. Charles brought the rest of the family - his wife, Mary, three sons and four daughters in the Maxwell car, arriving two days after his sons had reached "Pinefield" with the wagon and sulky. "Pinefield had a pise home on it, built by a previous owner James Crabtree. It consisted of a huge lounge/dining room about forty feet long down one half of the house with three bedrooms down the other half and verandahs around three sides with a big kitchen at one end. After a few years, Charles gauzed-in all the verandahs.

Rammed earth or clay used to make floors or walls.

On arrival at "Pinefield" Charles got the horses together and planted their first crop of oats which was sown in the only cleared paddock. Mary snr grew a lovely garden at "Pinefield", even though the only water available was brackish and had to be pumped from a four hundred foot windmill. She loved her garden and is remembered by her family as virtually living in it. Mary is also remembered a as a lovely gentle lady, a great cook and a fervent churchgoer. The five youngest children, Mary, Nancy, Alfred, Bill and Dick went to Ellimo Public School. The older girls, Alice and Mercie helped their mother in the home. In later years, after they had left school, Mary and Nancy also helped at home. Pise home on "Pinefield" c. 1928 Roy, Bob and Arthur, the older boys, Courtesy Alf Adams helped their father clear the land of timber. All the clearing was done by hand - long hard days of back breaking labour. Times were hard on their dry area property. "Pinefield" was a good property, but the droughts made it hard to scratch out a living. Dust storms would roll across the land, keeping everyone prisoners in their home as they couldn't see to go outside. Walter did not remain at "Pinefield" but returned to work for his Uncle in Victoria. Charles often planted a crop of wheat Mary snr and her daughter Mary or oats only to see the plants die off as soon as in the garden at "Pinefield" they came out of the ground. There were a Courtesy Arthur Adams few years like this. Roy carted and stacked hay or cut wood to supplement the family income. Bob and Arthur sewed bags to earn a few bob for the family. There were good times as well. Skating at the hall in Yenda, dances, surprise parties where whole families would turn up on a doorstep loaded with food for a party. Two such families were the Pooles and the Mitchells. Charles played the button accordion and along with others provided the music. Twenty first birthday parties, picnics, tennis days and even wedding receptions were held at "Pinefield". Alice's wedding reception and Roy's 21st birthday were held there. On 10 January 1945, Charles signed "Pinefield" over to his fifth son, Alfred John. In 1945 and 1946, adjoining properties were bought and added to "Pinefield" to take the total area to 2,200 acres. Alf and his wife, Jeannie (née Hillam), lived in the house on one of these additional areas. The house had been built in 1926 by the then owner, Roy Mason, and was constructed of solid concrete. Alf and Jean enlarged and renovated the home over the years and it was surrounded by extensive garden and lawns. There was no electrical power connected so kerosene lights were used, a fuel stove for cooking and the washing was boiled in an old copper in the back yard. Water was not connected and had to be carted to

the house. A 32 volt lighting plant was installed in 1953 and finally the main 240 volt power line was connected to the property in 1960. In later years Charles and Mary often visited for holidays their sons and daughters who lived in Victoria. While staying with their daughter, Mercie, and son-in-law, Tom Wilmott, in Shepparton, Charles had a stroke. After being hospitalised at Shepparton for a time he and his wife Mary moved to the home of his daughter, Alice, in Tocumwal where he died on 24 March 1945. He was buried in Tocumwal NSW. After the death of her husband, Mary snr spent some time with each member of the family before settling with her daughter Alice. In the last years of her life she was to live in a nursing home at Bendigo in Victoria and died on 5 July 1977. She is buried at Tocumwal with Charles.

Charles, Roy and Alf using the Maxwell car to run the saw to cut wood Courtesy Arthur Adams

Alf carting water on "Pinefield", 1950s Courtesy Alf and Jean Adams

Robert Adams born 29 Sep 1811 Eng. died 20 Oct 1884 SA arrived Tas Jan 1830 per 'Prince Regent' Alfred John Adams born 15 June 1844 SA died 29 Nov 1906 Vic Charles William Adams born 30 Sep 1875 SA died 24 March 1945 NSW 1.

married 20 May 1839 Adelaide SA • • married 15 Sep 1870 Mt Gambier SA • married 15 July 1903 Echuca Vic

Mary Ann O'Connell born c.1820 at sea died 9 Oct 1891 Vic arrived SA July 1838 per "Henry PorcherIlannah Fensom born c.1845 England died 13 Oct 1931 Vic Mary Blyth Bower born 3 Jan 1880 Vic died 5 July 1977 Vic

• Alice May born Moama NSW 26 Dec 1903, died Mooroopna Vic 6 Dec 1986. Married David Joseph Dodemaide 17 July 1933. Lived at Tocumwal where Dave died on 1 January 1961. One daughter and two grandchildren.

Roy born NSW 21 Aug 1905, died Vic 30 Sept 1968. Married Enid Margaret O'Connor 1935. Lived at 'Pinefield', Yoogali, Drouin and Kyabram. Enid died 12 July 1956. Two daughters, a son, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. After Enid's death Roy married Gwen Souter and lived and died in Melbourne.

Margaret Mercie ("Merce") born 5 Oct 1906. Married Thomas Arthur Wilmott 10 January 1933. They lived at Leniston Siding (between Finley and Berrigan) and Shepparton where Tom died in 16 June 1992. Merce still lives in Shepparton. One son, one daughter, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Robert Charles ("Bob") born Moama NSW 11 Feb 1908. Married Johanna May Simpson 4 March 1939. Lived at 'Pinefield', Bendigo, the Gippsland, Athlone and Poowong North where they still reside. One son, two daughters, eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Walter Benjamin born 5 Nov 1909. Married Irene Forsyth 21 March 1936. Lived at Badshot, Stanmore and Stanhope Vic where they still reside. Five sons (one deceased), ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Arthur Alexander born Moama NSW 22 Nov 1911. Married Merl Marjory Madden 2 March 1946. Arthur served in the AIF in WWII. Lived at •Pinefiekl' and sharefarmed at Benerembah. Arthur drew a Soldier Settlers block at Willbriggie in 1962 and Arthur and Merl now live in retirement at Griffith. One son, two daughters and eight grandchildren.

Mary Blyth born Echuca Vic 1913. Married William Leslie Hicks 20 Sept 1944. Lived at Yenda. Hillston, Griffith, Albury and Kyabram. Bill died in 17 October 1973 and Mary lives at Kyabram. Two daughters and five grandchildren.

Nancy Elizabeth born Echuca Vic 7 Dec 1914. Married Joseph Leonard McCarron 12 May 1941. Lived at Binya, Shepparton and Ballarat where Joe died 26 January 1986. Nancy now lives at Ferntree Gully Vic. One son, three daughters and ten grandchildren.

Alfred John born Echuca Vic 1 Nov 1916. Married Jeannie Alma Hillam 1 May 1946. Alf served with the CMF during WWII, lived on 'Pinefield' until retirement in 1985. Alf and Jeannie live in Griffith. One son, one daughter and five grandchildren.

10.

William James ("Bill") born Echuca Vic 26 April 1918. Married Recta Allen 24 March 1948. Bill worked on "Pinefiele during WWII and then lived at Garrong, Moulamein, Yenda and finally on a Coleambally farm where Bill and Reeta still reside. Four sons, two daughters and twelve grandchildren.

11.

Richard Forest ("Dick") born Echuca Vic 28 Oct 1919. Married Elizabeth Agnes Harrington. Dick served in the Army during WWII and sharefarmed various properties at Moulamein, Wakool and Walliston South. He drew a Soldier Settlers block at Warrawidgee in 1962 where he fanned until he retired to Deniliquin in 1989. One daughter.

Contributed by Nolene Bell (née Adams), second daughter of Bill and Reeta Adams. Special thanks to Beverley Adams of Kinglake Vic and the children and grandchildren of Charles and Mary Adams for their assistance.

ALLEN/PAINTING James Allen of Hackney, London and Catherine Whelan of Dublin, Ireland met on board the boat on which they were immigrating to Australia. They were married in Melbourne in 1852. James was a carpenter/builder and Catherine was a nurse. They moved around Victoria, as builders do, first in the Dandenong and Gippsland areas - James building homes and sheds for the settlers as the country was opened up. They then went to the north western areas - Bendigo, Echuca, Yarrawonga, Nathalia and Jerilderie. Finally settling at Mt Ida (north of where Griffith now stands) when their youngest child, John Allen, selected a block of land there in 1886. John remained a batchelor to the end of his life. James Allen continued to do contract carpentry in and around Griffith and Hay - building homesteads, wool and other sheds on Station properties as the owners had their land cleared. Some of these Stations were "Gunbar", "Gum Swamp", "Benerembah", James Allen "Willbriggie" and "Kooba". His wife, Catherine, being a nurse was called upon frequently in times of illness and when a midwife was needed. She was loved by the ladies of the area. Her only mode of transport was a horse and cart or sulky or walking. In later years she was known as "Granny Allen - the lady in the print dress". She was a "Christian Woman" who loved knitting and always had a pair of socks on hand to give the ministers of religion when they called, to go towards their bazaar - two pairs for the denomination of her belief! During 1902 Catherine Allen took ill eventually taking to her bed and passed away 15 June 1903 aged 78 years. She was interred in the Whitton Cemetery. James Allen returned to Victoria and lived with an older daughter at Bena, Gippsland, until his death on 17 December 1913, aged 85 years. He was interred in the Poowong Cemetery, Victoria. John Allen stayed on his property at Mt Ida until 1912. Youngest daughter of James and Catherine's large family, Matilda Louisa, was born at Catherine Allen Yarrawonga Vic on 5 November 1863. In 1881 well known as "Granny Allen" Louisa married James Patrick Painting [who had been 7

Matilda Louisa Painting (née Allen, later Mrs James Day)

James Patrick Painting

born on 17 March 1852 in Ireland the son of James Joseph Painting of Oxford and Mary Ann (née Gardener) of Ennes, County Clare, Ireland]. James Patrick Painting had been brought to Australia, by his mother in 1865, at the age of 13. They lived north of Adelaide for a short time before moving to Kilmore in Victoria. James also worked in the Dandenong, Ferntree Gully and Nathalia areas. James Painting and his wife, Louisa, lived at Nathalia Vic until taking up a Selection at Mt Ida which they named "Verandah Rock" in 1886. It adjoined that of Louisa's brother, John Allen. They brought with them their two small sons, Joseph Robert (born 9 July 1882) and James Granville (born 9 March 1885). Their third son, John Thomas, was born at Mt Ida on 28 April 1888. James Patrick Painting and John Allen were very conscientious and hard workers. They did fencing and tank sinking by contracts and possibly clearing. The fencing was done with a crow bar and shovel and John Allen had a bullock team for tank sinking and clearing. He also did wool carting. After clearing their own land they grazed it. The land at that time was heavily timbered and infested with rabbits, foxes, kangaroos and an occasional emu and mallee hen or fowl. For pleasure on a Sunday the young men of the district organised "Roo hunts" through the heavily timbered virgin country and derived much pleasure chasing the "roos" on horseback. When the menfolk were away doing contract work, the women ran their homes and reared their children under great difficulties - milking goats and later cows for milk and butter, they had fowls and some ran turkeys. They often had to cart water from the nearest creek or stock tank. Whilst away on one of his fencing contracts, James Painting took ill and died in Hay hospital on 16 February 1891, aged 39 years, leaving Matilda Louisa a widow with three young sons - Joseph 9, James 6 and John 3. James Patrick Painting was interred in the Hay cemetery. John Allen helped his sister support her three sons until they were old enough to work to support themselves, which they did. They had had a little schooling at a "part time" school.

The three Painting boys worked on the surrounding stations from a very early age from 10 years upwards - as "Tar Boys" in shearing sheds, burr cutting, picking up roots, stooking hay and rabbiting, then boundary riding. They worked on "Gunbar", "Gum Swamp", "Benerembah", "Willbriggie" and "Kooba" stations. Matilda Louisa Painting (nee Allen) met and married a widower, James Day, who had 13 children - the eldest aged 37 years ranging down to 12 years of age. Louisa had two sons to James Day - Thomas in 1900 and Robert in 1902 - the year of the great drought. The Painting boys, Joseph, James and John, were to face more sadness and responsibility when their mother, Matilda Louisa Painting-Day (nee Allen) took ill and passed away on 23 November 1905. She was interred in the Whitton Cemetery. The Painting boys were left with the responsibility of their half brothers, Thomas and Robert Day. These two boys were fostered by Mr and Mrs Alfred Hill (a very Christian couple and close friends of their mother) until they were of school leaving age. Joseph Robert Painting then took these boys to Walbundrie where he had purchased land in 1912. He and his Uncle John Allen undertook tank sinking, fencing contracts etc there. Joseph had a house built on his property and married Caroline Holgate of that district. They had two daughters, Catherine who died in infancy and Mary who married William Fisher. Mary and William Fisher had a family of three sons and two daughters and reside in Narrandera NSW. The Day boys by this time had made their choice of livelihood. Robert joined the NSW Railways, married and lived at Wagga Wagga. John Allen carried on work with his horse team until the work was beyond him, he then acted as John Allen caretaker of properties when the owners went on holidays. He periodically visited his nephews and nieces throughout NSW and Victoria up to the time of his death on 12 March 1950 at Narrandera. He was interred in the Narrandera Cemetery. Joseph Painting sold his property at Walbundrie soon after his uncles death and retired to Narrandera with his wife where he lived until death. He too is at rest in the Narrandera cemetery, as is his wife. James Granville Painting continued to do station work, where he learned saddlery, boot repairing, blacksmithing and horseshoeing - also shearing and horsebreaking. In fact, there was little he was unable to do. James Painting often told of how he herded cattle and took them to water at a well to drink from the trough during the 1902 drought - he had a good and faithful horse to ride. One day he noticed a black dust storm coming from the Hay Plains just as the stock were drinking. He rounded them up and started them back to their paddock. However, it was not soon enough - he could not see his horse's head nor his hand when held up only an inch from his eyes! The cattle kept going as he cracked the whip, the dogs barked! However, when 9

the dust cleared they were all still at the well - the cattle having kept in a circle, where they could smell the water. Dust storms such as this were common in the Riverina before irrigation. Another day, James was caught in a severe thunder storm. He came home dripping wet to find the dogs all huddled and cringing in what shelter they could get, his brother Jack in bed and Joe under the bed! I guess he would have liked a warm fire and a hot meal!! They often only had cold meat and damper and were happy when they found a nest of duck, emu or plover eggs or a mallee hen's nest. Duck, rabbit and mallee hen made a good stew and young ones were nice baked in a camp oven with potato and pumpkin. James Painting married Charlotte Bassett in 1907 (the daughter of Thomas Ascott and Caroline Bassett of "Ascot Valley" Mt Ida) and was employed as boundary rider on "Brewarrina" Station in the Narrandera district for six years. In the year 1913 when "Dellapool" Station was cut up for closer settlement James and Charlotte acquired "Glengarry". This settlement joined the historical "Buckingbong" Station owned by the Jenkins family. By this time James and Charlotte had two sons. A number of those who were employed on "Dellapool" took up settlement as well as a number from Victoria. With comradeship and willingness to work, the district became prosperous and they formed a Bush Fire Brigade (of which James was Captain), a branch of the Farmers and Settlers Association and Parents and Citizens Association when the Sandigo School was built in 1914. A number of men, James was one, joined the Home Defence Corp of the Australian Light Horse, and he remained a member James Granville Painting until it was disbanded. The women folk all worked and Charlotte (nee Bassett) together to make life interesting and easier. Charlotte, who was an energetic member of their organisations, took ill and passed away on 8 January 1917 and was interred in the Narrandera cemetery. James and Charlotte's daughter was 7 days old. James or Jim as he was mostly referred to, married again in 1920 to a spinster, Victoria Buchanan, from Victoria. There was no issue from this marriage. They lived on "Glengarry" until 1952 and during that time they helped James' two sons acquire properties of their own. On selling "Glengarry" and moving into Narrandera for retirement, James found life very boring and did light gardening and pruning of fruit trees for neighbours and friends for quite a few years. He passed away in his sleep on 18 April 1969 aged 84 years. Twelve months later, in April 1970, Victoria passed away in hospital, aged 95, and was interred in Narrandera Cemetery. John Thomas Painting, the youngest of James Patrick and Matilda Louisa's sons, was born at Mt Ida. Jack, as he was known, never left the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. He started off with a bullock team tank sinking and carting in and around the Riverina and later changed to horses. Then with the advent of the motor he was one of the first in the district to purchase a T Model Ford. Using this vehicle he ran a hire car service from Whitton (which was the rail head for the district in those days) to Griffith. This hire car 10

service included driving the Commission paymaster around the gangs constructing the irrigation canals. As the area developed and rice was introduced, bringing the machine age to the farms, he operated a garage in Whitton. Keeping cars and "Coffee Pot" headers operating under conditions experienced in the early days, tested the resourcefulness of the self taught mechanic. Many a time he was pulled from his bed, either to get a car out of a bog or get it mobile again. On his retirement in 1958, John Thomas Painting had been employed as a mechanic on "Kooba" Station for a period of thirty five years. In 1916 John Painting married Annie Esler of Whitton, where they lived until their deaths - Jack in 1968 aged 79 and Annie some years later. Both are interred in the Whitton Cemetery. Jack and Annie had a family of six sons and one daughter. Two sons, Joseph and Robert, live in Coleambally and Whitton area and their daughter, Mrs Les Thompson lives at Whitton. James Allen born c.1828 died 17 Dec 1913, buried Poowong Vic married Vic 1852 Catherine Whelan born c. 1825 died 15 Jun 1903, buried Whitton NSW (two of their children lived in the district)

John, James & Joseph Painting

James Joseph Painting (of Oxford) married Mary Ann Gardener (of County Clare, Ireland)

•

1. MATILDA LOUISA ALLEN born Yarrawonga Vic 5 Nov 1863 died 23 Nov 1905, buried Whitton NSW

married 1881

(1)

JAMES PATRICK PAINTING born Ireland 17 Mar 1852 died Hay 16 Feb 1891

• 1. 2.

Joseph Robert Painting born 9 Jul 1882; died 17 May 1959; married Caroline Holgate (died 25 Oct 1976), both buried Narrandera; 2 daughters - Catherine (died in infancy) and Mary (married William Fisher) James Granville Painting born Jerilderie 9 March 1885; died 18 Apr 1969; buried Narrandera; married (1) Charlotte Bassett (died 8 Jan 1917, buried Narrandera); 2 sons and 1 daughter married (2) Victoria Buchanan (c.1875 - 29 Apr 1970, buried Narrandera); no issue. John Thomas ("Jack") Painting born Mt Ida 28 Apr 1888; died 12 Sept 1968, buried Whitton; married Annie Esler (c.1893 - 13 Nov 1979, buried Whitton); 6 sons and 1 daughter. married

4. 5.

(2)

JAMES DAY (a widower with 13 children) Thomas Gordon Day born Hay 1900; married late in life, Alice May Clancy (nee Ashcroft); died Leeton 2 October 1977. Robert James Day born Hay 1902; married Evelyn Doughty; died Wagga Wagga 1968; 3 sons and 3 daughters.

2. JOHN ALLEN born c.1871; died Narrandera 12 March 1950; unmarried. Source - Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates, Newspaper items and from John Allen and James G Painting.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Mrs C L Chitts (daughter of James Granville Painting and Charlotte née Bassett), of Palm Beach Qld 4221. 11

ALPEN The Alpen father died at "Myall Vale", Wee Waa on 3 August 1923 leaving his wife, Harriet, to care for seven young children; five older boys of the family were out working, helping to support their mother and younger brothers and sisters. Henry, the oldest of the family had moved to Griffith prior to his father's death, in 1923 - he was a police officer at Griffith and Hillston. Sid followed in Henry's footsteps arriving in Griffith in 1923 and worked for McCulloch and Ross and later for Mick Larkins clearing mallee country for wheat growing. At this time the only businesses were George Louez, Taylor Bros and John Jacob's bakery. Henry resigned from the police force and travelled by train back to "Myall Vale" to arrange for the remaining family to move to "the land of plenty". Henry with Bill, then aged 13 years, drove twenty three draught horses and two saddle hacks five hundred miles, in drought conditions, to Griffith Mrs Harriet Alpen and son, Leslie spending one month on the road. Lawrence, the second eldest, enlisted in the NSW Police Force and moved to Sydney for training. He was stationed on the North Coast at Lismore, Kyogle and Grafton and later drowned at Kyogle, in Grady's Creek, during a flood rescue in 1928. Henry meanwhile had bought Farm 93 at Yoogali and Ernie (aged 19), and Les (aged 9) packed the wagonette and set off with three horses and dogs on the five hundred mile trek to Griffith. By the time they reached Gunnedah they were having big problems as the wagonette had no brakes. They stayed with relatives for one week while brakes were fitted to the wagonette. They eventually arrived in Griffith on 1 August 1924 and couldn't believe the paradise that lay before them. Their mother, Harriet and the younger children travelled to Sydney by train, then on to Yoogali East by rail motor. The family waited "like shags on a rock" for their brother to pick them up from the station. That day there had been a big thunderstorm in the area and Lester decided to go to the Griffith station, no passengers there, so he headed for Yoogali on the unsealed road which by then was a quagmire and got bogged. Finally the Model T Ford came into view with Lester waving both arms as he drove up. The children could not believe their eyes! This thing that actually moved and went straight without any hands to drive it as the wheels were caught in existing tracks. The family's Lawrence Alpen - 1925 arrival and first day in Griffith had not been a great success! 12

They moved in with the Morgan family in Yambil Street until Farm 93 was ready for occupation. Neighbours at Farm 93 were the families of Gee, Evans, Lamb, Kubank, Richter and Bradbury. Rice was grown but failed, as on many other properties, because of inexperience. Bradbury's crop succeeded, probably the first rice crop grown at Griffith. Henry left Farm 93 and rejoined the Police Force in 1928. Bill, May, Les, Tom and Dorothy attended Yoogali Public School, the headmaster then being Mr Bowditch. Bill was aged 14 when he left school, working at several jobs around town before joining Sid, clearing mallee on Larkins's place - twenty miles north of Griffith. Many acres of land were cleared and many fences erected by the older Harriet Alpen boys around the district. Several of the brothers tried growing with two of the children wheat on "Clearing Leases" and "Benerembah" Station. However, everything failed, except the rabbit crop. Sid, Ernie, Lester and Les took up "Commission I Asses" at Lake Wyangan. Sid's farm is now partly covered by the waters of the recreation area at Lake Wyangan. They continued to grow wheat until irrigation arrived, then turned to planting fruit trees and vegetables, with farm assistance from the "Land Army Girls" during World War II.

The Wedding of Sid and Mollie Alpen Bill Alpen is the Best Man

L to R: Lester, Ernie and Sid

Ernie Alpen - Outside his farm house

Sid Alpen's Farm House - Lake Wyangaii

Bill started his carrying business in 1940 after working for J.J. Hardwick. Alpens Carrying Service is still running today operated by his sons, fifty two years on. Bill joined the Griffith Fire Brigade in 1938 and was Captain for twenty one years. He was decorated by Wade Shire Council and awarded the Queen's Medal and Bar for thirty eight years of dedicated service. Tom, the youngest of the boys, attended Yoogali and Griffith Schools, then tried his hand at various labouring jobs before taking an engineering apprenticeship at Jacka's Garage in Yambil Street. After finishing his time he travelled to Melbourne to work in an engineering factory, later returning to Griffith to take on carrying like his brother. Ten members of the Alpen Family lived in Griffith Tom and Betty Alpen and district from 1923 onwards. Brothers Sid, Bill, Tom and sisters Emily, May and Dorothy are still living, Emily and May remaining in Griffith. Their mother, Harriet, died in April 1950 at the aged of 71 years and is buried in the Presbyterian Section of the Griffith Cemetery. New generations have reaped the benefits of the back breaking toil of the pioneers of Griffith and district. They helped transform a dry wind-swept desert into the living, blooming oasis it is today in south western New South Wales. THE ALPEN FAMILY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

HENRY born Narrabri NSW 1899; died 1983; married Gwen Thomas. Spent life in Griffith between NSW Police and farming. LAWRENCE born Gunnedah NSW 1901; never married. Died 1928 in flood accident while in NSW Police. SIDNEY born Wee Waa NSW 1904; married Mary ("Mollie") Hart. Worked and farmed at Griffith from 1923. Now lives at Nowra NSW. ERNEST born Wee Waa NSW 1905; died 1984; married Ada Howell. Worked and farmed at Griffith. LESTER born Wee Waa NSW 1906; died 1989; married Dorothy Boots. Worked and farmed at Griffith. IIARRIETT ("ADDLE") born Wee Waa 1908; died 1991; married Herbert Jacka (owned Jacka's Garage, Yambil Street). Lived at Griffith. EMILY born Wee Waa NSW 1910; married John Gordon. Lives at Griffith. WILLIAM born Wee Waa NSW 1912; married Erica Curley. Started Alpen's Carrying Service. Lived in Griffith for most of his life now resides at Coleambally NSW. MAY born Wee Waa NSW 1913; married Neville Tyson. Lived and farmed at Beneremhah and now lives at Griffith. LESLIE born Wee Was NSW 1916; died 1988; married Mary Baker. Worked and farmed at Lake Wyangan. THOMAS born Wee Wah NSW 1917; married Betty Rust. Mechanical Engineering, Carrying and Farming at Griffith now resides at Hervey Bay Qld. DOROTHY born Wee Waa NSW 1918; married Ronald Thorsby. Lived in Griffith but mostly lived at Woy Woy and Sydney and now resides at Fairfield NSW.

Entry by courtesy of Alan Alpen. 1 Moogara Street, Shailer Park 4126. Photographs by courtesy of Joan Ross (née Jacka), daughter of "Addle" Alpen. 14

ANDREATTA Pietro Andreatta came to Australia in 1927 from Pademo del Grappa, Italy, travelling by ship to Sydney and thence by train to Griffith. Upon arrival a friend gave him accommodation - in a `chock' pen!! "Peter", as he became known in Griffith, lined the pen with bird wire and bags to make it weatherproof. He had no money and work was very hard to find. Added to all this, he could not speak English. He was taught by "a friend", when asking for work, to say "1 don't want work". Not knowing the language Peter memorised these words and could not understand why he could not get any work!! Eventually someone asked Peter "Who taught you these words?" After Peter named the person, that particular person was immediately sacked and Peter got his job picking peas!! Peter married Angelina Zanandrea, by proxy, in 1933. Angelina arrived aboard the Orient liner "Napoli" in December of that year. The young couple resided on Farm 626, Yoogali where their son, Dionis ("John"), was born. In partnership with a man named Forlico, Peter purchased a farm at Bilbul. Later this farm was sold before purchasing Farm 1858 at Lake Wyangan on 25 May 1936. The Lake Wyangan farm had grapes, figs, peaches, apricots and citrus growing. Now it has only citrus and table grapes. In the summer months Peter worked the ground with his horses by moonlight because it was cooler than in the day. When he first came to the area Alf Nugan bought oranges from Peter on credit. He also asked if Peter would let him use his shed and grader to grade and pack the oranges. Alf said to Peter - "I'll pay you when I get paid". Alf also told Peter that he had asked other farmers to do the same thing but they had said "No". This original shed was made of pine posts, iron roof and bark walls. It was replaced by a steel constructed shed in 1970. Peter was proud when, at a meeting held at present day "Nugans" in Mackay Avenue, Ken Nugan (Alf's son) said it was good to see Peter at the meeting and acknowledged

Pietro ("Peter") Andreatta

Angelina, Peter and Dionis ("John")

that his father had started packing in Peter's shed so long ago. Shortly after the purchase of Farm 1858 Angelina became ill and was taken to hospital in Sydney. After a lengthy illness she died there and was buried in the new Rookwood cemetery in 1939. Peter returned home to resume life and care for their young son, with the help of friends and neighbours - Maria Mezzomo and Mrs Cunial of Lake Wyangan. From 1940-46 John attended boarding school at St Lawrence's College, Galong NSW.

The shed on Farm 1858 where Alf Nugan started packing oranges

When St Mary's Catholic church at Yoogali was being built Peter helped cart rocks for the construction with a 1927 Chevrolet truck. During the years of World War H Peter dried figs and apricots which were sent overseas for the soldiers. In 1949 he and Lou Donaldson established a fig pulping plant at Farm 1853 (now Tovo's). The pulp was processed and packed in sealed twenty litre containers to be consigned to jam factories. In 1950 Peter remarried, in Melbourne, to Pierina Zanesco after her arrival from Castlecucco, Italy. Peter and Pierina had two sons - Phillip and Dino. As a young boy, Phillip helped on the farm after school and during the school holidays. After finishing school he worked full time on the farm before eventually taking it over. Dino too helped on the farm as a young boy. He now lives in Sydney where he works as an accountant. After leaving school John also helped on the farm for some years. He later drove a taxi in the Griffith area for many years before purchasing a shop in Cootamundra where he now lives. , ,v Peter's great love was lawn bowls. Pierina, Phillip, John, He was a member of the Ex-Servicemens Dino and Peter Bowling Club where he was champion on many occasions. In his later years, due to

poor eyesight, he had to give up his most loved sport. His name appears on several of the boards in the Club. Peter died on 5 April 1989 and is buried in Griffith. Pierina now lives at the Pioneers Lodge Nursing home in Griffith.

Griffith Ex-Servicemen's Club Bowling Team L to R: Joe Bandiera, Guilio Cappello, Peter Andreatta, Gus Bagatella, Arthur Hastings, Angelo Rossetto, Lou Garbin, Lou Signor and Milio Ziliotto

Pietro ("Peter") Andreatta born Italy 20 September 1901 died 5 April 1989 buried at Griffith married (1)

Angelina Zanandrea by proxy in 1933. Died 1939. Dionis ("John") born 7 November 1935. Married Noeline Warne and they have two children. Lives at Cootamundra NSW.

married (2)

Pierina Zanesco (from Italy) in Melbourne 2.

Phillip born Griffith 4 January 1951. Married Mary Rizzardo and they have two children. Lives at Griffith NSW.

Dino born Griffith 30 January 1952. Married June Greening and they have four children. Lives at St Marys, Sydney NSW.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Phillip Andreatta, PO Box 447, Griffith 2680.

ATKINSON Reg Atkinson came to the Griffith district with his wife Bessie and their two daughters, Phyllis and Eileen, in the 1920s. Reg was to work as a book-keeper for Herbert Aston on "Ballandary" Station, 15 miles north of Griffith. (Atkinsons were friends of Astons.) Reg was the son of George W M Atkinson, a partner in the firm of HicksAtkinson, drapers and carpet and silk importers of Collins Street, Melbourne. In 1925 Reg and Bessie's first son, Arthur, was born in Yenda at "Poona" hospital which was part of the Leaver farm-house. The midwife was Mrs Leaver. On the birth certificate the postal address for Atkinsons was "Eastholm" - Jack Coulter's property next to "Ballandary". ("Eastholm" operated the party-line telephone exchange). Presumably the family had moved from "Ballandary" to "Eastholm" or "Eastholm" was their postal address. Reg worked at Richards and Weir saw mill which was on Rowan's property next to "Eastholm". Charlie Flack remembers that his father, Arthur Flack, worked at the mill with Reg Atkinson, Charlie Frazer, Archie Robertson and others. When Charlie Flack was asked "Was Reg a good worker?" he replied "Did you ever know a heavy drinker that was not a good worker?" Jack Coulter of "Eastholm" and Archie Robertson were good friends of the Atkinsons. The Coulters moved to Finley where they had a cafe and Reg Atkinson lived his later years in Finley and Corowa. Reg and Bessie had three more children - Gloria, Keith and Eric, all born at Griffith. By 1929 Reg and Bessie had a few acres at Beelbangera and about twelve cows, with fancy names like "Pansy" and "Rose". After Reg left, Bessie brought up the family and ran the dairy. There was a small building in which to store the shiny metal cans and where the buckets, scrubbed clean, were put upside down on the shelves. There was a sign above the door - "Registered Dairy". They had a cart to carry the cans of milk and a frisky horse to pull it. The cows had to be grazed on the roadside and channel banks. Arthur said he was in trouble if the cows wandered through an open gate or broken fence into a farm when he was minding them after school. His oldest sister, Phyl, said she often went to sleep at school while sitting at her desk with her head on her arms. This was because she had to get up so early to milk the cows. The milk was delivered to Beelbangera, Yoogali and Bilbul. Stories were later told of the horse bolting and coming to a stop at last - caught on a bridge by the cart wheel! Bessie told Arthur once that a customer complained of finding a shrimp in her milk! Arthur said he strongly denied the suggestion that he had topped up the milk with channel water when he ran a bit short. The house did not have the electricity connected. Daughter-in-law, Enid, recalls "I can remember sitting at the kitchen table at Arthur's place. We were engaged to be married then, so it was 1948. We were playing cards - perhaps euchre or poker or crib Arthur, Keith, Bessie and old Archie Robertson. (Archie always had a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. His long white moustache had a brown nicotine stain and his eyes were almost closed to shield them from the rising trickle of smoke.) The kerosene table lamp gave off a soft light. These are fond memories. "Archie lived with the Atkinson family at Beelbangera for many years, until 1950, when he shifted into the village. He died in 1973, aged 94 years, and is buried in Griffith. 18

Picnic on Scenic Hill L to R: Eily, Archie Robertson, Bessie and Arthur (.sitting on the milk can) Three children - Keith, Eric and Gloria

Arthur, Eric, Eily, Keith, Gloria After a swim in the canal.

Arthur and Friends with a truck loaded with mallee props - used to prop up the heavily laden branches of the peach and prune trees

Picnic Traii'.port - The Nlilk Cart and Sulky

"In the sitting room was a console radio run on a 12 volt battery. It had a beautiful tone. While he was painting the house I remember Arthur turned it on and he sang Cole Porter's 'Night and Day'. I listened to every word." About the time that Arthur and Enid married Bessie sold the cows. The family were now grown up. Keith had gone to work in Melbourne and Eric worked in Canvey's shop then for the railway, cleaning train engines. After this he joined the Navy at the same time as Don Dredge of Yenda. For a time Bessie kept fowls and sold the eggs. Then she sold all the fowls and went for a holiday. She visited relatives in St Leonards Vic and in Kogan Qld. A few months later, in 1951, while visiting her daughter Gloria in Narrandera she died of a heart attack, aged only 57 years. She is buried in the Church of England section of the Griffith cemetery. Reg had died the year before at Corowa and he is buried there. Three of Reg and Bessie's six children married and lived in this district. Phyllis married Charlie Flack whom she met when working in the Mona Cafe. She used an imported knitting machine to knit for many residents of Griffith in 1950-51. For many years she owned the "Katrina" dress shop at the top end of Banna Avenue. Due to a sudden illness Phyllis was flown to Sydney where she died in 1986. Allan, Phyllis' son, lives in Griffith and her daughter, Kathleen, lives at Tabbita - her eldest son, Kevin, is a magistrate in Sydney. Eily (Eileen) married Ted Hansell and they lived in Beelbangera until about 1951 when they moved to Wollongong with their children. Arthur married Enid Kilpatrick (the writer) and lived in Beelbangera and then Yenda but their children all moved away. Arthur died in November 1983 aged 58 years and is buried in the Griffith Lawn Cemetery.

George William Atkinson and his two sons Joseph and George William Morley (standing) and his wife, Maud (nee Kennedy) and their children - George William Reginald (b. 1888) and Marjorie Moubray (b. 1890)

George William Atkinson - born Hull, York, England c.I788 married Sarah Smeaton (12 children - 2 sons migrated to Australia) 1

Caleb Mortimer Atkinson (arrived Australia c.1857) born Hatfield, York, England 1834 died Finley NSW 1924 married Victoria Emma Paget (settled in Finley and called their property "Hatfield".)

George William Atkinson (arrived Melbourne pre 1862) born Hatfield, York, Eng. 1832 died Kew, Victoria 26 July 1908 buried Norwood, England married England 1857 Mary Ann Isaac

George William Morley Atkinson born Kew Victoria 1862 married South Yarra Vic 1887 Augusta Maud Mary Kennedy died Kew Victoria 1922 a George William Reginald Atkinson born Upper Tulse Hill, Lambeth Co Surrey England 14 Nov 1888 died Corowa NSW 17 Sept 1950

married 23 May 1915 *

Elizabeth ("Bessie") Holden born Drouin Vic 13 September 1889 died Narrandera 5 May 1951 buried Griffith

* 1.

Phyllis Mary born Victoria 1919; died Sydney 1986; married Charles Flack; three children - Kevin, Allan and Kathleen. Lived in Griffith.

Eileen born 1922; married Ted Hansell; two children - John and Jean. Lives at Wollongong NSW.

Arthur Reginald born Yenda 1925; died Yenda November 1983; married Enid Kilpatrick; five children - Pat, Rob, Steve, Greg and Debbie.

Gloria Evelyn born Griffith 1927; married Roy Flack; eleven children - Doris, Pat, Len, Lynette (dec'd), Barbara, Raymond, Rhonda, Colleen, Rodney, Barry and Stephen.

Keith Joseph born Griffith 1930; married Audrey Redden; two daughters - Cheryl and Vicki. Lives at Dapto NSW.

Eric Michael born Griffith 1932; married (I) H Wright; (2) Fay Gudge; three children - Gary, Lee and Donna. Lives in Melbourne Vic.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Enid Atkinson (nose Kilpatrick), 7/99 Ortella Street, Griffith 2680. 21

BALLESTRIN The two brothers, Antonio and Romano Ballestrin, were born in Fonte, Province of Treviso, Northern Italy on 8 March 1900 and 12 March 1902 respectively. Antonio was the sixth child of nine children and in 1993 is the sole surviving member of the family.

The Ballestrin Family in Italy in 1913 Tony at the back, far left; Romano next to him Courtesy Vanda Conlon (née Ballestrin) Antonio arrived in Adelaide, South Australia in September 1926 and found work on a wheat and sheep farm at Taplan (a small town south of Renmark almost on the SA/Vic border) for eighteen months. His meagre wage amounted to £2 a week plus keep. During harvest this was increased to the sum of £4. Antonio learnt to speak English at this time by talking with the property owner's young children. Romano arrived in Australia just twelve months later and worked around Adelaide for farmers who cultivated vegetables. He also worked, accompanied by other Italians, on the Oodnadatta Railway Line and at Iron Knob. Antonio was the first to arrive in Griffith, in November 1928, where he became known as "Tony". Romano arrived six months later and they both found work picking grapes for Cliff Thorne. After one season, they were able to lease five acres of land from Bill McCann. They grew mainly peas and tomatoes on this land for about five years. The vegetables were taken by a two-horse drawn wagon to the railway station bound for the Sydney Markets. 22

Celebration at Bilbul of the Proxy Wedding - about 1932 L to R: Fourth Row (Back) - Rino Andreatta, Antonio Ballestrin, Eduardo Grandi Third Row - Dora and Giovanni Favero, Isidoro Ziliotto, Giacomo Zalunardo, Antonio Bugno, Petro Andreazza, Otovio Andreatta, Gila° Andreatta Second Row - Mary Bugno, Alice Reginato nursing Lodi, Antonietta Ziliotto, Giovanna Zalunardo (Bride), Tony Zalunardo (Groom), Rechilde Bicego, Maria Bugno, Battista Valentini First Row (Front) - Ezio Ziliotto, Lodina Reginato, Densy Ziliotto, Ora Reginato, Oliver Bugno, James Bugno, Mario Bugno, Felix Valentini Courtesy Vanda Conlon (nee Ballestrin)

In 1934, both Tony and Romano decided to return to Italy to live with the money they worked so hard to save in Australia. They both married, on the same day (23 February 1934) but in different churches and villages. Tony married Rosalia Dametto and Romano married Agnese Minato. However, as times were so tough in Italy, Tony and Romano decided to come back to Australia with their wives. They arrived in Melbourne aboard the "Galileo" on 2 April 1935. On their return to Griffith they were able to lease land at Bilbul from their friends, Emilio Signor and Peter Dussin which was already planted with peas, tomatoes and pumpkins. At this time, Tony, Rosalia, Romano and Agnese were able to move in with some old friends, Cecilia and Fiore Dussin and Albino and Gigetta Dussin, who had bought Farm 325, Bilbul. Some great times were had during this time. Agnese recalls the time when the men locked the women out of the house after a minor disagreement. The women had no

trouble getting back in as the "so-called door" was made out of a hessian bag, so Agnese simply got a knife and cut open the door! Tony also remembers some good times during the "hard days" when he left his bike in Banna Avenue before setting off on a fishing trip and returned three days later to find the bike still under the Kurrajong tree. Few thieves around then!! With the proceeds from the sale of the vegetables on the leased land at Bilbul Tony and Romano bought Farm 526 at Bilbul where they lived together for two years. Romano and Agnese then purchased Farm 640, Bridge Road, Griffith and remained there until they retired. Tony and his family continued to live at Farm 526 for a period of twenty-three years. In 1956, Tony purchased five acres (Farm 950) of peaches and grapes from Miss Delosta. At this time he also leased the Romano and Antonio Ballestrin Griffith Producers Co-operative Canteen for three years. Griffith - 1932 Post WWII Tony and Romano sponsored many Courtesy Vanda Conlon of their nephews and nieces who came from Italy in (née Ballestrin) search of a new start in Australia. Prospects in Italy were practically non-existent at this time. Fortunately, these young hardworking Italians were given a chance by their uncles and all subsequently established themselves and their families in Griffith and other parts of Australia. Both brothers were very much involved in the Committee of the Griffith Water Wheel Festival. Romano's eldest daughter, Lena, was the 'Continental Queen' at the time, and was the first girl of Italian parentage to be crowned 'Queen of the Water Wheel Festival', on 4 May 1956. Tony was an active member of many other committees. He was a foundation member of the Yoogali Catholic Club, the Yoogali Parish and School Committee and in 1955 was the President of the Griffith Community Committee. Tony is also the oldest member of the Alpini Group in Griffith. The Alpini Army Corps was established in Italy in 1872. About 121 years ago two army commanding officers decided that the infantry should have a special Tony and Rosalia with their daughters regiment to be used particularly up on L to R: Mary, Vanda and Elda the high mountains (the Alps and the Courtesy Vanda Conlon (nde Ballestrin) Appenines). These men had to be capable of resisting the strain and fatigue

of the wilderness. Since then, the regiment has grown bigger and eventually became an entire division of soldiers. The Alpini Corps played a major role in all the wars. The Alpini motto is "For The Love of God, Country and Family". Their hat is typical of the people from the Alps from whom they take the name The Alpini. The feather is an eagle feather which means strength, audacity and wilderness. The eagle is the Queen of the Mountains, the number signifies the battalion number and green is the colour of the company they belong to. The National Alpini Association was formed many years ago by a group of returned Alpini soldiers. There are two hundred branches in Italy and more than twenty branches spread around the world - seven of these are here in Australia. The Griffith Branch is one of the smallest with only 125 members. The Association is nonpolitical and non-denominational. The main aim is to get together and have a good time! The Griffith Branch plays a major role in fund raising for the Griffith Community. The Association spent much of their own time constructing the shelter at Romano and Agnese's Family L to R - Back: Aldo, Agnese, Romano, Anna Lake Wyangan for the benefit of the Front: Kim (grand daughter) and Lena community. Courtesy Agnese Ballestrin Tony and Rosalia had three daughters - Mary (born 1 December 1936), Elda (born 10 October 1940) and Vanda (born 10 January 1943). Rosalie died 22 January 1980 and Tony still lives on his farm in Sidlow Road. Romano and Agnese had one son and two daughters - Aldo (born 8 April 1936), Lena (born 24 December 1938) and Anna (born 12 August 1953). Romano passed away in November 1991 and is buried at Griffith. Agnese lives in Sydney.

By courtesy of Vanda Conlon (nee Ballestrin) Farm 57, Sara Road, Griffith 2680. 25

BARBER The ancestors of the Barber family migrated to Australia from Ireland in 1850. Alexander Barber was born on the farm "Clattery-Knowes", Glenwhirry, County Antrim in 1819. His family were farmers and flax growers and some were engaged in the linen trade in Belfast. It was decided the farm could not support the whole family, so Alexander came out to Australia aboard the ship the "Duchess of Northumberland", with only his clothes and £5 in his pocket. He worked on various properties, until, on the Castlemaine gold diggings, he struck gold - to the value of £2,000. With this he bought land near Koroit in Victoria. News of his success brought other family members to Australia. Alexander married Sarah Esler in 1855 and they had eight children - William, Sarah Jane, Hessie Maria, Alexander, Samuel, Robert James, Elizabeth and John Andrew. In the late 1870s and early 1880s, land was opened up for settlement in the fringe mallee region near Birchip. The Katherine and Stuart Barber Barbers and a number of their relations travelled by covered wagon, taking their livestock with them and the older children riding on horseback. Their first dwelling was of split logs but over the years the family prospered. In 1879 "Wirrimbirchip" Station was purchased and Alexander remained there for the rest of his life. Samuel, one of the eight children, married Mary McClelland in 1897 and they had three sons - Stuart, Gordon and Graham and owned "Glenalvon" in the Birchip district. This property is still owned by Gordon's son, Keith. Stuart Samuel Barber married Katherine Mary McKee in 1927. They were married in Melbourne by Stuart's uncle, Rev Andrew Barber. Stuart had met Kath at a party in Birchip where she worked as a milliner. Before moving to Birchip, Kath had been head milliner at Cann's in Swanston Street, Melbourne. A property of 15,000 acres west of Griffith, called "Mirrool Park", became available in the Benerembah district and Samuel bought this in 1926 for £70,000 Stuart moved from the family property at Birchip to settle on "Mirrool Park" and a year later he married Katherine McKee. At this time the property included Willow Dam, and stretched lengthwise from the edge of the Barren Box swamp to what is now Twaddell Road, and bordered "Warrawidgee" Station on the west.

It was purely a grazing property and all wool was transported at first by bullock wagon; later by horse-drawn wagon to the rail siding at Benerembah. Sheep and cattle were driven and loaded into rail trucks at Benerembah, a journey of some twenty miles. "Mirrool Park" was subsequently divided into two properties when Stewart's younger brother, Graham, left the army at the end of the war. Graham and his wife, Muriel (nee Lawson), moved onto "Carinya" in 1946. In the 1930s irrigation became available and in 1943 the first rice crop was grown and fat lamb production commenced. Rice Bullock wagon carting wool harvesting was done with horsedrawn machinery. The rice was bagged and then pulled out of the paddock - this operation was called "snigging out". Their first self-propelled header was purchased in 1958, a second-hand Cage on tracks. In 1937 the original house on "Mirrool Park" was moved from the middle of the property to near the road (much more accessible in wet weather) and extensions added. Kath was a true pioneer woman, starting a new life as a young bride coping without electricity - using Tilley lamps, wood stove and copper, preserving meat in brine and making all their bread. At first the workman's wife had done the cooking until she was seen pulling a mouse out of the cream! This decided Kath at once to do her own cooking and she became, through trial and error and perseverance, an excellent cook; many of her recipes are still being used by her family. Stuart and Kath had four children - Wallace, Campbell, Lorna and Donald. The roads were poor so trips to Griffith were limited and groceries were bought in bulk bags of sugar, flour etc. Kath tells of visiting friends by sulky and opening many gates through the properties before the roads came through. Wallace remembers his new shoes were a real treasure and he used to take them off to open the gates! Schooling was difficult. At first Wallace learnt by correspondence and then had a year at Birchip with his grandparents, before a small school opened at Warbum. Wallace and Campbell rode bicycles over a swing bridge made by Stuart across Mirrool Creek. It was six miles by bike to Warburn school. Campbell, being younger, found the bike trip too tiring for a seven-year old and rode a pony each day the long way round - an eight mile trip, because the pony couldn't negotiate the swing bridge. Campbell says it was a Moving the house with steady trip on the way to school and a flat out gallop home! Moses Gollan's steam engine

Boarding the teacher was always a part of schooling, usually he stayed for at least one term a year with the family. During the winter Kath used to make little meat pies for school lunch and these were heated on the hob of the open fire in the classroom. The boys always considered this was a plus for having a teacher live with them. Later Wallace, Campbell and Donald finished their schooling at Griffith, Hay and Geelong College and Lorna at P.L.C. Croydon. Wal and Cam taught themselves to swim in the farm dams and shooting rabbits was a favourite pastime. A special treat for the children was the Saturday afternoon matinee at the Lyceum Theatre sixpence to get in and threepence to spend at the "Garden of Roses" Cafe. Sometimes in summer the family packed a picnic lunch and travelled through the paddocks to the Stuart with his pride and joy river at Benerembah reserve. It could then be, as 1923 Studebaker now, a treacherous place to swim and on one occasion Lorna, at about 8 years old, was swept off a sandbank. The older boys, Wallace and his friend, Ian Bird, tried to pull her back upstream. This proved impossible and they quickly tired. Cam, home on holiday from school at Hay, had just done his life-saving course and had been told to go with the current in a river, so he grabbed Lorna, floated downstream and they managed to reach the bank further down. Lorna had another narrow escape when a jersey cow with long horns rushed at her in the milking yard and pinned a horn each side of her in the sleeper rails. Her father, Stuart, stunned the cow, hitting it behind the ear with a piece of timber, dropping it in its tracks!! Young Donald, riding Nugget, his one-eyed pony broke his collar bone when the pony didn't see the tree and tried to gallop throught it. Life had its exciting moments! Church services were held once a month in the Warburn School and this was followed by a "cuppa" and a great get-together for fellowship and fun for the children, often finishing the day with tea at Gibbs' or Young's places. Stuart and Kath moved into Griffith in 1951 into a house for which cement bricks were made at "Mirrool Park" by Stuart, Wallace and Campbell. Off to Town - L to R: Campbell, Stuart enjoyed his retirement, playing bowls and Wallace, Kath and Lorna travelling and keeping birds - particularly finches of which he was very fond. Stuart died in 1972.

Kath was a diligent worker in the Presbyterian Women's Guild and the Hospital Kiosk and Lake Wyangan Red Cross for many years. Kath moved into the Pioneer Lodge in 1983, which, with her usual happy and optimistic outlook, she calls "the best motel in town"! In 1957 "Mirrool Park" was subdivided into four blocks - "Mirrool Park", "Melrose", "Tamba" and "Ainslie". The properties continued to be worked as a family partnership until 1967 when each son worked his property independently and Stuart engaged Jack Cobden as a sharefarmer for "Mirrool Park". Children of Stuart Samuel Barber and Katherine Mary (née McKee):• Wallace (born 1928) married Helen Meggitt in 1952 and lived at "Mirrool Park" until they moved into their new home "Melrose". They had six children - David, Ruth, Catherine, Lloyd, Margaret and Alan. (Lloyd and Alan now deceased). Helen and Wallace have retired to Griffith and David now lives at "Melrose".

• Campbell (born 1930) married Nerida Pollack in 1953 and lived at "Tamba" which has been sold and they now live in Griffith. They have two children - Peter and Susan.

• Lorna (born 1935) married Paul Druitt in 1957 and they have a Real Estate business in Perth. They have three children Campbell, Katherine and Robert.

• Donald (born 1941) married Suzanne Ledgerwood in 1963 and lived at "Mirrool Park' until they built their home on "Ainslee". Donald sold "Ainslee" and now lives in the family home in Konoa Street, Griffith. Donald and Suzanne have three children - Virginia, Paul and James.

BY courtesy of Nerida Barber (née Pollack) and Helen Barber (nee Meggitt) of Griffith. Photographs by courtesy of Lorna Druitt (nee Barber), Perth WA.

BARNES Thomas Barnes was born near Harden on 27 July 1888. His parents were also born in the district. The parents of his wife, Vera, came to the Wombat area, near Young, from Bowral when she was only two years old. After settling in at Murringo, Vera's mum was there all her life and was 85 years old when she died. Vera was born at "Parkville", near Young, on 14 May 1892 and her maiden name was Braham. She married Thomas at "Parkville". It is said that two uncles of Thomas Barnes were lucky enough to find a gold mine in a small creek five miles out of Harden. It was worth half a million pounds, certainly a fortune in those days. Thomas and Vera travelled by the Temora Mail Train to Griffith in 1925 and lived on Farm 1406 for three years before settling permanently on Farm 622 Yoogali. Thomas had previously done engineering work at the Young power station. Their son, and first child, Stanley Thomas was born at Young on 16 January 1911. Joyce Mary was born on 8 December 1913 and married William Raymond Carter in 1933 at Griffith. William had come to Griffith in 1927 and was a foreman with the WC & IC and died in Leeton in 1963. Joyce remarried, William Wallace, at Wollongong in 1975. Son Keith was born 14 January 1919 and Raymond was born on 1 March 1921. Joyce recalls playing vigoro at High School, a game like cricket, played with a rounded bat. The girls Thomas Barnes' New Car - 1927 - "Off to the Show" also played hopscotch and jacks, while L to R: Joyce (in car), Aunt Anne Braham, the boys played cricket and marbles. Marjorie Lockwood, a friend. She remembers her Mother Courtesy Joyce Wallace (nee Barnes) always wore a hat whenever she went to town, church or weddings. "Take away food" was unheard of except for "fish and chips". Instead, there was plenty of meat and vegetables and rolled oats for breakfast. Homemade cakes and biscuits were more the order of the day. They often had visitors from Young who loved the farm life and being able to play tennis on the family court. Ray has many memories of early Griffith and shares some of them here with us.

"Mr Bill Parkins and his family had a fruit farm behind Penfolds Winery and on weekends often joined our family for a fishing trip to the Murrumbidgee River. After pitching the tents on Taylor's beach it was just fun for all, fishing and swimming. Lines were set at night and tags put on each one so we would know in the morning who caught what. I, being the youngest, was always first up and off to inspect the lines. One particular Murrumbidgee River - Darlington Point morning one of the lines L to R: Dot (friend from Sydney), Thomas and Vera Barnes, was taut and then swishing Reuben ("Rusty") Evans around so I pulled it in to Courtesy Joyce Wallace (nee Barnes) find a 61b cod on the end of it. Kid like, I quickly pulled in my empty line, and with difficulty transferred the load and put it back into the river. I then ran back to the tents yelling like the Watsons - about the beauty on my line. I felt proud and also guilty as I received the pats on the back for a job well done!! On the way home I told Mum what I had done. Confession is good for the soul!" He also remembers fishing in the main canal when the water was cut off for winter. The water went down until only a few inches remained in the bottom. His father and Mr Crockett and Mr Devitt, plus Maurice Barnes and the Barnes boys, used to put on their gum boots and take pitch forks with which to spear the fish stranded there. They caught some `beaut' Murray Cod at times. One weighed 601bs. Ray's brother-in-law, Bill Carter, used to clear rubbish and slush out of the canals with a 'Bucyrus' when the water was down. He later became foreman of the canal work. Raymond is very proud of being born in Cootamundra as Sir Kingsford Smith and Sir Donald Bradman were also born there. He had a ten shilling flight with Sir Kingsford Smith when he came to Griffith in 1931 and landed on a site not far from where the airport is to-day. "Blink" Carter, Paddy Devitt, Arthur and Ted Webb, Rusty Evans, Keith and Ray used to love to play 'Cowboys and Indians' on Scenic Hill - Tom Mix being their favourite cowboy. Remembering those times, Ray recalls - "There was a European chap camped up there and he built by hand and hard work, palisades, gardens and pathways on the south side. They were a great attraction - heck knows how he placed the rocks so high and neat. We never caused any damage and were proud to be able to walk through all the tunnels and rock work he did. I don't know if any of his super "Scenic Hill" hand work is still there. He did a marvellous job. It kept us out of mischief and made (I think) a great impact on us." 31

One Saturday morning Ray and a good friend were walking up the main street of town and found ten 2d stamps. Being hungry they bought some cakes at Mrs Weare's Bakery with them. When they got home they got a good dressing down but that was the procedure in those days!! Every Friday and Saturday night there would be a game of "6's and 5's dice" and Hazard's at the back of O'Gilpins shop. Cricket, tennis and marbles were the main sports played; also Rugby League between Griffith, Leeton, Yanco and Yenda. These games were always looked forward to greatly and Ray had the privilege of being mascot for the Griffith team and would carry the new ball out. Some of the footballers who played then were Bob James, Dooley Murray, Bob Stevenson, Jack Meehan and Les Small. Only girls wore long hair in those days and such things as 'thongs' were unknown. Ray also remembers one tragic event which happened in 1935, while he was the office boy at the Griffith Producers Co-op Ltd. While riding his Malvern Star bike to the Post Office he was passing Nugan's when he heard a crash. Looking in that direction he saw the South West Mail train pulling up - a 1 1/2 ton truck had been pushed over a hundred yards up the line. Three people had been cut to pieces in the accident. The driver of the train asked Ray to ride to the Police Station to get help, which he did. It was a terrifying experience for a young fellow as he knew the people. They had brought produce to the Producers, where he worked, only half an hour before. Ray remembers neighbours and friends from those days: "Mr Webb - sons Arthur and Teddy lived close by; Peter Skeet - no children to my knowledge; Mick Devitt - son Paddy and two daughters; Clive Balmer - a daughter, Audrey; Crawfords of Farm 628 - one son, John, and two daughters; Mr Foote - Les and Rita; Mr Bosanquet had a farm towards Yoogali - I remember Ron; Mr Wheeler - a son and three lovely daughters - he had a milk run out that way or someone doing the run; Mr D Crockett - two sons; Mr and Mrs Negro a daughter and a son, Angelo."

Thomas Smith Barnes born Harden NSW 27 July 1888

married at "Parkville" (near Young)

Vera May Braham born "RaviIle", rear Young 14 May 1892

Stanley Thomas Barnes born Young 16 January 1911, deceased.

Audrey born and died at Cootamundra aged 21/2 years.

Joyce Mary born 8 December 1913; Married (I) William Raymond Carter (died Leeton 1963); married (2) William Wallace; lives Port Macquarie NSW.

Keith born 14 January 1919; died Leichhardt 1977; married Mary King; two children.

Raymond born I March 1921; married Avis Teague; four children; lives at Olary SA.

By courtesy of Ray Barnes, C/- Post Office, Olary SA Joyce Wallace (née Barnes), Garden Crescent, Port Macquarie 2444.

BARTLEY Martin Bartley, born Cooma NSW, married Amy Yeates at her birthplace, Braidwood NSW on 13 April 1898. They came to Griffith in 1919 from Marrangaroo (NSW) where Martin had worked on the construction of a major railway tunnel as a "packer", a term which originated as the tunnels were constructed by the packing of cement. Marrangaroo was a railway crossing approximately ten miles north of Lithgow and is still marked on the road atlas (Great Western Highway) as is the tunnel also. They came to Griffith by train, soon after the line was completed to Griffith and lived at the Quarry Camp at the foot of Scenic Hill. This camp was a very large one - one of the first established - not far from the Driver/Dun Homestead and almost at the northern end of present day Blumer Avenue. Much of the metal used on early construction was processed here and a large number of people lived there - especially single men and men without families, although there were quite a number of families living there too. Soon after arriving Amy set up an "eating house" at this Quarry Camp. It consisted of hessian walls with an iron roof where she catered for about thirty men. These men had their own sleeping arrangements. Their eldest daughter, Fan (Fanny Elizabeth who later married Frederick "Bob" Mason) says that it was a very hard life with little or no entertainment - probably the only entertainment she can remember at that time was going to the open air picture show. Martin's brother, Jack and his wife Elizabeth, also lived in Griffith for many years before returning to Sydney to live.

The Quarry Courtesy Western Riverina Community Library

Amy was one of ten children born to Joseph Thomas Yeates, a labourer of Braidwood NSW and his wife Fanny (nee Lynn). She was born on 16 April 1883 at Poverty Flat, Braidwood and registered as Amy Margaret Agetha. At the time of their marriage at St Andrew's Vicarage, Braidwood on 13 April 1898, Amy was shown as 16 years of age (she was three days short of 15) and her occupation was given as general servant. Martin of Cooma NSW was aged 25 years and his occupation given as labourer. He was the son of Thomas Bartley and his wife, Bridget (née Glenian). The witnesses at their marriage were Ada Yeates and John Bartley. Martin and Amy had a family of twelve children I.

Frederick horn Braidwood 1900 - dec'd.

Michael horn Braidwood 1902 - dec'd.

Fanny Elizabeth born Braidwood 1903; married Frederick Mason (dec'd). Lives Dalmeny NSW.

William born Braidwood 1905 - dec'd.

John born Braidwood 1907 - dec'd.

Eric born Braidwood 1909 - dec'd.

Cecil born Braidwood 1911 - died Braidwood at an early age.

Leo born Goulbum 1919 - dec'd.

Stan born Marrangaroo 1921 - dec'd.

10.

Doreen born Marrangaroo 1922 - lives Dalmeny NSW.

11.

Ada born Marrangaroo 1923 - lives Coffs Harbour NSW.

12.

Ron horn Sydney 1924 - his whereabouts is unknown.

By courtesy of Kath McMillan (née Mason), 18 Pelman Ave, Greenacre 2190 and Bob Mason, 1 Noble Street, Beelbangera via Griffith 2680. 34

BASSETT The story of this pioneering Selector family of Bassett is told for us by their Granddaughter, Carol Coates of Wagga Wagga and their great/granddaughter, Anne Campbell of Chiltern, Vic. "This Bassett family," says Carol, "would have been a typical large, hard working family. Ascott Thomas was a blade shearer - and he worked on `Groongal', 'Bringagee' and `Wyvem' Stations as well. For a time they lived at 'Chalk Well' (on `Wyvem'). In 1894 they selected 'Ascot Valley'; also about this time they had something to do with the running of the Mt Ida Post Office. As Griffith or Bagtown didn't exist at this time, the nearest centres were Whitton and Hay. In those days not one thing would have been anything like the present day and their lifestyles would have been completely different. "The first to come to Australia was Ascott Thomas Bassett, born Cornwall, UK and Caroline Beaumont, born Middlesex, UK. They arrived in this area in 1876. After Caroline's death, Thomas or `Tom', by which name he was more usually known, remarried to Matilda Wrixon Large, at Whitton NSW." Anne then takes up the story - "My great/grandmother, Caroline Beaumont married my great/grandfather Ascott Thomas Bassett (as he signed himself on his first marriage certificate) in 1866. Later he was to sign as Thomas Ascott Bassett although he was commonly known as Tom. Caroline Bassett (nee Beaumont) "Caroline born in 1845 Courtesy Anne Campbell was eleven years old when her father George Beaumont, died. "From the carefully preserved original hand-written script of the sermon preached on the Sunday after his death, by the Rev I P Larkins, we learn that he was a policeman, a Godly man concerned for others. He used to hand out (scripture) tracts and when in hospital prior to his death he used to go to the beds of the dying and speak about their souls. From the Reverend's observations - "I was lately struck with a remark I met with that his children were never seen idling about on the Sabbath. Oh! Parents be you like this. It is a sad thing for parents who are Christians to let your children run about on the Lord's Day. On the morning on which he died he, when speaking to the nurse attending him, said 'is Jesus precious to you?' and was enabled to say - 'He is precious to me'...." "My grandmother, Caroline Sarah Bassett married my grandfather, Alfred Hill in 1889. She was the second child of the Bassett family but she was closer and dearer to me 35

than any of the great aunts and uncles so I will give her priority in my writing. She was a wonderful woman who survived countless disasters and the tragedy of deaths in the family with indomitable courage. When she already had six children of her own (the youngest, Amy, born in 1901 is still living) she took in for fostering the two Day boys, Tom and Bob born 1900 and 1902, when their own mother died. "My grandparents lost two school-aged children after they moved to Tumbarumba (in 1908). They had two more children of their own and after a daughter passed away in 1919 (from pneumonic 'flu brought back by the soldiers after World War I) they took in her two children, a boy and a girl, as well. The boy died of diphtheria I think, when he was five or six years old. "Grandmother was a splendid cook. At the annual Tumbarumba Show she exhibited cakes, puddings, bread, preserves, jams, pickles, butter, poultry and always brought home a swag of prizes. She had a great sense of humour; played the concertina and the mouth organ and was always on hand to help others. She told me that her father had been a very hard man. He made the girls ride the newly broken horses to quieten them. On one occasion she was thrown off and fell with her foot still in the stirrup. She was dragged for quite a distance and got a broken leg out of this mishap.

Fred Hill, husband of Carrie Bassett - Ploughing out rabbits in the late 1890s `Fairview', Mount Ida, Whitton Courtesy Anne Campbell

"Amelia Ann (Aunty Amy) was the eldest of the family. SHE didn't complain about having to ride the young horses .... No! She delighted in the wild gallops she used to have when a girl. Almost boastfully she told me - 'After I was married people used to say that if I didn't give up riding my horses when I was pregnant I'd lose my babies .... but I didn't'. When I knew Aunty Amy she was in her sixties and crippled in the feet. She never left the house but got around there fairly well with the aid of a stick. She was

mentally very alert and caught on to each piece of local news with such gusto that when one spoke to her it always seemed as though one got the news first hand, so bright an interpretation she put on events. When I lived in Narrandera many the good cup tea and freshly baked date scones I enjoyed at her place. Thursday was her baking day and Thursday found me on her doorstep!! she and other relatives came to stay at my grandparent "Martha came next Hill's place, `Ashbrooke Farm' Tumbarumba, during the summer months for some years. This was to escape the heat of the drier climate of Nyngan and Tottenham districts. This influx of visitors brightened our lives, and more importantly brought Martha and Carrie together for a while. Sometimes Aunty Martha would come to the Public School to collect us IN A CAR! We, who usually travelled in the humble sulky! She took us, with the visiting group, to scenic spots such as the Paddy's River Falls and elsewhere. "We were a little in awe of Aunt Martha. She was a J.P.!! When in Tumbarumba one year she was horrified to find that I was just filling in my last year at school by reading all the books available. I'd been through all the classes available there; passed all my exams and scholastically I could go no further at this school. Legally I couldn't leave because of my age and my parents couldn't afford to send me away to High School. However, Auntie Martha was not one to let the grass grow under her feet!! She entered into a prolonged correspondence with the Education Department in an effort to get correspondence lessons for me - but to no avail. There was no such thing in those days. (This was 1927). "In 1876 there was a death recorded in the family - that of an un-named male child. "In 1877 we have the first of the births that were to be registered in NSW. This was George Thomas. He was to live at the family farm, 'Ascot Valley' Tabbita all his life, I think. When I was 19 or 20 my Mother and I went on a visit to see the Hill uncles at `Fairview' Tabbita and then on to stay with Uncle George Bassett. One day my Mother walked off to see the place where she had lived as a girl. I am sorry now that I didn't go with her but I don't remember wanting to do so at the time. "While there Uncle George gave me a leg of mutton and vegetables with which to bake a roast dinner and a tin of peaches and the other ingredients to make a pie. I was quite happy to do this. I remember that I cooked this meal in a green enamel stove which stood on legs. It must have been a good cooker for I have no embarrassing memories of failure to haunt me! "While we were at 'Ascot Valley' Uncle George showed me an old pine stump at which he said the young fellows of the district used to hitch up their horses when they came courting the Bassett girls. There was an organ in the home there also around which there had been many a merry singsong he told us. On the Sabbath though it had been used only to accompany sacred songs. That would have pleased great-great-grandfather Beaumont!! "Uncle George asked me to give the house a spring-cleaning. He didn't tell my Mother nor me that he would be bringing home a bride in a week or two! Had he done so, I would have done a better job than I did when thinking it was for a continued bachelor occupancy! The bride was Ethel Wilson. (They had a daughter, Carol.) "Charlotte ("Lottie") Bassett married Jim Painting. I never knew her. They had three children before she died of asthma. Jim married again. Later, I got to know him quite well. At the wedding of myself and Don Campbell he spoke for us, saying - `If this young couple live as good a life and are as happy as the bride's grandparents, Fred and Carrie Hill, then I can wish them nothing better'. 37

"Now to Alfred Henry Bassett - my jovial, rotund Uncle Alf. He married Annie Fisher, (I think that her name may have been Ann Pinnell Fisher). They raised twelve children on their property 'Frog's Hollow' on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, a few miles out of Narrandera. It would take a book in itself to record the doings of this hardworking yet volatile family. What pranks they carried out! What adventures were theirs! Much of Uncle Alf s time and that of his boys was taken up working horse teams on the stations around Tabbita and further out. They sank tanks, cleaned out of dams, excavated channels, etc. The Alf Bassett family loved their horses and spoke of them as members of the family. "One day after heavy rain my fiance and I foolishly drove through a flooded gully on our way to visit 'Frog's Hollow'. We arrived at our destination sopping wet and shaking from our ordeal. We were greeted by Uncle Alf who took in the situation at a glance. With a great guffaw he said - 'Now I know what they mean by mixed bathing - Man, Woman and Horse!' He knew a good laugh would relieve the tension. The sulky in which my then fiance and I drove through the flooded gully was brand new at the time. A few years later we sold it to one of Uncle Alf Bassett's sons. It has had little, if any, use since then and I am told that it is in excellent condition still. The episode of the gully crossing took place fifty-seven years ago!

E Hill - 'Fairview', Mt Ida, Whitton NSW Ploughing rabbit burrows late 1890s Photo courtesy Anne Campbell

"My Uncle Alf and Auntie Annie treated me as one of their own and I was married from their home. Auntie Annie made mounds of cakes and other goodies for our reception and relatives came in and helped with the catering. It was here that Uncle Jim Painting made his memorable speech. Uncle Alf gave me away at our wedding, in lieu of my father who could not be present. When we arrived at the church I noticed that Uncle Alf s coat

was agape so I tried to pull the two sides together. 'No hope, girl' he said. 'Never the twain will meet!' "Eleanor Olive ("Nelly") Bassett married a member of the Dickie family. I met her only once when she visited my grandparents at `Ashbrooke Farm'. She was a goodlooking woman. I was told that she was the belle of the district when she was young and lived at 'Ascot Valley'. Someone else who came from the same district said emphatically 'Nonsense, your grandmother, Carrie, was'. My Aunt Amy told me that - 'Beauty was a curse. I should know. The young fellows used to be a real nuisance to me when I was a girl!' I think she was fonder of her horses than of the young men. Nevertheless they were probably a jolly good-looking bunch of girls, the lot of them. "Emily Beaumont Bassett (the first to receive the maternal family name as a second name) I never met, nor the next daughter, Mary Watts Bassett. Both of these girls married men by the name of Roche. They lived in the NynganFrom Tottenham district. microfiche records it appears that this Mary was the second Mary in the family. According to these records, in 1882, a daughter Mary was born to Caroline and Thomas Ascott Bassett. She only lived for a day. She was born at Learmonth, Victoria. "After the death of his first wife, Caroline, Tom Bassett married again - to Matilda Wrixon Large, a spinster who was born 18 April 1854 at Tumut NSW. The wedding certificate shows her father to be William Large (deceased), physician and surgeon, late of Ascott Thomas Bassett and Wagga. (Mary Gilmore writes of Matilda Wrixon Bassett (nee Large) being a patient of a Dr Large of Courtesy Esma Chit Wagga). Matilda was housekeeper to her brother at Whitton prior to her marriage. I think he was a doctor also. My Mother told me that, as a girl, the second Mrs Bassett had boards strapped to her back. This was to give her an erect stance. She had a beautiful singing voice, classically trained. She insisted on always being addressed as 'Mrs Bassett' - even by the step-children. "Tom Bassett died on 4 December 1916, as a result of being kicked by a horse and later developing pneumonia. He is buried at Bagtown Cemetery, Hanwood."

Ascott Thomas Bassett born 4 February 1843, Cornwall, UK. Died 4 December 1916 aged 73 years, buried Bagtown Cemetery - his headstone is one of the few remaining intact. MARRIED (1) at St Johns Church, Melbourne on 31 December 1866, Caroline Beaumont born 23 December 1845, Middlesex, UK, (Christened 27 June 1846) The daughter of George Beaumont and Amelia (nee Watts). Died Gladesville I May 1895, buried Field of Mars Cemetery, Ryde NSW.

Amelia Ann born 5 May 1868 at "The Springs" (later changed to Waubra) Vic. Christened by Mr Milne (two children); (2) George Black (five children). Radcliffe of "The Springs". Married (1) She died 8 September 1950 and is buried at Narrandera NSW.

Caroline Sarah ("Carrie") born 5 December 1870 at "The Springs" Vic. Christened by Mr Radcliffe. Married 1889 Alfred Hill. They had nine children. Died 1959, buried Tumbarumba NSW. Martha born 8 March 1873 at "The Springs" Vic. Christened by Mr Rupp of "The Springs". Married Thomas Latham. They had two children.

George Thomas born 1 August 1877 NSW. Married Ethel Wilson - they had one child. Died 12 August 1967, aged 89 years, buried Griffith NSW.

Charlotte born 5 January 1880 NSW. Married Jim Painting. They had three children. Died 8 January 1917, aged 37 years. Buried Narrandera NSW.

Alfred henry born 7 May 1883 NSW. Married Annie Fisher - they had three daughters and nine sons. Died 6 June 1943. Buried Narrandera NSW.

Eleanor Olive born 2 May 1886. Christened by Mr Mitchell on "Groongal" October 1887. Married 1906 William Dickie. They had nine children.

Emily Beaumont born 10 March 1889. Christened by Mr C W Pritchard 30 October 1889 on "Groongal". Married James Roche (1884-1944). Died 4 February 1960. Mary Watts born 8 April 1891 NSW. Married William Thomas Roche (1889-1986). They had eight children. Died 6 May 1953.

MARRIED (2) Matilda Wrixon Large. Buried Griffith 20 June 1933, aged 78 years No issue to this marriage.

Amy Shore (nee Ilill) grand daughter of Thomas & Caroline Bassett at the age of 89 with Anne Campbell great grand daughter of Thomas and Caroline Bassett. Courtesy Anne Campbell.

By courtesy of Mrs Anne Campbell, 6 Wills Street, Chiltern Vic. and Carol Coates, RMB 530, Tumbarumba Road, Wagga Wagga NSW. 40

BELLICANTA Giovanni Bellicanta, better known as Fillipetto, was born in Cavaso Del Tomba, Province of Treviso, Italy on 20 April 1902. Giovanni was the third child of Marina (née Lorenzi) and Erminio Bellicanta. He had two brothers, Virgilio and Julio and two sisters, Poala and Lena. His father was left to rear five small children as Giovanni's mother passed away when he was only five years old. After finishing school he worked for a pharmaceutical company and later joined the army with the Carabiniere (Military Police). In 1925 he migrated to Australia and lived in Griffith and surrounding districts wherever work was available. Finally he was able to find permanent farm work with Mr Ward at Yoogali. Whilst working on the farm a friend Wedding Day - 3 July 1933 approached Giovanni and asked if he L to R: Justine Cunial, Teresa and would cater for his daughter's Giovanni Bellicanta, Toni Bof. wedding. Although coming from a Courtesy Teresa Bellicanta catering background he had never shown an interest or even helped the family in the catering business. His friend would not take no for an answer so he set about the task of preparing the food for the reception. From then on he was asked to cater for numerous Italian weddings and functions, including the official opening of the Yoogali Catholic Church where some five hundred people attended. As the hall was not large enough to hold the five hundred guests they had to have two sittings for the dinner. Later when the Yoogali Catholic School was opened he was also asked to do the catering. During these years of working on the farm and catering he met and married Maria Teresa Agostino on 3 July 1933. His wife has always been known as Teresa. In the first two and half years of their married life they lived in Yoogali on a property owned by the Peruzzi family. Their son, Erminio (Harry) was born and sixteen months later their daughter Vivi Livia was born. The family then moved to Rossetto's farm at Beelbangera where their third child, Alba, was born. They lived here almost two years before moving into a farmhouse on Mr Ward's property at Yoogali. In 1948 the family moved from Ward's farm to Beelbangera where they leased some land for vegetable growing.

Official Opening of the Catholic Church at Yoogali - Dinner held at Coronation Hall Foreground - L to R: Bob Vardanega, unknown, Fr Burns, unknown, Bishop Ilensche, Fr Bongiorno's mother, Fr Bongiorno

Catering at Yoogali Club c. 1952 ► L to R: Amelia Rostirolla, Nehla Piva, Teresa Bellicanta, Giovanni Bellicanta, Vivi Toth (nde Bellicanta), Joe Toth

Photos courtesy Teresa Bellicanta

Teresa and Giovanni Bellicanta c.1946/47

Carabiniere - Military Police Giovanni Bellicanta - centre of back row Courtesy Teresa Bellicanta

In 1952 Giovanni and Teresa decided to buy their own small farm - this was Farm 1405, Yoogali. They both worked on the farm and the same year he also took over the catering at the Yoogali Club. Due to Giovanni's ill health they had to give up the catering at the club after fourteen months. In 1966 they sold the farm and purchased a home in Messner Street, Griffith. Giovanni died on 9 June 1968 at the age of 66 years. Teresa still lives in Messner Street. Giovanni and Teresa's family 1.

Erminio (Harry) married Joan Sandberg - lives at Griffith. Three children - Warren George, Brian John and Yvette Joan.

Vivi Livia married Jozsef Toth (died 11 June 1993) - Vivi lives at Griffith. Three children - Roslyn Teresa, Sandra Dianne and Michael Jozsef.

Alba Vitoria married George Salvestro - lives at Griffith. Two children Alan Felice and Rodney John.

By courtesy of Teresa Bellicanta (nee Agostino) and Vivi Toth (née Bellicanta).

BENYON The Benyon family involvement in the MIA started in 1919 when Felix ("Fill"), who was born at Dum Dum, India 1884, took up Farm 807 Yenda (22 acres) on the corner of Wood and Cremasco Roads. It was after his recovery from a nearly fatal wound in the abdomen sustained at Gallipoli that he decided to become a soldier settler. He spent some time at the experimental farm at Yanco and learnt something about the horticultural business as it was then being taught. His dwelling for the first few years was a roundback shack which would have been very draughty in winter. It later became the laundry, packing shed and machinery workshop. He persuaded his half brother Richard ("Dick") to emigrate from England for £10 and Dick arrived in 1920 on the "Orontes" to help work the farm. At that time the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission (WC & IC) paid an • allowance of 30/- a week for single and E2/101- for married men. This was added to the farm debt, so there was a strong incentive to get the farm to the earning stage as quickly as possible. Much later, the WC & IC waived all the debts, so it worked out that it was better to be a spendthrift than to be thrifty, much to the distress of the latter! Dick worked very hard to L to R: Ho and Sid Twigg, Irene and Dick with Lottie Benyon make some extra money by trapping rabbits, cutting fence posts and ploughing. After the house was built in 1921, Dick added a kitchen and verandah with his savings. Dick and Fill's father, Theodore, with Dick's mother, Charlotte ("Lottie") and sister Florence ("Flo") then arrived. Fill, after the progressive deterioration of his foot and leg and the eventual amputation of his lower leg, decided to buy a separate farm. He bought it from Mr Norman out towards the stock route. Although it was further from town, he believed it would be an easier farm for him to manage with his disability. Fill married Ada Emery from Sydney in 1926 and they had a son, Harold John and a daughter, Shirley. Both now live in Sydney. Fill and Ada left Yenda in 1928 because of his difficulty in working the farm. Phantom pains were to "dog" him for the rest of his life; even the strongest pain killers didn't help much. He died in Sydney in 1981. Dick carried on working Farm 807 as the main Benyon breadwinner. In conjunction with two neighbours, Norman Copeland and Wal Ward, he grew grape vine cuttings for other farmers for extra income. Another additional crop grown by several farmers as a cooperative venture was tobacco. However, their high hopes literally went up in smoke when the drying shed burnt down due to the overnight operator falling asleep on the job! A major change was the purchase of a Chalmers open tourer car in 1925. This was hand cranked and was always hard to start but served for many years as a farm, family and friends transporter. 44

Dick met Irene Gregory when she paid a visit to Gracie Carver's and was clearly taken with Irene's flaming red hair for he married her in 1928. Irene, also well known as "Torchy", found farm life a major change from city life and had some difficulties in adjusting. When she went to feed the horses they galloped towards her in their hunger but terrified Irene dropped the bag of chaff and ran. However, she proved of stern stock and ran a well organised home while helping with the prodigious chores on the farm such as dipping prunes, pitting apricots, packing rock melons, table grapes and oranges as well as taking morning and afternoon tea to Dick and the workmen out in the field. She also spent many hours, following Dick as he pruned the grape vines, tying the vine runners to the trellis with twine. The two horses Bess and Noble worked the farm until pensioned off in 1940. They were a wonderful team pulling the rubber tyred wagon and could be trusted to manoeuvre round the fruit trees and vine rows with a few quiet words of command while the pruning or picking was in progress. In 1930 Dick and Wal Ward, of Farm 798 next door, bought a second-hand McCormick-Deering 10/20 tractor for about £190. As it was one of the first tractors in the area they did a lot of contract work for other farmers. Unfortunately the cost was at the expense of new furniture. In those days "clean farming" was the orthodox view, which meant a ceaseless chore of cultivating and hoeing around all the fruit trees and vines. Inspectors came out and gave you a "blister" if you didn't comply! The farm grew oranges, peaches, apples, wine grapes, apricots and prunes with some almond trees around the boundary. There was much hard work picking up prunes, dipping them in the copper in a solution of caustic, then rinsing them in water and spreading them on trays to dry in the sun. Apricots were nearly as bad as they had to be "pitted" and the halves spread out to dry. Later a sulphur house was used. At one time there was a Queensland fruit fly scare so all fallen fruit had to be collected daily and dumped in a pit which had a glass window at the far end to attract the fly away from the fruit entry hole. The cost of registration of a car was higher than a farm utility so Dick, like others, cut down the Chalmers car to a ute. Some extra area was bought to help increase income (Farm 808, 12 acres). On the house paddock of this farm there stood an old humpy occupied by various workmen and later by a remittance man, Jack Lee, who was an excellent artist and had studied at the Sorbonne in Paris. He painted the most brilliant watercolours of the orchards and other local secenery. He was very well read and subscribed to the original red-covered "Bulletin", "Argosy", etc. These when read he passed icd.r Arc. Lo ,1') ry onto the Benyon sons, Peter and Max, and they found them fascinating. Especially the sensible comments in the margins about the most widely ranging articles, with r") little sketches and cartoons to suit the text. Irene went to Melbourne by train in 1932 - the return fare was £5. Whilst there she was involved in a minor car accident in her Aunt's Buick car and the damaged car was offered to Dick for £75. This he gladly accepted as, other than the minor damage, it was in good order and it was equipped with a self-starter! The old Chalmers car was pensioned off and converted to a rubber tyred lorry for carting the grapes etc.

The house with its corrugated iron roof and absence of insulation was hot in summer and cold in winter so a trellis of grape vines was placed on the north and west side of the house to give shade from the summer sun, whilst letting in the winter sun. (An early example of passive solar design!) Irene washed the clothes by boiling them in a wood fired copper in the back yard. There was a pair of concrete tubs for rinsing and a corrugated wash board for stubborn dirt. All the water had to be carted in buckets, made from kerosene tins, from the yard tap or roof rainwater tanks. The blue bag and strong sun helped to keep the clothes a good colour. Ironing was done with a flat iron heated on the fuel stove. The stove was a great help in keeping the house warm in winter and could usually be coaxed to stay alight all night. However, in summer, the stove was a constant source of extra heat which added to the discomfort. Later a small electric griller and cooktop was a great help. In the early days before the family had a cow, milk in bulk was delivered by Sid Twigg. He drove a T model Ford utility which had a trembler coil ignition and Sid's favourite trick was to switch the engine off and let the car stop in gear. When he had delivered the milk he switched the coil on and most times the engine fired and the car slowly chugged off, as Sid nonchalantly swung his leg over the side and drove off with a cheeky wave and grin! Sid later married Flo and they had a daughter, Rosamund ("Rozzie") and a son Barry. Round Back Bark Shack on Farm 807 With two young children, Peter and Max, about 1925 with overhead tank over the "bathroom", rain barrel and and the Depression developing, Dick bought a machinery shed in background young jersey cow. He then had the extra chore of milking twice daily as Irene could not get the hang of milking. This meant a further chore for Irene also, as she had to separate off the cream and churn it without a proper churn into butter. The baker bought the surplus butter for his kids for a shilling a pound. The butter and milk helped reduce cash outgoings for living during the Depression. At that time there was a trickle of men on the road who would seek work and they were always helped in some way without giving money - usually given some food. When the Depression came, oranges were selling at the Sydney markets for less than it cost to pack and freight them - a bushel case sold for less than five shillings at a time when it cost five shillings for a new case plus rail freight! Dick realised something different was needed and linked up with a merchant who would take all he could deliver in old wheat bags. He also started to grow rock melons for the passenger shipping lines on the extra area of Farm 808 and these provided useful cash income although it involved both Dick and Irene in a lot of hard work. Grape harvest time was always critical. The longer the grapes are on the vines the sweeter they become. The winery pays for them in proportion to their sugar content. If the farmer waited too long it may rain which caused the berries to split and rot or go mouldy. It was always a delicate balance to find a good time - then call all hands to pick! Watering time was always interesting, especially when the house dam was filled as the water was warm and clean and had been known to deliver the odd Murray Cod. After 46

a few weeks the yabbies stirred up the mud and the water didn't look quite so clear but was still very inviting on a hot day. Dick was one of the first in the area to start growing vegetables. His son, Max, remembers "growing gherkins which grew so fast we had to harvest twice a day to pick them small enough and we then put them in a large barrell filled with brine. Image our consternation when they fermented and lost their colour! It was even more distressing after we had thrown them away to discover that they were supposed to ferment and lose colour! The colour and spices are added later. "We were always grateful to be on an irrigated farm when visitors came from the dry area farms, especially during the drought in 1939. One family we knew lived on old sheep and damper and had to ration water so tightly that they all had to share the same bath water weekly and use that water on their few precious vegetables. It was nice to be able to send them off with a 44 gallon drum of rain water and case of fruit and vegetables. I'm sure, to save money, the kids didn't go to school, as they wouldn't have had any decent clothes and consequently were painfully shy through their isolation. "One of our casual workers worried us one day by 'seeing' people who he said were stalking him and he took to hiding himself. Paddy Morgan, our regular hand, persuaded him to go with him on the lorry to town where Paddy took him to police Sgt Robinson. It turned out this man was wanted for murder! Paddy and his wife had a house to live in, but as they had spent most of their life on the road, they couldn't sleep in a closed room - so they slept under their wagon, as if they were on the road! "We were always wanting to go on picnics to the Binya Hills and Pleasant Valley and occasionally Dad would relent and we would have a great time climbing the rocks and spotting goats and wildflowers, while keeping a sharp eye out for snakes. Our view of Mt Binya from the house was always a reminder of those happy trips. It was a nice rest to stare at the hills when our backs were tired from seemingly endless planting, weeding, dusting and harvesting of the rock melons, cabbages, carrots and tomatoes. "We grew lots of ordinary tomatoes but Irene and Dick with Peter and Max during the war the IXL cannery needed the egg-shaped variety for canning. Dad noticed a particulary vigorous plant one day and decided to keep the seeds to see if it would reproduce the outsize fruit. It did, so we then planted a few hundred seedlings and the cannery was very keen on them as they gave a lot of flesh and not much seed pulp. They became known as Benyon's Puftaloons and were grown by many others. Our mother helped here by nuturing the seedling tomatoes and grouping them together in bunches ready for planting out in the field in the cool of the evening. "A regular farm job after pruning was to rake the prunings into heaps at the ends of the rows and burn them. In the late thirties and early forties it was realised that the 'clean 47

farming' idea was not sensible and a change to 'green farming' began. From then on we no longer raked up the prunings but disced them into the soil and planted tick peas and clover to provide extra humus and deep root penetration so water would be able to get down to the vine and tree roots. It also kept the roots cooler in summer and reduced frost damage. Watering was needed less often also. I remember one year when all the experts came to see our grapes because they bore about twice the crop of any previous year and were much photographed. "Imagine our horror when the next year we had a massive hail storm which chopped the young vine shoots to pieces and reduced our crop by 90% in about ten minutes. This was the last straw for our father and he sold the farm to the Cavanaugh's and left for Sydney in 1944. Although he would have liked to see us boys eventually take over the farm, he realised we both had our hearts set, perhaps even more than he had, on becoming engineers. We got our degrees at the Unversity of Sydney. Peter went to Salisbury, the base laboratory for Woomera, from where he was sent to the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough for two years. Here he got in on the ground floor of computers and finished up in the CSIRO Division of Computing Research in Canberra, where he specialised in the simulation of agricultural systems. "I went to the NSW Electricity Commission, criss-crossed NSW selecting peaks on which to place two-way radio and microwave repeater stations. I then became a planner of power network extensions to service the city and country areas of the State, involving much travel and involvement with local electricity councils and large industries." Peter and Max agree that the farm at Yenda was a fine place to grow up. Theodore Benyon born Chelsea (London) 1853 died 1926 - buried Yenda married (1) 1882 Catherine Fastings died India about 1890 1.

Felix ("Fill") born Dum Dum, India 1884; died Sydney 1981. Married Ada Emery. Two children - Harold John and Shirley.

married (2) 1893 Charlotte ("Lottie") Hardwick born 1869 died 1961 - buried Yenda 2.

Richard ("Dick") born Chepstow, England 1900; died 1984; married Irene Gregory (born Melbourne 1901); Irene lives at Cremorne, a Sydney Suburb. They had two sons:1. Peter born CWA Hospital Yenda 1930; married Jocelyn Mary Wollaston; three children - Lissa, Richard and Charlotte. Peter and Jo now live at Milton NSW. 2. Max born CWA Hospital Yenda 1932; unmarried. Lives at Cremorne.

Florence ("Flo") born Cambridgeshire UK 1904; died 1983; married Sidney Twigg. They had two children:1. Rosamund ("Rozzie") born CWA Hospital Yenda 1929. 2. Barry born CWA Hospital Yenda 1931.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Max Benyon, 61/27 Rangers Road, Cremorne 2090. 48

BERRY John Thomson Berry and his wife Catherine Goslan Berry (née Wallace) were both born in Glasgow, Scotland. John was a Postal Officer and during the 1914-18 War was a Sergeant in the Highland Light Infantry. John and Catherine came to Australia by Ship, and then travelled by train and horse and sulky to Griffith, arriving in 1919. John first lived at the Soldiers Barracks at Beelbangera and then settled with his wife Catherine on Farm 1444, Bilbul on 17 October 1919. John and Catherine's nephew, David C Wallace and his family lived on Farm 1444. John Thomson Berry died at Griffith on 9 August, 1952 and his wife, Catherine died in Griffith on 12 March 1985. Both are buried in the Griffith Cemetery. Courtesy of the late David C Wallace, Bilbul.

Bilbul Store and Bakery - 1931 floods Courtesy Griffith Collection

BERRY Thomas Berry left Sydney during 1924 to set up a business in Griffith, leaving his wife, Selina (nee Lewis), and their two small sons, Leslie and Harold in their home in a Sydney suburb. During the next few months a small house was rented in Canal Street and the family travelled to Griffith by train to join their father. During this period land was leased on Scenic Hill where, Tom a builder by trade, commenced work designing and building the first machine-made brick manufacturing business in Griffith. The site was located just down the hill from the present Pioneer Park. As business improved the family moved to a larger house in Hyandra Street built and designed by Tom. The Depression brought a downturn in the brick business and Tom employed some of his staff over some of the period with "spec" (speculative) building. After the Great Depression, manufacturing was resumed and again halted during the years of World War II - both of the sons enlisting in the military forces. With the end of the War, business resumed but stopped with the death of Thomas in 1948. All properties were sold. Selina moved to Junee where she died in 1979 (buried In Wagga Wagga). Les eventually moved to Marks Point with their two children - wife Thelma (nee Coxon) daughter Beverley (deceased) and son Brian. Harold and his wife Mavis (nee Harris) moved to Sydney where they now live - they have one daughter, Lynette. Many buildings were built with bricks manufactured by Thomas - the Police Station, Court House, Rural Bank, Hospital and High School - to name a few. Most cottages built during the early years have foundations of "Berry Brick".

Griffith Court House - officially opened 26 October 1923 Courtesy The Griffith Collect Thomas Berry born Rushworth Vic died Griffith 5 August 1948

married 1917 Ariah Park

Selina Lewis

died Junee 1979 • 1. Leslie Lewis born Sydney 1920; married Thelma Coxon; two children. Lives at Marks Point NSW. 2. Harold Thomas Lewis born Sydney 1921; married Mavis Harris; one daughter. Lives at Yowie Bay NSW.

By courtesy of Harold Berry, 2 Glen Ayr Ave, Yowie Bay 2228.

BETTS John Fitzpatrick Betts who was born in 1827 at Clerkenwell Street, London, departed England on 30 March 1855 and arrived in Melbourne on 8 July 1855 aboard the schooner "Hope". He had married Rossetta Jane Shaw on 24 December 1854 at St Mary's Cathedral, Lambeth, England. (Rossetta had been born at Bishopsgate Street, London in 1826.) Rossetta followed John to Australia aboard the "Hornet", a clipper, leaving England on 23 May 1857 and arriving in Melbourne on 2 September that same year. John and Rossetta lived in various townships in Victoria and had a family of seven children - Julia, Elizabeth, Henry, John Hollis, Estella, Emma and Arthur. Rossetta died at Heathcote Vic on 9 September 1894 aged 68 years. John Fitzpatrick died at Hillston on 9 July 1920 at the age of 93 years. The fourth child of John and Rossetta, John Hollis Betts (snr), was born at Moonlight Flat (Maryborough) in Victoria on 31 December 1861. During his life he lived at Heathcote, Victoria and various places in western New South Wales - Hillston, Shuttleton (near Cobar) and Griffith. John was a blacksmith and wheelright, undertaker and amateur jockey. It was at Hillston in 1887 that he married Annie Sorenson and they had a family of eight children - Oscar, John Hollis jnr (died as a baby), Ernie, Phillip, Les, John ("Jack") Hollis jnr, Andy and Isabell. The Betts family arrived in the Griffith area about 1927 - they had previously been living at Shuttleton NSW (near Cobar) and came by horse, sulky and drays to live in a small old weatherboard house at Bilbul.

John Holds Betts and Annie Betts (née Sorenson) and their children L to R: Back - Ernie, Oscar, Les, Jack, Seated - Andrew, John Hollis, Annie, Phillip. At the front - Isabell Courtesy Harold Hollis Betts and Maree Betts

The family eventually moved to Farm 191 on the Old Wilbriggie Road where John snr ran a blacksmith business. His daughter, Isabell, ran the farm with assistance from her brother, Andy, and some hired help. At one time John Hollis snr was also in partnership with his brother, Arthur, in a blacksmith shop at Hillston. John and Arthur were also known as the undertakers whilst they were blacksmiths at Hillston. In his younger days John snr had been an amateur jockey and together with Arthur, was involved John Hollis Betts and his wife Annie (nee Sorenson) with horse racing at Hillston. Courtesy Harold Hollis Betts and Maree Betts John Hollis snr died at Orange NSW on 2 June 1945, aged 84 years, and is buried in the Griffith cemetery. His wife, Annie died on 14 July 1945, aged 81 years, and is buried with him in the Griffith Cemetery. All of John and Annie's children grew up in the Griffith district. Oscar managed a garage and taxi service at Cobar NSW. Ernie was a blacksmith and undertaker at Goolgowi NSW. Phillip was for many years the butcher and had a mail run at Nymagee NSW then was head butcher for a number of years at Irvin's Butchery in Banna Avenue, Griffith. Les, a grazier, ran the family property at Shuttleton NSW. Jack was an overseer at "Laridah" Station just out of Cobar on the Louth Road. Andrew ("Andy") first started his career on the PMG (Telecom) at Barellan and was then employed by the WC & IC for the rest of his life. His widow, Jane, and daughters, Valerie and Patricia still live in Griffith whilst his son Mervyn lives in Sydney and Harold lives in Canberra. After completing school, Isabell attended the College of Music in Sydney. She then came back to run Farm 191 on the Old Willbriggie Road and at the same time was an agent for MLC Life Insurance. She moved to 39 Binya Street, where she cared for her parents until their deaths, and continued her life insurance agency. Isabell then built a butcher and grocery shop in The Circle (Griffith) - she Andy Betts ran the corner store and her brother, Phillip, the Courtesy Maree Betts butcher shop. Both these stores operated for many years. 52

Courtesy Val Irvin (nee Betts).

John Fitzpatrick Betta (1827-1920) married Bassett& Jane Shaw (1826-1894)

• 1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7.

Julia born England 1850 Elizabeth Matilda born White Hills Vic 3 July 1858 Henry Hollis born Bet Bet Vic 15 May 1860 John Hollis born Moonlight Flat Vic 31 December 1861; died Orange NSW 2 June 1945 (buried Griffith); married Annie Sorenson (died Griffith 14 July 1945). Eight children Oscar married Ida Hardwick. Two children - Isabel and Oscar jnr. 1. John Hollis jnr; died as a baby. 2. 3. Ernie married Jeannie Foster. Two children - Dorothy and Albert. 4. Phillip married Ida Ogle. One daughter - Phillis. 5. Les married Mary Keys. Three children - Ron, Barry and Pearl. 6. Jack Ilollis married Myrtle Manns. Five children - Mary, Horace, John Hollis, Hazel and Merv. 7. Andrew born 6 October 1899; died Griffith 4 April 1986; married Jane Selby (born Temora NSW 9 November 1910). Five children:• Valerie born 1928; married Robert Irvin - three children ▪ Mervyn born 1929; married Barbara Christisen - four children • Harold Hollis married Patricia McPherson - fourteen children • Beryl married Cyril Hangan - no children • Pat married Jim Parsons - four children 8. Isabel' - unmarried. Estella Rossetta born Moonlight Hat Vic 18 October 1863; died Hillston 26 June 1951; married Alex Finch Emma born at a gold mining settlement called "Dead Horse Gully" Vic 22 October 1865 Arthur Hollis born Heathcote Vic 25 January 1870.

By courtesy of Harold Hollis Betts, 103 Majura Ave, Dickson 2602 and Maree Betts, Nurses Qrt's No 2, Dubbo Base Hospital, Dubbo 2830. 53

BLACK Edgar William ("Bill") Black was born at Tarrawingee (near Wangaratta in Victoria) in 1889, youngest of the three children born to George Black and Eliza Jane (nee Bennett). Bill served his apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering with Thomas Mason of Wangaratta and was a member of the 8th Light Horse acting as Shoeing Smith to the local division. Bill's other pursuit was bicycle riding and it was in this sphere that he became friendly with Tom and Jack Collier of Rutherglen - a friendship they were to resume in later years in Griffith. Feeling a need to go further afield, he left Wangaratta and went north to Mt Isa and it was at Townsville Qld, on 5 October 1914, that he enlisted in the 2nd Expeditionary Force, 9th Btn. He served in the Gallipoli Campaign and was wounded in the leg at the Dardanelles on 25 April 1915. Invalided to Cairo Hospital he developed Mumps whilst convalescing and upon recuperation was transferred to light duties with the Australian Kits Store in Greyhound Road, London, as a dispatch rider. Here he met an English girl employed as a typist. Enid Lucy Bryer was the youngest child of John Bryer Jnr, a Nautical Instrument Maker and Annie Gertrude (nee Connell). On 19 May 1918 Bill and Enid were married at Chiswick. During his time in London Sgt Bill Black rowed as a member of the fours and eights of the AIF Wattle Club, which was a sporting club for Australian Forces in London. Bert Oldfield, who went on to become the Australian test team wicket keeper, was a member of the AIF Wattle Club cricket team. On 21 December 1918 Enid and Bill embarked for Australia on the "Milliades" and he was discharged from the army medically unfit on 20 April 1919 in Melbourne. From Melbourne, the couple moved to Berrigan NSW where Bill operated a motor garage and the first taxi service in the district. With their young family of two sons and two daughters they moved to Barellan late in 1926 to operate another garage. In early 1928 they moved to Griffith where Bill was employed by Gibbs Bright & Co. Employed by this company and working out of the 54

Bill Black - 1918

Enid Lucy Black (nee Bryer)

office of Sam Palframan he serviced Hart Parr tractors (and others) on farms of the district Binya, Barellan, Ardlethan etc. The Black family lived, first, in Yambil Street - approximately behind the Hotel Victoria. Later they moved to 43 Binya Street where they stayed until 1937 when they moved to 7 Palla Street. During the years of the Depression, Gibbs Bright & Co ceased operations and Bill found casual employment repairing cars and tractors and servicing the District Hospital's steam boilers and attending to the town water pumps. In January 1932 the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission opened a small motor workshop at Griffith on a site east of Jondaryan AIF Wattle Club Rowing Team c. 1918 Avenue and adjacent to the small Bill Black - 5th from left pumping station near the channel bank. Bill Black was appointed the motor mechanic. As the work load increased the staff was enlarged and the location was changed to the present one. He was employed as Foreman mechanic from January 1936 to the end of July 1961, when he retired. The workshop was kept extremely busy during the war years. There were many nights when Bill was called out when break downs occurred on the channel maintenance machinery which operated night and day. Bill and Enid Black both worked for the Griffith Ambulance Service. Bill was a foundation and life member of the Board and Enid worked tirelessly for the Ladies Auxiliary, which raised money by catering under the direction of Mrs Charlie Tranter. The WC & IC Cabaret Committee was formed to raise money to purchase Anti T B Survey Radiological Equipment and Bill Black was elected its President. He also served for some years on the Hospital Board. Among many fund raising ideas was the raffling of huge lorry loads of mallee roots and these prizes kept many open fires burning, warming homes in the depth of winter. In 1963, a year after her husband's death, Enid left Griffith to reside in Jannali, Sydney, where she died in 1979. Daughter Haidee shares some of her memories - "I remember the sealing of Banna Avenue and the commencement of the building of the Court House. I also remember how Enid Black in the area now wonderful it was to run along the surrounding walls once they covered in the houses were built. of Nana Street area "Late night shopping was a great experience and Christmas Eve shopping was wonderful! Everyone was in the 55

street and the Christmas tree in the Co-op window was laden with its presents for the Shareholders' children. I was quite mystified as to what a shareholder was and certainly wished one of my parents was one!! "Every year my mother made Betty and me a new cotton dress for the show. We had new hats too, purchased from Miss Cummings shop and later from McDonalds. "I have vivid memories of walking to school over the footbridge across the canal, along a well worn dusty track wending its way though fields of dandelions and mauve Patterson's Curse. "Each year an old chap brought his camels to the paddock beside the canal and if we were lucky we could have a ride for one penny. "Bread and milk was sometimes served as a breakfast type of porridge. The bread was broken into pieces, sprinkled with salt or sugar and covered with warm milk. UGH! "43 Binya Street was really home for me. I believe it was part of the old Mirrool Barracks. It consisted of three rooms enclosed all around by a gauzed-in verandah. At one end of the back verandah was a tiny kitchen, whilst at the other end was a bathroom and laundry. The verandahs were great places to play. My father made stools for each of the children from kerosene cases. Kerosene came in square tins, packed two to a crate. The stools were our chairs and doubled as toys, making trains, boats, school desks - anything one liked to make them in imagination. "The front garden contained at least fifty rose bushes - glorious blooms, and I can still smell them in my memories, as well as the violets that bloomed profusely under the front steps in the winter. "The back yard was a disused tennis court and we played on and in the huge concrete pipe that had been used at one time as a court roller. "Behind us, in Hyandra Street, lived Sid Vagg and his wife and three daughters and beside them Paul and Nancy Blumer and family. We spent a lot of time playing with the Blumer children and we used to climb over the galvanised fence into their place. Betty cut her hand badly when she refused to let go and drop into the yard - after that 'fence hopping' was forbidden. Not to be outdone, we all worked like beavers and tunnelled our way under the fence into Vaggs and then into Blumers!! "There were no houses between the south side of Hyandra Street and the hill and we played French Cricket out there such a lot."

Griffith Duck Shooters Bill Black second from left, back row.

►

George Black born Yackandandah Vic 1858 died Wangaratta Vic married Mary Eliza Jane Bennett born Kilmore Vic 1863 died Wangaratta Vic • Edgar William Black born Tarrawingee Vic 1889 died Griffith 18 April 1962

married 1918 London, UK

John Bryer (jiff) born 1855 married Annie Gertrude Connell born 1859 died London 1918 • Enid Lucy Bryer born London 1894 died Sydney NSW 1979

• 1.

Desmond William born Wangaratta Vic 20 February 1921; married Rita Foote at Griffith 1947 and now lives at Loftus NSW. Two children - Anne Lesley and William Robert.

Haidee born Berrigan NSW 11 August 1922; married George Stanley Limbert (dec'd) at Griffith 1947. Haidee lives at Alstonville NSW. Four children - Geoffrey William, Alan Rodney, Susan Kay and Philip John.

Barry born Berrigan NSW 2 October 1924; died Mollymook NSW May 1984; married Mary Pola at Griffith 1949. Mary lives at Heathcote NSW. Two children - Jennifer Anne and Steven William.

Betty Gabrielle born Berrigan 5 April 1926; married William Athelstone Druitt (dec'd) at Griffith 1948. Lives at Yowie Bay NSW. Three children - Christine Helen, Anthony William and Ian William.

Betty and Haidee

Desmond

Barry

Entry and photos by courtesy of Haidee Limbert (née Black), 26 Kyla St, Alstonville 2477 and Betty Druitt (née Black), 4 York Close, Yowie Bay 2228. 57

BLUMER In June 1922 Paul Wilfrid Blumer, his wife Nancy Lilian and infant son Paul John arrived in Griffith to set up a legal practice. Paul Blumer was at that time employed by Rupert Cater, Solicitor of Leeton. In July 1923 Rupert Cater and Paul Blumer became partners in the firm of Cater & Blumer of Griffith, which firm still exists today. Paul Blumer was the son of Charles and Esther Blumer of Cheltenham in Sydney. Paul and his three brothers Rex, Cecil and Eric had all graduated, at various times, from the University of Sydney, with degrees of Law, Master of Arts, Engineering and Engineering respectively. In 1916, Paul had just completed an Arts Degree and was into his second year of Law. The Dean of Law School, Professor Jock Peden, placed a notice on the Notice Board to the effect that he expected every available student to join the Australian Military Forces to serve overseas. His son Garry recalls - "Our father wrote some rude words on the notice. The Professor demanded that the person responsible should immediately admit he was the culprit. Our father was not that stupid, so the Professor made dire threats of what would happen if someone did not come forward. "So, H V Evatt, who was then the President of the Sydney University Union, reported to the Professor that our father had written the "naughty words" on the notice. As a result, our father was `Sent down' from the University (ie: expelled). Because of his action in naming our father, H V Evatt was blackballed by the other students and forced to resign from the Presidency of Sydney University Union. This story was told to us by Dr W J (Bill) Dalton, late of Griffith, who was a medical student at the University at the relevant time." He and Nancy Griffin were married in 1916 in Sydney, and soon after Paul Wilfrid Blumer went off to War. Paul enlisted in the Light Horse and served with the 1st AIF in Egypt, Syria and Palestine. On his return to civilian life, he resumed his studies at the University Law School, and obtained his degree 58

Paul Blumer

Nancy Blumer (née Griffin)

of Bachelor of Arts/Law in 1922; at the same time completing his Articles of Clerkship and being admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. After graduating from the University and being admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, the Blumer family came to Griffith. Very soon after, Rupert Cater and Paul were involved as the legal representatives in the fight by the settlers against the WC & IC. They both represented the settlers and this experience of taking on "The Commission" helped Paul in becoming the leading lawyer in this Area in "battles" with the WC & IC. He was also Honorary Solicitor for the local branch of the RSL for over forty years. Over the years Paul's knowledge of the Crown Lands Act in relation to the Irrigation Area and the Dry Area Lands became very extensive so that, by the time of his death in 1970, he was one of the leading lawyers in this field in New South Wales. (The laws regarding land in the MIA differ significantly to those in other parts of the State as it is controlled by the WC & IC.) Paul Blumer, Mr D E Mackenzie, a senior Lawyer from West Wyalong, and Mr Charles 011iffe from Griffith were responsible for the formation of the Riverina Law Society. Paul For many years Paul Blumer, D E Mackenzie and other lawyers in the Western Riverina had not been satisfied with the "Service" received from the Law Society of NSW. However, once the Riverina Law Society became fully established and "Kicking", the rights of the practitioners and their clients were better protected. Paul became President of the Society a few years after it was formed and registered and served in that capacity for some years. At the present time, his son, Garry, and his grandson, Mark, are the Treasurer and President of the Society respectively. When Paul and Nancy first came to live in Griffith in 1922 they lived in a very small house in Kookora Street near where the Griffith Auto Port is now situated. In the mid 1920s the family moved into their new house at 38 Hyandra Street - where they lived until their deaths - Nancy in February 1957 and Paul in May 1970. Nancy Blumer was born Nancy Lilian Griffin in the year 1895, the second daughter of a red-headed Irishman, John Griffin and Mary (ne.e Lake). Her birthplace was Graman, near Inverell, and at the age of six months she was carried, by her mother on horseback, thirty miles to join her father at the diamond mines at Copeton. It was at Copeton she spent her early life. After completing studies at East Maitland High School, Nancy studied Arts at the Sydney University. There she not only showed brilliance as a student but she distinguished herself as a sportswoman of note. She was an excellent tennis player, swimmer, basketball and hockey player; later winning the Women's Singles at the first official tennis championships in Griffith in I, to R: Dolf Mallin.son, Bill Elder, 1922. At the same time as Rex Sara won the Ted Meggitt, Paul Blumer Men's Singles.

Her Arts Course almost completed, she met and married Paul and came to Griffith mid 1922. They had one child Paul John. During the years that followed two more children were born, Garry and Lois. Throughout her whole life one of Nancy's outstanding characteristics was her intense love of babies and young children. "Pied-piper like" she attracted a crowd of children around her wherever she went. She arranged picnics for them, took them on jaunts to the river and the hills; at the same time educating them to an appreciation of another great love of life - Nature. No one realised better than Nancy the need for interests and recreational facilities for those in their formative years. Whilst her own family was still young, Nancy set out to form a Girl Guide Association in the infant town of Griffith. In the late 1920s she became a familiar figure as Leader with her Guides and Brownies around her. After several years, circumstances arose which made it impossible for her to carry on her work. She retired and the Association lapsed until, after a period, it was revived under the Leadership of Mrs R Passey. With her own family growing older, and the Girl Guide Association reformed, Nancy devoted her energies to the teenagers of the town. In the early 1930s she formed the CWA Younger Set. It is impossible to gauge the amount of time and energy this indefatigable worker devoted to her "Younger Set". With its members she played hockey and basketball, travelled to neighbouring towns for competitions and displays and arranged all forms of cultural entertainment for their enjoyment. There are still many living in Griffith who were the "young girls" in the Younger Set. This work occupied her time until the war broke out. Then she forsook it to become Commandant of W.A.N.S. in the district. When the W.A.N.S. merged with A.W.A.S. Nancy turned her attention to the Women's Land Army. With both her sons overseas fighting (as Wireless/Airgunner and Pilot with the RAF and RAAF) and her daughter at boarding school, Nancy threw herself wholeheartedly into what must be one of the most outstanding war efforts of any private individual in the town.

Garry

Lois

Paul John

With five hundred girls under her immediate control, Nancy supervised all billeting arrangements, allocations to farms and recreational facilities. Her infectious good humour, sound practical commonsense and shrewd intelligence stood her in good stead in her exhausting role as Liaison Officer between the girls and the farmers. The war brought personal tragedy to the lives of Paul and Nancy. Their elder son, Paul John, was killed when his aircraft, an RAF Liberator, crashed when returning from operations against the Japanese in Burma. He is buried in the War Cemetery at Madras. (Her grandson Paul John Blumer, son of Garry and Pat Blumer, also died tragically in 1955). Flinching from the blow, Nancy redoubled her war efforts which now included the salvage drives that became part of her work. Riding in a borrowed truck she begged, pleaded and cajoled scrap metal from people from near and far. Townspeople were organised into vegetable picking at weekends; she was a familiar figure as a worker at Canteens; a recreational club was formed by her for her Land Army Girls. The war over, her family reunited and Land Army disbanded, Nancy directed her energies into a field less exacting perhaps than the Land Army, yet one which required specialised knowledge and training - CEMA (Council for the Encouragement of Music and Arts). Due largely to her efforts a branch of the organisation Nancy was established in Griffith. She became its Secretary and she occupied that position after CEMA became the Arts Council of Australia and she continued working in that capacity until the time of her death. As well as this Nancy was one of the prime movers of the establishment of the Griffith Branch of Federated Music Club of Australia. As Social Secretary of the latter and Secretary of the Arts Council, her work was considerable, yet it was work at which she excelled. Days prior to and after music performances she would be seen around the town with her car loaded with "props", crockery and other paraphernalia necessary for the concert. She entertained visiting artists; escorted them to the theatre, returned them to their hotels after their appearance and then, the social and entertainment side of the evening over, she would embark on the thankless and tiring task of clearing up the hall before going home herself to bed. Griffith now enjoys a reputation among country towns in New South Wales for providing one of the most appreciative audiences for good cultural entertainment. This reputation must be due, in part at least, to the industry, discernment and foresight of Nancy Blumer. Among all the famous opera, ballet and drama companies, and individual artists who have appeared in Griffith since the inauguration of the Arts Council and the Music Club, perhaps the greatest artist Griffith has been privileged to hear was Boyd Neel and his Orchestra. It was due almost entirely to the efforts of Nancy that this internationally famous conductor and his orchestra came to Griffith. This feat of bringing such a celebrated orchestra to the town is all the more amazing when one realises this orchestra had planned

to visit only the State's Capital Cities. With the exception of only Bendigo, Wagga and Griffith, it adhered closely to its original itinerary. Later, in his book "The Story of an Orchestra" (published in 1950) Boyd Neel paid tribute to the woman who was responsible for his appearance in - what was to him and to the members of his orchestra - an unknown country town. Quote: "In Griffith, a remarkable woman called Mrs Blumer had not only organised all the concerts, but had started an art school and a dramatic society, and yet managed to run her own home entirely alone! These sort of efforts are among the most noble; I always think and it is usually one such enthusiast who is responsible" In sketching the life of Nancy Blumer in Griffith, one has to be content to touch briefly on her interests, activities and achievements. For example her organisation of the pre-war Women's Constitutional Society is a story in itself too long to be included here, as are also her efforts to assist with the establishment of the Griffith Women's Club, her work as Social Secretary in the early days of the RSL Auxiliary and the time she once gave as conductress of the choir at the Catholic Church. However, no story would be complete without some reference at least to her kindness to the Aborigines and the less fortunate members of the community. Not only did she devote a great deal of her time to these poorer people, visiting them with gifts of clothing and food, but on occasions when one or both of the parents of a family were ill, she cared for the children of that family as if they were her own. The occasions were many when she would arrive at her home in Hyandra Street with a brood of children around her. There the youngsters would be bathed, fed and clothed and shelter given to them until their parents or relatives were in a position to collect them. Again the story would be Nancy Blower Memorial incomplete if it did not include mention of her knowledge of flowers, gardening and floral arrangements and of her fondness for animals, particularly horses and dogs. It was by medium of her flowers and horse riding (she owned five horses at the time of her death) that Nancy permitted herself relaxation during the hours she could free herself from her selfimposed organising and secretarial duties. As a memorial to Nancy Blumer, the then Wade Shire Council and the citizens of Griffith contributed to the erection of the Nancy Blumer Fountain, situated between the City Council Chambers and the Civic Theatre. After Nancy's death, Paul Blumer, in her memory and in recognition of her love for horses, inaugurated the Nancy Blumer Memorial Jump at the Annual Griffith Show. After their father's death, Garry Blumer and Lois Lamond (nee Blumer) have carried on the event as a memorial to both Paul and Nancy Blumer. 62

Charles Blumer married Esther Howland • Paul Wilfrid Blumer born 23 December 1894 died 30 May 1970

married 1916

•

John Griffin married Mary Lake • Nancy Lilian Griffin born 1 June 1895 died 13 February 1957

Paul John born 4 May 1920; died 5 May 1944.

Garry Munro born 1 July 1923; married Patricia Wallace Weeden. Five children - Paul John (b. 17 February 1951, d. 7 July 1955), Mark Edward (b.13 June 1952), Vanessa Louise (b. 13 July 1954), Grant Munro (b. 16 August 1956) and Lee Patricia (b. 11 April 1958).

Lois Marilyn born 14 July 1927; married Francis David Lamond. Five sons - David Paul (b. 30 May 1956), Phillip Anthony (b. 7 March 1958), Nigel Geoffrey (b. 25 August 1959), Clive Andrew (b. 22 October 1960) and Graham Francis (b. 19 July 1963).

Ilillston Picnic Races c.1929 L to R: (Back) V C ("Billy") Williams, E C L ("Ted") Killen, Len Wincey, Stan Wright, Dr David Bodycomb, Nancy Blumer (Seated in Front) - L R ("Nell") Wright, Grace Williams, Mrs Ted Killen, Myee ("Babs") Bodycomb

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Garry Blumer and Lois Lamond (née Blumer), Griffith. 63

BODYCOMB David Henry Bodycomb died on 10 December 1980. He was part of an era of Australian history. Born at West Melbourne on 24 May 1893 - the son of Bedlington Bodycomb (a patent attorney) and Sophia (née Ghee) - he served in both World Wars and endured the Depression. His life spanned from the gaslight era to the computer and space age. He was educated at Melbourne Grammar and obtained his medical degree at the University of Melbourne in 1917. He received his "Blue" for Lacrosse at University and he maintained a lifelong interest in all sports, particularly cricket. Owing to a shortage of doctors at the Front Line, he was immediately posted overseas upon graduation. He served with distinction and was awarded the Military Cross in 1918 for his bravery in the front line under continual fire. During World War I, he was Captain Resident Medical Officer in the 1st Australian 1st World War Sketch of Artillery Brigade in France, also the 1st A.G.H. 1st David Henry Bodycomb Field Ambulance and Australian Flying Corps. After World War I, he returned to Australia and was R.M.O. at the Alfred Hospital in 1920. It was on the advice of his brother-in-law, Dr Alan Jolley (husband of his sister Nell) then in practice in Leeton, that he commenced practice in Griffith NSW, experiencing the trials of the country doctor of that time - boiling instruments in tins, visiting patients at first on a motorbike and later in a T model Ford, in fact undertaking all manner of tasks from family counsellor to obstetrician, anaesthetist to surgeon, for sixteen years. His daughter, Diana, writes - "My father was noted for being a diagnostician and had to attend births, do surgery (he sewed my foot together after it had nearly been cut in half in a local lake. He was worried that I would end up with a club foot - his surgery was excellent, my foot is fine). In fact, a country doctor of that time had to turn his hand to all facets of medicine." He was the Senior Medical officer of the Griffith District Hospital and also built and conducted his own private hospital "Woodlands" in Binya En route to Griffith - David and Myee Bodycomb Street which was next door to his residence. 64

During this time he married Myee Kenyon of Double Bay at St Marks, Darling Point. They had four children, "PURPLE MIST" French Dessert Prunes David, Alistair, Diana and Thayer. Myee was also a pioneer of Griffith - having a farm, "Coolabah", in her own name in the early days. She was the daughter of Thomas Sherrington Kenyon and Minnie Lavinia (nee Smith) and was born at Double Bay on 22 March 1896. Prior to her marriage, Myee and her brother Layton ("Bon") Kenyon, who also had a farm at Griffith, grew prunes for the Civil Service Stores. Diana continues - "My mother often spoke of the difficulties of a country doctor at that time. I believe he often had to resort to horseback in flood times to reach outlying patients and may have done some of his rounds on a motorbike. At times, instruments had to be boiled in kerosene tins in emergencies. My mother spoke of putting infants in the coolstore during heatwaves. At one time, my mother rode out on horseback to an outlying property with instruments for my father as his patient was about to give birth prematurely. "During the Depression my father instructed my mother not to give razor blades for a shave to itinerants knocking on the door who requested razors, as the men were so desperate they wished to commit suicide. During this time, I believe many families avoided driving past the local bank and drove down side streets to avoid the Bank Manager!" In 1936, David returned to Melbourne to start private practice in South Yarra. From 1936 to 1942 he was an Assistant with Douglas Aitcheson in Edwin Cato's clinic at the OutPatients' section of the Alfred Hospital. During World War II he was C.O. 2nd Australian Outpatients Depot from 1942 to 45 and R.M.O. to the P.W.O. Guard in Australia, Italy and Egypt. On returning with Italian P.O.W.s to Italy, he was granted a private audience with the Pope from whom he received a small memento and a request to thank Australia for caring for the Italian P.O.W.s. A FEW REASONS Wt. THST Alt A NIGIISIITT—NOT A LURKS.,

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PITT STONE'S SOLI AGENTS FOR IVIONIST

Trials of a Country Doctor! Dr David Bodycomb

After World War II he returned to private practice in South Yarra and retired to his home in Toorak in 1970 at the age of 76, his retirement marred by the death of his eldest son in 1978. He is remembered with pride and great affection by his sons, daughter and grandchildren and was particularly delighted to have a grandson, Tony, entering Third Year Medicine just prior to his death. He would be even more so were he to know that this grandson, Tony, is now a cardiologist at the Alfred Hospital. Myee, his wife for 56 years, was not only companion through the Depression and both wars, but a staunch assistant to his practice, a courageous mother and a comfort in his retirement years. He is remembered by countless families for his enduring help and kindness, his assistance to the many war widows who were his patients and his aid to other members of both his own family and those of his Dr David Bodycomb wife's. The many children he brought into the world and David Jnr and the generations he served will remember him for his diagnostic skills and patient care - his family will remember him for his sense of humour, his kindness and generosity - truly a gentle man.

Dr and Mrs Bodycomb with their dog at their Griffith home ("Woodlands" in the background)

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Diana Walton (nee Bodycomb), 12 Selborne Rd, Toorak 3142. 66

BORLAND The Borland family is not part of a Scottish clan. Earliest record of the name goes back to 1513 - to one Alexander Borland. The name "Borland" means "home farm". In early times they were granted a Coat of Arms - the motto for which is "PRESS THROUGH" - and presumably they were law-abiding citizens of the times to have been granted these Arms. The Borland family, of Irvine and later of Dairy, Ayrshire, Scotland, migrated to Australia over a ten-year period. Alexander, the eldest son of Hugh and Sarah (nee Wilson) Borland, arrived in 1853, aboard the "Malabar", landing on 7 March having left Greenock on 29 October 1852. Alexander paved the way for other family members to follow in small groups - Janet and Hugh, jnr., arrived in 1856 on the "Joseph Tarrant"; young Sarah and husband, George Harvie, with their infant daughter, accompanied Mary and Robert in 1858 aboard the "Shooting Star", while the parents, Hugh and Sarah, came in 1863 with Jane and the twins, John and Martha, sailing on the "Great Tasmania". Only the eldest of the family, Elizabeth, remained in Scotlind. All the Borlands settled in Maryborough, Victoria, and became well-known and successful. Alexander and young Hugh followed the occupation of their father as bootmakers, while Robert and John went into partnership as butchers, 42 •0UMK6 S' CAST trading as Borland Bros. in High 1 M ELBOURNE. Street, Maryborough, in the years Jack & Emily Borland 1868-1886. Robert Wilson Borland Courtesy Yvonne Bromley (nee Borland) married Mary Ann Faulds, a Scottish lassie, at Maryborough, in 1866. A member of the wider Borland family, Lorna Purser, tells us that, whilst in business, Robert and Mary Ann lived in the dwelling attached to the rear and above the butcher's shop (still standing today), and here John Faulds (Jack) Borland was born in 1870, the eldest of six children.

7/;Vtio/7:76

Jack and his brother Bob followed in their father's footsteps as butchers. There is in existence an excellent photo showing Jack about to set out on his delivery rounds with horse and cart, the cart being suitably decorated with the scrolls and flourishes so loved by the signwriters of the day, and Jack resplendent in his butcher's apron.

John Faulds Borland ► with Butcher's Cart and horse, "Deadeye", at Maryborough Vic Courtesy Yvonne Bromley (née Borland)

But Jack would not always be a butcher. It seems the land called him and he selected a block at Macclesfield, possibly about 1890 and probably of ten acres, on which he built a hut. Jack had become engaged to Emily Fieldsend, a capable young Englishwoman from Notting Hill, London, in the year 1889. When they married in September, 1893, they apparently went to live at Macclesfield in the hut. Jack cleared and cultivated the land and grew vegetables like peas, beans, carrots, pumpkins and berry fruits (strawberries and raspberries which grew so well in the soil and climate of the area) for the Melbourne markets. He also ran a few cattle. With the arrival of a family, the hut became too small and a house was built with slab sides, mud lining and papered with newspaper. The roof was of bark. It was a typical dwelling of its time. In the wide open fireplace in the kitchen stood a tripod on which hung a big black kettle. That big black kettle always hung there unless meat or soup was to be boiled, when the kettle would be put down on the coals. There were two camp ovens, one for meat and the other for cakes and scones. The story is told of Emily's early days at Macclesfield - when the water tank ran dry, it was necessary for Emily to walk a distance of half a mile to obtain this commodity. She would set off, carrying her first babe, Bill, and the bucket, with a faithful little dog trotting at her heels. When she had filled the bucket with the precious water, she then turned for home, carrying babe and bucket of water as far as she could. When she tired she would put the baby down and leave the little dog to care for the child whilst she carried the bucket of water further on. Then the bucket was left while she returned for the baby and the dog. This procedure was repeated all the way home. What an enormous effort for one bucket of water! In those years Emily went to her mother-in-law, Mary Ann Borland, for the birth of her children and stayed quite a time - even several months - before returning home to her husband at Macclesfield. The first two boys were born at Prahran, the third at Northcote,

the fourth at Geelong, while the two girls, the youngest of the family, were born at Macclesfield. Emily also had five miscarriages in those years. The farmlet at Macclesfield could not support a growing family so Jack Borland went to work for Carl Axel Nobelius at his Gembrook Nurseries in the Dandenong Ranges. This Nursery came into full production in 1892. Here Jack learned the arts of budding, grafting and pruning the young fruit trees being propagated there. He walked the three miles each way to and from work, six days a week and one can imagine how muddy and sloppy that walk must have been in the winter time in that area. Possibly he carried a lantern to light his way home - it would be dark in mid-winter when he finished work at 6pm and then he had an hour's walk ahead of him to reach the warmth and comfort of his home and family. Hours at the Nursery were 8am till 6pm, working out in all weathers and eating lunch on the spot where one was working. It was a hard life. Summertime would bring dust and heat, flies and mosquitoes and the constant threat of bushfires common to that area. One evening Jack had to make quite a detour on his trek home because of a bushfire, making the trip eight miles!

L to R: Back - Emily Borland (née Fieldsend), John ("Jack") Borland Front - Winifred Borland, Robert Wilson Borland, Emily Borland, Mary Ann Borland (nee Faulds), John Edward ("Ted") Borland. Courtesy Yvonne Bromley (nee Borland - daughter of "Ted")

There was one occasion when a bushfire threatened the Borland home at Macclesfield, coming right up to the front fence. Emily was at home with her two youngest boys and the two little girls. The boys busied themselves on the bark roof, covering it with wet bags and pouring more water on, while Emily and the girls soaked more bags and passed them up. With this team effort they saved their home that day but the youngest child of the family, Em, always recalled how very close that fire had come!

With Jack working long hours at the Nobelius Nursery, the children at home were kept busy in the vegetable garden at Macclesfield and Jack would call them as he left for work each morning, "Come on Ted, Win, Em. There's work to do before school." They would be up and out of bed to do the watering, weeding and gathering of crops before beginning their own long trek of three miles to the Macclesfield Primary School. It was a hard life for them all. Jack's wife, Emily, no doubt did a lot of work in the market garden, as well as cooking, making bread and sewing. The Sabbath was strictly observed - no work on Sundays - and Emily would often be working till midnight Saturday, cooking and generally preparing for Sunday. The family attended church on Sunday morning, walking there and back, and the children set out again in the afternoon to attend Sunday School - so they walked the distance twice! It has not been established which church they attended nor its location, though possibly it would be a Church of England. There was a Church of Christ at Avonsleigh and they may have attended there. Emily seems to have been active in her church - there is a letter still in existence from a Mrs. Emmerson, inviting Emily and Jack and the two little girls to stay with her family so that Emily could attend a conference in Melbourne. The lady seems to have been a former resident of the Macclesfield/Emerald area and expressed her gratitude to Jack and Emily for caring for the family grave in the Macclesfield cemetery - "but isn't that just what the Borlands would do!" is her comment. Jack's property was next to the Macclesfield/Emerald cemetery where he acted as caretaker. If the grave digger failed to turn up, Jack would dig the grave. The three youngest children delighted to jump down into the hole but they also helped keep the cemetery tidy by gathering the dead flowers from the graves and placing them in a heap to be burnt. The butcher called once a week - no refrigerator or freezer in those days - so it would be "pot-luck" quite often and when the pot was empty, the boys would shoot rabbits. They kept fowls for eggs and perhaps the occasional treat of poultry for dinner - albeit boiled "chook"! When the older boys brought friends home, they were fed first and the children had what was left!! The family probably were present on that great day when "Puffing Billy" made its first run through the hills of the Dandenong Ranges in December, 1900. The little train was to mean so much to the Nobelius Nursery and to Jack in his work there, as well as the potato growers and other producers in the area. This was an exciting event but many of the children present were scared of the little engine and fled into the bush in fright and it was some hours before they were found. Jack had apparently found his niche in life in the world of plants and he excelled in his job. It has been said that he could readily identify the exact variety of a fruit tree just looking at a twig from the tree. This was no small feat when you consider that Nobelius was supplying fruit trees for many different countries round the world and therefore specialising in the varieties suitable to each country's climate and conditions. The Nursery stocked two and a half million trees, one million of which were saleable annually. Jack became a very valued employee at the Nursery and was adept at picking up any errors in the packing of orders because of his ability to quickly identify the different varieties of fruit trees.

Mr. Nobelius made him foreman of the packing shed and, about 1914, suggested that Jack should sell his market garden at Macclesfield and live on the Nursery property at Emerald where a house would be provided. There were, in fact, two houses on the property and Jack and his family duly moved into one of them. The other house had been built for a son of C. A. Nobelius and, after a time, this became vacant and the Borland family moved to this better home, just up the hill from the train and the packing shed. They loved this house with its spaciousness and the lovely garden and trees around it. There were three bedrooms, a dining room with a servery from the kitchen, a laundry which provided hot water from the copper and the water went into the bathroom through a pipe! Such luxury!! There was a verandah at the front and back. The back verandah had a room built on it for storage because everything was bought in bulk at that time - a big bag of sugar, a sack of flour, etc. The other end of the verandah was closed in and had a curtain made of hessian bags sewn together which could be rolled up or down and so made an extra bedroom. The shed stored the `junk'; the toilet was there and the carbide lighting for the house. The fowls were penned at the top of the yard by the lucerne hedge. The three youngest children attended the Emerald Primary School which was reasonably close and they were very happy that their long trek to the Macclesfield school was over.

101 110,1 %I MI'S I' 1.1211

PANORAMA AT I MI. RAI II . VICTORIA

Nobelius Nursery from "The Rose Series" entitled "Panorama at Emerald, Victoria" Courtesy Marion Pfitmer (née Smellie)

From 1911, Sunday trips on "Puffing Billy" had become possible and people came from Melbourne on weekends to this pretty spot, by train to Femtree Gully, then on the little train through the beautiful scenery of the Dandenong Ranges to the siding and packing shed with its roofed platform which Mr. Nobelius had been permitted to build to facilitate his Nursery business. The people would stroll by the lovely cool stream which came out of the rocks and ran along the valley floor, to admire the ferns and native flowers and trees, including the golden wattles. The little train would go on to Gembrook and pick up these visitors on its return journey. 71

The Wedding of Alfred Robert Borland and Doris Bodle - Griffith 27 September 1919 L to R: Back - Alex, Ted, John, Emily, Restyn Sinellie Centre - Bill, Doris (the bride), Alf (the groom) Front - Emily and Winifred Courtesy Yvonne Bromley (née Borland)

Borland Family & Friends - Picnic at "Double Dam" Wilga Station 1920 Courtesy Yvonne Bromley (née Borland) and Judy O'Sullivan (nee Rounce)

It is most probable that it was at this house that Jack Borland taught his youngest children the art of budding and grafting. The children sat with their father round a table with a knife fixed upright in the table and, as they finished tying the grafts, they cut the twine on the knife blade. Alf, the second eldest boy, was working at the Nursery with his father, probably earning the normal five shillings a day for a nine-hour day, 8am to 6pm, with a "Swedish" half-holiday on Saturday - working till 5pm!! (Mr. Nobelius was a Swede; it has also been said that the time of finishing on a Saturday was 3pm.) The Nursery was at its peak at the outbreak of World War I, employing a permanent staff of fifty men and covering an area of 450 acres. It was the largest Nursery in the Southern Hemisphere, with an output of young trees which totalled far more than all the other nurseries in Australasia put together. The Gembrook Nurseries had long been one of the showplaces of Victoria. Wartime conditions, however, meant cessation of exporting trees to other countries. It was at this time that Jack became interested in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and he obtained a position at Leeton, pruning, grafting and budding the young fruit trees which would be supplied to the settlers on these newly-irrigated blocks. One story says that Jack applied for the position after reading an advertisement in a newspaper while a grand-daughter referred to "Grandfather's transfer". It is also known that the Nobelius family were interested in the M.I.A. Scheme and that two of the sons did visit Griffith to see how it was progressing - so, it is anyone's guess from this point in time as to how Jack Borland came to know of this new project. In 1918, the family moved out of the home they loved, just above the railway track and the packing shed. They left the cheerful sound of "Puffing Billy" as it wound its way through the hills; they left all the beauty of the Dandenongs and they left their friends. (It is interesting to note in Mrs. Emily Borland's birthday book the names of the Nobelius family, the Bolduans, and others of the Emerald district whom she knew.) Emily and the three youngest children, Ted, Win and Em, went to Geelong to stay with Jack's parents, Robert and Mary Ann Borland, until Jack was able to find a house for his family at Leeton in New South Wales. It was three months before he sent for his family - and the best he could do was a shared house. After twelve months in Leeton, Jack was transferred to Griffith - then known as Bagtown. It was a new settlement and even the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Authority itself was operating from a little tent town. For the Borlands, it was like going to the end of the earth after the "civilization" of Leeton, with its shops, churches and schools and a distinct change from the hills and beauties of the Dandenongs. This was a flat, red land of which the explorer, John Oxley, thought very poorly. People were mostly living in humpies, made of bags, until they could get established. The Borlands, however, were to have an eventful move from Leeton in 1919. Leaving Leeton early in the morning, by horse-drawn wagon, they reached Whitton, about one-third of the distance. Here Jack rested the horses, fed them and gave them a drink while the family had some lunch. Continuing the journey, they found the road ran through private property, so gates had to be opened for them to drive through, then closed again. Jack got down from the wagon to open the first gate. Then, for some reason, the horses took fright and bolted. They did not go far, however, and were easily caught but, when they swerved, Emily Borland and young Win and Em were thrown off the front. Ted, who was 73

in the back with the furniture, jumped off. Emily broke her right arm down near the wrist so Jack turned back to Whitton to seek assistance. While Emily was taken back to Leeton and admitted to hospital, Jack and the children started off to Griffith again. Reaching the main canal somewhere near Yenda (the road went that way in those days), Jack decided he had had enough for one day. After a snack meal, they slept alongside the wagon till daylight. The horses were tied to the fence. Next morning, the family found their way to the Viticultural Nursery near Yoogali where they had breakfast and were given directions to the house they were to occupy. Their new home was Farm 113, Hanwood. The house was of corrugated iron and very run-down, the previous occupant having walked off his block. But it was a house, one of the few in this town of humpies - hence the name, "Bagtown". They rented this house for six years and, when the block was allocated to a returned soldier, Restyn ("Bob") Smellie, after the First World War, he boarded with the family in his house. In 1925, Jack bought Farm 1233 (at West End - now the Coro Club), and with two of his sons built a house of galvanised iron, unlined, with a dirt floor, a water tank and a ground dam. They grew oranges and soft fruits, almonds and grapes, and Emily had a massive bougainvillea vine near the water tank and made a little garden. Jack walked to the Nursery each day where he continued his job as foreman. People worked together to plant out trees and vines on the irrigated blocks and once the trees were bearing fruit, it was another great effort at harvest time. Jack died after a short illness in 1936, aged 66 years, and is buried in the Griffith Cemetery. Emily, his wife, sold the farm and later bought a house in Binya Street, Griffith township, and lived there till she passed away on Mother's Day in 1954, at the age of 89 years. She, too, is buried at Griffith.

L to R: Back - Winifred, Alex, Doris (wife of Alf), Grandmother Emily, Ted, Bill and baby Jean (Alf s daughter) Front - Emily and a friend, Alf Taken on Bob Smellie's Farm 113 - 1920. Courtesy Yvonne Bromley (née Borland)

Hugh Borland married born 29 July 1798 Kilmarnock died 12 April 1870 Scotland 5 October 1827

Sarah Wilson born 27 August 1804 died 24 April 1876

Robert Wilson (8th child in a family of 10) 21 July 1844 - 14 March 1922 married at Maryborough 2 April 1866

Mary Ann Faulds 19 June 1845 - 1 May 1925

John Faulds

Robert George

Hugh Cullen

William Alexander Marion Taylor Sarah Wilson

("Jack") born Maryborough Vic 28 January 1870 died Griffith NSW 19 November 1936 married 12 September 1893

Emily Fieldsend born Notting Hill, England 10 March 1865 died Griffith NSW 9 May 1954

William ("Bill") Faulds Fieldsend born Prahran Vic 12 February 1895, died Griffith NSW 1 January 1956. Married Charlotte ("Lottie") Kelly in Griffith 3 June 1928. Two children: 1. Nathalie Olive (Mrs Howard). 2.

Faulds Wilson died Shepparton Vic 13 September 1984 aged 52 years. Buried Mooroopna Vic. (Unmarried).

Alfred Robert born Prahran Vic 18 November 1896, died Burwood Vic 23 Dec 1965. Married Doris Bodle in Griffith 27 September 1919. Doris died 23 November 1987 and both Alfred and Doris are buried in the Box Hill Cemetery, Melbourne Vic. They had four children: 1.

Doris Jean (Jean) born Griffith 4 July 1920, married (1) John William (Bill) McMahon (killed in action WWII), married (2) Reginald Burke. Lives at Kiama, NSW.

Averil Winifred born Griffith 10 February 1924, married Harry Scholefield. Lives at Burwood Vic.

Norma Lesley born Griffith 21 February 1928, married Robert Matthews. Lives at Griffith NSW.

Marjorie June (June) born Griffith 21 June 1929, married Lionel Williams. Lives at Roseville NSW.

Alexander Leslie born Northcote Vic 21 September 1899, died Griffith 19 January 1967. (Un-married.)

Alexander ("Alex") Borland Courtesy Yvonne Bromley (née Borland)

John Edward ("Ted") born Geelong Vic 27 May 1904, died Griffith 1 August 1967. Married Annetta Zetta Laura Ruth (Zetta) Leckie 4 October 1932. Zetta died 2 September 1982. Both buried at Griffith. They had five children: Yvonne born 4 September 1933, married Les Bromley. Lives at Griffith NSW. 1. Evelyn Annetta born 16 April 1936, married Bill Groenendyk. Lives at Nowra 2. NSW. Leslie Robert born 20 November 1937, married (1) Rosemary Wattley, (2) Kay 3. Narlle Woodward (née Stevens). Lives at Griffith NSW. Margaret Jane born 31 January 1939, married (1) Sam Reade, married (2) Kevin 4. Heeney. Lives at Sydney NSW. Hester Emily born 5 January 1941, married Joe Dekoning. Lives at Gosford 5. NSW.

Winifred Marion born Macclesfield Vic 21 July 1905, died Griffith 3 July 1989. Married Restyn ("Bob") Smellie 21 July 1925. They had two children: George Restyn born Griffith 30 May 1926, married Lola Enid Warn. Lives at 1. Griffith NSW. Winifred Betty (Betty) born Griffith 17 March 1928. Lives at Griffith NSW. 2.

Emily Mary born Macclesfield Vic 11 April 1907, died Griffith 2 April 1985. Married Charles Leslie Neville I May 1928. They had two children:

I. 2.

John born 17 September 1929, died 5 November 1981. Buried Griffith NSW. Married Marion Hetherington. Vincent born 2 December 1933, married Marie Cudmore. Lives at Griffith NSW.

Source: Lorna Purser's private papers/research. Contributed by Mrs Lorna Purser, 250 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125. By courtesy of Mrs Norma Matthews (nee Borland), 17 Hart Street, Griffith 2680, Mr Rick Borland, 11 Hilder Street, Loganholme 4129, Miss W B Smellie, Gordon Avenue, Griffith 2680 and Mrs Yvonne Bromley (nee Borland), Box 260, Griffith 2680. 76

BOWDITCH Len ("Farmer") Bowditch tells us he came to Griffith in August 1924, arriving by train from Temora. This journey took about five or six hours as the train stopped at all the small stations. At Barellan hot scones and tea were always available! Just nine years old, Len accompanied his parents, Clarence and Alice, his sister Neva and his two brothers, Fred and Lloyd. There were two older sisters and two brothers who did not come with the family to Griffith. Both Len's maternal and paternal grandparents were born and married in England and are buried in Young and Gundagai. His father, Clarence Bowditch, was born in Gundagai in 1875 and was buried in Clarence and Alice Bowditch Griffith in 1968. His mother, Alice Emily Bowditch (née Hammond) was born in Young in 1873 and buried in Griffith in 1966. Clarence was a school teacher and came to Griffith to be Headmaster at Yoogali school so they lived in the school residence there. There were two other teachers under Clarence - Mrs Lane and Miss Coote - with about one hundred pupils attending the school. Transport for the Bowditch family was a horse and sulky until 1928 when Clarence bought a Dodge car. Sunday School was held by the Salvation Army at Evans' house. The people of Yoogali built a hall for the Salvation Army about 1928. Len recalls - "We sometimes drove the horse and sulky to the Methodist Church in Griffith, having to drive through scrub to get to it". Clarence bought Farm 1390, Hanwood around 1929, for £750. He put a manager on it and later a share-farmer, but times were hard and no one made any money out of it. Then in 1933 Lloyd and Len took on the farm in partnership with their father. It was the Depression years and was the only job they could get. They battled on and in 1935 bought another freehold block of land at Benerembah. This cost £6.5.0 per acre freehold and had an area of 650 acres. They cleared all this farm and stacked up about one thousand tons of wood, which kept them in wood for thirty years or more!! Clarence was a Shire Councillor for a short time until defeated by Cliff Thorne. Cliff wanted a community hotel for Griffith while Clarence wanted the town sewered. The community hotel never got off the ground. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Co-op Store. Clarence had retired from teaching about 1939 but went back relief teaching at Hanwood during World War II. Len and Lloyd grew lucerne for the Government during the war. For this the Government supplied the super phosphate to make it grow and sent a dehydrator from 77

Adelaide with which to treat it when it was ready. Then a high official was sent to supervise. Without even looking at the crop, the official said "We don't want it now"! As you can guess he was told a few things (we couldn't print) about how to run the country!! Len remembers the meetings that were held in the Lyceum Theatre which were fairly influential in getting the Snowy Scheme started. In 1953 the Ricegrowers Co-op mill was started and Clarence was one of the men involved in getting it going. He was on the first board of directors of the mill, a position he held until he retired. Len was more sports orientated and represented Griffith in cricket, tennis and bowls for many years. He remembers when there was a tennis court and a mini-golf where the aeroplane monument and parking area is now. The town tennis courts were a little east of the present Ambulance Station. The town cricket ground was where the present reservoir is now situated and Mirrool Barracks once stood where the Ex-Servicemen's Club bowling greens are now located. Len and Lloyd started with the town cricket team when only in their teens and played with them for two years. Then they and five others formed a Yoogali team. All together they only had twelve players in the club but they were never late or short for a game. They won the competition in the second year and for the next five years. Later Benerembah formed a competition winning team and Len played with them. He also excelled in tennis and bowls. Of Alice and Clarence's family their eldest daughter, Emily, married Bill Gamble. They had seven children and lived in Griffith for about twenty five years. Their second son, Harry, never lived here but taught school at Merriwagga. Like his brothers he was also an excellent athlete, excelling in cricket. Neva worked first at the Griffith Co-op when it was situated in the original building in Jondaryan Avenue. Later she worked for George Louez.

Len Bowditch and his Family L to R: Pat, Chris, Len, Sandy, Ian and Helen

Fred's first employment was with the Bank of New South Wales in the original small building next to Dave Taylor's first shop. During World War II he served with the AIF and became one of the "Rats of Tobruk". Lloyd initially started work with the Bank of New South Wales but left after a couple of years. He married Anne Gordon and they live in retirement in town at Clifton Boulevarde (Griffith). Len married Pat Plant in 1941 and lived in the small house on the farm, sharing a car with his brother, Lloyd, who lived on the other farm. In 1949 they moved to town as there was no telephone or electricity. Nor were there any buses in which he could get his children to school. There were no tar roads either, only dirt which turned to mud when it rained. He built in what we call The Circle and then still had no roads and had to pipe water two hundred yards from Konoa Street. Bush surrounded his home. Both Clarence and Alice lived to their 93rd year. Clarence & Eliza Bowditch (both buried at Gundagai) ■ Clarence Bowditch born Gundagai 1875 died Griffith 11 March 1968 I. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

George & Annie Hammond (both buried at Young) married

•

Alice Emily Hammond born Young 1873 died Griffith 23 April 1966

Emily born 1899; buried at Toronto NSW; married Bill Gamble - seven children. John Osborne born 1901; buried at Newport NSW; married Judith Hutchinson - one child. Alice born 1904; cremated Sydney; married Alf Allen - two children. Harry Seddon born 1906; buried Beechworth Vic; married Agnes Curry - six children. Neva Edith born 1908; married Norm Fleming; lives Warburton Vic - one child. Frederick Carrington born 1910; buried Gosford; married Dulcie Mitchell Clarence Lloyd born 1912; married Anne Gordon; lives Griffith - two children. Leonard Clive born 1915; married Pat Plant (dec'd); lives Griffith - four children.

Carney's float - c.1938 L to R: Jean \leNamara, Joan Carney, Pat Plant, Hanna Carney (tide Hickey)

Entry and photograply, by courtesy of Len Bowditch, 30 The Circle, Griffith 2680. 79

Yoogali Cricket Team 1932/33 Back (L to R): Jock Hudson, Harry Crawford, harry Green, Ernie Bates Alf Hall, Len Bowditch, Jack Bates, Terry Carney Front (L to R): Fred Jackson, Peter Farrell, George Kendall

Benerembah Cricket Club c.1949 Back (L to R); Phil Betts (Umpire), Bob Hutchins, Arthur Clifton, Marty Graham, Ben Clarke Hugh McLean, Frank Campbell, Mal Clarke, Brett Moir (Umpire) Front (L to R): Claude Clarke, Ian Campbell, Len Bowditch, Fred Clarke Photographs courtesy Len ("Fanner") Bowditch

BROMLEY "Bromley" means "dweller in the meadow" Edward Arthur ("Ted") Bromley was born at Mudgee on 20 September 1898, the son of George William Bromley and Frances Annie (née Colley). His maternal grandparents were Thomas and Jane Colley, owners of "Dun Dun" Station at nearby Hargraves. Thomas, who was Cornish by birth married in 1859 at All Saints Bathurst, Jane, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Poole. ("Dun Dun" Station is still owned by Colley descendants and Thomas' brother, Caldwell, is said to have been the first person to discover oil in Alaska.) Ted's paternal great grandfather, Benjamin Bromley, had died in 1852 at Ladywood Birmingham, England where he had been a dairy farmer. In 1857 Benjamin's widow, with her surviving children emigrated to Australia - Ted's grandfather, Edward Benjamin Bromley was one of those children. (There had been several children who had died in infancy.) Putting his age up, Ted enlisted in the first AIF, on 29 February 1916, aged 17 years and 5 months. He sailed from Sydney on 28 August 1916, before his 18th birthday, on the ship "Wiltshire". He served in France and was wounded in action in the May of 1917. He continued to serve with the AIF until returning from England to Sydney on 31 May 1919. Ted drove a horse (named "Tommy") and sulky from Crows Nest in Sydney to Griffith in 1923 to take up his farm - No. 1906, on what is now called Bromley Road. After clearing this farm it was run as a dairy. On 14 August 1924, at Wellington NSW, Ted married Sarah Challenor of Wollongong. Known always as "Dot" rather than Sarah because of her petiteness, she was a school teacher, teaching in the Wellington district. It was on Farm 1906, now known as "Lesterlee", that in 1928 Ted and Dot grew their first rice crop. In 1939 Ted bought the property known as "Woolshed Flats", between Yenda and Rankins Springs, from Jack Curry. A few years later he bought the Tolhurst property next door and this sixteen thousand acres is now part of the Cocoparra National Park and Nature Reserve. Ted and Dot had three children - James Edward ("Jim"), Noreen Wilma (always known as "Wilma") and Leslie Arthur. It was while Ted and his young son Les, were cutting scrub for stock feed on "Woolshed Flat", on 20 March 1945, that the homestead on Farm 1906 burnt down and Dot, aged forty five, died from bums sustained in the fire. It was her eldest son's 20th birthday and he was home on final leave from the Air Force before flying to Dutch New Guinea for action in World War H. Kerosene refrigerators in those days did not have gauzed outlets on them and the gases built up. The refrigerator had exploded, burning everything to the ground. Ted continued to farm in the hills until his death. Many stories are told of the days out in the hills. The one most remembered and told by Les, his younger son, is of the day they were to muster the hills for sheep. "We will need our lunch", Les said to his father Ted. "No. It will be right. Just bring one each of those big Granny Smith apples we got from Langleys. We will have found all the sheep by lunch time". They returned home on horse back in the dark after having ridden all day, tired and hungry and they hadn't found any sheep!! "Never mind" said Ted, "We will find them

11 V Mackay "Coffee Pot" Header - 1928 Stripping Rice in the Mud

L to R: Don Dunbar (died prisoner-of-war) with Les and Wilma Bromley and Tom Westman - c.1938

The Bromley Home on Farm 1906 that was burnt down 20 March 1945

Les and Jim Bromley

The Bromley Home on "WooLshed Flat" that no longer exists

Les, Yvonne and John Bromley's first home on "Lesterlee" - Farm 1906

Photographs by courtesy of Yvonne and Les Bromley

tomorrow". Next morning, very early, horses were saddled. Again Les said to his father "We will need our lunch". "No. It will be right son. We are sure to find them before lunch today. Just bring one of those very large apples again!" - and large they were. You couldn't get your two hands around them. So, off into the hills again they rode. It was very rough, hilly, heavily timbered country AND AGAIN they returned at dark, having ridden the country for two days with only an apple each and still no sheep! The next day Ted said "we will have to find those so and so sheep today". To that Les replied - "Well I don't know about you but I am cutting myself some lunch!!" "Yep son! You had better cut me some too". And would you believe it was that very day the sheep were found quite early, all to-gether. They had come down from the hills to water of their own accord! Another story is told - of Les and his father Ted ring-barking trees on "Woolshed Flat". "When you are finished ring-barking that tree you had better knock the suckers off it" Ted said to Les one day. Walking around the huge tree Les replied - "There are no suckers growing on this tree". "No! But there will be by the time you finish ring-barking it!!!" said his Dad.

Benjamin Bromley died Birmingham 1852 married Jane Nicholls •

Anthony Colley married Ann Brickwood (they came to Australia on "Victoria" 1849) •

Edward Bromley born England - came to Australia 1857 died NSW 1896 married NSW 1872 Elizabeth Miller • George William Bromley born NSW 1873 died Broken Hill NSW buried 21 Dec 1918 (aged 45 years)

married Mudgce NSW

Thomas Chubb Colley horn Cornwall 5 May 1835 married Bathurst 29 Nov 1859 Jane Poole • Frances Annie Colley born NSW 8 February 1866 died 14 September 1929

• Edward Arthur ("Ted") Bromley born Mudgee 20 Sept 1898 died Yenda 22 April 1958 married at Wellington NSW on 14 August 1924 Sarah ("Dot") Challenor, the daughter of Benjamin Challenor and Helen (nee Crompton) died 20 March 1945 aged 45 years. James Edward ("Jim"), their eldest son who never married, died in 1974, at Glenelg SA, aged 49 years. Noreen Wilma ("Wilma") married Bill Read (deed). Wilma lives at Bankstown NSW and has two children - Kathleen and Michael. Leslie Arthur married Yvonne Borland. They live in Griffith and have three children - John Leslie, Susan Dorothy and Kayleen Yvette.

By courtesy of Yvonne and Les Bromley, "Lesterlee", Griffith 2680. 83

BROWN Charles Alexander Brown and his wife, Elizabeth Marian (née Walsh) were among the early settlers of the district. They arrived at Farm 58 Hanwood in November 1919 from Boree Creek where they had farmed prior to their move. Charles Alexander Brown was of Scottish descent. His father Heriot Brown was born in Scotland - on 3 May 1844 and his mother, Jane Cairns, was also born in Scotland on 18 August 1849. Heriot and Jane were married at Ballarat, Victoria on 22 May 1873. Heriot died on 6 July 1920 and Jane died a few weeks later, on 30 August 1920. They are both buried at Quambatook in Victoria. Their son Charles Alexander born at Ballarat on 13 May 1880, married Elizabeth Marian Walsh who was born 16 August 1885 at Kingower, Elizabeth's Victoria. grandfather, Rev William Hall (known as Parson Hall) was born in England (on 9 December 1811). He married Elizabeth Clare Lambert born 20 November 1813. They were married at North Ferriby, Hull, England on 11 April 1848 and sailed that year on the "Royal George" to Melbourne. Rev Hall died on 15 May 1887 and his wife died on 6 April 1883. They are both buried at Kingower, Victoria. Charles Brown arrived a few days before his wife when they first came to settle on their farm at Hanwood. He came in a horse drawn waggon with their possessions and furniture. He also had two of the young boys with him. Elizabeth arrived a few days later in a buggy with the other three young children, one of them just a baby. They arrived in a dust storm, which Charles Alexander Brown and Elizabeth Marian Brown was not uncommon in those (nee Walsh). Courtesy Eileen Gibbs (nee Brown). days, but was still hard to contend with especially with young children. 84

Charles Alexander Brown arriving at Farm 58 Hanwood in November 1919 Courtesy Eileen Gibbs (née Brown)

Both Charles and Elizabeth Brown were hard working members of the community as well as on the farm. Elizabeth was a foundation member of the CWA and Charles was a director of the Griffith Co-op Society for many years. They were both involved with the first Show held in Griffith and for many Shows afterwards. Elizabeth won prizes in the show for her exhibits of jams, preserves and cakes. She bottled fruit and made jams, pickles and her own bread. They kept sheep and pigs for meat and grew their own fruit and vegetables. The children all helped on the farm picking and packing fruit, milking cows and other chores. They pitted apricots at home and on other farms and helped with fumigating and drying apricots. If it rained during the night unexpectedly there was a mad scramble to stack the trays that had been left out for drying. When the children were young they paddled in ditches and caught yabbies and the boys rode pet calves. This may have been why they joined the Light Horse as they grew older. All the boys were members of the Light Horse before the war and the girls were members of the CWA Younger Set. Elizabeth played the piano and "sing songs" were often held while she played. They played tennis on their own court on the farm, went to dances and had occasional parties at home. The older boys rode a pony to school. For some time the children went to Hanwood school and Sunday School at St James, Hanwood in a horse drawn conveyance driven by Mr Ladegast who also played the organ at the church. Later a covered truck driven by Mr Zerbst was used as a school bus. On Sundays, they very often walked to Methodist Sunday School conducted by Mr Hillam near his Hanwood home. Kerosene lamps were used until 1925 when the electricity was connected and replaced the old lamps. 85

The Brown Family at Farm 58, Hanwood Charles Brown, Heriot, Charles Jnr, Lindsay Eileen, Elizabeth Brown, Elizabeth ("Bett")

The Browns' first motor vehicle was a secondhand T model Ford bought in Melbourne and converted to a utility without a hood. The first radio came by mail order from David Jones in 1927 for Grandma to listen to the opening of parliament using ear phones. The phone was also connected through the Hanwood exchange in the twenties. The Browns farmed at Farm 58 Hanwood until just before Charles died on 28 July Elizabeth died at 1953. Griffith on 30 March 1970 and they are both buried at Griffith.

Brothers Charles, Heriot and Lindsay Brown in the 21st Light Horse Photos courtesy Eileen Gibbs (nee Brown)

Children of Charles Alexander Brown and Elizabeth Marian Brown (née Walsh); 1.

Elizabeth Clare born 22 October 1911 at Lockhart, married Francis Hillman Harris, now living at Inverell.

William Heriot born 11 August 1913 at Lockhart, married Nellie Joyce Eagle. He died 4 October 1983. Buried Inverell, NSW. Charles Brown

Charles Roland born 14 August 1915 at Kerang, Victoria, married Leslie N Fowler. Now living at Colorafield near Whitton.

Lindsay Thomas born 24 September 1917 at Kerang, Victoria, married Rona Helen Ward. He died 28 February 1973. Buried at Delungra NSW.

Eileen Marian born 15 November 1919 at Lockhart, married Harold George Gibbs. Now living at "Willow Bend", Warbum.

By courtesy of Mrs Eileen Gibbs, (née Brown).

BROWN "Aunty Brown" - to all who knew her, her name was synonymous with generosity and kindness. Born Florence Mason at Booligal in 1887, she was the daughter of George Mason and Martha (nee Ward). Her formative years were spent at Booligal where her father, George, had a blacksmith shop. It was a two storey building and the family lived upstairs. The Mason and Ward families settled in the Booligal area from Victoria about 1850. Three of Florence's sisters were - Nell (Mrs W Giddens of Booligal), Emily (Mrs Ned Smith of Griffith) and Alice (Mrs W Parker of Hillston). Two of their brothers, Frank and Harry, both of whom died about the age of ten and twelve are buried in the old Booligal cemetery near their father. There are no headstones to mark their graves. In the year 1906 she married Ted Brown and initially they lived at "Toms Lake" in the Booligal/Mossgiel district where Ted was the Station Manager. Ted and Florence came to Griffith about 1920 to settle on a dairy farm on the south western side of Wickhams Hill, between modern Griffith and Hanwood. They delivered milk to Bagtown and probably to Wickham's Camp too. L to R: Mrs Minnie Storrier, Florence Brown About 1930 they moved from (née Mason) and Alice Parker (nee Mason) - about 1939 the dairy onto a sultana and orange orchard close to where Donaldson's complex is now. Ted was still alive but by this time very frail. Ted died in 1933 and Florence continued on the farm, growing sultanas and oranges and supplemented her income by selling hens eggs and by sewing for the local ladies. After the death of Isabella Spry (nee Brown), Florence took her two small sons, Alec and Vince Spry, into her home and virtually became their foster mother. She and Ted had had no family of their own. This is when she became known to the Spry family and their many friends as "Aunty Brown". Their father used to come and visit them sometimes but while "Aunty" dearly loved the two little Spry boys she didn't extend the same affection to "Old George", as she used to call him, remembers one of her nephews. In the twilight years of her life Alec Spry, his wife Lucy and their family repaid her many kindnesses by sharing their home with Florence and looking after her needs until her death in 1980. She was the dearly loved "Nan" to Lucy and Alec's five children.

Entry and photograph by courtesy of Lance Parker (nephew of Florence Brown), "Cascade", Hillston 2675. 88

BRYAN Samuel and Gladys Miriam Bryan left England with a five month old daughter on 17 April 1925 on the "T S S Baradine" the 13,000 ton P & 0 service via South Africa and arrived in Sydney on 8 June 1925. It was a rough trip recalled a seasick Gladys and a small bed had to be made in a cupboard drawer for the baby. Samuel Bryan was born in England in 1896 the son of a policeman. He served his apprenticeship as a toolmaker with Accles and Pollocks of Birmingham and in 1914 joined the army. He served in the Dardenelles where he was mentioned in despatches. Back in England he transferred to the British Flying Corps and spent the next three years in India mainly on The Bryan Family • c.1931 the North West Frontier. When the Gladys holding baby Bob, Joan, Samuel and May Corps returned to England in the Christmas of 1919 it was the coldest winter on record, and with no warm clothing and no amenities for their unexpected arrival from India, Samuel and many others were soon transported to hospital with colds, flu and pneumonia. While convalescing after a long illness he married Gladys Miriam Harper on Christmas Day 1923. Samuel found the cold of England hard to take after the heat of India and was advised to move to either Canada or Australia, so on the flip of a coin, they sailed for Australia in 1925. Leaving the ship in Sydney, they boarded the train for Beelbangera, where they were met by Mr Turley in a springcart. He told them they'd come to the last place on God's earth. Gladys' diary records that it was a pretty place and that she loved it. They went to live on the Red Cross Farm, which had recently been taken over by the Department of Agriculture, and there they met Charlie Davidge and Hector Dargin who were in charge. They weren't there very long when "T S S Baradine" they moved to Pryde Brothers farm at Hanwood to gain more experience in fanning. They seized the opportunity to buy Farm 1242 at West Griffith from Sep Bridges and moved there in the winter of 1926. The house had four rooms with a verandah front and back. Two more children were born on this farm. 89

WWI photos from Samuel Bryan's Collection

Last party to leave Dardenelles, Cape Ellis on board SS Leticia Samuel marked with X

Having a sail around Karachi Port Samuel marked with X

India - Cambala War Hospital with Ambulance in foreground

India - Dhar Rest Camp

Karachi, India - 20 February 1919 "Giant Handley Page" aeroplane Captain Hayley was the pilot

Simla, India - 1919 "Sopwith Camel" - first plane to land in the Ilimilayas

Alice Bryan (nee Ward) and Gladys before leaving England

Picking apricots on Farm 1242

Farm 1242 - L to R: Unknown, Gladys and Samuel holding baby Joan

Samuel, Joan and May swimming in Kelly's dam

Grape Ilarvest on Farm 1242 Samuel and Gladys

Life for Gladys, like other English brides, was very hard. Apricots, oranges, peaches, grapes, prunes and almonds were planted with peas and tomatoes growing in between to supplement the income until the fruit trees came into production. They also had the Broadway Fruit and Vegetable shop in Kooyoo Street for a period, stocked by produce from the farm. The three children rode their bicycles to Griffith Public School across the common, which is now the suburb of West Griffith. They had lots of musical parties with friends and neighbours including Jack Allison (fruit agent), Les Mallinson (who had a beautiful singing voice), Vince and Nora Kelly (neighbours), Mr and Mrs Wilkins (from "Wilga" Station), Oscar Lewis (from the Producers office), Harry Lane (a self taught upholsterer, who had "humped his bluey" all round Australia and later went to Russia), Mr and Mrs Crace (who had a casemaking business - "Craces for Cases" - at the top end of Banna Avenue), Alice Maher (who could play anything on the piano), Jack McWilliam (who brought the wine and oysters) and the Hastings (who lived opposite). Dancing on the verandah was also enjoyed by all, so although times were hard and money was scarce, there were also very enjoyable times. Sheep were often taken past the farm and a bag of fruit or vegetables could be exchanged. They had a cellar like most farms, where the milk, meat and homemade butter were kept. It was lovely for the children to come home from school in the hot weather, dive down the cool cellar, sit on the steps and drink milk shakes and eat fresh homemade bread and butter. In 1939 they sold and moved to Adelaide in their Rugby "6" utility, converted from a car to fit in all their possessions and the three children. Sam had been asked to supervise the toolroom for his old English firm, now called The British Tube Mills, which had moved to South Australia for the duration of World War II. Another son was born there and after the war, in 1946, the family moved back to Griffith. In 1956 Samuel and Gladys retired to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland where they both rest in peace.

George William Harper married Miriam Brandt

Enoch Bryan married Alice Ward Samuel Bryan born Birmingham Eng 1896 died Caloundra QId 14 December 1979 1. 2. 3. 4.

married Birmingham Eng

Gladys Miriam Harper born Birmingham Eng 1903 died Caloundra QId 12 September 1985

Alice Joan (known as Joan) born England 1924; married Raymond Trevor Hasse; two children - Pamela and Judith; lives at Adelaide SA. Gladys May (known as May) born Griffith 1928; married Donald Vinson Dossetor; four children - Leith, Kim, Mark and Bryan; lives at Benerembah NSW. Robert Malcolm (known as Bob) born Griffith 1931; married Beverley Tracy; one daughter Sue; lives at Caloundra QId. David John (known as John) born Adelaide 1946; married Kaye Gill; three children - Karen, Debbie and Paul; lives at Caloundra QId.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of May Dossetor (née Bryan), Benerembah 2680.

BUCKLE Time is post war, 1920. The year many returned soldiers looked for a way of life, a bright new beginning for them and their future families. So Alexander Frederick Buckle, known as Fred or "Buck", along with many others settled on a block at Lake Wyangan to commence a horticultural farm. This occupation was in line with his father and grandfather who had both farmed orchards in the Wollongong area, now the present site of the Cordeaux Dam. This Buckle family was one of the first free settlers on the South Coast of NSW in the Wollongong area. Fred completed a viticultural course at Yanco and successfully grew and dried sultanas, using long drying racks. He grew such large sultanas that some were displayed in Gillespie's shop window at Griffith for several years. He was a perfectionist in whatever he attempted and he believed in using top quality material for the very best results. This was evident in the house orchard, Fred and Dorothy Buckle - 1928 where he always produced delicious and sometimes rare and their eldest daughter Shirley fruits such as an enormous Mexican apple tree the fruit of which was medicinal, soft light green to yellow in colour and of irregular shapes. It provided also a cool dense shady "cubby house" in summer. On hot days his children did their homework up the tree - all being avid tree climbers. He had many hobbies and especially excelled in cross-breeding plants - dahlias, gladioli and grafting several fruits onto the one tree. The family always enjoyed top quality vegetables. While waiting to build their homes some of the neighbours helped Fred build a huge room with eight large windows. The walls were comprised of weatherboards, unlike any of the other bachelor quarters built in the area. The men batched together and helped build each others homes. Fred's was unique because, having done an architectural course via America, he designed and built his house on Farm 1815, Mallinson Road, Lake Wyangan (which still stands today) raised several feet off the ground to allow the cool air to circulate underneath. The shed was great for storage and a work room for Fred's hobbies. He built a wireless and its beautiful cabinet, an exquisite hexagonal oak table of which dozens of ornamental pieces fitted together or could be dismantled. In fact Fred could turn his hand to anything including building his own tractor! Many other young men did similar things. Farming encourages men to use their inventiveness. Fred toiled hard to produce citrus and sultanas until marketing sultanas became uneconomical. The farm suffered several severe frosts in consecutive years - a great blow. Unfortunately the farm was in a frost pocket due to the undulating hills across the road. 93

► This is the "town" of Griffith or rather the main business street. There was nothing there at all eighteen months ago so perhaps you will make due allowance for its want of size, skyscrapers etc.

Taken last Autumn (March 1924) a picnic party with some friends on one of the hills around Lake View. The chap sitting down busy eating melon lives next door, Harold Long. The others are all married. I hope you can find me as this is the first snap I've sent you. I'm rather doubtful. The kiddie to the left is as dirty as he looks - all melon juice and dust.

This is one of the snaps I took - the one in which I was included didn't print well so I will have to spoil another Film on myself. I have been ploughing where the earth is broken up as I want to plant roses etc.

A spot about a mile below my block. All the water in the Lake View basin drains into this making a miniature lake!

Captions written by Fred Buckle c.1924

The farms on either side were almost frost free. Cycling home on a winter's night, one would go through patches of very cold, then warm air all along Mallinson Road. The degrees of frost for each farm was dictated by the shape of the hills - such was the luck of the draw! Discharged from 4th Battalion, 14 December 1919, Fred had served 3 years 325 days, with over 3 years spent abroad in Egypt, France and Belgium as a signaller where he, like many others, was gassed. He spent most of the time in the front lines. He had put his age up to join the army. He met a London girl, Dorothy Bickerstaff, became engaged, then returned to Australia. They corresponded for six years as Dorothy's 4th Battalion Signallers father refused to allow his daughter to Fred marked with a cross. leave England until the farm was producing. So in 1925, on 11 June, Fred and Dorothy were married in Sydney. Dorothy was born on 14 January 1897, in the Regents Park district of London. Fred was born on 27 September 1895 at Mt Keira, near Wollongong NSW. Straight from the bright lights of London, concerts, operas etc. to outback Australia was a cultural shock. However, Dorothy coped well and made fun of it. She was a great knitter and sewer, so their three girls, Shirley, Wendy and Barbara reaped the benefits of her hobbies. Before electricity, Shirley who was born in 1927, remembers lantern light - walking to the end of the road at night with her parents to McAuslan's to attend their regular "Depression Parties" - swinging lanterns to light the way. Sometimes in fancy dress made of hessian, but what fun everyone had! Laughter, singing with Glad Davis playing the piano and in dancing with Tommy Martin playing concertina. Ping-Pong competitions with Griffith players - Jacobs (the baker), Carney boys (shopkeepers) and others. All great times to balance the harshness of the Depression. These fabulously happy parties were held at the home of Angus and Hilda McAuslan at the top end of Mallinson road, then known as Lake View Road. These were precious moments to balance the effect of hard work and the Depression. Fred loved writing limericks at these functions and one such ditty begins We'll always find a welcome here A tasty bit and a cup of cheer tonight we'll make them drink our beer Until tomorrow morning Tonight's the night. Hurray! Hurray! In honour of Gus and Hilda May We won't go home 'till the break o'day On a cold and frosty morning.

Fred Buckle with oranges from young trees. Photo taken by Douglas Scott of Lake Wyangan. Fred and Doug shared a love of photography. They shared also a magic lantern which showed coloured slides and produced funny movies.

Remembered also is a huge carpet snake coiled up on the road. To a little girl they looked giants. Grasshopper plagues, where anything green was eaten. Mouse plagues where the ground was a moving mass. Insidious fine dust storms. Droughts, extreme heatwaves, where old people dropped dead on lawns in Banna Avenue, mothers and babies in the Griffith Producers' cool rooms. Fred built a swimming pool comprising of two sections - a small shallow one to suit youngsters and a larger deeper one. Shirley recalls - "Mum sailed around it in the large round bath tub under a sunshade and would give the butcher or the grocer the order from the tub! "I remember the ice-cream man's bell - always rung to give us time to race up the driveway to the road and get a ride in his horsedrawn contraption. "Heaven when electricity arrived, water laid on - hot and cold - no more carting. A cement dam supplied water for washing, bathing and the garden. "Before cars we used a lorry drawn by two horses, 'Nell' and 'Flour', with Mum sitting up on an armchair. Other times we travelled by sulky with the quiet horse 'Nell' to visit Eric West, head of the Research Station, and his wife on their farm in the mallee, beyond Lake Wyangan. Once a piece of paper caused `Nell' to shy and bolt. Only a little girl, seated on the floor of the sulky, I was petrified. Fortunately Dad managed to pull up the horse and all was well except for a bruised bottom! "Dad was a self taught, very knowledgeable man on many subjects - his last hobby was orchid raising, trying for the elusive perfect flower. He was very humble and quiet, a gentleman with a keen sense of humour, Christian in outlook always ready to help anyone in need.

Fred Buckle built this pool in the 1930s to hold the water supply for washing and the Comprised of a garden. small shallow pool for young children with a gate separating it from the larger deeper pool. Note sultana drying racks in background.

9()

"We were fortunate to have such a father. He was aided by our mother, Dorothy, who made a great success of her life as a farmer's wife. She suffered much from a problem spine yet no one suspected until she was x-rayed not long before her death. It was only then that I realised how much pain she suffered silently in life. Dorothy also had a keen sense of humour and always saw the funny side of life. "In 1942 they retired to Wollongong when Dad put down his age to get a job at Lysaght's Mills, where he worked until he reached retiring age!"

The Buckle Girls on holidays at Wollongong c.1940 L to R: Barbara, Shirley and Wendy

L to R: Fred Buckle, Dorothy Buckle, Angus McAuslan, Hilda McAuslan On one of their camping visits to Taylor's Beach at Darlington Point

In 1853 Charles Buckle (1806-1891) and his wife Mary Ann (nee Probyn, 18141905) travelled with their children Emmeline, Anne, Walter and Sarah on the ship "Fortune" leaving Liverpool on 16 January and arriving in Sydney, Australia on 28 April 1853. They settled at Mount Keira (Wollongong) where Walter married Eliza Irving and had one child Charles Buckle (Fred's father) who married Alice Louise Seaker. They had ten children Charles, Alexander Frederick, Geoffrey, Charles, David, Ellen, Jessica, Allan, Ernest and Alice.

Thomas Buckle married Nancy Baget Charles Buckle (1806-1891) married Mary Ann Probyn (c.1814-1905) daughter of John Probyn and Amy (née Baggott)

James Edward Ilickerstaff

Walter Buckle (1843-1913) married Eliza Irving (c.1844-1886)

married

daughter of William Irving and Bessy (née Neville)

Mary Ann Bull

Charles Buckle born Mt Keira, Wollongong 19 March 1867 died West Wollongong 20 October 1941 married Alice Louise Seaker

Thomas Edward Bickerstaff born 1866 died 1939 married Matilda Maud Puplett

daughter of William J Seaker and Ellen M (née Summers)

daughter of Edward Puplett and Hannah Elizabeth (née Allen)

born 30 August 1875 died Wollongong 19 February 1960

born 1863 died 1955

Alexander Frederick Buckle born Mt Keira, Wollongong 27 September 1895 died 29 May 1967 buried Griffith NSW

married Sydney 11 June 1925

* *

Dorothy Mortimer Bickerstaff born Regents Park, London UK 14 January 1897 died 1 January 1982 buried Griffith NSW

Shirley born "Woodlands" Griffith 10 November 1927; married John Duffell; two children - Roy and Sylvia. Shirley lives at Yenda.

Wendy born "Woodlands" Griffith 5 July 1932; married Roy Williams; three children - Mark, Fiona, Sean. Wendy lives at Kameruka Vic.

Barbara born "Woodlands" Griffith 10 January 1934; married Morrie Calabria; three sons - Nicholas, Alexander and Peter. Barbara lives at Tharbogang.

Entry and photographs by courtesy Shirley Duffell (nee Buckle), Griffith 2680 with assistance from Nicholas Calabria (son of Barbara and Morrie), Wagga Wagga 2650. 98

BUGNO Antonio (known as "Tony") Bugno was born on 20 January 1889 in Possagno, Province of Treviso, Northern Italy. He was the eldest of three sons born to Antonio Bugno and his wife, Maria Roldo. He arrived in Sydney on 26 May 1921 after a voyage which took four months. Departing from Genoa aboard the passenger/cargo ship "Acqualina" he came as far as Singapore from where the "Acqualina" continued on to Japan. A week later he picked up a coal tramp steamer belonging to the Burns Philp Line and arrived in Brisbane via Sumatra and Darwin. His brother, Giacomo (Jim), had come to Australia at the age of 13, in 1913, going first to Broken Hill and then to Queensland where he was accidentally killed whilst working in the timber industry at Sarina in 1920. It was only upon his arrival in Brisbane that Tony was to learn of Giacomo's death just a short time before. (Another brother, Angelo, who never married, came to Griffith in 1934. He died here, of tetanus, in 1957.) Prior to coming to Australia, Tony Bugno had served four years with the Allied Forces 1914-1918 War in Italy for which he was honoured by the Italian Government with the title of "Cavaliere dell `Ordine di Vittorio Veneto" (the equivalent of British Knighthood). Once in Australia he devoted his efforts to learning to speak, read and write English. However, as yet not knowing the language, he made his way from Brisbane to Sydney showing people Taken at Yoogali Farm of Mr Such a piece of paper on which was Antonio (34) and Antonietta Bugno (29) and Mario (age 4) Courtesy Jim Bugno written "Griffith" and "Pastega". After many attempts to reach Griffith he was eventually put on the train to Griffith from Central Station in Sydney. The same piece of paper, with "Pastega" on it, was shown hoping for directions to the home of this family who had settled here previously. Finally, he found a friend, Girolomo

Vardanega who took him, luggage and all, to Pastega's farm where they looked after him. Here he "slept in a bed for the first time in 71 days!" In Possagno, on 16 April 1917, Antonio had married Antonietta Negro (17/1/189416/7/1976). Three children were born in Italy. Maria (15/11/1918) who died as a babe of six months as a result of inhaling coal dust in railway tunnels where they were forced to spend considerable time whilst being evacuated, in cattle trucks, from the war zone in the north to the south of Italy (Sicily). Mario was born 15 November 1919. A third babe, Angelo, died in Italy at the age of six months from gastro-enteritis. Antonietta and Mario arrived in Sydney in September 1922 where they were met by Antonio. They had come over on the Orient Line and the cost for Antonietta and her son was £22 compared to that of Tony's which had been £50. Arriving in Griffith by train, Antonietta's first impression was of unending bushland. Then with dust storms which covered everyone and everything, bush flies and the heat, she is remembered as saying "this is La Finne del Mondo" (the end of the world). She was, nevertheless, amazed at the availability of food for human consumption. Like so many of the early pioneer women from the other side of the world she was to rear her children and spend the rest of her life here. They made their first home on the farm of Mr H G Such - Farm 669, Yoogali where their first dwelling was a hut made of cement bags, rendered and white washed, with a dirt floor. They lived Giacomo Bugno (Jim) - 1919 here until Mr Such built them a Courtesy Jun Bugno house. As well as giving them work he had given them a piece of land on which to grow vegetables which Tony later sold in Griffith. The means of transport to deliver the "vegies" was a push bike fitted out to carry a substantial amount of

100

produce. These deliveries to town were done in the morning before starting work on the farm. His wages at this time were 10/- per day. It was while living on the Such farm that two more children were born - James ("Jim") Rino and Mary Lena.

1924 - Double Christening Back: Domenico Cunial (on bike), Bortolo Fin, Peter Zanesco, Antonio Forlico, Giuseppe Rostirolla, Angelo Dal Bon, Francesco Favero, Bappi Manera (on horseback) Sitting: Valentino Bugno, Antonio Bugno, Antonietta Bugno (nursing James Bugno), Giuseppi Cunial (nursing Jack Cunial), Augustina Cunial (nursing Mary Cunial, now Sosso), Antonio Pizzolotto, Tunisto Bastianon, Carolina Cunial (now Salvestro) Front: Virginia Cunial, Mario Bugno Courtesy Jim Bugno

Extracts from Antonio's diary tell that Mr Such was one of the organisers for a "Pichnich" (picnic) that was held on Scenic Hill, north of the cemetery to celebrate the formation of the Griffith Producers Co-op. Speeches were made on top of a rock to the people below. That day Tony's job, with a horse and cart, was delivering drinking water to the crowd. "As children we always had enough to eat as our parents grew their own vegetables. We always had poultry, a milking cow and pigs - and 'the saviour of many', the RABBITS!! To keep things cool we had a drip-safe made of bags, later on there was an ice chest and in 1936 Father bought a General Electric refrigerator from Mr Furby in Yambil Street. "Tom Morley and Wilson Moses, who were both bachelors, often came to Sunday dinner at our parents' home. Mother was a very good cook. There was always a very good relationship between Tom and Wilson and my parents until the end of their lives." It was in 1927 that Tony bought his own farm - Farm 1860 at Lake Wyangan. He continued to grow and sell vegetables. With the help of his wife, Antonietta, all preparation

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for sale in town was done early in the mornings. By now he had a horse and sulky. "During these times in the late 1920s and early 1930s, when the Depression and drought were with us, I remember well" says their son, Jim, "that a lot of wheat area families from Boorga, Monia Gap, Melbergen and Hillston came to Griffith via the back Hillston Road, as it is now called. They always called at our parents' farm on their way home, to pick up vegetables which were given to them as at that time there was no market for vegetables. My parents would load up their horse-drawn drays and sulkies and they would share these with fellow farmers on the way home. Many times during those years, we would find a load of wood or bags of wheat in the yard, which had been left in return and we would not know whom to thank. "In the 1950s, while fishing and shooting in those districts, I met a lot of the families who, when I asked permission to get to the river and gave my name, constantly told the same story. 'If it had not been for the generosity of your parents with their vegies we would have starved'." Talking about the early days of their childhood, Jim laughs about some of the naughty pranks he and the older boys got up to. Such as the time the WC & IC had a steam-roller working near the Yoogali school, rolling the YendaYoogali Road. After the men went home from work Mario (Jim's older brother), Danny Such and Arthur Weare (and probably Arthur Webb) - all aged about 7 or L to R: Lazzaro Negro, Antonio Pizzolotto, Francesco Favero, 8 years - decided they would Beppi Manera, Masimo Cappello - 1930. Courtesy Jim Bugno stoke it up again. They soon had it going up and down the road until the "powers that be" put a stop to the enterprise. Jim is sure there were a few sore boys at school next day!! On another occasion, about the same time, Danny Such and Mario Bugno were watching Tony planting cabbages in the vegetable garden and Mr Such getting a few chickens ready for Sunday dinner. The boys had been told that if you plant things, they will grow!!

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Later on, the two boys got all the little chickens out of the yard, made a row in the vegetable garden, and buried them in a nice straight line with only the legs protruding out of the ground. No survivors! That was not enough so they decided to get some hens out of the hay stack. The hens had made their nests in holes in the hay to hatch their eggs. The boys couldn't dislodge the hens, so they set fire to the stack, destroying it!! (After all that, Jim says, the boys did survive to grow into good citizens!)

1936 L to R - Back: Cecil Bonomi, Valerio ("Carlo") Recetti -"The Hermit" Front: Mrs Bonomi Sur, Valda Bonomi, Mrs no (Sam) Palframan, Mrs Cecil Bonomi and Laurie Maroney Courtesy Jim Bugno and Valda Bonomi

Still remembering, Jim says - "I knew the Hermit quite well and often went to visit him and have a chat. I met him when I was trapping rabbits in Irvin's paddock. He had built himself a fire place under a tree on the eastern side of what is now the aerodrome runway. He never cooked at the cave, but always away from it. He would hide there on 103

a weekend when people came to look at the cave and try to find him. He was thought to be a spy but truth is he was greatly disturbed in his mind and he would often say 'the white lady wants me to do this or that'. I think he was just a very lonely old man. He eventually went back to Italy where he died in 1952." In 1928 two very important events took place in the lives of the Bugno family. Another son, Oliver Gildo, was born, at Farm 1860, on 1 April 1928. This same year Tony purchased, from Rheads Motors (later Vaggs), their first motor vehicle - an A-Model truck. This truck is still in working condition and owned by the Bugno family of Farm 139, Hanwood. As a youngster Jim remembers the ice man coming once a week around the farms on his ice delivery. The butcher's cutting cart - "I think it was Mitchell's." The baker's delivery cart - "one was a Mr Jacobs and the other was Mr Edmiston's from The Star Bakery. Domenico Fuga would come around now and again selling fish. 'Mr Pete' with his ice cream van ringing his bell along the roads. To get a Id (one penny) or a 3d ice cream was a great treat for us kids. Antonio Aliprandi often doing his rounds selling clothes and materials and some other hawkers selling hardware. One in particular that I remember had a camel towing his wagonette. Later, Tod Rowley delivering the groceries around the farms in a panel van for W J Carney. Mr Palmer coming to service the Singer sewing machine in his green A-Model Ford car." Tony had realised very early on his arrival in Griffith that mastering the English language, to read and write it fluently, was very important. He became a British subject as soon as possible, teaching himself English from a dictionary. Because of this he would be approached to go as interpreter - for visits to the doctor, negotiations with banks, solicitors, the WC & IC, agents and many other problems which arose. He was involved in assisting in Consular matters such as preparing papers for proxy marriages. He was frequently invited to be MC at weddings and deliver funeral orations. As well as writing letters and helping Italian settlers to get their immigration papers, he assisted them to become Australian citizens so that they could buy their own farms for which he often acted as guarantor. In short, he soon became the unofficial translator and adviser to Northern and Southern Italians alike. When sometimes the Italian community was attacked, through letters to the local press, Tony was the spokesperson who defended their rights. Late in the 1930s Paul Zanotto approached Tony to see if it was feasible to build a Catholic Church at Yoogali. Up until then Mass was said in the Coronation Hall at Yoogali. Ten pounds (£10) per family, a lot of money in those times, was the suggested donation - £400 was raised. Tony Bugno accompanied a deputation to Monsignor Panico, the then Papal Nuncio and Apostolic Delegate to Australia in Sydney (Consul for the Vatican). Eventually Father Bongiorno, the first Italian speaking priest and a very 'special' man - was sent as a curate to the Griffith Parish. The church, Our Lady of Pompeii, was built in 1939 by Antonio Ceccato, for a contract price of £1,400. Antonio Bugno took the first load of stones from Scenic Hill to the building site ("and got bogged! "). Tony Bugno was amongst the founders of the Hanwood Catholic Club, from its frail beginning. He was guarantor for the building of the Coronation Hall. For entertainment most of the young Italian settlers would meet at the farm of Mr and Mrs Alvaro at Hanwood in the early years. They mainly played Bocce (Italian bowls) and would buy their beer in a four dozen case, each bottle individually wrapped in straw. 104

Many would stay on for a meal for a small fee. During these years they would also meet on alternative Sundays at Farm 651 Yoogali, owned by Giuseppe Cunial or Farm 451 Yoogali, the home of the Angelo Manera family. Here they played Bocce too, discussed the future and would have a meal before heading home - usually within four miles or so from Cunials or Maneras. Tony had great sympathy and concern for the young, single Italian man affected by loneliness and isolation. Although the majority settled well some did not and took to excessive drinking, which at times even resulted in suicide. For those needing to return to Italy but who did not have the means, he would organise a Colletta (collection) to provide the fare home. The fare at that time was about £25. Most Italians contributed to the cause. Any money over was given to the person to tide him over on the trip. Like other Italian men, despite having served four years with the Allied Forces during the 1914-18 War, Antonio Bugno was interned in 1940 when Italy entered the war on the side of Germany. (At this time Antonio's son, John, was serving with the AIF.) However, on returning from a trip to Italy in 1960, and landing in Fremantle, he was so happy to be back in Australia he is recorded as saying - "See Australia first!! It's a wonderful country and there's no place like it!!" For more than twenty years Antonio Bugno was the unofficial (and the first Italian) Social Worker who helped countless numbers of the early Italian settlers when the need arose. He was well respected by Italians and Australians alike. Antonio died 11 October 1978; Antonietta pre-deceased him on 16 July 1976. They are both buried in Griffith.

50th Wedding Anniversary

1. to R: Jim. Oli,er ("011ie"), Antonio, Antonietta, Mary (Dal Nevo), Mario Courtesy Jim Bugno

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Tony Bugno 1889-1978

Antonio Bugno born 20 January 1889 died 11 October 1978 buried Griffith

►

married 16 April 1917 • a

Antonietta Negro born 17 January 1894 died 16 July 1976 buried Griffith (Antonietta's two brothers, Angelo and Bottolemo Negro also settled in Griffith)

• I.

Maria born Italy 31 January 1918, died Italy July 1918.

Mario (John) born Possagno, Italy 15 November 1919, died 21 May 1970, buried at Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney (under the name of John Tracey); married Daphne Tracey. One son - Peter. (John served four years in AIF.)

Angelo born Italy, died Italy at the age of six months.

James Rino ("Jim") born Farm 669, Yoogali 15 July 1924; married Hazel Ceccato. Lives on Farm 38, Hanwood. Two children - Garry and Judith.

Mary Lena born Farm 669, Yoogali 6 May 1926; married Aldo Dal Nevo. Lives at Yenda. Two sons - Kevin and Neal.

Oliver Gildo ("011ie") born Farm 1860, Lake Wyangan 1 April 1928; married Marina Elizabeth Salvestro. Lives on Farm 139, Hanwood. Seven children - Anne, David, Joan, Mariee, Loretta, Carmel and Kathleen.

By courtesy of Jim Bugno, Farm 38, Hanwood 2680. 106

BULL A general entry for the Bull families appeared in "Series 1". In light of the fact that such a great deal more information has been forthcoming from the descendants regarding the circumstances under which the "Selectors" land was resumed, we feel it is important - for the sake of recorded local history as well as the personal aspect - that this further entry and documents be included in this Series. (The "Selectors" were Conditional Purchasers but commonly known as and referred to as "Selectors".) These documents have been kindly provided by Mrs Ella Lynch, the daughter of one of the Selectors - William Thomas ("Will") Bull of "Round Hill", Jondaryan or Whitton, as the area was then known. Eight individual members of the Bull family were among the landowners who were quite arrogantly and at extremely short notice given no choice about quitting their land nor consulted as to their opinion of its worth. (Elizabeth Emily Bull, the third daughter of Thomas and Emily Bull of "Meadow Bank" Jondaryan married Harold Davies of "Wendouree" part of which is where the aerodrome is now located; Mary Ellen Bull, their fourth daughter married Alfred Driver - their homestead block is now occupied by Riverina Nurseries). Not apparent at first glance is the fact that most of this Bull family (like many of the other Selectors) came here with their parents as children or very young adults in the 1880s when it was unfenced, virgin bush. Many of these people lived in tents and shacks for a number of years until they were sufficiently established to build their homesteads. (They didn't even have a ready supply of water. This came from underground wells which had to be dug and constructed by themselves.) Having achieved this they were then confronted with the years of horrific drought and the acute economic depression of the late 1890s and the early 1900s when, although their land was producing, commodity prices reached an all time low. However, as is so often the case in Australia, a series of such years are followed by the reverse. After a run of "good years" and "good prices" life was looking good!! Then, on 17 August 1911, they were "informed" by the then Murrumbidgee Irrigation Trust that they required "occupancy" of their properties "by the end of the make your arrangements accordingly"!! Four and a half months! year It has been expressed by some descendants that probably the greatest bitterness was felt by the women. Despite the years of effort to establish their homes and gardens (and apparently there were some nice ones) they were high-handedly told they were eligible to ballot for the new irrigation blocks but that no preference at all would be shown former occupants. What this meant in reality was they could draw the block adjacent to their former home only to see someone else move in while they had to begin all over again. Not at all surprising that almost all chose to leave and with great feelings of resentment and bitterness. Most received £3.10.0/£3.12.0 per acre in compensation, a figure sons and grandsons say that they considered to be half the value of the land at that time. Ed. 000000000

107

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The ,Declaration made by gra, ,(7 at _Ctiatz.re/aLt. on the - /. ' a/delliSerLAV wi refere,:ce to the 'Conditional Purchase described at fool hereof, baying been furnished, arrd it having been reported tbzrt.._2&_.. iztiiaiatad_. the balance of purchase moue, has been duly paid, 3 am now directed 61, the .)Minister for lands olift to you that be is satisfied, after due inquire, that the conditipns?residsanciinwv5pen4reseribed by Abe 111.„ Octet cgri ~dome' c~ 00C./ clause of t e 'Grown .and lunation et of 61, have been' completed in respect of the said -Conditional Purchase.

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The ,Deed of grant may be obtained al ane time hereafter be patment of the balance of the purchase money, with the interest, if any, then due ; but should such payment be deferred an instalment al the rate of one shilling per acre must be glid between lb, lit `January and 31st 31arch in each rear until the balance, inclusive of interest as prescribed br law, shall have /been dull/ paid, otherwise the Selection will 6e forfeited.

3 have the honor to be, •-__Atrea re/ er el,

'pour most obedient Servant,

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Notification that the conditions applying to the Conditional Purchase have been met and provided the additional purchase monies have been paid the land can be converted to Freehold.

neade vu,e< eele clove ,.., ° ] LA your rrply •

MURRUMBIDGE IRRIGATION TRUST eve '/e/ )Y. 17th August. /9/ 1.

Sir, I have to inform you that the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Trust propose, under the powers conferred upon them by the Uurrumbidgee Irrigation Act, to resume your holding of 1,247 acres, situated in the County of Cooper. Parish of Sondaria. The Trust wish to get into occupation of this property for t purpose of the construction of channels by the end of the year and for this purpose propose to effect the resumption a the earliest possible date.

You might take this as a noti-

fication that such resumption is to be effected and make you arrangements accordingly. I would suggest that you communicate with the Secretary of the Closer Settlement Advisory Board whose Offices are B. U. A. Buildings, ,52 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, placing a value upon your property, as all negotiations regarding compensation will be carried on between that Board and youreeli I have the honour to be. Sir, Your obedient Servant, W. T. Bull, Esq., VHITTOB. Executive Officer & Secretary, Uurrumbid,-;Pe Irrigation Trust.

109

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kurru:Aldgese IrrIzatien Trast ana re6umpt.en of iirrool Creek lance. In reeponde to your reproaentatiche that you may know the exact pepitton, I have to inform you that ;nu operations of the Truct neceL. ..itute inr134iata occupancy of your holding. inutroct..:0 to rut you to taco :.;:upe to I avi eivs vacant ;ouaeciicn of your property 1.0 the local Lheineer ut once. 7e:. of claim soma bliss furnishuo you, and tic. soon 4.3 you have rs:t.rnsd same and the Croan 2olicitor hue reportad upon your Litle, an crier of capondation will bo maa2 Tha sooner you comply with bleed t.„:0/1 the Cro.in valuutson. suunor the the neoeuuary for=alitieu in thia roupect, offer curl bu u.aes. In making your claim it to deoirable that you unuuld et. 1y any Ga w.Jla Csit you think uhould rsciive canaiacration 9y tn.+ Crown valuers, ana rely to an wirly vettlement,

Pleaoe accept this notifiation that arrang:munte muat bu muds for e;cedy vacation, so'4..hat tho -ark of cunetruotion and l=sio may.p 72.9eciz..

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Fla.,. pia&rf. esAwds..../V? ow you, Ivply

migoyfilQw4flegTION TRUST 9th 494.

Sir. I as directed by tbs. aurrumbidgee Irrigation Trust to infOr, you that approval has been given by theca to the resumption of yo, land on the. burrumbidgee Irrigation Areas, and to state that in about six weeks' time resumption will be officially notified in the Government Gavotte and your land will than becoao the proper of the Crown. In the meantime Us. Crowther, of this Papartmont, will mall on you and afford you full information with regard to your rowel ing on tha lured for a certain period, wad other natters. I Lava the honour to be, air, Your obedient Servant,

Executive Gina:Kir tic Secretary. aurrumbidgea Irr %talon Trust.

Mr. W. T. Bull, Meadow Bank, WHITTON.

111

Ella Lynch, daughter of Will and Agnes Bull says - "When it was necessary for the (pre-irrigation) settlers to move from the Jondaryan district, where they had spent many happy years, they scattered in all directions. "Three of the Driver brothers and Howard Edmondson moved to the Dubbo area. Harry and Jack Bull moved to the Sandigo district near Narrandera, accompanied by Michael Quilter. "My father, William Thomas Bull and Alf Driver, who was married to our aunt, Mary Ellen Bull, decided to move south. Sir Samuel McCaughey (an old friend of our father) had offered all the settlers as much land as they required on `Goolgumbla' Station, forty odd miles out from Jerilderie towards Hay. However, the settlers had to take what land they required in one area. Alf Driver and my father purchased between them 11,000 acres, divided into two blocks - Drivers taking 6,000 and my Dad 5,000, all one paddock. The original paddocks were very large William Thomas & Marion Augusta Agnes Bull indeed. (nee Kook) on their honeymoon "This land faced the Agnes, as she was known, wearing her "going away" dress Deniliquin/Coleambally main road and Courtesy Ella Lynch (née Bull) the back of Driver's portion the Carrathool Lane. Before they could move their stock a boundary fence had to be erected, fencing off the `Goolgumbla' country. None of the other settlers were interested in moving to that area. "There was a beautiful pine ridge running along the back portion of the properties and this came in very useful for all the fencing, yards, sheds, etc. that had to be built. It was near this ridge that both families built their homes. The Drivers were over two miles from us. "The first part of these new homes were two rooms - a kitchen and a bedroom. Before these were erected they lived on this new land in tents. "The country was good grazing land, once covered with huge boree trees but, in earlier years, the squatters had cut them down to feed stock in drought times. They had never grown the same again because the grubs kept killing them. It was wonderful wood for cooking and open fires and we used nothing else. "We were surrounded by huge Stations - `Goolgumbla' 96,000 acres, 'Steam Plains' 48,000 acres, 'Stud Park North', `Moombrea' 76,000 acres. The homesteads of these ranged from five, seven and nine miles away. However, this meant little to us as the 'station people' had nothing to do with us! It was just so isolated, especially for the women. Mrs Driver lived the first six months without speaking to another woman.

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"Roads, if they could be called that, were just wagon tracks. All our food and other supplies Dad brought by wagon every six or nine months and all other supplies had to be brought from Deniliquin - 48 miles away. Conargo, 26 miles away, consisted of a small store, Post Office and hotel. There were twenty-five gates to be opened and shut to reach Conargo on the way to Deniliquin. In the beginning there were no cars. We purchased our first car in 1918 and it was a great asset except that the roads were so bad. We had to take it in turns when the car was used because being a family of eight, each time some had to stay at home. Everything was made at home - bread, jams, soap, butters, etc. Flour and sugar were bought in large jute bags. "I was born two years after my parents moved to this new country and as the Driver children were older than us I had no company at all. My brothers played cricket amongst themselves but there wasn't any social life whatsoever. We had governesses to teach us when our parents could get them to come and later we were sent to boarding school for two years. That made it even worse when you had to return home to the bush as in those days parents expected you to stay and help and few thought to do otherwise. "Really there were no conveniences of any kind - after a few years we did get a dripsafe. We lived without a telephone until 1935. The Stations would not allow us to connect up with their lines. Eventually the Drivers and ourselves ran a line twenty-six miles, at our own expense, to Conargo. In 1937 we had a kerosene refrigerator installed. "In those days there was, of course, no stock transport and all stock was driven along the roads. The dust and dust storms were dreadful - not to mention the heat and the isolation. Swagmen passed our door regularly as they moved from station to station. "The toilet was a hole in the ground with a mobile building placed over it. From time to time this was moved to fresh locations. The toilet was always at least 100 yards distance from the house - daily exercise! It was also a great hiding place for snakes! Newspapers and fashion catalogues, which the large city stores sent out regularly, always ended up there - a great place to catch up with fashions and news! "Years later `Moombrea' Station was cut up into 6,000 and 10,000 acre blocks but up to date homes have not been built on them. Most of the blocks were bought by Melbourne dwellers who had not developed them so the place is still as isolated - except for the cars and a better road. The other Stations did not sub-divide any of their land. "My father called his property `Waringah'. The old home still stands there but has not been lived in for over thirty years - it still belongs to one of my brothers. They all moved closer to Deniliquin where there is more social life. I left the area in 1949. At this time we still had just kerosene lamps and a kerosene refrigerator. Between 1960/70 a bitumen road was built past the boundary and in recent years electricity has been taken past the boundary. "After pioneering the virgin country to which they went when they settled in Jondaryan my parents and their contemporaries were virtually just 'getting on their feet', after a progression of drought years, when they were forced to move off this land and start afresh. Again they experienced many hardships, including a bushfire in 1919 which burnt all the feed except for 1,000 acres. However, they were lucky as they did not lose any stock or buildings. The Driver family lost quite a few sheep in that fire." William Bull passed away on 3 February 1956 aged 89 years and his wife Agnes on 15 March 1964 aged 861/2 years. Both are buried in the Deniliquin cemetery.

By courtesy of Ella Lynch (née Bull), 3 Bonner St, Kelso 2795

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THE OLD HOMESTEAD

By Ella Lynch (née Bull)

I returned to the old home one morning, After an absence of many years, Just to take one last long look, 'Twas hard not to shed some tears.

Where once the sound of laughter, And patter of little feet, Was now replaced by a clatter From a loosened roofing sheet.

There stood the pepper and gum trees, Our Mother had helped to grow, To shelter the old Homestead. They were planted in a row.

The shrubs and beautiful roses with scent and blossoms rare, Had over the years quickly vanished. Once more the garden lay bare.

Our parents had gone there as pioneers, With a sulky, horse team and dray. The hours they toiled were long and hard, Not short as they are today.

The cattle yards were falling down, Where the milkers once had fed, And the rafters sagged and rotted On the front of the old cart shed.

They fought the hardships and droughts, Till their family dreams came true, And as they slaved and prospered A few more comforts they knew.

My childhood memories kept returning As I stood there looking that day Then I heard the pepper trees whisper, "It's lonely since you all went away".

The homestead, woodshed and yards, Had been built with meticulous care. They filled the old folk with pride Each time they worked in them there.

As I closed the gate for the very last time, The gums murmured "Don't look back". So I slowly drove my car away Once more down the rough bush track.

Now where once pride and hope had been built By a stout-hearted couple, in their day, Slowly faded their years of toil As the family had all moved away.

Now often I see homes in the country Left to rot and decay, Whilst country folk drift to the city "To seek an existence", they say.

There stood the old home deserted, Cobwebs with dust to share, Battered by storms and rain With nobody left to care.

The pioneer spirit has vanished, That once our parents bore Very soon this country of ours will be owned, By folk from another shore.

000000000

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BURGHART GROWING UP IN YENDA IN THE THIRTIES I moved to Yenda in 1936 with my parents, Ted and Pearl Burghart, my elder brother Neil and my sister Pauline. I was sixteen and she was fourteen and it would be hard to find a better place to have spent one's youth. Yenda had all the advantages of a big town but with the freedom and friendliness of a small one. We moved from a 2,000 acre farm near Tullibigeal with all our worldly possessions on the back of an old 30cwt truck, to take up residence behind the dress shop that we had bought from Mrs Daisy Allen. It was opposite the Police Station with a tennis court next door. As time went by we expanded the first shop to include men's wear and opened two more shops, one next door, which became a grocery and general store and one two doors from the Police Station towards the Post Office, which became a fruit shop. All three buildings are still standing today (1992), but none are now trading.

Venda - c.1936. Burghart's Store Charlie Keys (with pipe and white shirt) standing on a load of timber. Next person unknown. Alf Miller at driver's door (his truck) Courtesy Dick Burghart

You have to remember that Australia was in its greatest Depression and times were very hard. I recall single men on the dole received seven shillings and sixpence (7/6d) a week, not in money - but a slip of paper that they received at the Police Station then brought to our shop to get groceries. They could not get another dole slip until they had travelled at least ten miles looking for work. In those days drugs and crime was almost unheard of, in fact one would wonder why we needed a Policeman at all; he certainly didn't stop Reg Lenny, the publican, from trading after hours or the local SP bookie from operating, or us young ones getting up to our tricks; such as the night we went along and turned off the petrol in the cars of the patrons at the picture show!! 115

Most of the cars in the thirties had vacuum tanks so that's where we could turn the petrol off - allowing the cars to start and drive a short distance before they stopped. We took up our positions on the awning over Muir's Milk Bar and enjoyed the dilemma we had caused, as various drivers swore they would never go back to that garage again! Several husbands were less than polite when their wives made suggestion on what the trouble might be. There were two milk bars in town. The Greek one around the corner and Muir's facing the park where most of the young people met, particularly at night; and then there was the CWA Hall where all the dances were held. I am sure many people like myself would have many fond memories of those occasions and also the numerous birthday and engagement parties held in the homes. Of course there was the swimming in the canals and the tennis on our court. How I remember rolling and marking the court week after week and with so many friends turning up, hardly ever getting a game! But perhaps the main entertainment for young people were the Church groups. Most of the locals belonged to one or the other denominations. But here again I must mention, in that era, Catholics and Protestants did not mix socially. However, Grocery & General Store owned by the Burghart's we young people seemed to find a way in the 1930's. Dick on a visit to Yenda in 1989. around this. As after all, at night, you couldn't tell one from the other!! Sadly the custom in those days gone by was that the people nearly all worked on "tick" or credit - which meant they paid for last week's groceries when they got this week's order (or were supposed to) but as many of them got behind with their payments we in turn couldn't pay for our goods and so the shops were forced to close and sell our remaining stock to Blackman Bros before leaving Yenda. We returned to Sydney where my Mother and Father died some years ago and where my sister and I still reside.

Edwin Herbert Burghart born York, England 23 July 1884 died Sydney NSW 25 June 1962

married •

Margaretha Pearl Peters born Gulgong NSW 4 July 1884 died Sydney NSW 17 June 1955

• * Neil born 19 September 1916, died 1980.

Lionel Herbert ("Dick") born 5 October 1920. Lives at Sydney.

Pauline born 28 March 1922. Lives at Sydney.

By courtesy of Dick Burghart, PO Box 26, Sylvania Waters 2224. 116

BYRNES In 1899 Joseph Patrick Byrnes was born at Yarrawonga, Victoria. He was the son of Patrick John Byrnes of St James near Benalla, Victoria and Bessie (née Higgins) from Boozie, Victoria. (Both Patrick John and Bessie are buried in the Roman Catholic Section of the Benalla Cemetery). Joe was one of seven children. Three Sisters (Jean, Vera and Molly) and three brothers (Jack, Fred and Tim). He farmed a dry area property in Yarrawonga, Victoria for some years and in 1919 he married school teacher Emily Rhodes at Tocumwal NSW. The same year severe drought ruined his crops and Joe and Emily decided to come to the Irrigation Area. They travelled from Yarrawonga via Urana and Narrandera by a buggy with two ponies and with a horse and sulky tied behind. They stopped in hotels along the way. Joe Byrnes - c.1985 When they arrived in this Area there were very few houses. They called on the O'Meara family whom Emily had known from Daysdale where she had attended school with them. Joe and Emily stayed with them for a while. They then moved to a tent at the "Fitters Camp" which was a camp of tents set among the pine trees where the A-Line Motel now stands. The tent was quite comfortable having timber floors. At the camp there was a boarding house amongst the pines and Emily cooked meals for single men living there whilst Joe worked in the Fitters Shop opposite where Nugans is today and on the site where the Water Resources Depot still is. Work involved making water wheels and servicing the trucks and fixing carts and so on. Prior to commencing at the Fitters Shop Joe worked at Bagtown in the Blacksmiths Shop where there were two Blacksmiths, Jim Goodwin and Herb Smith. Joe travelled to Bagtown in a horse and sulky. Joe and Emily had two children:- Sylvia born in 1920 at Narrandera and married Stan Braithwaite. Sylvia still lives in Griffith. Des born in 1922 in the Fitters' Camp and was delivered by Dr Watkins and Sister Foster. Des resides in Coogee, New South Wales. In 1922 the family moved to Wakaden Street where they built their first house and they remained there for many years before Emily passed away in 1943. In 1944 whilst in Wangaratta Joe met Sheila Mulcair, a nurse. They married the following year. Sheila was one of eleven children from Goornong, Victoria and when she arrived in Griffith she worked at the St Lukes Hospital (opposite the Jondaryan Club and now used as flats). In 1946 Joe and Sheila built a new home (along side the first home) at 263 Wakaden Street which is next door to where John Ritchie and family resides now. 117

Joe commenced work as a Water Bailiff with the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission in 1949. He would collect cards from boxes beside the road. These cards indicated the volume of water required by the farmers and from these orders the regulator attendant would arrange the necessary water over the next couple of days. The Water Bailiffs unscrewed the regulators to allow the water to run from the supply channels to the farm supply ditches. The amount of water allocated to the individual farms was measured by a Dethridge wheel in acre feet. The wheel was pushed around by the flow of water and each revolution was counted on a meter fixed to the axle of the wheel. The water measured is paid for by the farmers. Joe and Sheila had three children - Paul born in Griffith in 1946 and now residing in Alice Springs. Margaret born in Griffith in 1952 married to Graeme Trevett. Residing in Griffith with two children, Marni and Joelan. Brian born in Griffith in 1953 married to Jenny Wakley. Residing in Mildura with three children, Brent, Heidi and Todd. Sheila Byrnes passed away in 1979 after a long illness. Joe throughout his life had a strong passion for horses. Indeed he became a very accomplished harness racing driver and trainer and spent many hours daily with his horses preparing them for races. He developed a strong friendship with Neville Thompson and the two of them would travel the racing circuit together picking up many wins over the years and making many friends. Perhaps the most memorable win for Joe was in 1968 when "Alibeep" won at the famous Harold Park Track in Sydney.

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Joe was almost 80 years of age when he finally gave up his association with horses. However he continued to monitor the performances of those he had become so well acquainted with over the years. Very fit for his age Joe, lived by himself and loved to cook for his family and friends. He continued to drive his car until he turned 90 when he decided to hand in his license. After a short illness Joseph Patrick Byrnes passed away at the Griffith Nursing Home on 5 January 1991 at the age of 91 years. Entry and photographs by courtesy of Margaret Trevett (née Byrnes), 22 Carinya Street, Griffith 2680. 118

CALABRIA Pasquale Calabria was born in the mountain town of Plati, Reggio Calabria, Italy. His father, Francesco Calabria, (c.1828-1913) of Plati who was a farmer, fought with the Southern Italian Army for eight years until the unification of Italy after which he married Saveria Murabito (née Sergi, c.1841-1921) also of Plati - a widow whose first husband Giuseppe Murabito, had died. (Saveria and Giuseppe Murabito had one child, Caterina, who remained in Italy, but some of her descendants travelled to Australia - some to the Griffith area. Caterina married Giuseppe Catanzariti and there were four surviving children Antonio, Saveria, Domenico and Guiseppina.) Francesco and Saveria Calabria had four sons - all born in Plati: *

Domenico (1874-13 Jan 1951) who married Caterina Sergi. They settled in Griffith. Seven children - Francesco, Maria, Pasquale, Giuesappina, Antonio, Loretta and Giuseppe.

Vincenzo (1875-1951) who married Victoria Catanzariti. They settled in the USA. Three children - Francesco, Giuseppina and Giuseppe.

Giuseppe (1879-1954) who married Anna Pangallo. They settled in Griffith. Ten children - Maria, Francesco, Caterina, Lucia, Domenica, Pasquale, Antonio, Domenico, James, Saverina. (See following entry.)

PASQUALE (17 Sep 1881 - 2 Jun 1971) who married ELISABETTA SERGI (26 October 1896-16 Jul 1985). They settled in Griffith. Elisabetta was the daughter of Domenico Sergi and Maria (nee Pangallo). Her father had travelled to and from the USA in the 1800s three times prior to her birth.

Pasquale and Elisabetta Calabria picking peaches on Farm 1293 about 1946 Courtesy Morrie Calabria

119

When Pasquale Calabria was about sixteen years old, in about 1897/98, he travelled with some friends first to England then by boat from Liverpool to Canada where he remained and worked for about seven years. Travelling west, Pasquale had various jobs including work with the Canadian Pacific Railway as a maintenance man (a navvy). He was also a watchman with three wooden bridges to monitor and maintain. This entailed patrolling eleven miles between the bridges, watching for fires and helping to extinguish them. Pasquale was in Canada when the "big fire" went from California to Canada via the Rocky Mountains. Pasquale travelled to the USA to see his eldest brother, Domenico, and his future brother-in-law, Antonio Sergi. In the USA, Pasquale worked in a paper factory in Chicago this was about 1907. Other employment over the years included that of a maintenance man for Western Electric, as a cook and as a masseur in a USA hospital. The USA did not enter World War I until 6 April 1917. Prior to this Pasquale was given the option of fighting for the allies by either joining the USA Army or returning home and joining the Italian Army. Pasquale wanted to see his mother before going to war, his father having died in 1913. About July 1915 Pasquale returned, saw his mother, and enlisted in the Italian Infantry, initially as a machine gunner, before later being involved in communications including work on telephone lines. He was involved in the conflict till the end of the war, mainly fighting in the Alps to the North of Italy (Treviso). During the fighting Pasquale prayed and promised that if he should return home safely to Plati from the war he would make a candle as heavy as his own body weight and carry it from Plati to the Church of Our Lady of Polsi at the nearby town of Polsi. He kept that promise and Father Beltrame of the Griffith Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church reported that the large candle was still there in 1988 when he visited Polsi. Pasquale and Elisabetta (nee Sergi) were married on 17 March 1919 at Plati. Pasquale returned to the USA seeking work. By 1921 he had asked Elisabetta to follow him but before she could the Depression made it impossible, so he returned to Plati. Their first three children were born in Plati - Francesco, Domenico and Antonio. Sadly, Domenico died in Plati aged about four years. Pasquale's brother, Vincenzo ("Vince"), travelled to the USA and settled there. The eldest brother, Domenico, had travelled to Australia and to Griffith in about 1922 as did his brother, Giuseppe ("Joe") a few years later. In about March 1925 Pasquale arrived in Sydney, travelling to Cessnock and Berrima where he found work. In Berrima a Mr Taylor employed Pasquale in the quarries shovelling gravel for £1 per day. When Pasquale arrived he was wearing yellow (orange) socks so Mr Taylor employed him initially thinking he was Irish (Protestant) and calling him Paddy. Later that same year Pasquale travelled to Griffith at about the time the Victoria and Griffith Hotels were being built. There was no work available initially so he travelled to Hay and worked on Ritchie's farm pulling out stumps. Brother Domenico, who had been in Griffith since about 1922, had a contract with the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission to do the pruning of vines and peach trees on the farms that had been forfeited by some of the returned servicemen who could not economically remain on them. When Pasquale returned to Griffith he worked with Domenico, later becoming a leader of the "work gang" due to his knowledge of English and his ability to translate for the other Italian workers. They lived in sheds made of tin and hessian bags on Harry Murray's block at Hanwood. The "gang" walked to and from work each day to farms in Hanwood, Bilbul and Yenda. In summer they sometimes camped under the trees if working at Yenda. In 1927 Pasquale and his brother, Giuseppe ("Joe"), purchased Farm 302, Bilbul. Joe managed the farm whilst Pasquale continued working as a labourer. 120

Elisabetta Calabria and her two surviving sons, Francesco and Antonio, travelled on the English P & 0 Steamer "Otranto" in 1930 leaving Naples on 12 January, travelling via Colombo and Fremantle WA before arriving in Melbourne on 8 February where they were met by Pasquale at the wharf. The train trip to Griffith was hot! The new immigrants did not like the heat nor the mosquitos and flies. There was no river in Griffith which contrasted with Plati where a fast flowing mountain river passed through the town. There was no industry in the town which was mainly an agricultural area. On 8 August 1933 Pasquale was "Naturalised" and along with his wife and two children became an "Australian Citizen". The same year Pasquale sold his interest in Farm 302 Bilbul to his brother, Joe. In 1936 Pasquale purchased Irrigation Farm Purchase (IFP) No 1293 at West Griffith. (Some twenty years later he acquired an additional area on the Hillston Road at Tharbogang.) Initially the farm was owned by Byron Aubrey Campbell until it was forfeited to the Rural Bank under the Government Savings Bank Act 1906 (NSW) S.69 At the sale on 31 October 1936 Pasquale purchased Farm 1293 for £950 with a deposit of £117 and mortgage of £833. The Calabria family lived in the house on the farm. Elisabetta and Pasquale had a further four children whilst in the Griffith area Saveria ("Vera"), Dominic ("Dom"), Mario ("Morrie") and Orlando ("Ron"). The Calabria children all worked on the original farm and now all own farms in the Griffith area. Many of Pasquale and Elisabetta's grandchildren and great grandchildren also still live in the area.

L to R: Standing - Tony, Teresa and Ron Calabria, Vera Sergi (nee Calabria), Barbara, Frank, Morrie and Dom Calabria Sitting - Mary Calabria, Frank Sergi, Frances and Shirley Calabria. Courtesy Morrie and Barbara Calabria and with permission from Marie's Photographics

121

Christening of Peter Calabria, son of Morrie and Barbara (nee Buckle) - 1961 L to R: Back - Pasquale Calabria, Fred Buckle, John Duffell, Roy Duffel', Shirley Calabria (nee Byford), Wendy Williams (nee Buckle) Centre - Elisabetta Calabria (nee Sergi), Dorothy Buckle (née Bickerstaff) holding baby Peter Calabria, Dom Calabria holding Christine Calabria, Sylvia Duffel! (now Allen) Front - Shirley Duffel' (née Buckle), Alexander Calabria, Nicholas Calabria, Mark Williams Courtesy of Nicholas Calabria PASQUALE & ELISABETTA'S FAMILY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Francesco ("Frank") born Plati 11 March 1922; died 1 March 1992. Married Francesca ("Frances") Sergi. Five children - Elizabeth, Patrick, Dennis, Kevin and Kathleen. Frances lives at Hanwood. Domenico born Plati July 1923; died aged 3 years 8 months old. Antonio ("Tony") born Plati 29 October 1924. Married Maria Grace Staltare. Five children - Pasquale (Pat), Elizabeth, Domenic, Roy and Kathleen. Tony and Maria live at Hanwood. Saveria ("Vera") born Hanwood 29 October 1930. Married Francesco ("Frank") Sergi. Five Children Antonio ("Tony"), Patrick, Anna, Elisabeth and Joseph. Vera and Frank live at Hanwood. Dominic Frederick ("Dom") born Griffith 4 April 1932. Married Shirley Byford. Four children Christine, Helen, Liza and Mathew. Dom and Shirley live at Hanwood. Mario Peter ("Morrie") born Bilbul 15 October 1933. Married Barbara Buckle. Three sons - Nicholas, Alexander and Peter. Morrie and Barbara live at Tharbogang. Orlando Oliver ("Ron") born Griffith 10 April 1938. Married Teresa Calabria. Four children Elizabeth, Lee-Ann, Patrick and Bernadette. Ron and Teresa live at West Griffith.

Compiled by Nicholas P Calabria (son of Morrie and Barbara Calabria) with the assistance of the children of Pasquale and Elisabetta and their families. 122

CALABRIA Giuseppe Calabria, the third son of Francesco and Saveria Calabria, was born in Plati, Reggio Calabria, Italy. (See previous entry for family background). Giuseppe travelled to the USA when he was about seventeen years of age to seek work. His older brother, Domenico, was already in the USA. Sometime during this period he also visited British Columbia. For the next seventeen years he worked at various jobs in America - such as the railways and mining. He returned to Plati, Italy in the early war years (WWI), and took up fanning, growing olive trees, chestnuts etc. On 15 October 1915 he married Anna Pangallo, the daughter of Pasquale Pangallo and Maria (nee Carboni) of Plati, Italy. Giuseppe and Anna had two children, a girl Maria and a boy Francesco. Giuseppe then travelled once again to the USA with his brother, Pasquale in 1919. However as things, work-wise, were not good in America because of the recession they returned to Italy in 1921. Three more children were born in Plati. The twins, Caterina and Lucia and Dominica. Giuseppe then decided to try Australia where his older brother, Domenico, had migrated (his other brother, Vincenzo, stayed in the USA). He arrived in 1924 and tried to obtain a mining job but was unsuccessful, so took up farming. With his brother, Pasquale, they purchased Farm 302, Bilbul (a fruit farm) and worked this till Pasquale sold his share to Giuseppe in 1933. Anna arrived at Melbourne in 1929 with the five children and were met by Giuseppe and they travelled back to Griffith by train. Five more children were born in Griffith between 1930-1935. Due to bad years of rain, during 1939 Giuseppe lost his farm to the Bank and he purchased a small two and a half acre block at Beelbangera (Lot 1661) and grew vegetables.

Giuseppe Calabria

Anna Calabria (nee Pangallo)

123

Calabria Family - c.1939 L to R - Back: Lucia, Dominica, Caterina Front: Pasquale, Giuseppe, Dominic, Saveria, James, Anna, Antoni

Calabria Family - 1990 L to R - Back: James, Antoni, Pasquale, Dominic, Francesco Front: Saveria, Dominica, Maria, Lucia, Caterina Photo by Marie's Photographics

124

Giuseppe and Anna were naturalised on 12 February 1930. They spent the remainder of their lives on the farm at Beelbangera. Giuseppe died on 28 February 1954 aged 76 years and Anna passed away on 15 September 1966 at the age of 69 years. They are buried together in the Roman Catholic Section of the Griffith Cemetery.

GRJSEPPE & ANNA'S FAMILY 1.

Maria Saveria born Plati 7 April 1917; married (1) Salvatori Trimarchi; one child Camilla. Married (2) Pietro Luigi Augustino Guinteri; six children - Gino, Lino, Dino, Joyce, Ena, Rino (dec'd) and Norma. Maria and Pietro live in Sydney.

Francesco born Plati 22 September 1918; married Giovannina De Agnoli; two children - Roy and Lorraine. Francesco and Giovannina live in Griffith.

Lucia born Plati 13 December 1922; married Bortolo Dal Broi; three children Jean, Kenneth, Denise (dec'd). Lucia and Bortolo live in Griffith.

Caterina born Plati 13 December 1922; married Gaetano Vittorio Zuccolotto; no children. Caterina and Gaetano live in Griffith.

Dominica born Plati 17 November 1924; married Pietro Jamaro De Martin; two children - Maureen and Peter Terry. Dominica and Pietro live in Griffith.

Pasquale born Griffith 24 June 1930; died Griffith 25 May 1990; married Marjorie Lorraine Hahm; three children - Christine, Lynette and Stephen. Marjorie lives in Griffith.

Antoni born Griffith 15 August 1931; died Forster NSW 26 November 1991; married Maryanne Marguerite Vico; two children - Peter and Garry. Maryanne lives at Forster NSW.

Dominic born Griffith 1 January 1933; married Patricia Mared Nelson; seven children - Allan (dec'd), Brian, Paul, Bruce (dec'd), Rodney, Julie and Suzanne. Dominic and Patricia live at "Sandy Valley" at Tabbita.

James born Griffith 1 April 1934; married Madge Muriel Nelson; four children Sheryl, David, Robert and Barry. James and Madge live in Griffith.

10.

Saveria born Griffith 14 November 1935; married Augusto Torresan; four children - Mario, Anna, Bruno and Diana. Saveria and Augusto live at Adelaide SA.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Madge Calabria (née Nelson), 43 Ortella Street, Griffith 2680. 125

CARNELL James Claude Carnell arrived in Griffith from Barellan in 1928. Known by his second name, Claude, he was born in Yass in 1890, the second son of James and Hepzibah Carnell (née Bush). With the discovery of gold in West Wyalong in 1894 the family moved to that district and Claude completed his education at the Wyalong Public School. In 1912 after working in the mines Claude went to New Zealand and with the outbreak of the Great War enlisted with the New Zealand army, serving in France. Wounded in his leg, which left him with a permanent limp, Claude was hospitalised in England until his discharge in 1919. Following his return to Australia he moved to the Binya district where he worked on his brother Mick's property before going into a machinery business in Barellan. It was here he met Margaret Darcy who was working at Black's Store, and they were married in 1928 in St Benedict's Church, Broadway (Sydney). It was also at this time that he accepted a position as a sales representative with H V McKay Massey Harris, the position he held until his death on 18 November 1952. He is Claude Citroen Courtesy the Carnell Family buried in the Presbyterian section of the Griffith Cemetery. On arrival in Griffith, Claude and Margaret - better known as Meg - lived in Wakaden Street, then Binya Street, before building the family home at 4 Animoo Avenue where they raised their six children. Being community minded Claude gave generously of his time as a board member of the Griffith District Hospital and was subsequently made a Life Member. He was an early member of the Jondaryan Club, a committee member for many years and a very active bowler and worked hard with others to establish the Griffith Gun Club. During World War II he played an active part in setting up the facilities for the troops at the "loop line". Early hours of the morning often found them at work there providing showers and meals for the troops who were passing through by train. Always involved with his work, he worked with Hedley Taylor in the development of rice headers for the Griffith district.

126

Opening of the Griffith Gun Club L to R: Jim Theodore, Bill Gibbs, George Enticknap, Percy Hamilton, Claude Can►ell, Ted Fromholtz Courtesy the Carnal Family

Michael Darcy (1871-1923) married Ellen Meligan (1872-1913)

James Charles Carnell (1859-1899) married Hephzibah Bush (1860-1943) James Claude Carnell (1890-1952) (7th of 8 children)

Margaret Darcy (1902-1974) eldest of 2 children

married 1928

Joan born 18 January 1930; married Kenneth Beecher; four children - Margaret, Anne, John and Robert.

Helen born 12 April 1932; married Harold Thomas Davoren; five children - Anthony, Paul, Gregory and twins Jennifer and Brian.

Barry James born 14 October 1934; married June Tracy; eight children - twins Kerry and Michael (dec'd), Julianne, Peter, Catherine, Paul, Gregory and Christopher.

Margaret born 21 February 1937. William John born 2 May 1939; married Dorothy McDonald; two children - Robert and Andrew.

Michael Darcy born 19 July 1942; married Gloria De Valentin; four children - Garry, Richard, Timothy and Paula.

By courtesy of Barry Came11.

127

CARNEY Walter and Eliza Carney arrived in Griffith with their four children from Collarenebri in 1927. They purchased the General Store in Banna Avenue and a home in Wakaden Street from the Cleary family. The General Store and the family home were directly opposite, separated by the railway lines.

The Carney Family L to R: Joan, John, Eliza, Walter, Mary and Terry ("Tim")

The first years were hard working ones and a three year drought (in what was known then as the dry area) plus the Depression, made it difficult for a general business to prosper. However, the worst disaster by far was the devastating fire that swept through the store on the day before Christmas Eve in 1928. It was also the first fire for the newly formed fire brigade. With a fierce northerly wind blowing and extremely hot weather there was little they could do - the store was completely razed to the ground. By New Year, however, with the help of Sydney warehouses and special goods trains, a temporary grocery store was opened and operated until the original store was re-built. The general store known as "W J Carney and Son" was founded and built on loyalty. All members of the family worked together in the store making it into a real family concern and the staff of twenty-five to thirty were always considered as members of the family. During the war years other difficulties presented themselves. Rationing of clothes, sugar, butter and tea. ID (identification) cards and coupons had to be presented for purchase 128

of these items. Tobacco caused the most concern as not only were customers annoyed by the restrictions but burglaries were frequent. Tobacco and cigarettes had to be locked away in a safe each evening. Elder son, John, as well as running the office of his family business, became an amateur photographer of considerable note. Awards for his work number a great many internationally as well as Australia wide. Before his marriage all his processing was done in his mother's laundry. Walter and Eliza Carney sold the business and retired in 1949 and moved to Vaucluse in Sydney where they lived until Walter died in 1970 aged 85 years and Eliza died in 1978 aged 89 years.

'THE MURRUMBIDGEE IRRIGATOR' Friday, December 28, 1928 GRIFFITH FIRE C4RNEY'S STORE BURNT Residents of Griffith were startled at 8 o'clock last Sunday morning by the roar of the new fire fighting engine which was on the way to subdue its first fire which had started in Carney's store. The brigademen did themselves proudly and soon after their arrival at the area of the outbreak they had it confined to the one store. There was good supply of water, but the fire had a strong hold when the alarm was given and the brigade did well to confine it to the one store. The place was completely ruined and the entire stock lost, but had it not been for the services of the brigade the outbreak undoubtedly would have spread and the resulting damage would have been tremendous. The loss is estimated at £15,000 which is covered by insurance.

The Carney Home in Wakaden Street

John Patrick O'Shea-Carney Schoolteacher/farmer married Arabella Letitia Butt •

Walter James Carney born 19 May 1885 died 28 August 1970

married

John Joseph Lyons born Ireland 1857 married Mary Ann O'Rourke • Eliza Bridget Lyons born 29 April 1888 died 15 February 1978

John Patrick born 22 April 1910; died 1979. Maimed Hannah Hickey (dec'd). One daughter - Carol-Anne.

Mary born 20 June 1912; died 1970. Married Ken Goodland (dec'd). Three sons - Terrance, Kenneth (dec'd) and Anthony.

Terence Joseph born 6 May 1915; died 1982. Married Joan Hynes (dec'd). Two daughters - Patricia and Mary Ann.

Joan born 23 November 1920. Married Patrick Kearney McNally (dec'd). Two children - Susan Jane and Stephen John ("Sam") and three grand-children - Liam, Claire and Eamonn. Joan now lives in Mentone, Victoria.

JOHN CARNEY

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Joan McNally (nee Carney), Mentone 3194. 129

CAVENAGH Twins were born to Patrick and Kinsena Cavenagh on 29 February 1884 at Deniliquin NSW. They were named Claude Patrick and Agnes Grace. Patrick was born in Ireland and Kinsena McKay was born at Moulamein on 13 September 1857. Patrick and Kinsena were married at Deniliquin on 3 May 1873. They both died at Lockhart NSW, Kinsena on 24 September 1919 and Patrick on 17 May 1925. Claude Cavenagh married Claude and Ettie Cavenagh Henrietta Wilkins on 26 September 1914 at Coolamon. Pat Hamilton, the daughter of "Ettie" and Claude said "Mum was born on 8 January 1894 at Mulgoa. Mum's father was William Ezra Wilkins of Camberwell, Surrey, England and her mother was Harriett Pyke of Auckland, New Zealand. "When her parents died, my Mother and her brother, Bill, and sister, Alice, went to live with her Aunt, Mrs Keating, at Lidcombe. Although Mum was only thirteen years old, she took care of a sister and a brother. Her sister died when she was twelve years old. She had a fall off a swing when she was ten and developed osteomyelitis. "Mum met Dad when she was visiting her sister, Jess, and her brother-in-law, Alec McLean, at Lockhart. Dad was a butcher there. The 1914 War had broken out and Dad's brother Angus and Alec McLean joined up in the armed forces. Dad was needed to run the butchers shop for his parents. "I was born at Lockhart the next year, on 26 July 1915, and my brother, Raymond, was born on 8 May 1919. My sister, Joyce, was born 3 November 1925 in Sydney. Our father worked at 'Bel!trees' Station near Scone, as a butcher, during the Depression years. My mother's brothers, Harry and Bill Wilkins, had a bakers shops at Lockhart and Urana. "The family moved to Whitton about 1930 and to Griffith in 1932. Dad first worked for Mrs Irvin at her butcher shop - she had a daughter, Vera. They were great horsewomen and usually wore jodhpurs. They would attend the sales, on horseback, and buy stock for their butcher shop. The meat was killed then by the individual butchers. Dad was the slaughter man for Mrs Irvin. He would never let us eat lamb's fry or heart unless he killed it himself, because of the danger of diseased meat. There were no meat inspectors in those days. He then worked for the butcher, Mr Burcher. We lived first in Couch Road and later at the corner of Canal and Kooyoo Streets in a house owned by Mr Cecil Leckie. Then in 1947 Dad and Mum bought a house from Mr Burcher at 14 Noorebar Ave. Our neighbours were Jack and Dorothy Berthon, Tony and Betty Wood who used to live in Yenda. Ron and Ada Millynn lived a few doors further down. "Mum was a generous woman. During the Depression years Dad would bring home meat bones and Mum always had a big iron pot of soup on the stove. When the `Swaggies' 130

called the table was always set ready for them. As well as rearing her own three, she reared two of her sister's children and two of Dad's brother's boys. We were a very happy family. Their mothers had both died of consumption. Mum was so concerned she made us have regular tests for tuberculosis. "I was the Town Queen in the competition for the District Hospital in Griffith in 1938. Kath O'Donnell won this competition by raising the most money. "I married John Robert Hamilton on 23 December 1939, in Sydney. After the War the "Welcome Home Committee" planned concerts and dances. Cliff Thorne was President and I was the Secretary. I was in charge of the drapery department at Fred Eardleys for years until 1976. My brother, Ray (Army No. NX 35769) died while a prisoner-ofwar of the Japanese in Borneo on 2 June 1945. My younger sister, Joyce, worked at Dave Taylor's store before she married Ray Tyson. She was the first female secretary of the Griffith Show Society and remained in that position for sixteen years, retiring in 1988. "My mother, 'Effie' Cavenagh, was a much loved lady. After the death of her only son, Ray, she always had a couple of Bank boys as boarders Jack Hamilton and Pat (née Cavenagh) and lavished her love and care on them. She devoted Six days before Jack sailed much time to the Anglican Church being a member overseas on 6 Jan 1940 of the Mothers' Union. At her funeral I remember Archdeacon Twigg saying that the word 'love' epitomised 'Effie'. She died at Griffith on 9 September 1972. Dad died eleven years earlier on 15 July 1961, also in Griffith. A headstone for Claude, Henrietta and their son Ray is in the Church of England section of the Griffith Cemetery."

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Mrs Pat Hamilton (né.e Cavenagh), "Nassau", 6/20 Francis Street, Tweed Heads 2485. 131

CHADNEY Win Mason (née Chadney) recounts "My father was born Fredrick Herbert Chadney in 1871 in Norwich, England and mother was born Helen Josephine Weber in 1878 in Plum City, Pierce County, Wisconsin, USA. "We were living on a stock and wheat farm in Milbank, South Dakota, when they decided to migrate to Australia after reading of the great advantages to be gained on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area in New South Wales. "In 1919, my parents, together with my two brothers, Fredrick Wayland (14), James Gaylord (12) and myself (10) drove our four cylinder Maxwell from Milbank, South Dakota to Vancouver to embark on the steamer `Makura' for the voyage to Australia. We changed ships in Auckland, New Zealand to the ship `Maheno' and we arrived in Sydney in January 1920. James, Win and Fred Chadney in USA "While Dad was inspecting Courtesy Win Mason (nee Chadney) properties in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area we stayed in Bellevue Hill in Sydney. "When Dad came back he had leased Farm 187 from the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission. The farm was approximately one hundred acres and located one mile west of the village of Hanwood. "We left Sydney for the trip to Griffith - four hundred rough and dusty miles away. We averaged a remarkable twenty-five miles an hour for the trip!! In those days there were no petrol stations nor bowsers en route, all extra petrol was bought in four gallon tins and carried with you. We made it to Mirrool, near Temora. Dad stopped at the only garage in the village and asked for petrol but he was told there was none. However, with his usual charm and the knowledge that the proprietor belonged to the same organisation as himself, he was able to continue to Griffith with a full tank of petrol together with a four gallon tin for good measure! "When we arrived at Farm 187 the day was hot and dusty, and we were confronted with our new "home". It consisted simply of a square corrugated iron shed with a plank floor. An old wood stove was the only convenience! Being used to a comfortable two storey home back in the USA one could understand the consternation of our Mother, my brothers and myself. With the kind assistance of another American, 'Yank' Haines of Farm No. 1, a kitchen, fire place, further accommodation and a large drip safe were made available to our family. "We were impressed and amazed at the drip safe which consisted of a wooden frame suitable and large enough to hold perishable food and had the top and sides covered with 132

hessian obtained from chaff bags. The hessian was attached to the frame completely enclosing three sides of the safe while the fourth side with the door was also covered with hessian. The top of the safe held a large tin container of water covering the top of the safe. Strips of flannel or other material such as towelling, etc were placed in the water and allowed to hang down and carry the water to the hessian so that, overall, the sides of the drip safe were kept constantly wet and cool and the contents of the safe adequately preserved.

The Maxwell four cylinder car used by the Chadney family to cross the USA from South Dakota to Vancouver, thence to Sydney and on to the MIA. The Maxwell was the fourth car in Griffith in 1920 and was the only car to have left hand steering in the district. Winifred Chadney is to be seen at the rear of the car somewhere in the States. Note the large boxes attached to the car, in which all the necessary camping gear etc was kept. Courtesy Win Mason (nee Chadney)

"Farm 187 was originally planned for dairying, but the Commission agreed to allow Dad to turn it into a horticultural farm. "However, there was a serious misunderstanding by the Commission regarding the conflicting State and Federal Naturalisation laws at that time so the farm was forfeited because Dad was not a naturalised Australian Citizen. "The position was unfortunate because Farm 187 would be sold if Dad retained his American citizenship, so pending Naturalisation he was allowed to lease the farm. In the meantime, in order to subsist, we grew catch crops - tobacco, millet, tomatoes, melons and even oaten hay. Eventually he was granted permission to plant ten acres of wine grapes and following his Naturalisation he was later allowed to plant the whole hundred acres to fruit trees, wine and table grapes. "Dad achieved notoriety when he grew the original California Cream melon from the USA - a great favourite on the Sydney fruit markets. 133

"He also imported a vine variety `Touriga' from Portugal. The wine produced from this grape was used exclusively by McWilliam's Wines as a fine port which they named `Chadney 41', 1941 was the year in which the first of the Touriga were crushed at the Hanwood winery. "The McWilliam's label on the port bottles read: McWilliam's "Chadney 41" An old port made at our Hanwood Winery from Touriga grapes grown by the late F H Chadney in 1941. Touriga is recognised as the true port grape of Portugal and in this year produced a sweet wine with a dry finish of a true port. "Mother's assistance was invaluable in running the farm, overseeing the picking and packing of the fruit destined for the Sydney markets. As well as keeping all the farm books in order, she was a splendid cook and did not let the primitive cooking appliances prevent her from turning out scrumptious lemon meringue pies - her pastry was always perfect. Her American hot cakes were beautiful and hot coffee made in the pot she fetched from South Dakota was wonderful. "Brother Fred worked with Dad for some years on Farm 187 until he married Alma Johnson and moved north to a farm near Coffs Harbour. They had five children - Robert, Lois, Zane, Carol and Virginia. Fred was tragically killed in a tractor accident when he was returning home after doing some work on a friend's farm. His tractor hit a stump and overturned killing him instantly. Fred was buried at Coffs Harbour. "Jim also worked on the farm with Dad until he returned to the United States where he bought a service station. He sold this some years later and bought an aerodrome where he conducted a flying school. He was married to Irene and had two children - James and Marilyn. Jim returned to Australia briefly, bearing out the old adage - `If you Helen and Fred Chadney take a drink of channel water you shall always taken Oregon City 1948 while visiting return'. Jim died of a heart attack in Oregon leaving their son, Jim, and his wife, Irene. his son, James, to carry on the Chadney name in the Courtesy Win Mason (née Chadney) United States. "I went to the Hanwood Primary School where, among other things I had the arduous task of learning to understand pounds, shillings and pence! By the time I had finished school at Griffith High, both Fred and Jim had left the farm. I ran the packing shed and assisted with the running of the farm.

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"In 1929 I married Frank Mason and together we moved to Yenda where later we purchased our own farm No 1086. We both worked very hard clearing this farm, growing catch crops and finally planting peaches, wine and table grapes. When the World War II broke out, Frank who was in the Militia joined the AIF. "Then, with the assistance Land Army Girls - Farm 1086 C.1943 of the Land Army Girls, I ran the Courtesy Win Mason (nee Chadney) farm which was in full production, for the rest of the war. "Frank and I had four children at that time, Shirley, Ronald, Josephine and John. Our fifth child, Alan was born after the war. "I had two mechanical loves during my time in Griffith - the Maxwell car that had brought my family across the States and from Sydney to Griffith and then used on the farm when necessary. To my sorrow it was stripped down and made into a farm trailer. The other love was the stout Ford V8 that Frank and I had. We bought it from Gus Pfafflan, a Griffith garage proprietor. During the war I used that Ford V8 to regularly take nearly a ton of packed fruit to the railway during the harvest and then take all the Land Army Girls home to Hanwood at the end of the day. During the petrol rationing I ran the Ford on a mixture of kerosene and petrol - it didn't miss a beat! When Frank was on leave and took the girls home they used to beat time on the roof of the ute singing 'Oh my gawd! Oh my gawd! Here's the Masons in their Ford ' - the rest is unprintable!!" Here, Dr Chadney (son of James ("Jim") Gaylord Chadney) tells us something about his father - "My father came to NSW with his parents and family in 1920, attended Woollahra Public School until March of that year and then enrolled at Hanwood Public School. Jim returned to the United States during the early years of the Depression. Because he had learned to speak Italian in Griffith he was able to find work guarding an Italian farmer's vineyard in California. "Jim's aspirations however went beyond being a field labourer, and in 1931 he moved to Hood River, Oregon and leased a Shell Petrol station. After a short stay in Portland, Oregon he moved back to Hood River in 1935 and opened his own Shell station which he operated until World War H. Just prior to the War, Jim had Jim Chadney and Win Mason - 1955 obtained his instructor pilot's licence and so he became a When Jim visited Australia civilian trainer of WWII pilots. After the War, he Courtesy Win Mason (nee Chadney) maintained his interest in flight training (both civilian and

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military) and owned several airports. In 1953 he started a new career and established the Northwest Technical Institute in Portland. After selling the school he moved to Seattle, Washington where he specialized in selling and leasing mobile office complexes. He retired to Portland in 1968. He died whilst vacationing in Newport, Oregon at the age of 71 years."

Fredrick Herbert Chadney Born Norwich England 31 December 1871 Died Griffith 23 October 1950 Cremated Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Sydney

married

Helen Josephine Weber Born Plum City, Wisconsin USA, 9 March 1878 Died Griffith NSW 14 February 1955 Cremated Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Sydney

Fredrick Wayland born Montana USA 1905 ; died Coffs Harbour 1948; married Alma Johnson; five children - Robert, Lois, Zane, Carol and Virginia (dec'd).

James Gaylord born Fortine, Montana USA 1907; died Newport, Oregon, USA 25 July 1978; married Irene Lakin; two children - James Gaylord and Marilyn Ruth (dec'd 1979). Irene lives Portland, Oregon USA.

Winifred born 1909; married Frank Mason; five children - Shirley, Ronald, Josephine, John and Alan. Lives at Macgregor ACT.

Aerial Photo Farm 187, Hanwood - c.1955 Courtesy Win Mason (née Chadney)

By courtesy of Winifred ("Win") Mason (nee Chadney), 8 Maund Place, Macgregor 2615 and Dr James Chadney, 3003 Boulder Dr, Cedar Falls, Iowa USA 50613. 136

CHADWICK Frank James Duncan Chadwick was a stern "typical" Englishman, expecting and receiving absolute obedience, without question, to his every instruction from all members of his family yet at the same time showing fierce loyalty, especially says his grandson Roy "to me throughout my school days whenever I was involved in my numerous boyhood scrapes." He had come to Australia as a seaman, possibly on a liner. "Frank Chadwick was educated in England and gained his Certificate of Tobacco Growing and Curing from an English Agricultural College. On his arrival in Sydney he was employed by the Australian Government to supervise farmers in the new Griffith area to grow and cure tobacco. He was the first man appointed in this capacity and played a leading role at the beginning of the Australian Tobacco Industry. "My father, Colin Chadwick was only a youngster when he and his parents arrived. They lived at Bagtown first where my grandmother, Elizabeth (née Campbell) started the first boarding house. This consisted of one long tent which was used as a dining room and smaller tents for accommodation. (A photograph of "Mirrool House" at Bagtown in 1913 is featured in the Leonard entry). Meals were prepared and cooked out in the open at this time. Later they moved to Hanwood where Grandfather and Granny had a grocery store and ran the Post Office. "Grandfather, who always insisted on his full title, was well known throughout the Area as he travelled the district by horse and sulky, driven by his assistant. Working late one night, they were heading for home at a fair pace, with a bottle of whisky almost empty by this time, when Grandfather asked the driver if he knew the way in the dark. 'Know every hole in the road' he replied. Upon saying this the sulky hit a large hole and Grandfather was thrown out onto the road. He yelled at the top of his voice 'Thought you knew every hole in the road!!' I do' answered his driver. 'That was one of them!!'. "About 1920 Frank James Duncan Chadwick was employed again by the Government to supervise farmers in the Area to grow and cure Tobacco and with his son Colin, who had been educated at Goulburn, they were able to help approximately ten farmers produce and cure some very good crops - mainly in the Hanwood area. "My Mother, Ruth Elizabeth ("Addie") was the daughter of another pioneer family, Charles and Catherine Pearson. They also had a farm at Hanwood for a number of years. "Addie" worked at Dr Goldberg's "Loretta" Hospital prior to and after her marriage in 1926 "Frank James Duncan Chadwick died and was buried at Griffith on 3 May 1942 after which time Granny lived with my parents. "We lived in Griffith for another year - 1943 - when my family, Mum, Dad, myself and my sister Colleen who is six years my junior moved to Albury. Granny Chadwick, of course, came with us and was cared for by my Mother until shortly before her death at the age of 92 years. She is buried at Beechworth. "My parents then moved to Moruya Heads where they purchased and operated a Caravan Park. Colleen and her husband Clem Mullavey, with their family of young children went with them to help. "After the death of my father, Colin, in 1977 my Mother moved back to Albury where she has lived ever since, close to us and her grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as her two sisters Mary Foley and Elsie McDonald."

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Charles Henry Pearson born Victoria 1867 died Albury buried Griffith 18 June 1954 married Whitton 1902 Catherine Mary Dickson born Adelaide SA 1881 died Griffith buried Griffith 29 Oct/Nov 1929 *

Frank James Duncan Chadwick born England 1861 died Griffith buried Griffith 3 May 1942 married Sydney 1 Aug 1900 Elizabeth Campbell born Australia 1871 died Beechworth Vic buried Beechworth Vic * 1. Nancy - died in infancy 2. Colin Campbell Chadwick born Sydney 1901 died Moruya NSW, 12 July 1977 buried Moruya, 13 July 1977 1.

married 26 January 1926 a 4.

Ruth Elizabeth Pearson born 4 September 1906 now living in Albury

* Colin Roy Chadwick born Griffith 18 October 1926; married Rae Chapman in Albury 1949. Now living in Albury. Four children, Michael, John, Leigh-Ann and Paul. Colleen Chadwick born Griffith 28 March 1934; married Clem Mullavey. Now living in Moruya NSW. Four children, Karen, Wayne, Robyn and Scott.

(Fr O'Dea in the background) Chadwick/Pearson Wedding L to R: Faye Pearson (Brockell), Mary Pearson (Foley), Best Man - Roy McGann, Ruth Pearson (Bride), Colin Chadwick (Groom), Kathleen Pearson (Mitchell),Bill Pearson Front: Elsie Pearson (McDonald)

Entry and photograph by courtesy of Colin Roy ("Roy") Chadwick, Albury 2640 and Mrs Ruth Chadwick (nee Pearson), Lavington 2641. 138

CHAPMAN Mrs Emma Winifred Hennessy recalls that "our father, Alexander Emanuel, was known as 'Dugout' Chapman. He was granted Farm 611, Beelbangera after World War I, about 1919. Wanting a place to live on his own, he built a hut out of bags of dirt from the channel banks. The bags were left over from the construction of the cement bridges that crossed the channels. Because of this it was built at no cost, except for the corrugated iron for the roof. The fireplace was made out of kerosene tins opened out and the cooking was done in two camp ovens with two billies used for making tea and coffee. "My mother brought me by train from Wagga, via Cootamundra and Temora, which took us roughly about fourteen hours. While here Mum and I half filled quite a few bags so Dad could add on to the hut but we only stayed for a few days and went back to Wagga, via Willbriggie and Junee. A chap, whose name was Mick Cush had a buggy and four ponies and he took us from Bagtown (which was the shopping place before Griffith was built) to Willbriggie to catch the train. He used to take all the passengers and goods he could handle both ways. "The next time we came I was about nine years old and I was allowed to stay with Dad. He had by this time added another room for us to sleep in. I can't remember how long it was but he taught me to cook in camp ovens and, even if I do say so myself, it was quite edible. I learnt to bake meat and vegetables, also to make Edith M Chapman a stew and braise the meat and make a damper or scones if 1950 someone came to have a yarn with Dad. Courtesy Win Hennessy "The floor was only dirt with a couple of opened (nee Chapman) bags nailed down. We used to pour water over the dirt and after awhile it was quite firm and not dusty at all. Dad had binder twine tied around the legs of the table which had axle grease on it to stop the ants from getting into the sugar and jam. "When Dad had cleared our block of land he built three rooms out of round-backs, which are the first cut off the pine logs. Mum moved the furniture from Wagga and we lived in that dwelling for some time until later a cement house was built. Dad and Mum lived on the farm until 1939 when Dad started up a case making shed opposite the winery at Beelbangera. They lived there until Dad died on 29 June 1950 aged 86 years and Mum died on 9 August 1951 aged 79 years. Both are buried in the Church of England portion of the Griffith cemetery. "In 1939 Alex, my father, made the farm over to me and my husband Les Hennessy and we worked it until 1950 when it was sold. "Mr Dave Taylor senior had the first general store in Banna Avenue where the Westpac Bank is now and others who had shops in Bagtown came in and started up too. I can't remember all the names but some are Rodda's, Martin's and Mitchell's - all at the top end of Banna Avenue."

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Alex's parents came out from England in 1866 with some of the family. Alex was two years old. Others were born later. They came to Kilmore from Melbourne by horse and dray and their property is still owned by cousins. Alex's parents are buried in Kilmore. Alex married Edith Maria Bright at Young in 1890. They went to Coolgardie, Western Australia and owned a gold mine in partnership with another man who absconded with a lot of their money about 1910. Their baggage was stolen on the ship coming back to Victoria. The thieves thought it contained money but their money was in their cabin instead. They came back to Kilmore in 1910 where Alex again took up shearing before moving to Yerong Creek where as well as shearing he also opened a blacksmith shop. The next move was to Wagga. Alex enlisted in 1915 - No 2578 - and served at Gallipoli after the landing and in France.

The Wedding of Les and Win Ilennessy (nee Chapman) - 1 April 1929 Standing at the entrance of the original St Albans, Griffith (now the church hall) Les Hennessy and his bride, Win, Gordon Ashcroft (the Best Man), Glad Ilennessy (Bridesmaid), Alex and Edith Chapman and Flower Girls, Vi Bourne and Joan Young Courtesy Win Ilennessy

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Alexander Emanuel Chapman born England 8 December 1863 died Griffith 29 June 1950, aged 86 years

married Young NSW 23 October 1890

Edith Maria Bright born Bullbrook Forest Vic, 8 February 1872 died Griffith 9 August 1951, aged 79 yrs

* 1.

Laura born Northam, WA 25 August 1897; married Alex ("Arch") J Bourne, lived Beelbangera and later Tharbogang. Alex died 20 December 1933 aged 46 years (Corp 36 Battn). Laura buried 24 September 1977, aged 80 years. Both are buried at Griffith.

Martha born Northam, WA 25 September 1898. Lived at Wagga most of her life, buried Sydney.

Alice born Kalgoorlie, WA 23 April 1902; married Oswald G Young, lived at Griffith. Oswald died on 8 October 1968 aged 73 years (Corp Light Horse Regt). Alice died January 1989 aged 86 years. Both buried at Griffith. They had nine children and sons Graham and Ronald still live in Griffith.

May born Pingelly, WA 24 September 1904; married James Taylor in Sydney and lived the rest of her life in Sydney. Deceased.

Emma Winifred ("Win") born Kilmore, Vic 13 February 1910; married Les Hennessy. Lived in Sydney at first, then Beelbangera on Farm 611, then Queensland, now living Wagga Wagga, NSW.

Jean born Wagga Wagga, NSW 18 February 1916; married Les Stoakes (dec'd - buried Wagga Wagga), Jean now lives at Benalla Vic.

By courtesy Win Hennessy (née Chapman) of Wagga Wagga 2680.

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CHAPMAN Claude Chapman came to Griffith to take up a position as a jeweller with G W Speirs arriving on 22 November 1923. He was accompanied by his wife, Lou, and their six young children - Edna, Gladys, Jim, Mary, Helen and Claude. Claude snr had been born 18 October 1888 at Waratah NSW, the son of a railway inspector. He married Lou Wright (born 1895 in England) who had immigrated with her family from England prior to World War I. "Making Music Down the Back Shed" They had previously lived at Jim and Syd Chapman Wyong NSW where Claude had been employed as a jeweller. After their arrival the Chapman family lived in Murrumbidgee Avenue for a short time before Claude purchased Farm 657. Claude continued to work for G W Spiers as the farm was only of ten acres and did not produce sufficient income to support the family. Two sons were born in Griffith, Peter in 1923 and Sydney in 1931. During the Depression Claude senior lost his position with Spiers and the family managed to survive on the produce on the farm until he eventually procured a similar position with Mrs Draper. Claude worked for Mrs Draper until he and Lou left Griffith, to live in Sydney, in 1944. Sadly soon after they settled in Sydney, Claude passed away at the age of only 54 years. Lou continued to live in Sydney until her death in 1980 at the age of 85 years. They are both buried in Sydney. The only member of the family still living in Griffith is Claude junior and he recalls that his father was an excellent shot and belonged to the Griffith Gun Club for many years. He was also a Mason in the Masonic Lodge. Lou was an active member of the Parents and Citizens Association of the Griffith Public School and worked extremely hard to raise funds to pay for materials to construct the swimming pool adjacent to the school. Claude junior remembers well the official opening of the pool in February 1931 - "The pool was originally only a 25 yard pool. About three or four years later it was extended to a 50 yard pool, the funds again being raised by the P & C. "Boy Charlton, one of Australia's greatest swimmers, and another swimmer, whose name I can't recall, were the first to swim in the pool - they officially broke the water. Lou Chapman - feeding the "chalks" "Every year • after the 'cots' (apricots) we went to the river for about 142

three or four weeks for a camping holiday." On being asked how do you get to the Point? Claude replied "Down the Old Willbriggie Road, over the Seven Mile Channel, follow the telegraph line and the empty beer bottles and you end up at Darlington Point!"

Griffith Railway Station Going back to Camp 1942

Four Generations - Lou on her 85th Birthday 2nd Gen - Edna Osmond (nee Chapman) 3rd Gen - Ruth and Liz 4th Gen - Lou's great grand-daughters

Claude Herbert Chapman born Waratah 18 October 1888 died Sydney 1945

Back: "Blue" Dennis Devery, Tom Quinn, Claude Chapman and Keith Devery Front: Bob Turner and George Webb

married 1913 •

•

Lou Wright born England c.1895 died Sydney 1980

Edna born 1914; died 1989; married John Osmond. Two children - Elizabeth and Ruth.

Gladys ("Mickie") born 1915; married Colin Yeo; lives at Batehaven. Three children Jackie, Sue and Brian.

James ("Jim") born 1916; died Sydney 1954; married Una Devine. Two children - Lesley and Wendy (dec'd).

Mary born 1918; married Bill Arnold; lives at Tarcutta NSW. Four children - Mary Lou, Peter, Gill and Margaret.

Helen ("Bobby") born 1920; married Percy William Hick; lives at Grafton NSW. Six children - Penny, June, Hedney, Robert, Raymond and Helen.

Claude born Wyong 1922; married Joyce Platt at Griffith 1946; lives at Griffith. Two children - Allan and Lynette.

Peter Keith born Griffith 1923; married Faye Towns (deed); lives at Delungra. No issue.

Sydney born Griffith 1931; married Betty Murphy; lives at Tamworth. Two children - Peter and Margaret.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Claude Chapman, 3 Langley Crescent, Griffith 2680. 143

CHAPMAN Marcus Robert Arnot Chapman (always known as "Mark") was born at Bathgate, Scotland, on 9 November 1888 to Thomas Chapman and Jane (née Arnot). He was the youngest of four children. It is known that he worked as a pay clerk in Scotland but whether it was for a mining company or his parent's grain merchant business is no longer known. He arrived in Port Melbourne in 1914 just prior to the declaration of World War I. Upon his arrival in Melbourne he obtained work with H V McKay (the machinery manufacturer) at Sunshine, Vic, as a pay clerk. On 29 January 1916 he enlisted in the army and did his training at Broadmeadows Vic. He was a signaller in the 1st D S Corp and saw active service in France for over two years. After his discharge he returned to his previous employment. In 1921 he came to Yenda as a soldier settler to take up farming. He worked in the clearing gangs until 27 January 1922 when Farm 776 was granted to Marcus Chapman 1916 him. In 1929 a further twelve acres was added to this farm (from Farm 777). When cleared Farm 776 was planted with citrus and grape vines. Another of the first crops to be grown was tobacco. On 3 June 1926, at Armadale Vic, he married Grace Evelyn Helmore (nee Phillips the youngest daughter of John Phillips and Mary May (nee Purbrick). Grace had a seven year old daughter, Gwenneth Rosina, from her previous marriage. Gwen attended the Yenda Public School and, like many children of that era, rode her pony to school. She had her high school education at the Hay High School, boarding at Butterworth Hostel. Gwen later nursed at St Lukes Hospital in Griffith. She married Alan Flottman on 27 June 1945. They have one son, Paul Vernon, born 18 September 1946 and one daughter, Janet Yvonne, born 7 February 1948. They have also foster-parented six children. Alan and Gwen are now spending their retirement at the Yenda Retirement Units after living for many years away from the MIA. Grace and Mark's daughter, Edna May, was born 16 September 1929 at the Yenda CWA Hospital, situated on what is now known as Edge Road. Edna also attended the Yenda Public School, the first year or two travelling on Mr Greenshields' "bus" - a truck with seating plus a tarpaulin as cover for inclement weather. Edna recalls "when the bus finally broke down, Margaret Wood and myself were taken to school by sulky for about a year either by Mr Jack Goring, who was working for Margaret's father, or my Dad. I started riding a push bike to school after my eighth birthday. I also completed my education at the Hay High School and boarded at Butterworth Hostel. After finishing school I worked at Blackman Bros Yenda, in the drapery department, until my marriage. "The 1931 floods must have been of great concern to all and as our farm was adjacent to the northern branch canal I can imagine our parents' anxiety. As we had a loft 144

• Grace Chapman and "Our First Car" -1938

•

Mark Chapman practicing Morse Code - 1916 Broadmeadows Vic.

•

George Pomroy's property taken from Chapman's Farm 776 - 1931 Flood

•

Main Street Yenda - 1931 Flood

•

Hotel Yenda - 1931 Flood

The regulator at Main Canal and the beginning of the Northern Branch Channel c.1926

Fumigating orange trees for scale. Early days on Mark Chapman's Farm 776. c.1935

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above our shed the neighbouring women and children spent the night there. When daylight came our farm was not flooded. It was slightly elevated and missed the flooding whereas all the neighbouring farms were under water. "I remember the thrill of getting electricity connected when I was about four years of age and approximately two years later getting 'a wireless' - they were not called radios in those days. "When the cricket test matches were played against England neighbours and farm employees, who did not have a wireless, would come and listen to the broadcast. Dad had a billiard table so many games of billiards would be played whilst listening to the cricket. Over the years many happy hours were spent at that table. "We always kept the Scottish custom of celebrating New Year with friends and relations. Everyone had to be outside before midnight, then on the stroke of twelve there was always much banging on tins or anything that made a great noise. The custom of `First Footing' was always observed - the darkest complexioned man had to be the first to re-enter the home to bring good fortune. "School holidays were spent swimming in the channel, yabbying in the dams or riding our bicycles to the Binya Hills. "Both Mum and Dad were staunch members of the Presbyterian church. In the early days the church services were held in a room of the original Yenda RSL Club, situated on the corner near where the Sports Centre now stands. Services were later held in the CWA rooms until the early 1940s after which the Presbyterian services were combined with the Methodist congregation in L to R: Mark Chapman, Ralph Poole, Jack Poole, their church with Presbyterian and Methodist Bill Pearce. Edna Chapman in front of Bill - 1932 ministers alternating the ministry." Edna married Ashley Leeson whose parents were pioneers of the Binya district. They have two sons - Philip Raymond born 24 June 1952 and Geoffrey Charles born 11 December 1955. Edna and Ashley are retired and reside at 40 Bingar Street, Yenda. After purchasing Farm 776 in January 1922, Mark farmed there until his death on 16 December 1955, aged 67 years. Grace (born 4 August 1889 Seymour Vic) passed away in May 1971 aged 81 years. They are both buried in the Presbyterian Section of the Griffith cemetery.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Edna Leeson (née Chapman), 40 Bingar Street, Yenda 2681. 146

CHAUNC Y Harold Auschar Chauncy was born at Lismore NSW on 3 August 1882 and died in Griffith on 28 April 1949. He was the second son of Charles Snell Chauncy, a surveyor, and Frances Chauncy (nee Morgan). Harold married Margaret Rose Stevens (born Narrandera 24 October 1894; died Griffith 14 December 1987) at St Peter's Church of England, Leeton on 18 October 1922. Margaret was the eldest daughter of Sydney and Rosetta Stevens and was educated in Sydney and graduated as a trained nurse from Sydney Hospital in 1920.

Harold Chauncy and Margaret Stevens - 1922 Courtesy Oenone ("Nan") Simpson (nee Chauncy)

In a horse drawn wagonette they made their way to their first home at Hanwood, not far from where the CSIRO Station is to-day. In 1925 they moved to live in Hyandra Street and in 1929 to Farm 330, Bilbul. Following Harold's death, Margaret moved to Noorilla Street in 1952 where she resided until moving into Pioneers Lodge Hostel at the age of 85 years. Their family of five are:Keith Auschar born Griffith, 21 July 1923 Joan Margaret born Griffith, 21 September 1924 Norman David born Griffith, 11 September 1927 Roger Harold born Griffith, 20 December 1928 Oenone Rosalind born Griffith, 10 October 1930. Harold began his career as a surveyor, articled to Mr Lipscombe in Sydney and also worked for Atchison and Schleicher; he worked too for Mr H M Terry who later became a pioneer landholder in the Mirrool Area.

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Harold was registered as a surveyor in 1904. After carrying out large survey contracts in Malaya, New Caledonia and Pacific Islands he returned to Australia ill with malaria. Following his return he was engaged in fanning in the Colinroobie district and was involved with surveys on the North Coast, Monaro and Goulbum regions of New South Wales. In 1922 he established a private practice in Griffith which he sold to Mr George Faulks in 1947. Travelling around by horse drawn wagonette, until he purchased his first motor vehicle - an Overland utility - in 1924, much of his early work was contracted by the Lands Department, Hay, and the Water Conservation and Irrigation He was Commission, Griffith. responsible for the introduction of the contour system of flood irrigation to the MIA. His family recalls his assisting Father R O'Dea in choosing the site for the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Griffith. Harold took a keen interest in many He was a local organisations. member of the Bilbul cricket eleven in the thirties, a supporter of the Farmers' and Settlers' Association and a former president of the Yenda branch, a councillor in the Shire of Wade 1931-1934, an active worker for the Church of England, a Margaret Chauncy with Keith and Joan - 1924 member of various Masonic Taken at Curtis Chauncy's Griffith Home Lodges, for several years secretary Courtesy Chauncy Family of the Murrumbidgee District Council of the Progressive Party from which emerged the Country Party, a member of the inaugural Griffith Historical Society and on the executive of the Rice Growers Association. At the age of 89 years, Margaret was to recall that "our first home, on an undeveloped farm of 25 acres in the Hanwood district, was an unlined weather-board structure of two rooms with a detached room that had walls partly made of fibro and partly of gauze - truly a life saver in this climate in the twenties. Cooking was all done on a fuel stove and for lighting we had kerosene lamps. The family bathed and washed in a large galvanised tub; the water was carried by hand from the nearby channel. Drinking water was from a rainwater tank until the stand collapsed and the tank burst. "Entertainment was mainly in the home - cards and visits to one another's homes; children played and made their own fun. "Roads were being made and, at their best, were metal. Transport was by horsedrawn vehicles and push bikes. Being a Sydney girl, one of my first problems was learning

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to drive and master a large grey horse, pulling a sulky to Griffith on my weekly shopping expedition. One of the road hazards of that time was a bucyrus (dragline) making a channel. The long dreaded day arrived when I had to drive past Fortunately, one of the it. machine operators acted promptly and calmed my terrified horse and the no-less frightened driver! "Griffith had already emerged from Bagtown to its present site. When visiting Griffith our first stop would be at Leckie's livery stables in Yambil Street where we left our horse to be cared for until it was wanted for the home journey. "Banna Avenue was, to R: Keith, Harold Chauncy, Roger on his knee, Norman as it is now, the main shopping Taken Bilbul 1933/34 Courtesy Chauncy Family centre. It consisted of a number of small shops each privately owned by personalities hard to forget. "The first district hospital was situated at the eastern end of Banna Avenue; so also were the consulting rooms of the hard worked and much loved, Doctor Watkins. "Among the early business houses I remember were Taylor Bros, John Jacob and Hanna's (bakers), Mrs Cummings, Miss Robinsons, Bill Evans (barber and hairdresser), Hanrahan's auctioneer, Louez Bros, the old Lyceum picture theatre, Bank of NSW and the Post Office. Up on the hill where the Technical (TAFE) College now stands was the Police Station. The blacksmiths were very important and necessary in the horse era. Griffith had two - R J Thompson and Jack Carroll. The Griffith Co-op was formed in 1916 (at Bagtown) and occupies its original site in 'the new town' today (1983). Some businesses changed hands and new arrivals were F W Cleary, Carneys, Fred Eardley and many others. Griffith's first chain store traded under the name of O'Gilpin. All the shops remained opened until nine o'clock on Saturday nights and most closed on Wednesday afternoons. "We even had a bank robbery, which occurred one night after late shopping takings were deposited in the ANZ Bank. The receiving bank officer was attacked, bound and tiedup and remained there until rescued next morning. During his freezing night he heard the town's watchman on his rounds calling '2am and all is well!'." Whilst living at Hanwood, Margaret remembers growing their own vegetables, and having their own milk, cream and butter. She baked bread from homemade yeast and during the Depression, sold eggs for 6d per dozen to the Griffith Co-op Society. 149

In 1925 the Chauncy family moved to a home in Hyandra Street, which was then the northern boundary of the town. Beyond there was thick pine bush. "Having town water laid on, electricity and motor transport changed our life style considerably. Apart from wives helping their husbands on the farm, women's roles were very much home and family. Nevertheless, we still had time to work for our churches, CWA, Red Cross, the Returned Soldiers Women's Auxiliary and the schools our children attended. "We all know the irrigation area was originally developed as a soldier settlement and the Irrigation Commission had the last word on what was done and not done. The old rambling commission buildings (now where the Olympic Aquatic Centre and the Police Citizen's Boys Club are located) were the scene of many arguments. "However, it is with pleasure and much thanksgiving in my retirement in our splendid Pioneers' Lodge that I look back over the years of work and achievements, at Griffith today. Its lovely churches, tree-lined streets, modern homes, shopping and sporting facilities, the many industries and schools, add up to some of the things we enjoy as modern living today. I would like to add also that we have every known charity in NSW being worked for by someone in the town and district."

As told by Mrs Margaret Chauncy before her death in 1987 with permission of her family.

&arm ✓i kr(iw/Awe Samwre. New si;whi Woihr

aor?' lerytws.gr • h./

Courtesy Anne Gribble

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•

CHETTLE "Boys will be boys" the old saying goes and a good example was the Chettle brothers when they were growing up. One day the eldest three were told to look after their little brother, Victor. They decided to have a game of "Knuckle Toms" and sat Victor down accidentally on an ants nest. His screams from the first bites soon brought them to the rescue! Another time they all ate poisoned bran which was mixed ready to be put out for the rabbits. Luckily it burnt their mouths and they went screaming to the house and their mother. Just as well she knew what to do as they were forty miles from Narrandera and the doctor. The boys were sick for a while but the story did have a happy ending. These four boys belonged to Thomas Arthur Chettle, who was born in Ballarat Vic in 1859. His father, Thomas Chettle, born in England, owned a general store in Lydiard Street, Ballarat. Thomas Chettle jnr married Alice Louise Dicker from Corowa NSW. Alice had been born at Dunolly Vic on 3 August 1865. LlA R D S Thomas and Alice came to the Darlington Point area in 1890 where he first managed a property before owning one of his own. Their property "Alton", was later sold to Mr Jim Cattanach and is now owned by Tony Toscan and is called "Cavaso". Their mode of transport to the area was a Phaeton. This was a Les Chettle's Tobacconist & Billiard Room two wheeled conveyance, like a Early Banna Avenue cart, pulled by a strong draught Courtesy The Griffith Collection horse. Thomas and Alice had four sons. The first was Walter born in 1892. He was educated at Geelong Grammar School and, after surviving the poisoned bran, was to die from wounds received in World War I. Harry was born in 1894 and was accidentally drowned at Yallong. The youngest, Victor, was born in 1898 and died at Bateau Bay in 1966. Third boy, Arthur Leslie (but better known as "Les"), was born in 1895 and married Vera Johnson in 1940. Vera was the first daughter of Mr and Mrs A J Johnson of Farm 109, Hanwood and later of Sydney. When the property at Darlington Point was sold Thomas and Alice retired to Goulburn where they bought a home in the main street - Auburn Street - with an adjoining Produce Store. After seven years in Goulburn they moved to Barellan thence to the town of Griffith. Thomas would occasionally assist his son in minding the shop while Les took his holidays. He also minded the "Billiard Room" at times. Les had built his home in Yambil Street, and owned two shops there as well as two shops and a garage in Banna

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Avenue. He also had a five acre block of land next to Penfolds Winery. In 1920, Les had the first newsagency and barbers shop in Banna Avenue. Les was 88 years old when he died and was buried in Leppington Lawn Cemetery in 1983. His wife remarried and is now Mrs F (Vera) Chettle Goddard and lives at Sutherland NSW, where she wrote her first book "The Romance of History" when aged 83 years. It is a story of her own migrant family's history centred around the 1914 pioneer days of Griffith, but also includes a section on the Chettle pioneer days at Darlington Point, 1890. This book was accepted by the NSW Department of Education for school libraries, when it was published in 1987.

Les Chettle's Ilairdressing Shop ILuu►a Avenue Courtesy the family of W Keith Simpson John Thomas Chettle born London 1812 married (1) Louisa Jane Pyne 1834-1868

(2) Rebecca Hornby (1846-1922)

Thomas Arthur Chettle born Ballarat 20 January 1859 died Griffith 24 November 1924

married in 1889 •

Alice Louise Dicker born Dunolly Vic 1865 died Cowra NSW

Thomas Walter ("Walter") born "Alton" Darlington Point NSW 1892; died Gosford NSW 1915.

harry born "Alton" Darlington Point NSW 1894; died aged 19 years; buried at Goulburn NSW.

Arthur Leslie ("Les") born Darlington Point NSW 1895; died 1983, buried Leppington Lawn Cemetery; married Vera Johnson died 29 May 1993 (born Lilyfield, Sydney); no children.

Victor born Darlington Point NSW 1898; married three times, one child from the first marriage; died Bateau Bay NSW 1966.

By courtesy Vera Chettle Goddard (nee Johnson), 237/1 Acacia Road, Sutherland 2232. 152

CLARK When the "Balranald" berthed in Sydney in May 1928 on board were Henry ("Harry") Clark and his wife Jessie and their children Elizabeth ("Nell") 18, Ruby 17, Florence 13, Dorothy 11 and Ron 9. They came to Australia to be reunited with their three sons Fred, Dennis and Walter (Wally). These three boys were part of a scheme called the "Dreadnought Boys", where young men and boys were lured to distant outposts of the Empire and assigned as labourers, in return for their passage, to work for farmers some of whom were quite unscrupulous and used the boys mercilessly. Fred was first to arrive on the "Barrabool". Dennis and Wally arrived in 1924 on the "Berrima". By coincidence Fred went to Barrabool, near Geelong Vic, to work on a dairy farm. He fared the best of the three boys and lived in reasonable comfort. Dennis came to Griffith and worked on Bradbury's poultry farm and later for the Trenerry family. Wally found himself in the Temora-Ardlethan area. During the 1927 drought he lived on rabbits and sao biscuits! Wally worked for a man called Bill Brown and was called on to do all sorts of jobs from raising the family's children to farm work. Here some very harsh treatment was dished out and unable to cope any longer he ran away. He eventually met up with a man named Tom Mooney. Tom took over all Wally's commitments from Brown. The two became friends and soon Wally worked as a sharefarmer for Tom Mooney. Seasons were good and the young man was able to save enough money to bring his mother, father, sisters and brother to Australia. After a short stay in Sydney the Clark family arrived in Griffith following a very long train trip. Harry Clark had been a shepherd in England and Jessie had looked after her family. Neither had moved far from their village other than two stays Jessie had had in a London hospital. None of the children had ever been to London until they left England for Australia. The family settled in Hanwood and the three youngest children were sent to school. Tragedy struck the family shortly after their arrival when a Poliomyelitis epidemic raged in the district and the Clark's second son, Dennis, was struck down and died shortly after contracting the illness in April 1929. Harry found work as a grave digger for Trenerrys and because of intense summer heat graves were dug at night. He later worked for McWilliam's. The girls got jobs doing house work and Jessie at the age of 44 was forced to look for work outside the home to supplement the family income. As well as doing laundry Jessie picked fruit and vegetables. She was often seen riding her bicycle around the district. Settling into daily life in Australia, the growing family members moved out. First Fred and Nell moved to Geelong - Fred to work for the Ford Motor Co and Nell to marry. Wally married Linda Pearl Zerbst. Pearl's family were of Polish descent and came to the area in 1927 from Victoria where all the Zerbst family had been born. After his marriage Walter purchased Farm 475, Hanwood - the Trenerry farm. He ran this farm as well as working on other local farms. He later worked for McWilliams Winery at Hanwood.

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L to R: Nell, Ho, Ruby and Jessie Clark and Ron sitting on the stool at front

Pearl Clark (nee Zerbst)

Dennis Clark

Henry and Jessie Clark

Wally Clark

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Just prior to his retirement Wally became interested in bottle collecting. He travelled as far afield as South Australia in search of bottles. His collection grew to such an extent that it is now housed in the "Bottle" at McWilliams Winery and is one of the town's tourist attractions. Wally and Pearl had three daughters and a son - Lorraine, Beverley, Lynette and Wally. They all attended Hanwood school. Three still live in the Griffith district. Ruby married George Anstee and had eight children (see Series 1). Flo married Leslie Collis and had two sons - Phillip and Leslie. Flo is the only member of Harry and Jessie's family still living in Griffith. Dot married Arnold Dreyer and had two sons - Dennis and Ronald (see Series 1). Ron married and also had two sons - Ross and Arnold. Harry and Jessie lived all their lives in Australia at Hanwood on their son, Wally's farm and their grand daughter, Lorraine, particularly remembers that they had a pet magpie. This magpie talked and even went mousing with the dog and cat! The magpie was actually a better "watch dog" than the dog and would not let anyone into the yard. Jessie died in 1958 aged 74 years and Harry died aged 87 years in 1969. They are buried in the Griffith cemetery with their son, Dennis.

Denis Clark married Hannah Burch Henry Clark born Suffolk England 6 Aug 1881 died Griffith 23 January 1969

Fredrick Harvey married Margaret Clarke married

Jessie Emily Harvey born Essex England 10 Dec 1884 died Griffith 28 July 1958

harry Fredrick horn 13 April 1905; died November 1969.

Dennis Ernest Edward born 9 October 1906; died May 1929.

Walter William born 19 October 1908; died 5 June 1991.

Elizabeth Ilannah born 30 August 1910; died October 1990.

Ruby Caroline born 24 November 1911.

Florence Nancy born 13 October 1914.

Dorothy Grace born 11 December 1916; died 6 March 1976.

Ronald Leslie horn 16 May 1919.

By courtesy of Flo Collis (née Clark), Farm 1030, Griffith 2680. Photographs by courtesy of Lynette Stewart, PO Box 237, Hanwood 2680.

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CLARKE Sydney Patrick (better known as "Jack") Clarke was a carpenter by trade but was a man of many parts. He came from Tamworth where he had a dairy farm in 1912. He arrived via Leeton and travelled by horse and cart. In 1920 he and his wife, Clara, and family took up Farm 280 at Yoogali where they lived in a tin shed before Jack built their original home. Their first home in Griffith was on the corner of Binya and Illilliwa Streets. It was the first residential property to have a galvanised iron fence. Later Jack built another home on the corner of Carrathool and Illilliwa Streets. In 1925 they leased the "Australian Cafe" that was located in Banna Avenue (where "Chandlers" shop is now) close to the Area Hotel. The same year he built the Salvation Army Hall. In 1928 he went to Wyangala Dam where he worked as a ganger; at the same time he also had a dairy farm on lease. Returning to Griffith around 1932 Jack obtained a Sydney Patrick ("Jack") Clarke & Clara Mary contract for supplying stone from (nee Conlon) - Wedding Day 18 August 1900 a quarry above what is now Courtesy Carol Stockton (née Clarke) known as Slopes Road. This stone was used to make metal for the construction of the Treatment Works. After the War, where the firm of Agricultural and General is now located (at Wickhams Hill) he also ran a pig farm. When he first came to Griffith Jack was involved with the Show Society from its earliest days and built the pavilion for the first Griffith Show on what is now the corner of Hanwood and Thorne Roads. He also built the pavilion when the Showground was moved to its second location - where the Catholic High School is now. Always a keen fisherman, Jack often went fishing with his brother, Mick, and brother-in-law, Barney Doolan. 156

Jack and Clara finally settled at 12 Kooba Street in Griffith in a house that had been shifted in from a farm at Yenda. Sydney Patrick ("Jack") Clarke was of Irish stock. His grandfather Patrick Clarke was born at Co Meath in 1782 (died in Sydney 1834). He arrived in Australia in 1816 aboard the "Surrey". Patrick married Mary Lyons on 27 November 1820. Mary had arrived in Australia in 1820 aboard the "Lord Wellington". The family of Patrick Clarke and Mary (née Lyons) were: 1. James born 1821 Ann born 1823 2. 3. Patrick born 1829 John born 1831 4. Michael born 1834. 5. This last son and Jack's father, Michael, was born at Maitland 3 October 1834 (died Quirindi NSW 13 October 1913). Michael married Jane O'Grady on 25 May 1863 and their son Sydney Patrick ("Jack") was born at Moonbi NSW 29 April 1871. Jack married Clara Conlon at Quirindi on 8 August 1900.

Clarke Family L to R: Back: Iris, Alan, John, May Middle: Anthony (Tony), Sydney ("Jack"), Clara, Maude Front: Bryan and Dallas ("Dal") Courtesy Carol Stockton (nee Clarke)

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Jack and Clara Clarke had nine children: 1.

Iris born Quirindi 1901, died Sydney 1971; married Cecil Leckie 1919. Five children - Audrey, Marjory, Lyndsay, Cecil and Revel (dec'd).

John born Quirindi 1902, died Griffith 1966; married Margaret Armstrong Two children - Moira 1927. ("Bonnie") (dec'd) and John.

Alan born Quirindi 1903, died Yenda 1975; married Alice Fraser 1937. Three children - Vincent, Kevin and Edna.

Dallas born Quirindi 1904, died Griffith 1976; married Gertrude ("France") Glennen 1925. One daughter - Norma.

Jack & Clara Clarke Courtesy Carol Stockton (nee Clarke)

May born Quirindi 1906, died Sydney 1985; married James Elvidge 1929. Eight children - Lenore, Mary, Una, Iris, Bernie, Jean, Anne and Amos.

Tony born Baan Baa NSW 1908, died Leeton 1977; married Thora Jones 1933. Two children -Jillery (dec'd) and Graeme.

Maudie born Quirindi 1910, died Griffith 1981; married Lyndsay ("Len") Smart 1929. Six children - Valma, Cannel, Gwen, Dallas, Errol and Margaret.

Bryan born Leeton 1914, lives Griffith; married Jean Flood 1940. Four children - Noelene, Carol, Denise and Garry.

Kathleen born Leeton 1920, died Sydney 1989; married Arthur Barrett 1948. five children - Helen, Terry, Peter, Geoff and Cathy.

Sydney Patrick ("Jack") Clarke died at Griffith 4 January 1950. Clara Clarke (née Conlon) died at Griffith 29 July 1952.

By courtesy of Mrs Carol Stockton (nose Clarke), Bingar Street, Yenda, 2681.

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COLLIER Jack Collier the eldest son of Mary (n6e Dean) and William Collier of Rutherglen was born on 25 June 1890. His mother, Mary Dean, was the daughter of James and Sarah Dean who had come from England in 1873 aboard the "Annie Riordan". They established a vineyard at Rutherglen which was later destroyed by the disease phylloxera. Of William and Mary's four children two sons, Jack and Tom, came to Griffith. Jack Collier was educated at the Rutherglen school. When he left school, he worked as an apprentice with Roy Chandler at Mr Jasper's of Rutherglen where he learnt his trade as a Wheelwright and Coachbuilder.

Four Generations Mary Collier (Jack's Minn), Jack Collier, Sarah Dean (Jack's Grandmother), Baby Isabel Collier (Jack's eldest child)

At the age of 24 years Jack married Florence Cecilia Owen of Indigo, at Rutherglen in 1915. Florence was the daughter of Stanley Fairfax Owen and Catherine Snow of the second marriage. Stanley had immigrated to New Zealand from England in 1848 and after about three or four years came to NSW and then to Victoria. Stanley and Elizabeth had seven children and after Elizabeth's death, Stanly married Catherine Snow and had nine children. Florence Cecelia Collier (nee Owen) Jack and Florence moved to Leeton where Jack followed his trade for three years. Jack and his wife and two children, Isabel and Bill then moved to the new town of Griffith which was called Bagtown. Jack started a business there and Florence helped her sister, Mrs Ada Cummings, who had opened a dress shop in Bagtown. 159

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• 11 • 61 16/ ( , (0.

Jack Collier - first on left wearing blacksmith's leather apron. Other men and children unknown.

Jack Collier

After some years Jack decided to take his family to Melbourne where he hoped there would be more work for him. He was able to get a job with the Railways, building train carriages. Eventually he and his family returned to the 'new town' of Griffith and worked for Mr Thompson and Mr Cecil Leckie. After several years in that employment, Jack in partnership with Mr Roy Chandler, commenced their own business. This business later became Collier, Chandler and Whybrow situated in Yambil Street on the corner where the ANZ Bank was later built across from the Griffith Hotel. (See Series 1 for Chandler and Whybrow entries). Jack loved training trotting horses. He was a staunch supporter of the trotting events in the district Shows and competed in the Trotting at Leeton and surrounding districts with Dave Taylor, Joe Byrnes and Dick Brown. Daughter Ada recalls that "when we were very young children, I can remember crowds of men in our back yard forming a circle to watch our Dad break in a horse. Sometimes the horse would throw Dad and escape down the road with the men after it, trying to catch it. At the same time Mum was trying to keep we children out of harms way. She didn't have any trouble with me as I was terrified of the huge animals." There were four children in Jack and Florence's family - Isabel was the eldest and when she left school she was asked by Mr Harry Morel if she would like to work as an usherette at the Rio Theatre and later at the Lyceum Theatre. She eventually went to Sydney to work and met and married Brian Barlow and they went to live in Canberra. After leaving Griffith High School Bill, their eldest son, served his apprenticeship as a Fitter and Turner with the Water Commission (now known as the the Department of Water Resources). He then went on to Sydney Technical College to complete a Tool Makers course. In 1942 he married Ruth Stockton of Yenda and later joined the Marine Section of the RAAF. Returning to Griffith in 1946 he and Ruth commenced an engineering business in the name of W S Collier which later became Collier and Miller. Their second son, Arthur, married Melva Smart and moved to Warren where they have transports and property. The youngest of the family, Ada Joyce, was a hairdresser for many years in Griffith and she met and married William Frew Dalrymple (a member of another pioneering family) and they moved to Jerilderie and had a property there. Ada continues - "The first house my parents lived in was in Yambil Street - opposite to where Coles Supermarket now stands. My brother, Arthur, and I were born there. Later a new house was built at 25 Canal Street where we grew up. I remember having a wonderful childhood. "We lived two doors up from the Jacka house, where Joan and her cousin Leo Bell lived with their parents and grandmother. I spent a lot of time over at Joan's house. I remember the play house where we used to cook on the old stove. Leo and Maurice Morel decided to make a steam room out of it. When they had set it up they called Mrs Bell inside and locked her in and then started the steam going. After a lot of yelling let me out of here' by Mrs Bell and 'Is it working all right Bell?' from the boys they were sure everything was working to their satisfaction. The boys let Mrs Bell out, who was very wet and cross for a little while, until she saw the funny side of it. "Another time the boys decided to make helmets to go deep sea diving (no doubt after seeing a movie at the Matinee one Saturday). They told Joan that she was to keep pumping the air through the line (I guess it was with an old car tyre pump) while they went under the water in the main canal in front of their home - never thinking of the danger. In those days we made our own fun. 161

"They also made a canoe out of tin and it worked very well. When they tested it, they started in the canal in front of the house and ended up at Lake Wyangan. I'm not sure how they got back to Griffith. Perhaps they rowed up stream or got a lift home. "The Morels had a tennis court where the old Rio Theatre used to be - behind their house in Yambil Street and we played tennis there on Sundays. Saturday was Matinee day and we wouldn't miss going to the movies for anything." Jack Collier died at the age of 67 years, in his home at 9 Palla Street, on 15 May 1958. Florence Cecilia died at the age of 80 years on 16 August 1971. Tom Collier the youngest son of William and Mary Collier enlisted in the AIF when World War I broke out. He lied about his age (he would have been about sixteen) and joined up at the same time as his father. Tom was seriously wounded in France and returned home to Rutherglen in 1919. About 1921 he came to Griffith and as times were hard he obtained employment wherever he could. He met Jenny Johns of Hillston and they were married at Hanwood in 1923. Jenny was the daughter of George and Phoebe Johns (See Johns entry this Series). Tom and Jenny returned to Rutherglen where their only daughter, Velma, was born. The family again came to Griffith about 1928 when Velma spent about three years with her grandparents in Hillston. Tom worked for the WC & IC operating a bucyrus. When World War II was declared he and his machine were sent to Trangie to help build the airport for the Civil Construction Corp. He returned to the WC & IC and remained there until his retirement. Tom also shared with his brother Jack the love of trotters and they spent many happy days together training and trotting their beloved horses. Velma married Keith McWilliam of Griffith. Tom Collier They lived for many years at Beelbangera and have four Courtesy Velma McWilliam children - Geoffrey, Brian, Lynn and Susan. They now live in retirement in Griffith. The family of William Collier and Mary Dean: 1.

Sarah married Jack Flemming.

Mary ("Mainie") married William Scott.

Eli John ("Jack") born Rutherglen 25 June 1890; died Griffith 15 May 1958. Married Florence Cecilia Owen (born c.1891; died Griffith 16 August 1971). Four children Isabel married Brian Barlow. William ("Bill") married Ruth Stockton. Arthur married Melva Smart. Ada married William Frew Dalrymple.

Tom born 3 January 1898; died Griffith 25 May 1973. Married Jenny Johns (born 1901; died Griffith January 1984). One daughter - Velma married Keith Mc William.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Ada Dalrymple (nee Collier), Jerilderie 2716. 162

COLLINS The long and happy association between the Collins family and Griffith began in 1914 but under sad circumstances. In 1913, Mary Collins (nee Adams) the mother of five children aged from four to twelve years, died from measles and when the only girl in the family died from diphtheria just three months later, their father, John, had to allow his eldest son, Jack, and the youngest, known as "Dinny" (Wilfred), to leave Hillston and live with relatives in Hanwood. Jack remained in Griffith until his death in 1981 and his story has been told elsewhere. Dinny conducted small businesses in Griffith, mainly in Yambil Street, for more than thirty years from the 1940s. Their father, John, was able to look after the other two sons, Charles and Les, until his death in 1919 orphaned the four young boys, then aged from ten to eighteen years. Les was cared for by the McKenzie/Weaver family in Hillston, with whom he lived and worked until his marriage in the 1940s. Les and his wife retired to Griffith in the early 1970s where he died in 1977. Griffith was founded on its present site in 1920 and in that year, The Collins Brothers - November 1929 Charlie, now seventeen years old, L to R: Dinny, Les, Charlie and Jack came seeking employment. For nearly two years, he lived at Bagtown and worked in one of the teams digging the Main Irrigation Canal. Not long after Jack's marriage, Charlie returned to Hillston to be near his younger brother, Les. With Jack in Griffith near the youngest brother, Dinny, the four boys tried hard to maintain close family ties. Charlie Collins married Mary Peters in the original St Alban's Church of England in Griffith in 1928. This was the same year in which the Shire of Wade was proclaimed. In 1942, he brought his family to settle in Griffith when he began employment with the Shire as Officer-in-Charge of the Griffith Water Supply Works; he had done similar work in Hillston when it began filtering water for its town water supply from the Lachlan River in 1937. Charlie continued this work with the Shire of Wade until his retirement in 1967.

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Channel Making at Griffith - 1921 (note tents in the background)

Charles Collins working with Mr George Towart's team - 1920-21 on the Main Channel at Jondaryan Avenue - now known as Irrigation Way

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Quoting in part from the Shire Council's testimonial under its Common Seal: " During this period of service, Mr Collins saw the demand for domestic water supply, during the peak demand periods, increase from an output of 900,000 gallons per day to approximately 5,000,000 gallons per day Conscientious, obliging and cheerful and understanding in his dealings with it was not members of the public uncommon for him to work a full weekend to ensure a continuity of water supply to the residents of the Shire Charlie and Mary Collins retired to Tuross Head in 1969 where he died in 1974 and Mary died in 1988. They were the parents of Neville and Dorothy. Nev was a well-known sportsman who lived and worked in Griffith until he and his wife Fay (née Clancy) moved to Tuross Head in 1970 where he died in 1980 while Mary and Charlie Collins fighting a bushfire. Wedding Day - 1928 Charlie, Mary and Neville are buried in the Griffith Lawn Cemetery. Dorothy taught at Griffith Public School and briefly at Griffith High, her old school. She married Arthur Judd, a teacher on the staff, and they live now in Hackett, ACT. The Collins boys' maternal line has been traced back as far as 1274 to the Cornwall area in England, but so far their paternal line has been traced back to County Down, Ireland, only as far as the 1850s. Their maternal grandfather was seven when he migrated to Australia with his parents in 1830 and their paternal grandfather married a girl from his own Irish county in 1859 in Melbourne. The parents of the four boys (and one girl who died aged eight) were married in 1899 in the Newlyn Schoolhouse at McKinley in the Hillston district. No doubt their December 23rd wedding date fitted in with the minister's visit to the area for Christmas celebrations as in those days it was the custom in outlying Dorothy and Neville Collins in 1946 areas for marriages and baptisms to outside the Filtration Plant Residence at Griffith be arranged to coincide with such visits.

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John Collins born Ireland 1832 died Victoria married Cecilia Merron born Ireland 1826 died Melbourne 1906 • John Collins born Melbourne Vic 1868 died Hillston NSW 9 May 1919 (buried at Hillston)

married Hillston District 23 December 1899 • •

•

Edward Adams born England 1823 died Hillston 1912 married Mary Standing born Van Diemen's Land 1845 died Hillston 1917 • Mary Adams born Gippsland 1875 died Hillston 13 January 1913 (buried at Hillston)

John (Jack) born Hillston 7 October 1900; died Griffith 22 June 1981. Married Ivy Johns; four daughters - Mary, Marjorie, Joyce and Shirley.

Charles (Charlie) born Hillston 7 December 1902; died Tuross Head 30 January 1974. Married Mary Peters (died Tuross Head 1988); two children - Neville (dec'd 1980) and Dorothy.

Mary born Hillston 20 October 1904; died Wyalong 20 April 1913.

Leslie born Hillston 19 February 1907; died Griffith 18 May 1977. Married Mabel Sheridan; one daughter - Janice.

Wilfred ("Dinny") born Hillston 27 October 1908; died Griffith 29 September 1986. Married Emily Savage; three children - Peter, Carolle and Pamela.

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Featured in "The Area News" - Thursday Jan 9, 1992

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Dorothy Judd (nee Collins), 4 Verco Street, Hackett 2602.

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COLLINS "51 years in this Garden of Eden" is how John Arthur ("Jack") Collins described his life in Griffith on the occasion of his retirement, in 1965, from the WC & IC for whom he had worked for 50 years. Jack started as a "water joey" which entailed working in the camps set up in various parts of the Griffith district and seeing that the billy was kept boiling for the gangs of workmen building the first bridges and canals; later he worked as a "nipper". These young boys were employed taking the picks and other tools backwards and forwards to the blacksmiths for sharpening and repair. More than sixty years later Jack was to recall (Western Riverina Community Library tape) - "There was a blacksmith there under the trees in Bridge Road - near the footbridge. Jack Daines and I used to go back and blow the bellows for him to help him out. And then I finished up going out on the gangs when I was old enough to get full wages, Jack and Ivy Collins on scoop gangs - out round Beelbangera, Lake View and round Murrumbidgee Avenue - in fact I was working there when the first Griffith Show was held. It was the first Show where the riot was." Jack had been born at Hillston on 7 October 1900 and was the eldest son of John and Mary Collins. Jack, his three brothers - Charlie, Les and Dinny were orphaned in 1919. Their mother had died from measles, at 37 years of age in 1913 and their father died at the age of 51 in 1919. (Mary, their sister, died just 4 months after their mother, when she was only eight years old, from diphtheria.) The young family was cared for by the McKenzie family of Hillston but the four boys soon struck out on their own. Jack came to Griffith, in 1914, to stay with his uncle and aunt, Peter Le Lievre and his wife who had taken up one of the first farms at Hanwood. He went to school at Hanwood for a year and then, by putting his age up to 16, got a job with the Commission - 4/8d a day, 48 hours a week. (In those days if it rained the workers were not paid for that days work.) Jack married Ivy Johns of Hanwood. Ivy was a pioneer in her own right. She was the daughter of George and Phoebe Johns, the original settlers on Farm 194 and 195 which is now part of the Beaumont's property "Rosemont". (See the Johns entry in this Series). Jack and Ivy's daughter, Mary, recently recalled - "On 24 August my parents were married in the Church of England church at Hanwood. The year was 1920. Their marriage was only the second to be held in that church. The building had only recently been transported to Hanwood (from "The Cliffs" on the slopes below Scenic Hill near the present village of Beelbangera. Ed.) and was still propped up on stumps. There was no resident clergyman here then. Services were conducted by clergy from outside the district. Jack and Ivy were married by the Rev Brook. This original church now stands in Pioneer Park and weddings are still held there today.

167

"My mother, Ivy, had been living with her parents where the farms were run as a dairy. Mum used to work very hard with the everyday running of the dairy. In her time the cows were hand-milked. "After their marriage my parents lived at Bagtown and Wickham's Camp as well as a camp at Tharbogang. Dad continued to work for the Commission but now with the They construction gangs. were building canals all over the district including Bilbul, Beelbangera, Yenda and Griffith. On wet days there Jack Collins with his brother-in-law, George Johns was no pay. I remember my Mum telling me how hard it was to manage, especially if there were a couple of days in a row when it rained. That meant there was very little money at the end of the week. "Not long after being married Dad drew a two acre block of land - Farm 1197. So with one child, myself, who had been born in a tent at Wickham's Camp, they moved to live in a tin shed on their block. Their second child, Mad, was born in this tin shed. The day she was born Doctor Burrell and Nurse Taylor advised Dad to take a sheet of tin off the roof because it was February and very very hot." Jack and Ivy gradually built their home Jack and Ivy Collins with Mary, Marj and Joyce which at first only consisted of three rooms. They were to have two more children - Joyce and Shirley. Mary recalls - "as children going to school we had to walk two miles to school and back every day. Then on Sundays we had to walk to Sunday School and that was over three miles from our home." Recalling those early times, for an interview for the Area News in 1965, the Collins were to say - "The first Irrigation Commission 'office' was a shed at Bagtown. The channels were dug by horse-drawn scoops; buggies, drays, horses and bicycles were used for transport." 168

"Being a vintage pioneer Jack has a good store of memories of those early days, most of them happy and amusing stories" the interview continues. "However, he had not forgotten the hardships, privations and sheer hard work of those pioneer days which laid the solid foundations on which our thriving community has been built; but, having lived through the hard times he can now afford to remember the brighter side of life in those days." One of his earliest memories of a "big event" for Old Griffith was the first Race meeting which was held in 1916, when he himself was only 16 and just an onlooker. The race track was on Scobie's farm, off the Willbriggie Road "when blokes were handcuffed to trees" until the police could transport the culprits to a safer place of The Collins Home - Farm 1197 detention. The horses (all local) were given a day off from their usual work to run the race, (rather to their surprise, apparently!!). One, a hot favourite, was called "I Won't Work", but Jack has forgotten whether he upheld his backers' confidence. He recalls sports meetings being held below Scenic Hill, near Beelbangera and another very early athletics meeting at Barellan - before the line to Barellan was completed when the Hanwood contingent was given a free ride in open trucks as far as the line went; how the ladies, in their white blouses, long skirts and floppy hats tied on with motoring veils, were soon covered in soot. The first Agricultural Show was held soon after the First War, on what was part of Cliff Thorne's old farm, facing the Hanwood Road up to the drainage channel. It was in 1919 or early 1920 because Mr Collins remembers it was definitely a hot day which accounted for all the beer drunk and was the cause of a riot. Evidently the police were expecting trouble because they had reinforcements from other districts and when the "free-for-all" started they were the eventual victors. They rounded up the most belligerent and locked them in Micky Cush's coach to take them to the lock-up in Old Griffith (Bagtown) but the onlookers let the horses go and, so the story goes, rescued the prisoners. The police were issuing summonses for the next fortnight, whenever they caught up "Prince" in the lorry with a prisoner, Mr Collins remembers. But aside from this little fracas, it was a real show with cattle and horses and trotting races, fruit exhibits from the first trees just coming into bearing and vegetables. The women had cooking and sewing entries. There was a "picture show" at Bagtown, housed in a hessian enclosure with a rickety stage, just above Micky Cush's stables. It was run by a Mr Bottrell and Sid Green and was always breaking down so that more often than not your night at the "flicks" ended very early and your money was refunded or you left it as a credit and tried again next time. The barber's shop is a vivid memory to Mr Collins. It had hessian walls too and a tin roof and a conveniently placed tree stump to sit on while you had your hair cut!

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The Collins talked of the epidemic of "Spanish Flu" (Pneumonic influenza) which swept the world after the First World War and recalled that the Hanwood Hall was used as a hospital for local patients during the epidemic. Dr Watkins was the only doctor here then and the only hospital was "a canvas turnout" near the Bagtown Commission Offices. The first hospital proper was built in Griffith on Banna Avenue, just past where the ExServicemen's parking area is now. About this time Dr Burrell arrived to work with Dr Watkins. While talking about these times Ivy Collins paid tribute to the wonderful work done by Nurse Taylor who, before there was a hospital, attended so many mothers at the birth of their babies in their own homes - besides being a bush nurse. When the Hanwood Hall was not being used as a hospital, there were dances in it once a month, with generally, just a pianist to provide the music. One of the first pianists to play for her friends was Mrs Hawkins. All the old timers remember her and she must have been a wonderful pianist from the glowing reports. Later she also played at the cinema in New Griffith (when they got one) for the silent films. When asked what Jack Collins thought of Griffith now, he replied that although the "old days" didn't seem so long ago, the New Town had grown so quickly he could hardly believe it. - "Why! You could take up a site on Banna Avenue (when you knew where that was!) for £5, providing that you built on it in 18 months." He went on to say that the space where Woolworths Shop is now (1965) was bought for £8 and sold (not to Woolworths) for £1,000. "We never thought the place would grow; it was first going to be called Ibis Town and was considered a white elephant. And anyway, not many of us could afford to build any sort of shop on Griffith's main street 40 years ago (1965). "I call it a Garden of Eden. We have Adams and Eves and apples too!" Maybe it is because of people like him who stuck it out and worked hard that the present Adams and Eves can enjoy the apples. (Area News - 1965). Ivy Collins was a member of the CWA and was awarded a life membership of Griffith branch. She was also involved for many years with the Presbyterian Ladies Guild.

Banna Avenue, Griffith Three Collins girls sitting on the lawn

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Jack and Ivy celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in 1980, surrounded by their family whom they loved and enjoyed. They later sold their block and were some of the first residents to move into Pioneers Lodge where they were very happy. Their two eldest daughters - Mary and Marjorie - had a double wedding at the Griffith Presbyterian Church in 1944, when Mary married Harry Mitchell of Yenda and Marj married Allan Doolan of Bilbul. It was one of the first in Griffith. Joyce married Alan Klimpsch of Wagga and Shirley married Eric Rushton of Griffith. Reporting on his death, in 1981, the Area News was to say - "John Arthur ("Jack") Collins died peacefully in his sleep at the Griffith Pioneers' Lodge during the night of June 22. He will be remembered as a quiet, honest and hard-working man, a devoted husband and a loving father."

The Collins Girls Shirley, Joyce, Marj and Mary

The Double Wedding - L to R: Alf Adams, Velma Collier, Harry Mitchell, Mary Collins, Allan Doolan, Marj Collins, Joyce Collins, Colin Doolan

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Mary Mitchell (née Collins) 6/10 Hoad Street, Griffith. 171

COLWELL The first to arrive in Australia of this Colwell family was Frederick Ray Colwell, a Methodist Minister, who migrated together with his brother James c.1860 from Gloucester, England. Frederick married Mary Sanday in Sydney and had a family of five - Arthur, Muriel, Walter, Ray and Ofa. Walter Rudford Colwell, born at Bega NSW on 21 October 1888, married at Armidale, in 1915, Linda Elizabeth Ann Rogan who was born in the Dorrigo district on 26 December 1896. After graduating from the Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Walter worked with the New South Wales Department of Agriculture and prior to coming to Griffith in 1919 he was stationed at the Trangie Experimental Farm. Walter and Linda had three children - Mary, Joan and Frederick. Fred tells us "as I was only 41/2 years old when we left the MIA my memories are not very clear. However I do remember that I loved and was loved by a Mr and Mrs Cartwright who used to take me to their farm for short stays. I remember fishing for yabbies in their dam, but don't remember ever catching any!! I also recall being taken on delivery trips for Simpson's Store in the T-Ford truck - a real highlight!"

Frederick Ray Colwell

Tom Rogan

born Gloucester, England

born Albion Park NSW married in Sydney

married in Sydney

Mary Sanday

Louisa Fowler

born Windsor NSW

born Shellharbour NSW

Walter Rudford Colwell born Bega NSW 21 October 1888 died 4 November 1974

Linda Elizabeth Ann Rogan

married Armidale

born Tongarra near Albion Park 26 December 1896 died 4 May 1987

1915

Mary horn Coonamble NSW 30 January 1916; married Norman Tonks at Hobart Tas; lives at Teatree Tas Joan born Trangie NSW 16 July 1918; married Arthur Risby at Hobart Tas; lives at Hobart Tas

Frederick Walter Thomas born Yenda 9 October 1920; married Catherine Neill at Hobart Tas; lives at Gold Coast Qld

By courtesy of Fred Colwell, 5 Rio Vista Palms, 172 Barrier Reef Drive, Robina 4226.

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CONDON Thomas Condon was born in 1889 at Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland. He was one of ten children of Richard and Margaret who were dairy farmers. Their children included Lily, who entered the Presentation Convent where she subsequently became Mother Superior and a well respected teacher. Larry became editor of the "Dungarvan Courier" and was a prominent member of the Sinn Fein3. Pat and Brigid became teachers and John took over the family farm. The original farm is still being farmed by John's daughter Margaret and her family.

Thomas Condon at the Griffith show - 1950

In 1911, at the age of 22, Thomas migrated to Australia arriving in Sydney with the sum of £5 in his pocket. He made his way to Tamworth then later on to Mt Russell, near Inverell, where he went to work as a farm labourer. When war broke out he saw it as a chance of steady employment and the opportunity to return home to visit his family. A very good incentive also was the relief from cutting burrs in a lucerne paddock amid swarms of flies. He enlisted in the Infantry (No 174) and joined the 33rd Battalion 4th Division. He was posted to France where he saw service in the trenches and was involved in the prolonged offensive of the Somme.

The Irish separatist nationalist movement of the late 19th and early 20th century.

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While on leave in England he crossed to Ireland to visit his family. In view of the Irish-English problem of the time, his family received this member of the AIF, who was fighting alongside the British Army, with mixed feelings. Tom returned to Australia at the end of the war, carrying some shrapnel in his knee and eye, and recovering from the effects of gas. He heard of the new Soldier Settlement being established in the MIA and applied for inclusion in the Ballot. To be eligible for a block, the returned 1919 soldiers had to spend some time clearing the land, and attend some training in farming. He was housed in the Beelbangera Barracks. When the time came he selected Farm 393. His neighbours included McKissacks, Tommy Waslin, Tony and Bill Wood, Bill Swales, the Jones brothers (Keith, Arthur and Ron), the Pomroys, Pooleys, Chauncys, Marriotts, Stewarts, Hunters, Cains, Marchintons, Hamiltons, Hollyoaks, Sheldons, Reg Smith, McClelland, King, Wells, Halse, Owens, Hayes-Williams and the Cotterills. The Irrigation Commission stipulated that large area farms (150 Tom, acres) be dairy farms. however, did not believe that dairy farms were a viable proposition, considering the climate and the fact that they had to deliver the cream by horse lorry to Whitton 18 miles away from where it was to be taken by train to a butter factory at Leeton. He refused to establish a dairy, a fact that probably did not Hay Stacking on Farm 393 - mid 1930s endear him to the authorities, and may have been the reason that he had to build his own home instead of receiving help with the usual Commission homes that other farmers had. Tom saw a better future in wheat, oats, chaff and sheep. Oats and chaff of course were the basic fuel for the transport of the period (horses). The mowing, raking, binding and stacking of hay were all done with very primitive machinery. The steam-driven chaff cutters burnt large quantities of wood. Wheat harvesting could be hazardous. Under an oak tree on Farm 393 are the remains of an ancient three-wheeled stripper. On one occasion with Tom Sullivan holding the reins and perched precariously on the rickety seat, the horses bolted. Since all the mechanism was driven by a cog connected to the ground wheel, the faster the horses bolted, the faster the machinery roared and the faster the horses went. Mr Sullivan survived not only the danger of falling into the machinery but also the danger from flying parts as the stripper revved to its destruction. Tom started out living in a tent, later building a simple two-roomed house with a verandah protected by hessian and a lean-to bathhouse and washing facility. Water was drawn by bucket from the nearby dam he had sunk. Entertainment consisted of visits with the neighbours. Tom providing the music for sing-alongs with his violin. It was on one of these visits, probably to the Pomroys, that Tom met Janie Wood. Janie was teaching near Temora and had come over to visit her brothers, Bill and Tony. Tom and Janie were married in Temora in 1923. Their first son, Richard ("Dixie") was born in October in a little hospital in Yenda. In September the following year, 174

Janie was pregnant with her second child, when she suffered a severe haemorrhage. She was "rushed" by horse and sulky to the Cottage Hospital in Griffith where she was under the care of Dr Watkins. Sadly, Janie and the baby died three days later. She was buried in Brooklyn where her parents lived. "Dixie" was taken to be cared for by his Grandparents. In 1928 Tom married Janie's sister, Geordie Wood, also a teacher, who had been teaching at Bellangry near Wauchope. Georgina Wood was the seventh of ten children of William and Elizabeth Wood. William Henry Wood came out from Co Tyrone in the north of Ireland in 1884. He was accompanied by his brother, George. Both were surveyors who settled on the south coast at Ulladulla. George thought the country too rough and returned to Ireland. William Wood gave up the idea of surveying and turned to teaching. He did his training course at Blackfriars Correspondence School in Sydney. He began teaching at Milton, where he married Elizabeth Gray and in 1896 was appointed to Brooklyn. Most of the family were born in Brooklyn. Geordie had three brothers living in Yenda - Bill and Tony who were also Soldier Settlers and her brother, Tom, who had come down to help with the farms.

Wood Brothers Dairy - 1921

Anthony Barclay Chapman Wood ("Tony"), or as he was commonly known, ABC Wood, was the eldest in the family. He attained the rank of Lieutenant and served in the Middle East and in France. He married Elizabeth Powell from Liverpool, England in 1919. They had two sons, Donald, who was killed in the fall of Singapore in the second World War and John who became a teacher and lives at Camden. Tony later opened a Mercery store in Yenda selling men's and ladies' clothing. He enlisted in the World War II. After the war he settled back in Yenda, managing in turn the Yenda Producers, the Griffith Producers and the Jondaryan Club. William Henry Williams Wood ("Bill"), became a captain in the first war and served in the Middle East and in France. He and Tony both drew soldier settlement blocks

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and with the help of their brother, Tom, established a dairy. Bill later took over Tony's farm and Gregson's farm which he later sold to Fred Pooley and moved to "Bimbimbie". After his death in 1943, his only daughter, Margaret, farmed here until she died in 1988. A single lady, she bequeathed the Estate to Legacy in memory of her father. Legacy gave the money to Scalabrini Village where a wing was built and named "The Bill Wood Wing". Bill grew rice, wheat and sheep on "Bimbimbie". He was one of the original Councillors of the Wade Shire and was a member of the Soldier Settler Committee and of the Rice Marketing Board. He was badly burned in an accident with a hay loading machine. Another sister, Sylvia, came to the area in 1932 and nursed for two weeks at Dr Goldberg's hospital - the Loretto Hospital. She was then appointed to the District Hospital, where Matron Abbey was in charge and Jack McWilliam was Chairman of the Board. She worked there for two years and became Deputy Matron. Other nursing sisters at the time were Sisters Beacon, Willis and Finlay (known as "Fin" and who later married Dave Taylor). Tom and Geordie were married at Waitara in Sydney in 1928. Tom also then bought his first car - a Rugby 6. The car salesman showed him how to drive and they set off on a very narrow, winding, steep and stoney Pacific Highway north to Brooklyn to pick up Dick ("Dixie"), from where the newly weds left for Yenda. No driver's licence was required at that time. In the mid 1920s it became apparent that dairying was not successful Barra Avenue - 1930s and many of the original farmers had gone Geordie Condon and Emily Valesek broke. Those who had gone broke were offered £300 to walk off their farms and those farmers who were left were able to purchase or rent these farms in accordance with a resettlement scheme. Tom acquired the farms of two of the Jones brothers, one of which had a better house on it. He later acquired blocks from Reg Smith, Fred Pooley and Bill Wood (including the blocks Bill Wood had previously taken over from Tony Wood and Gregson and those that Fred Pooley had taken over from "Yank" Brennan). Bill Wood relocated to a "Merribee" block in the early thirties and Tom had a dry "Merribee" block as additional area. In regard to the Reconstruction, Tom's eldest son, Dick remembers trips to Leeton in the Rugby with Wade Shire President, Jack Kelly. Jack was a tireless worker for a better deal for the settlers and a leader in farm reconstruction. In 1924 a neighbour, Sid Marchinton, grew the first commercial rice crop on the Area. It was successful (1.4 ton per acre), so other farmers began rice farming the following year. Tom was one of these. In his first year he sowed 12 acres. In these early

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days harvesting was very primitive. The borders had to be cut with a sickle or a scythe, before the header could come in. The header was a Coffee Pot header pulled by a horse team or a bullock team when the ground was too wet. 1934 was a memorable year for a wet harvest. The header had spoked wheels which constantly filled with mud. The farmers cut sheets of tin and tied them to the spokes to try to keep the mud out. (No matter how boggy it was Tom felt it could not be compared with carrying the wounded through mud at Passchendaele.) When the box was filled with grain, the header had to stop so that the rice could be emptied into bags. This was a huge delay, so some farmers contributed to send Keith Jones to the Mackay Harvester people to see if the rice could be bagged out while the header was moving. This became the system till the mid 1950s with improvements such as better engines, and, in about 1936 rubber tyres. At times during harvest there would be unsewn bags standing in the stubble, sewn bags on the horse-drawn snigging-out' jinkers or trailers and also in the stack on the roadside. Unexpected rain at night could bring on a rush to cart in or cover these bags. In the early days drovers were a common sight, walking sheep into the Griffith markets. Fat lambs however were often walked into railway trucking yards at Yenda or Wumbulgal for consignment to Back row far right - W II Wood Sydney or Melbourne. Mark Garfitt did Front - T C Wood much of the droving. Life was very hard, money was short and bartering was common - sheep for petrol or eggs for fruit etc. Water had to be carried from the dam for washing and bathing. Washing was done outside using a copper, washboards and home-made soap. Food was kept either in the dripsafe or in a meat safe (a metal box liberally dotted with tiny holes to let the air through, which was hung outside in the shade of the old pepper tree). The legs of tables and cupboards stood in jam tins filled with water to prevent the ants getting at the food. Meat, milk, eggs, bread and potatoes were the basics - anything else was luxury. Much of the meat had to be salted to preserve It. If there was nothing to eat and a visitor arrived, Geordie would rush outside, chop the head off one of the chooks, then pluck, clean and bake it. Geordie and Tom had three more children - Tom, Heather and Pat. Dick attended Yenda Public School, then later the three younger ones followed. Miss Gorman was the kindergarten teacher. When the Convent was opened the two girls transferred over there.

Slugging out was the term used for the haulage of bagged grain from the header dumps in the paddock to a stack on the side of the road from where the carrier could load it onto his truck. Logs laid on the ground under the stack to keep the bottom row dry, were referred to as dunnage. The jinker used was the chassis of a car or truck with the back wheels still attached and the front skidding along the ground and pulled by a chain. A sled was also used. It was made from the fork of a tree with planks nailed across to make a platform.

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Dick went on to Yanco - then called The McCaughey Memorial High School. Tom, Heather and Pat rode their bikes the four miles into school each day, Tom having to dink Pat for a while until she got her own bike. When the roads became muddy they had to stop every few hundred hards to clear the wheels. Mudguards were abandoned as they only caused too much clogging so the children would arrive at the school literally covered with mud. When it was raining, Andy Norton, the local bush vet, who lived at Cains, took the children to school in his buggy. At one stage the children rode horses into school, keeping them during the day in a yard at the back of the school. Other riders were Dot and Dave Hamilton, Peg, Bob and Godfrey McKissack, Bob Bowkett, Dick and George Kayess, Sheila McClelland and Mary Flood. Pooles, Lairds, Sullivans and Dulcie Mitchell came in sulkies. Tom had to buy ponies from time to time and retrain them if there was too much shying, bucking and bolting.

I, to R: Dot Hamilton, Mary Flood, David Hamilton, Betty Laird, Jean Laird, Peg McKissack, Bob McKissack, Dick Condon, Tom Condon, Keith Chauncy

One winter morning when the frost and mist were thick they arrived at school on their bikes with their beanies and gloves covered with frost. One of the nuns was horrified to see this and ushered them in to the parlour by the fire to get them a cup of cocoa. Sister Maria Therese, who taught music, was not nearly so sympathetic about colds hands, when a ruler would come out to remind cold fingers not to strike the wrong notes. Sister Dorothea - a nun of some renown - taught third class. Often the class was treated to the sight of dust rising from the pants of a recalcitrant schoolboy. The Wade boys were common targets. If the cane happened to break, the luckless lad was sent down to the willow to cut another! First Communion was a time for great celebration. The Church Hall a "grand" tin affair at the back of the school was the scene for First Communion Breakfasts. Tables were laid with white linen, little girls in white frocks and veils, little boys, wearing angelic expressions as well as their white shirts, "tucked" into a sumptuous feast with Father Byrne presiding. The hall was a popular venue for all kinds of social functions - dances, fund-raising games nights etc. Games nights were a popular way to raise funds and the Curran family hosted many of these. Other forms of entertainment were tennis afternoons. Tom and Geordie had a court, Sheldons had a court, as well as other neighbours. On one occasion

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the adults playing tennis looked around to see a two year old Pat calmly walking out of the dam. "The Willows", a bridge over the Southern (Mirrool Branch) canal, lined along one side with large shady willow trees, was a popular bathing spot on a hot summer afternoon. People came from near and far. The current downstream was very strong and turbulent and the general practice was to enter the torrent near the bridge and be swept downstream about sixty yards to a big rope stretched across the canal. Rugs were spread on the banks and the picnic laid out. At times there were enough children and adults to run a cricket match. The mosquitos usually drove everyone home at nightfall. McKissacks, Kayess', Blackburns, Sullivans, Lairds, Marriotts, Chauncys, Whelans, Cains, Hamiltons and later on the Daltons were frequent picnickers. One such picnic was in progress in 1939 when a huge dust storm hit. The red dust swirled everywhere and it was difficult to see the way home. In the morning we woke to find our pillows covered in dust and where our head lay a white spot, as we slept on the verandah. Tom was soon mixing rice growing with fat lamb production and in the thirties was a pioneer in the very successful rotation of rice with sub clover. An inscription on a cup shows he was placed third in a 1939 rice growing competition. He had the highest yield in the Area in 1953 and along with Brian Farley and Keith Jones, broke the 4 ton (to the acre) barrier in 1954. His lambs often topped the markets in Griffith, Melbourne and Sydney. A retired carrier (Alec Morris) recalls loading lambs for a farmer who stated "I'm going to beat Tom Condon today", whereupon the carrier replied "No you won't, I've just taken his in and I was only able to fit in 97 lambs, while I've got 120 of yours on"! Geordie and Tom were both keen sportspersons. Geordie was Yenda Ladies Singles Tennis Champion and they were also keen members of the Yenda Golf Club. Later they turned to bowls. Geordie as a foundation member of the Griffith Women's The Condon home on Farm 393 Bowling Club was among those called on to weed the fledgling bowling turf. She was also a very keen bridge player and an early member of the Griffith Women's Club. Geordie was ever an educator and she made sure that all four children had the opportunity to receive higher education, not so common in those days. Dick studied Agricultural Science at Sydney University, having won a James Murphy Bursary. He joined the Soil Conservation Service, went on to become Western Lands Commissioner, and was subsequently awarded a Fellowship in the Institute of Agricultural Science. He was awarded

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an Order of Australia for his services to Conservation. Dick married Dorothy Broderick, the daughter of another Yenda pioneer. They have five children and now live in Miranda. Tom accepted a Teachers College Scholarship and also studied Agricultural Science. However on graduation he opted out of teaching to come back to farming. He is very active in farmers' organisations. He married Janice Britliff and they have four children one of whom, Jonathon, is still carrying on the family tradition by farming at Farm 393. Heather was not keen to go to University and became a secretary to local solicitor, Bill Noyce. She married Gerard Sertori, son of one of Griffith's earliest dentists, Dr Joe Sertori. They have five children. Pat studied Nutrition and Dietetics after graduating in Science. She married Bill Tyson, son of Walter Tyson and they have four children. Pat is Dietitian at Griffith Hospital and they farm in the Warburn area.

Richard Condon married Margaret Grady • THOMAS CONDON 1889-1973 born Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland died Griffith NSW married (1) JANIE WOOD 1902-1925 [the daughter of William Henry and Elizabeth (née Gray) Woody • •

Richard ("Dick") born Yenda October 1924; married Dorothy Broderick; five children. Dick and Dorothy now live at Miranda.

married (2) GEORGINA ("GEORDIE") WOOD 1904-1990 (the daughter of William Henry and Elizabeth (née Gray) Wood] • • 2.

Thomas ("Tom") born 1929; married Janice Britliff; four children. Toni and Jan live on Farm 393, Yenda.

Heather horn 1931; married Gerard Sertori; five children. Gerard and Heather live at Nelson Bay NSW

Patricia ("Pat") born 1933; married William ("Bill") Tyson; four children. Pat and Bill live at Warburn.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of the Condon and Wood Families. 180

COOPER/NAYLOR/KING COOPER Martin Dewing Cooper arrived in Sydney aboard "The Wellington" in 1822. He described himself, on official documents, as a sailor, mariner and tide waiter (early excise officer). In 1838, at St Andrews Presbyterian Church of Scotland, he married Margaret Seymour who had been born in the Colony in 1800. Their son, Stephen Walker Cooper, was born in 1843 and he married a widow, Mary Welsh (nee Kelly from County Sligo, Ireland). Mary had two sons from her first marriage, John and William Welsh. In 1876, Stephen and Mary had a son, also named Stephen Walker, born at Guntawang in the Gulgong area. Stephen Cooper jnr and Elizabeth Naylor were married at the Church of England, Cootamundra on 2 September 1899. Their eldest son, Walter, was born in 1902 at West Wyalong, in a house where the Masonic Lodge now stands. In all, six of their eight children were born whilst the family lived at West Wyalong. When the mines closed at West Wyalong, Stephen Stephen Walker Cooper and his wife, Elizabeth (née Naylor) moved his family to the Ardlethan tin mines. He was an May 1931 Engine Driver holding "Engine Drivers certificate No 543" Courtesy Betty Blake and so worked on the surface of the mines and was in charge of the steam engines. The older children attended the Ardlethan Tin Mines School. On 22 August 1922 the family moved to Canal Street, Griffith. Steve (as Stephen Walker was known) and his second son Roy had come over earlier and erected a dwelling at 93 Canal Street. In 1923 the baby of the family arrived, Vera Ruth, making a total of eight children. Steve Cooper used his knowledge of boilers and helped with the installation of the Babcock and Wilcox Boiler at Penfolds Winery. He later worked for the Council driving the steam roller. Steve's advice to all his children was:- "In life you need two things, a good bed and a good pair of boots, because when you are not in one you're in the other." Early in the 1930s sections of Mirrool House were sold off and the family purchased a section. It was moved by Pat Rosseter to No. 99 Canal Street and became the family home. This was always known in the family as the "big house" and is still standing in Canal Street today (1992). Elizabeth Cooper (nee Naylor) was a hard working and industrious woman. To supplement the family income in times of financial difficulty, one either took in boarders or washing. There was no room in the house for boarders, so Elizabeth took in washing from the bachelors who lived at the Victoria Hotel. Two of these were Perce Gibbons and Harold 181

Davoren snr. Arthur Mears and Roy Burgess, the tailor from Prests, who boarded with Cunninghams in Yambil Street, were also her customers. All the washing was done by Elizabeth in a copper and the clothes would be returned freshly ironed to the bachelors. While doing her washing she wore an apron made from hessian - it was always edged and trimmed with floral cretonne. She always changed her clothes in the afternoon and would don an apron she had embroidered with old world flowers and crinoline ladies. Elizabeth also had a large family to feed. As well as her own family, her mother Susannah Naylor lived next door with her grandson, Walter King, and later his brother, Cyril King. As Mrs Naylor grew older the boys came to the Cooper home for their meals and Grandma Naylor's (as she was known to the family) were taken to her. All the cooking was done in the small kitchen over a fuel stove. The central room of the house was the large "Grandma Naylor's House" dining room with a large table and long wooden L to R: Vera, Violet, Wally King, Steve, stools down each side. and Alma. Standing at rear - Doris. One of Elizabeth's favourite pastimes was to Courtesy Wally King make picture books. The paper was a deep blue, possibly from around cotton wool, pasted onto calico pages made from old sheeting using home made paste. The pictures were cut from magazines and jam tin labels, and also Sunday School Cards. These were a great treat for the children, as was the home made toffee she made and kept in jars in the kitchen. This toffee was made in pie plates and broken into pieces. For the girls she also made little brooches. These were made by placing a small picture of flowers face down in a spoon, pouring over plaster of Paris and placing a small safety pin into the plaster while still soft. She made quantities of jam. Her Workmen at Penfolds - Steve Cooper containers were beer bottles, cut with a piece at rear with cigarette in his mouth of hot wire; the covers were brown paper tied Courtesy Betty Blake with string. In 1930 the eldest son, Walter, returned to Griffith with his wife and small daughter, Betty. He had been living and working in Sydney but was forced to return to the family because of the Depression. To accommodate them, as the family was still living in what they always referred to as "the little

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house", the boys (Roy, Steve jnr, Wally King and Cyril King) moved next door and slept on Grandma Naylor's verandah to give their room to Walter and his family. Grandma's house was always open for all her family. Walter established a case making factory in Yambil Street - opposite Trenerrys and supplied local farmers with fruit packing cases. The factory later moved to the railway yards and then to Bonegilla Road where the Griffith Building Supplies now stands. During World War II Walter managed the old Griffith Cannery built on the site of "The Millions Club" where Woolworths now stands. The third son, Stephen William, was a prominent footballer in Griffith and in 1935 played lock forward for Balmain in Sydney.

The Cooper Family - 1961 L to R: Standing - "Topsy", Walter and 1)orrie Sitting - Alma, Violet, Roy and Vera Courtesy Betty Blake

Picnic at the River 1. to R: Back - Dorrie Cooper, Wally King, Steve Cooper Front - "Topsy " Doyle (nee Cooper), Bill Doyle, Eve Hilton, Violet Cooper, Vera Cooper Courtesy Wally King

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NAYLORJKING When the Cooper family arrived in Griffith in 1922, Elizabeth's widowed mother, Mrs Susannah Naylor, came with them. Her five sons had gone to South Africa to live. She had in her care her daughter Violet's younger son, Walter Naylor King (nicknamed "Sammy" by the Cooper family). She had reared Wally from birth following the death of his mother. Wally remembers travelling to Ardlethan with his Grandmother in a sulky to visit the family. The young Walter attended school in Griffith, where he was an early Boys Captain of the Griffith Intermediate High School. After his Grandmother's death he resided with his Aunt Elizabeth (Cooper). He married Dorothy Blance from Bilbul and they had three children. His four older brothers, George, Arthur, Phillip and Cyril, were brought up by their Susannah Naylor (n& Phillips) father, Phillip King. One brother, Cyril King, later came Courtesy Wally King to Griffith and lived with the Cooper and Naylor family. Cyril married Ivy Pettit from West Wyalong and resided in Griffith for many years. They had one daughter, Margaret. On arrival in Griffith, Susannah purchased a house in Canal Street, next to the Cooper family. She purchased other houses in Canal and Yambil Streets - the rental of these provided her with an income. Susannah was a devout member of the Salvation Army Church both in West Wyalong and Griffith. She wore her uniform and badge proudly and till the end of her days played the tambourine with the Salvation Army Band outside the Lyceum Theatre on a Saturday night. In the later years a chair would be brought out from the Garden of Roses Cafe for her to sit on (by courtesy of the proprietors Jim Prineas and Jim Theodore). At one time Susannah entered a competition for naming a new product put out by Kraft Foods Pty Ltd - in competition with a product called Marmite. The new product was a vegetable extract and she was one of five people who entered the name of "Vegemite". She received a prize of £10 - a very large sum of money in those days! Her great-grand-daughter, Betty Blake (nee Cooper), remembers taking the paper to her every day and for this she would be rewarded with a little Sunday School Card. One day Susannah told Betty's mother that she was worried that she had only two cards left to give Betty and did not know what she would do. Susannah died two days later! Wally ("Sammy") King After her death her body was taken to West Wyalong Courtesy Wally King for burial beside her husband.

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Stephen Walker Cooper born Sydney 23 December 1843

Henry Naylor born "Urila Homestead" Queanbeyan, 25 Sept 1852 died 13 February 1920 married Susannah Phillips - Reared grandson, Walter born Burra SA King born West Wyalong; 9 November 1854 married Dorothy Blance. died 26 Nov 1931 (See Series 2)

married Mary Welsh (née Kelly) County Sligo Ireland

Stephen Walker Cooper born Guntawang in the Gulgong area NSW 10 May 1876 died & buried Griffith 30 September 1938

married

Elizabeth Louisa Naylor born "Captains Flat" Queanbeyan NSW 3 June 1878 died & buried Griffith 19 September 1952

•

• Walter Alfred born West Wyalong NSW 31 October 1902; died 14 August 1967 (buried Griffith); married Thelma Ross. Three childrenElizabeth (Betty Blake), Margaret (Peggy Delves) and Walter. 2.

Roy George born West Wyalong NSW 9 March 1905; died 17 Jan 1972 (buried Griffith). Never married.

Florence Lilian Elizabeth ("Topsy") born Waterloo NSW 14 Nov 1907; died 1991; married William (Bill) Doyle (dec'd). Two childrenNoel and Maureen (Parker).

Alma Maude Adeline born West Wyalong NSW 15 Dec 1909; died 10 Sept 1963; married Percy Whalan (dec'd). Three children - Daphne (Buchan), Stephen William (Mick) and Leslie.

Stephen William born West Wyalong NSW 1913; died 29 June 1961 (buried Griffith); married Dorothy Monte. Two children - Barry and Deanne.

Violet Mary Edith born West Wyalong NSW 13 September 1917; died Gosford 5 May 1986 married Wilfred Harold Hall (dec'd - see Series 2). Two children - Judith (McLean) and James.

Doris May born Ardlethan 20 Aug 1919; now living at Tuross Heads NSW; married Stanley Martin Hore. Three children - Lesley (Wilmouth), Gregory (dec'd) and Sandra (Lamont).

Vera Ruth born Griffith 18 Nov 1923; died 22 Dec 1979 (buried Griffith); married David Shepherd. Three children - David, Carol Wallace and Dale.

By courtesy of Betty Blake (nee Cooper) of Yenda and Peggy Delves (nee Cooper) of Hanwood 2680.

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CROCE Simeone and Rachele Croce, together with their one-year-old daughter, Laura (who was always called "Lauretta" within the family circle) arrived in Griffith in July/August 1923, from Verona in northern Italy. At Verona Simeone had been a policeman in the Italian police force.

Italian Police Force - c.1920 Simeone Domenico Croce far right back row (marked with a cross)

Their first home was a hessian and bag shack on Farm 63 at Hanwood owned by their cousins Guerino and Giuditta Baltieri. Shortly after their arrival at Hanwood their friend Guerino became sick, developed pneumonia and died leaving his 28 year-old wife, Giuditta, with three small children, a babe of two months and a farm to work. On 31 October (1923) Rachele gave birth, three months prematurely, to their second daughter, Lora Lucia. Because Giuditta had lost her milk as a result of the shock of her husband's sudden and unexpected death, Rachele fed both babies. The baby Lora had weighed only three pounds at birth so, in those times, it was a miracle she survived quite apart from Rachele feeding the tiny Rino Baltieri as well. In 1924 Simeone moved his family to Burrinjuck where he became foreman of a group of Italian workers constructing the dam wall. A son, Leo, now still resident in Griffith, and another daughter, Lidia, were born to them while at Burrinjuck. Lidia, however, did not survive and died at six months of age. They lived in a corrugated iron house very close to where the wall was being built and remained there until 1934 when they returned to Hanwood. 186

Prior to the move to Burrinjuck, Simeone and Rachele had purchased Block 1009 at Hanwood. On their return they were accompanied by Simeone's married brother, Constantino ("Constante"), with whom he bought Farm 109 at Hanwood. Here they all lived together until the following year, 1935, when Simeone sold his share of Farm 109 to Constante and moved with his family to Block 1009 and lived in a hessian and bag house that they built. A second son, Lino, was born after they settled back at Hanwood. He lived with his L to R: Lora Lucia, Leo Domenico and Laura Croce at family on the original block taken the front of the house near the wall at Burrinjuck Dam up by Simeone until his move to Port Macquarie. The family cleared their block and planted it with grapes, mainly table grapes. Simeone worked full time as a cooper (barrel maker) at McWilliams Winery at Hanwood until his untimely death in 1939 at the age of 46 from pneumonia. Rachele continued to work the land herself with the help of her children as they grew older. They completed the new house which Simeone had started to build before his death. It was a great struggle, especially during the Depression years, but they grew their own vegetables and raised chickens. They also had a cow which they milked and made their own butter and cheese. (Whilst alive Simeone had made wine from some of the grapes.) The family owned one bicycle which they would ride into Griffith. Otherwise they would walk to work or if going visiting. They didn't own a horse. During World War II Lauretta met and married an American serviceman, Raymond Wray and went to live in the United States at the end of the war. She lives in Martinsville, Virginia and has four children. As a child and into her teenage years Lora suffered a lot of sickness, with long stays in Narrandera Hospital under the care of Dr Lethbridge. Rachele Emilia Croce As she was so young and her parents could only visit

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her very infrequently, Dr Lethbridge took a special interest in her and showed her many kindnesses. On Sunday mornings, before going off to golf, he would visit and sing to little Lora. On her discharge from hospital this compassionate doctor presented to her a signed painting which he had painted himself. Tragically Lora then contracted two bouts of rheumatic fever 5/7 years apart which resulted in very lengthy stays in Prince Henry Hospital in Sydney. Being so young it was very frightening for her to be sick and alone in Sydney. Her parents were only able to make very occasional visits to her in Sydney. However, a very kindly, elderly Sydney lady, Miss McKenzie visited Lora in hospital and would comfort her as well as doing her washing. Her kindness was greatly appreciated by Simeone and Rachele when they had to return to the rest of their family in Hanwood. Simeone Domenico Croce died 19 February 1939. Rachele Emilia (née Gaspari) died 6 August 1953. They are buried together in the Catholic section of the Griffith Cemetery. The children born to Simeone and Rachele Croce are: 1.

Stillborn Twins - born Italy

Laura born Italy July 1921; married Raymond Wray. Laura lives in Martinsville, Virginia USA and has four children.

Lora born Hanwood 31 October 1923; died Griffith 12 November 1989. Married Tony Poscoliero; two children 1. Gloria married Sergio Peruch Desmond married Lois Hill 2.

Leo Domenico born Burrinjuck 25 April 1925; married Doris Ward. He lives in Griffith and has three children 1. Dulcie married Lui DeRossi Pauline married Bruce Summers 2. Karen married Ian Minchin 3. Stillborn baby boy 4.

Lidia born Burrinjuck; died Burrinjuck aged six months.

Lino Albino born Hanwood; married Maisie Jackson. He lives at Port Macquarie and has four children Kim 1. Christopher married Mary Callipari 2. Simon married Lisa Gatto 3. Nyome 4.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Gloria Peruch (nee Poscoliero), Farm 1918, Yenda 2681. 188

Constantino ("Constante") Croce arrived in Australia from the town of Badia Calavena in the Province of Verona, northern Italy in April 1924 and came to Hanwood to work for Len Wincey, an Adelaide businessman who took up Farm 76. Wincey was a bachelor and his two sisters came to keep house for him and for some time his older brother, William, was also here. Constante worked for Wincey until 1930 when he returned to Italy to many, in the city of Verona, his fiancee Luigia Corradi who had been born in the town of Velo in the northern Alps and which was quite close to Badia Calavena. Luigia was the daughter of Pietro Corradi and Rosina (née Tessa). Constante returned to Hanwood in 1931 before his pregnant wife, Luigia, gave birth 21 April 1931 to their first child, Peter. Constante had been told that he was to be called on up for army service in Africa. Not wishing to serve in the Army he went to Naples to obtain passage on a P & 0 liner because, had he travelled on an Italian ship, he would probably only have got as far as Port Said before being apprehended by Italian authorities and forced to serve in the Italian army in Africa. After Constante's hasty departure Luigia lived in Verona city with two of her sisters - Asunta, a widow, and Maria who was married and also living with her family in that city. Back in Griffith in 1932 Constante grew tobacco in shares with Vittorio Bianchini, Mr Montenari and Henry (Enrico) Lucca on whose land the crop was grown. It was a four way partnership. Lucca provided the land while the other three did all the work. The next year Constante leased land from the Goodsell family on Farm 120, Hanwood and again grew tobacco but alone this time. In 1934 Luigia, accompanied by the three year old Peter, came to Australia. About this time the brothers Simeone and Constante bought, in partnership, Farm 109. A short time later Simeone sold his share of this farm to Constante. In 1935 Luigia and Constante's second son, Enso, was born on 22 October. Both boys had their schooling at Hanwood and later in Griffith.

The Croce home on Farm 109 - 1936 Constante holding his son, Enso, with young Peter beside his mother, Luigia Courtesy Enso Croce

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Luigia and Constante, with their family, lived on Farm 109 for the rest of their lives. Constante died 30 March 1973 at the age of 75 years. Their elder son, Peter, aged 46 years died 17 February 1978 leaving his wife Rita (nee Reginato) and three children - Dino, Lucia and Valerio. Luigia died on 7 September 1988, aged They are all buried in Griffith 89 years. Cemetery. In 1986 Enso married Dora (nee Giner) from Buenos Aires. They have one son, Andrew. This part of the Croce family still farm and live on Farm 109. When the farm was subdivided the part which became Farm 2724 is Enso's Christening Day owned by Enso and his family and the original L to R: John Bonetti, Peter Croce nursing Enso Alba Bonetti (later Curial). portion of Farm 109 is still owned and farmed by Courtesy Enso Croce Peter's widow, Rita, and their three children.

L to R: Len Wincey holding Eugenio Colautti, William Wincey holding Walter Colautti, Simeone Croce and Constante Croce Courtesy Gloria Peruch (nee Poscoliero)

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L to R: Vittorio and Emma Guglielmini, Amadeo and Clelia Pastro, Constante, Luigia and Peter Croce, Giacomo and Maria Cicci nursing Enso

Adults - Luigia holding Enso Croce, Mr Mazzini, Adele Zucchi (nee Bonetti), Guerino and Maria Apolloni and Albert Apolloni Children - Jim Apolloni, Peter Croce, John and Alba Bonetti and Tom Apolloni Photos courtesy Enso Croce.

Entry for the family of Constantino Croce by courtesy of Enso Croce, PO Box 75, Hanwood 2680

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CUDMORE The first of this Cudmore family to come to Australia were James and presumably his bother, Thomas. (The family have not been able to trace Thomas.) They arrived at Port Phillip Bay aboard the "William Metcalfe" on 27 August 1851. They were listed as James Cudmore, Farm Servant, 20, Limerick and Thomas Cudmore, Farm Servant, 22, Limerick. James' bride, Winifred O'Halloran, arrived in January 1855 at Sydney on the ship "Golden Era" and came from Cratloe, Clare, Ireland. James and Winifred were married in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney on 7 April 1856. They had seven children - Patrick (1858), Michael (1859-1915), James (died as a baby), Thomas (1863-1863), John (1864-1907), James (1865-1929) married Maryanne O'Donnell (1863-1946), Mary-Anna (1869-1900). James (son of the original James) and his bride, Maryanne O'Donnell, married at Maryborough Vic on 2 January 1894. They had eight children - Anthony, Patrick who married Alice Bennett, Michael who married Winifred Keane, James, Charles, John who married Mary Coyle, Eileen, and Raymond who died as a young man in 1934. James and Maryanne made their home at Moonambel, near Avoca in Victoria. Two of their sons, Patrick and Michael, wanted to own their own farms. They looked for land in the Charlton area but found it was too expensive for them. They heard that land was available near Griffith in the "Benerembah" Station Subdivision. They had been working in partnership in the Charlton and Wooronooke area. They came up to look and checked the annual rainfall and felt that they could grow wheat here as the annual rainfall was about the same as Charlton. Unfortunately the only folk who kept rainfall records here at the time were people along the Pat and Alice (nee Bennett) Cudmore river and the rainfall is higher along the river %% Hiding Day - 19 April 1922 than at Griffith. When they arrived they thought that they had found the "Garden of Eden" as the grass was as high as the fences because it was a "bumper" year. Patrick and Michael bought 640 acres each on what is now known as "Tresco", paying £6 per acre - a total price of £7,680. Patrick and Michael were always known as "Pat" and "Mick" and when they first arrived in Griffith in 1927 and introduced themselves as Pat and Mick people were very wary - expecting to become the victims of an Irish joke as many an Irish joke was told in those days about two Irish men "Pat and Mick". The Cudmore brothers were the first farmers to settle on the land resulting from the sub-division of "Benerembah" Station and also the first to irrigate wheat in that area with 192

water pumped from Mirrool Creek. On part of their land were a large number of dead boree stumps. They were about as high as a man. Pat's theory was that the trees had been lopped for stock feed during a drought and this had killed the trees because it was too severe. Pat and Mick had to clear this land for cropping. When Pat and Mick came to Griffith, Pat left behind in Charlton his wife, Alice and two children, James and Joan. Alice's family lived there. Pat and Alice had married in 1922 in St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. Once there was some where for them to live, Pat brought his family to live in the hut on their farm. They travelled to Griffith in Mick's 1926 Essex car. James (known as "Jim"), the eldest son of Pat and Alice and now one of the senior members of the Cudmore family shares some of his earliest memories with us - "My very first memories are of the hut on the land Dad and Uncle Mick bought at Benerembah. The hut was clad in galvanised iron and had a lean-to on one side where bags of wheat were stacked. "This inevitably attracted mice and I can remember to this day their smell. I also remember some pretty cold mornings when Dad showed me ice covered puddles on which we broke the films of ice. I also remember their purchase of a Moline tractor to work the farm. Just about everyone in Griffith came to their windows to see the tractor driven down the main street." As far as Jim can recall - "the Cudmore brothers cropped this land for three years. The first crop showed promise all through winter and early spring." They anticipated about ten bags per acre. However, the weather turned dry in late spring and he can remember his dad, Pat, saying that a hot north wind in October turned a Top: The crop on fire promising green crop in the Bottom: The fire fighters and Bushfire Brigade morning to a white failure by nightfall. The next year they tried again and this time irrigated by pumping water from Mirrool Creek. This worked very well and the crop showed great promise. Just about harvest time, a fire that started in a neighbour's crop swept through and totally destroyed Cudmore's crop. The crop was not insured. The following year they tried again, probably irrigating and the crop grew and yielded well. By this time the Depression had begun and their wheat, like everyone elses was virtually unsaleable. Jim was still too young to be aware of what was going on but he 193

thinks this put an end to Pat and Mick being land owners. They next began sharefarming Stan Cross' farm. He thinks they did this for a couple of years, at least until 1934. The last crop on Mr Cross' farm grew very well and was showing promise until the grasshoppers arrived in early spring. They hatched out past Barber's on "Warrawidgee" Station and ate their way through Cudmore's farm until they reached Mirrool Creek. The grasshoppers had not reached flying stage when they got to the creek, so they turned around and ate Pat and Alice Cudmore's children their way back through what was left of L to R: Back - Mary and Joan the crop. Shortly afterwards they had Front - Paul, Frances and Jim grown their wings, took off, flew over the creek toward the fruit growing area and town, eating everything in their path including the kurrajong trees in Banna Avenue. We eventually harvested 42 bags of wheat. Jim finished by saying "Dad and I carted the Cudmore's share to Tharbogang siding on a borrowed horse lorry. So ended the Cudmore Brothers partnership. Very sad. I am not sure what year this was, possibly 1933 or 1934." Mick later purchased another farm in the Benerembah district which he called "Wychie" named after the town in Victoria from where his wife, Winifred, came. Mick and Winifred (known as "Winnie" or "Win") were married on 9 February 1932 at Walbundrie and their first home was in a small cottage near Mirrool Creek on Mr Cross' farm. Desmond and Marie were both born during the time they lived there. When they bought "Wychie" they moved this small house from Cross' farm to there. This was in late 1934. The land was purchased from King Brothers and consisted of 860 acres. Cudmores paid £4 per acre for the farm. Their neighbour on the western side was Vic Hopwood, the eastern side Watts McNamara and the northern side, Jack Murphy. The southern boundary was a road, now named McNamara Road and the entrance Mick and Winnie (nee Keane) Cudmore to the farm is from this road. In earlier days Wedding Day 9 February 1932 the farm entrance was in the north eastern 194

corner through Jack Murphy's farm. Not far from this entrance and about a quarter of a mile inside McNamara's farm there was an old boundary riders hut, apparently a relic from the old station days. It was galvanised iron with a brick chimney. At one time the McNamara family - Watts, Reg, Carry and Rita lived in this hut. Mick said they used to hang hessian bags down from the roof in the summer time, keeping the bags wet in order to cool the house. Probably Griffith's first air conditioned home! Life was pretty hard and conditions for the women were tough but the families managed to get together from time to time. The Cudmore families loved music. Pat and Mick had taught themselves to play the violin and concertina, respectively and when they got Mick and Win's Wedding Day together, out would come the violin and concertina for a good sing along. Mick's daughter, Marie, recalls the pleasure of being with their cousins at these times. "We children would fight hard to stay awake because we did not want to miss the fun". Other relaxation was tennis at King's court and playing cards. The families did not take long to have a large circle of friends. During World War II, Mick and Pat played for dances at Bourne's packing shed at Tharbogang to raise money for the war effort. The seats for the night would be fruit boxes turned up-side-down with a blanket on top. Pat's eldest son, Jim, also played with them on the accordion at these dances. Marie also recalls occasions when the ladies visited for afternoon tea. Winnie would be up very early cooking sponges, butterfly cakes, powder puffs, scones and cream puffs. Out would come the starched white cloth, serviettes and tea set. Before the visitors arrived the children would be warned "to play outside, behave and not speak unless they were spoken to". Woe betide anyone who didn't obey these instructions. They would receive "the wearing of the green" later on! When Mick and Winnie's first child, Desmond, Was born, Winnie nearly died. It was then discovered that she had had, as a child, rheumatic fever which weakened her heart. She did not enjoy good health. Marie recalls being woken one night by her mother calling her. Mick was away shearing at the time. Winnie told her to light the kerosene lamp and wake Desmond up. Mick, Win and Jim Cudmore in front of Mick's F.%Px car Winnie told the children to get 195

dressed and go to the timber cutters camp. It was during the war and there were men camped in the timber on "Wychie". They were timber cutters, cutting timber to burn in the steam engines at Murphy's blue metal quarry. The camp was about a quarter of a mile from the house. The children were to ask the man to come to the house with his bike as quickly as possible. Marie remembers being very cold and scared. It was winter time and cold and foggy. Everything looked different at night. Luckily Des and Marie found the camp and the timber cutter came to the house. Winnie asked him to ride as quickly as he could to Watts McNamara's house as they had a telephone to ring He Doctor Goldberg. ordered an ambulance to take Winnie to hospital. Marie doesn't remember the whole sequence of events, but Pat and Alice Cudmore took charge of four very scared young children. Marie said that Aunty Alice told her in later years that Winnie nearly died that time. In spite of indifferent health, Marie remembers her mother as a cheerful person, strong in her Faith, a clever seamstress, knitter and crocheter who took great pride in her family and home. She was also a talented pianist. She taught Marie to knit and fancy work by the light of a kerosene lamp. As the small cottage Mick and Winnie lived in was bursting at the seams, Mick bought a house from Tom Condon at Yenda and had it I Lir%esting moved to "Wychie". It was Top: Mick in front of the Moline tractor added to the original house. Centre: Pat and Jack sewing bags Bert Hume, a builder, did the Bottom: Loading wheat on train from Pat's truck job with Mick's help. It was completed in 1946. Many a great party and musical Cudmore gathering was held there. Winnie now had a piano and both she and Uncle Jack used to join Pat, Mick and Jim in the music, with the rest of the families singing along. In later years a tennis court was added.

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The family were happy for Winnie to have the new home as she had struggled for years, uncomplaining, washing in the open, carrying water from the dam in kerosene tins made into buckets (nothing was wasted). Her "wash house" was tubs behind the tank stand and the copper was set in a 44 gallon drum. Des and Marie used to help her carry the water with a stick through the handle as they got older. Sadly she did not live very long to enjoy her new home as she died on 13 October 1947 at the age of 49 years. Mick had the difficult task of raising four children on his own. The eldest, Des, was fourteen and youngest, Joe, was ten. Mick taught his children a lot about courage and "taking things on the chin" by his example. In later years when Des, Mick and Marie Cudmore outside the tent which was used while the house was being moved to "Wychie" Mick's sons, Des, Pat and Joe, had left school and were working on the farm, he became involved in community affairs and worked for quite a few organisations. He stood for the Country Party against Mr George Enticknap for the seat of Murrumbidgee in March 1956 and came within 1,900 votes of defeating Mr Enticknap. This was quite a feat as Mr Enticknap had held the seat for many years. Mick then stood for "E" Riding of the Carrathool Shire Council and was elected in 1959. This area of the Carrathool Shire was transferred to Wade Shire council in 1961 and until his death, 24 August 1970, Mick represented the Riding. Mick was the Wade Shire Council's delegate on the Murrumbidgee Valley Water Users Association, a long Mick and Winifred Cudmore's children serving committee man of the L to R: Des, Marie, Pat and Joe Griffith Agricultural Society and was the trotting judge for many years. Shortly after his death, Mick's son, Des, was invited to open the Mick Cudmore Memorial Trotting Judge Stand which is still in use today. Mick was President of the Griffith Race Club for many years. When it was reformed as the Griffith Jockey Club,

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Dr W J Dalton was President. Mick succeeded Dr Dalton as President and held that position until his death. From the time of it's inception, Mick was a member of the Ricegrower's Association and was to be honoured by election as an honorary councillor to mark "his long and distinguished service to the industry" at the annual conference in Leeton on Wednesday, 26 August 1970. This meeting coincided with his funeral. His family requested that the meeting go ahead as planned. Another organisation that Mick supported for many years and for which he was a delegate to the State Council was the Farmers and Settlers Association, which later became the United Farmers & Woolgrowers Association. He was President of the Griffith branch for many years and was also President of the MIA District Council of this organisation. Mick was also involved in church affairs and in the early days the Cudmore families supported, as best they could, fund raising affairs to pay off the debt on the Catholic Church. Marie recalls her father telling the story of Father O'Dea finding a dead goat outside the presbytery. Father went down to the police station and said to the sergeant "Sergeant, there is a dead goat outside the presbytery". The Sergeant said "Oh Father, I thought it was your job to bury the dead!" Father O'Dea, who had a quick Irish temper, retorted "Yes, and it is also my duty to notify the next of kin!" In Mick's early years in Griffith, he played cricket, football and tennis. He carried on his interest in cricket as an umpire for many years. His family donated the Cudmore cup for competition between the local High Schools in his memory. Both Mick and Winnie are buried in the Catholic portion of the Griffith cemetery. John Joseph (known as "Jack") came to Griffith in 1929 to help Pat and Mick with the harvest. He was born in the family home at Moonambel, Victoria on 14 June 1902. The midwife at the birth was a half caste lady, Mrs Richardson. When the Cudmore family moved from Moonambel to Richmond, Melbourne about 1915, Jack went to school at St Ignatius, Church Street, Richmond. Jack worked in various jobs in Melbourne for a while, then went to Charlton to work with Pat and Mick. When Pat and Jack Cudwore and Mary (nee Coyle) Cudinore Mick moved to Griffith, Jack went back to Melbourne. He came to live in Griffith permanently in 1933. He and Pat grew peas on share with Mick Phelan on Phelan's farm. Pat and Alice were living on this farm at the time. In 1934, Jack selected a fruit block and began establishing his orchard. In the very early stage of the farm development he built a moderate sized galvanised iron shed, part of which he enclosed as living quarters, the rest being left partly open for his 198

tractor and motor vehicle. He must have worked very hard as after only a few years he was able to have a house built and marry his long time fiance, Mary Coyle, who had patiently waited for him in Melbourne. Jack and Mary had three children - Francis, Bernard and Kathleen. Tragically, Mary died of breast cancer seven years after their marriage leaving Jack with three very young children - Kathleen only a baby. Courageously he accepted his loss, cared for his family and conducted himself with great dignity, as did Mick when his wife died two years later. Mary died in 1945 and Jack died in November, 1988. They are both buried in the Catholic portion of the Griffith cemetery. No writings about the Cudmore family would be complete without a special tribute to a great and gentle lady - Alice Cudmore. With her husband and two young children, she set out for a new life in a place that in those days must have seemed a long way from her kin. Due to economic and other circumstances, she was to suffer much hardship for many years. For a long Jack and Mary Cudmore's three children time there were none of the things we now L to R: Francis, Bernard and Kathleen take for granted, such as electricity and running water. She did the washing in tubs and copper under a tree for many years, She made the most of what was available, such as play clothes for the children from calico sugar bags at one time. She also took in boarders to help family finances and went pea picking for the same reason. Perhaps one of her greatest achievements was the creation of the strong bond that exists between the members of the three families who grew up in Griffith. When her two sisters-in-law, Mary and Winnie, died within two years of each other, two families of young children were left motherless. While Alice did not become directly involved in rearing those children, except for Kathleen, she did open her heart and home to any and all whenever the need arose. Consequently the members of the three families grew up looking on each other more as brothers and sisters than cousins. Pat, amiable and gentle man that he was, had exactly the same attitude and supported and co-operated with Alice in her welcome to the other families. Pat and Alice lived in a large house on Mrs Boume's property for some years and Pat was manager of the orchard for Mrs Bourne. In later years Pat worked at the Griffith Hospital and they lived in Wakaden Street, then later in Gunbar Street. When Pat retired, Pat, Alice, Joan and Mary Jack Cudmore and moved to Geelong Vic. Pat and Alice died in Geelong and daughter, Kathleen they and their daughter, Joan, are buried in the Geelong cemetery. 199

James Cudmore born Clare, Ireland 1822 married Winifred O'Halloran born Clare, Ireland 1824 James Cudmore born 1865 married Maryanne O'Donnell born 1863 (Eight children - three came to Griffith) 1.

Patrick Cudmore born Moonambel Vic 6 March 1896; died Geelong Vic 23 October 1969; married at Melbourne 19 April 1922 - Alice Bennett born Charlton Vic 5 March 1894; died Geelong 24 January 1979. Six children James Patrick born 9 January 1924; married Mary Kennedy; five children 1. - Anthony, Michael, Paul, Maryanne and James. 2.

Joan Alice born 12 February 1926; died 24 August 1977; unmarried.

Paul Paschal born 8 September 1928; married Alva Maguire; four children - Gerard, Annette, Martin and Bernadette.

Mary Josephine born 8 September 1930; unmarried.

Frances Patricia born 2 April 1933; married Walter Payne; four children - Catherine, Brian, Anne-Maree and Peter.

Raymond Joseph born 6 February 1935; died Griffith 24 May 1935.

Michael Joyce Cudmore born Moonambel Vic 1 June 1898; died Griffith 24 August 1970; married at Walbundrie Catholic Church on 2 February 1932 - Winifred Kathleen Keane born Wycheproof 22 March 1898; died Griffith 13 October 1947. Five children Desmond Michael born 22 November 1932; married Margaret Dalton; 1. Five daughters - Christine, Judith, Gabrielle, Mary and Jacqueline. 2.

Marie Therese born 29 January 1934; married Vincent Neville. Four children - Kerry Anne, Michael, Stephen and Alison.

Patrick James born 16 September 1935; married Ruth Picken. daughters - Maree, Lynette, Jennifer, Wendy, Patsy and Gillian.

Joseph Gerard born 14 April 1936; married Merle Page. Six children Susan, Brendan, Hayden, Therese, John (dec'd) and Celeste.

Vincent John born Griffith 1939; died Griffith May 1940.

Six

John ("Jack") Cudmore born 14 June 1902; died November 1988; married Mary Coyle born 1906; died 23 August 1945; three children Francis born 22 March 1939; married Margaret Frances McGee. live 1. children - Mary, Thomas, Bernard, Jane and Catherine. 2.

Bernard born 9 December 1940; married Maureen Higgins. Two children - Matthew and Justin.

Kathleen born I February 1944; joined the Sisters of Mercy.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of the Cudmore Family.

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CUMMINS Denis Cummins was born in 1873, one of ten children born to Patrick Cummins and Margaret (nee Cruickshank). Denis, or "Denny" as he came to be known, spent the early years of his life at Budgerum, west of Kerang in Victoria. As he grew up he became an expert horseman and farmer as well as a regular frontiersman, cutting new roads through miles and miles of virgin Mallee country. He also became a very able sportsman especially on the football field and was known as a good athlete. Denny, presumably with the help of his father and brothers, cleared his farm at Quambatook, built a home and prepared the land for wheat growing and stock grazing. On 18 November 1903 Denny married Ann Catherine Coughlan at the Catholic Church at Quambatook. Ann was the youngest daughter of Thomas Coughlan and Mary (nee Connor). This Coughlan family also lived in the Quambatook area and an extensive family history has been published - Denis ("Denny") Cummins Snr "Coughlans - A Long Way from Tipperary" by Allan E Keating (1873-1953) Courtesy Lola Cummins and Martin John Nolan. Denny and Ann lived on the farm for about twelve years where their six children were born - Patricia Cecelia, Patrick Joseph, Denis Joseph, Thomas John, Michael William and John Robert. Early in 1915 with the 1914 drought - the drought of all droughts - still raging, Denny and Ann decided to seek new pastures in New South Wales. They first moved to Berrigan and stayed there until 1924 when they again moved, this time to a five thousand acre property called "Pine Vale" situated about fourteen miles north west of Griffith. When they first arrived only two or three hundred acres of the land were cleared, but they set to and within a few years the complete holding was a going concern. In the year 1939, Denny and Ann sold out and retired to live in Griffith. Ann was then seventy six years of age and she passed away in 1947 and Denny lived a further six years until he died in 1953 at the age of eighty years. The are both buried in the Griffith Cemetery. Denny and Ann's grandson, Ian Cummins, (son of Thomas John) tells in "A Long Way from Tipperary" As a child I was fascinated by some of the stories my grandfather, father and uncles would tell me about when they moved from Berrigan to Griffith on to a new Ann Catherine Cummins farm that grandfather had bought just a few miles out of "Pine Vale" - 1925 Griffith called "Pine Vale". It was hard for me to Courtesy Bill Tyson comprehend that when they came to Griffith in 1924, that 201

grandfather had one of the few cars in the area. Dr Burrell had one and Father O'Dea the local Catholic priest another. Grandfather (Denis) arrived in Griffith with his wife Ann Catherine (née Coughlan) and five sons, Pat, Michael ("Ike"), Tom (my father) and his twin brother Denis ("Din") and the youngest, John, also one daughter Patricia. Unfortunately they experienced a number of drought years one after the other and they suffered a lot of hardship and heartache. I have vivid memories of Uncles John and Ike telling me about planting crops and having them strike from the morning dew, only to have the relentless sun burn the young sprouts and see them turn back into the ground. I also recall the stories about how hot and dry it was, so much so, that the birds couldn't fly and the rabbits and birds would line up in a straight line in the shade of a pole or tree trunk and as the sun moved around they would die, as they were too weak to move, thus leaving lines of dead rabbits and birds all the way around the tree trunk. Having been fortunate to have lived in more prosperous times, I can't start to imagine how hard life must have been for them in those pioneering years at "Pine Vale". John and Ike were in the army during the Second World War and they saw service in the Islands. Pat joined the Air Force and Dad (Tom) worked for the New South Wales Railways as an engine driver and Uncle Din worked in an aircraft factory in Sydney. The boys were all keen sportsmen playing football and cricket in the earlier days. John, Ike and Tom played competitive tennis for many years in the 1940s - later they became very keen golfers and that rubbed off on me.

L to R - Back: Tom McPherson, Mick Cummins, Mick Ryan, Don Powell, Rody McPherson, Pat Cummins Front: Eileen Coughlan, Dinny Cummins, John Cummins, Trissie Cummins, Ann Cwannin.s, Tow Cummins Courtesy Bill Tyson

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Bill Tyson (son of "Trissie") adds - "The family was very musical. Trissie had learnt the piano and had had voice training when she was at Kilmore Ladies College. She had a strong and true voice, winning a singing competition at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, against such competition as Sylvia Fisher who later became a world renowned singer. At "Pine Vale" the family and friends would gather around for musical evenings. Denny senior played the piano accordian and John the violin. On occasions they played for dances, especially for Queen Competitions for Father O'Dea's fund raising efforts for the Catholic Church. "Ann was a very religious woman, a strong minded woman who was always very particular that the family did the `right thing'. No lady would ever go into town without hat and gloves. The boys were always neatly attired and were very particular with their own clothes. "Sport was a high priority. The boys played football, Aussie Rules of course, with the local Warbum football team, and later on with the Griffith side. Tom the better batsman of the twins was opening bat for their cricket team. The story goes that if runs were short in a tight match that Tom would come in in Din's place to have an extra innings and boost the runs along!

Trissie Tyson (nee Cummins) with son Bill Courtesy Bill Tyson

Warburn Football Team - 1932 L to R- Back: C Chester, A Brown, J Brown, W Shaw, B Briggs, 0 Holt, F Brown, W Tyson Centre: D Briggs, T Cummins, P Cummins, R Ryan, A Coppard, M Cummins, Clarke Front: F Miller, C Bouchier, M Ryan. Boundary Umpires - Crisp and unknown Courtesy Bill Tyson

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Tom, John and "Ike" were excellent tennis players. In 1947 their tennis team 'The Kookaburras' won the very first McWilliams Cup in the Night Tennis Competition. This was played at 'The Electric Light Courts', the first such in Griffith, situated around near where the Dog Ground now stands. Others in the team were Tom's wife, Amy, Dave and Ruth Wiltshire and Alan and Hazel Gilbert. They won again the following year and the name 'Kookaburras' is on the Cup that is still keenly contested by todays district tennis players."

Cummins Family - 1941 L to R - Back: John, Thomas ("Tom"), Dennis ("Dinny"), Front: Michael ("Ike"), Patricia ("Trissie") and Patrick ("Pat") Courtesy Lola Cummins (née Letheby)

Patricia ("Trissie" or "Trish") (born 1905), the eldest child of Denny and Ann, lived with her parents on "Pine Vale" until she married Walter Tyson. They owned farms in the Wilga Park and Yoogali district and later purchased a property of about 1,300 acres near Warbum. They had two children, William and Dorothy. Patricia passed away in 1986 aged 81 years. Patrick ("Pat") (born 1907) lived on "Pine Vale" until 1938 when he sought employment in Griffith. He completed an apprenticeship as a jeweller and served with the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. After the War he operated a jewellery shop in Griffith and then at Bendigo. He then conducted various business enterprises in the Bendigo and Wodonga area and now lives in retirement at Epsom near Bendigo. He married 204

Isabel Carruthers and they had three sons and three daughters. After Isabel's death he married Marjorie Grimmond. Thomas John ("Tom") (born 1910 - twin) lived with his parents on "Pine Vale" and spent the rest of his life in the Griffith district. He was employed by the NSW Railways as an engine driver and married Amy Wells. Their only son, Ian married Eola De Bortoli. Tom died in 1971. Amy later married Jack Breed and still lives in Griffith. Denis Joseph ("Dinny") (born 1910 - twin) worked at the Lidcombe NSW Ordnance Factory during the war years but after that he worked in different capacities at the clubs in Griffith. He married Lola Letheby and they resided in Griffith. Dinny and Lola had two daughters - Margaret and Roslyn. Dinny died in October 1975 and Lola still lives in Griffith. Michael William ("Ike") (born 1912) and John Robert (born 1914) both remained single and both served in the army during the War. Michael farmed a Soldier's Settlement farm in Griffith and died in December 1972. John worked as a motor mechanic with Area Motors and had become the foreman by the time he retired. He died in 1974.

Information Source - "Coughlan - A Long Way From Tipperary - The Denis (Denny) Cummins and Ann Catherine Coughlan Cummins Story" by Allan E Keating and Martin John Nolan with permission from the authors.

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Denis Cummins married Cath Simms

Thomas Coughlan married Mary Hickey

Patrick Cummins born County Cork Ireland 1844 died Quambatook Vic 12 December 1899 married Margaret Cruickshank born Adelaide SA died

Thomas Coughlan born County Tipperary Ireland c.1838 died Oakvale Vic 14 February 1889 married Mary Connor born County Galway Ireland 1833 died Oakvale Vic 15 May 1906

Denis Joseph ("Denny") Cummins born Carisbrook Vic 1873 died Leeton 15 June 1953 buried Griffith NSW I.

Patricia married Walter Tyson

2. 2.

Ann Catherine Coughlan born Meredith Vic 8 November 1871 died Leeton 23 September 1947 buried Griffith NSW

married

William Tyson jnr married Patricia Condon. Four children - Catherine, Peter, Brian and Desmond. Dorothy Tyson married John Snaidero. Three children - Christopher, Andrew and Michelle.

Patrick married (1) Isabel Carruthers. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Graham Cummins married (1) Lynne Newman. One daughter - Angela. Married (2) Colleen Price. One son - Patrick. Carmel Cummins married Norm Wheat. One daughter - Dianne. John Cummins. Patrick Cummins married Jennifer Huggins. One son - Christopher. Pam Cummins married John Hartwig. Sharon Cummins married (1) Richard Cakebread. One son - Richard. Married (2) Ken Cummins.

Married (2) Marjorie Grimmond. 3.

Thomas John married Amy Wells (now Mrs Jack Breed) 1. 2. 3.

Paul Cummins Bryan Cummins Anne

Denis Joseph married Lola Letheby 1. 2.

Margaret Cummins married Frank Perosin. Two sons - Paul and Phillip. Roslyn Cummins married Maxwell Roberts. Two children - Brian and Julie.

Michael William

John Robert

By courtesy of Lola Cummins (née Letheby), 293 Wakaden Street, Griffith 2680 and William Tyson, Farm 2366, Warburn 2680 206

CUNIAL Redento Cunial (known variously in Griffith by his many Australian-born friends as "Quin" or "Jack") was born at Possagno, Italy on 6 August 1906 the son of Lorenzo Cunial and Prima Degna Merita (nee Campagnola). He migrated to Australia late in 1924. His brother, Giuseppe Cunial had migrated from Possagno to Broken Hill in 1913 but returned to Italy 1920/21. Redento's first employment in Australia was as a station-hand on a property "Gum Swamp" at Hillston owned by Charlie McFarlane where he worked for about four years. Living and working amongst Australians from the very beginning he was rechristened by his Boss from Cunial to Quinn. So well assimilated was he that he was often taken as being Irish. Whilst there his Boss told him that he knew English so well "would you please teach my son". (He also knew some French and Spanish.) It was in a Hillston pub that a builder talking to Redento told him that he was too intelligent to remain a station-hand for the rest of his life and that he should take up a trade. He offered to teach him carpentry or bricklaying. Consequently he went to Leeton with this builder for a short time. There was little work there so he came Redento Cunial to Griffith to work with Bob Brough. For a time he lived with Frank Andreazza and his family at the West End Post Office. He also lived for a time with Alec Rossetto and his family. In 1933 he moved to Antonietta and Angelo Dal Broi's farm, also at West End, where he remained until his marriage to Lidia Ellena Salvestrin in Griffith on 28 August 1937. They were married by Father O'Dea who considered Redento as "one of my very best mates". Lidia was born in Cavaso Del Tomba, Northern Italy and had migrated to Australia in 1936 to join her brother, Giovanni Salvestrin. Lidia's parents were Davide Salvestrin and Benvenuta (nee Salvestrin). Redento and Lidia met in Griffith. Lidia's brothers, Giovanni and Sebastian Salvestrin, had gone to Redento for help to write the necessary form required to bring his sister to Australia. Three months after her arrival in Australia Antonietta Dal Broi invited her to their house for a meal and this was where she and Redento met.

207

Redento learnt the trade of bricklaying from Bob Brough. Then he taught the trade to many other young men all his working life. At the beginning of his bricklaying career he was a labourer and would later talk of unsafe scaffolding, no lifts or hoists and little machinery. In the construction of a two story building, for example, bricks and mortar had to be carried up two ladders joined together. Bricks were carried in a wooden container with a handle and would rest on the back or shoulder. It held approximately ten to fifteen bricks at a time - so there were many trips up that ladder! As a bricklayer, Redento was responsible for building many of the homes in the area. He also built many of the shops in Banna Avenue, the Technical College, ExServicemen's Club, CWA Hall, Griffith Hospital (the original premises on present site), the original Post Office (now reconstructed at Pioneer Park), Griffith Public and Intermediate Schools, the first Redento and his Bride two blocks of St Patrick's school, etc. He also did a great amount of honorary work for the Catholic Church. He retired from bricklaying at the age of 64 years. Many people called on Redento for help and advice on legal, documentary and other matters. He gave of his help to all freely and gladly. He was also called on to act as an P 'Ad interpreter on many occasions especially at the Griffith Court House. He had studied English and Business Correspondence through the International Correspondence School from 1929 to 1934. In the exams his lowest mark was 84, his highest 95. Of her father Miriam says "Dad had an open inquiring mind and loved reading, being especially David Cunial interested in philosophy, history and free thinkers". In 1940 Redento served in the Australian Military Forces and was assigned to the Royal Australian Engineering Corps. However, he was discharged on medical grounds approximately twelve months later. From then until the end of the war he assisted the war effort by growing vegetables for the Government, in partnership with Peter Cadorin, after which time he returned to his trade of bricklaying.

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In 1942, during World War H, the Commonwealth Government had launched several Government Loans for the issuing of War bonds which represented money lent to assist the Australian war effort. A Sydney War Loans representative, Mrs Phyllis Bourke, came to Griffith and contacted some of the local Italians with the object of forming a local Italian War Loans Committee. The main aim of this committee was to distribute official forms to the local Banks so that they could record the amount that individual Italians contributed. Their other job was to collect these forms and send them to Mrs Bourke's committee in Sydney so that they could be added to the total overall Italian contributions, Australia wide. No names were required on the forms, only the amounts. Redento, Miriam, David, Italy was at war with the Allies but Emeri and Lidia (seated) local Italians who had immigrated here, established their families and homes in Griffith, were desirous of assisting the land of their adoption. Mrs Phyllis Bourke and her Sydney War Loans Committee thought it fitting that any ethnic groups in the city or country, including Italians, be given credit for the amount of assistance given to the various war loans. The Griffith Committee consisted of:President Romano Snaidero Vice President Carlo Pittavino Secretary John Dal Broi Committee Redento Cunial Domenic La Rosa Frank Andreazza Paul Zanotto Jack Rizzi Bob Vardanega In 1957 Redento received a letter from the Italian Consul notifying him that his name had been placed in the office of the Consul General of Italy as "a person whose qualities are distinct in this district for his exemplary life as a guide in many ways, over many years, to Italian residents, in all matters - industrial, commercial and social". He was a foundation member of the Yoogali Catholic Club and its first Secretary. Redento's daughter, Miriam, tells us that in his own words he used to say he was in an advantageous position to gain a clear picture of the doings and thinking of both camps (Australian and Italian). She quotes him as saying - "Having been taught by my parents of

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putting myself in the position of the judged before I judge, I had an ingrown understanding that much of what was said by either side was the product not of malice but of ignorance. If I were asked for the reason of the MIA being a model of assimilation now I would reply that we all started from scratch, going through the same deprivations and hard work for our betterment and at the same time causing the advancement of the area and of common understanding". He was a mediator for both nationalities, highly respected by both. Redento loved the Australian bush and was very knowledgable about the wildlife and recognised much of the flora by its botanical names. He died on 11 November 1978 and is buried in the Griffith Lawn Cemetery, at his request, because he "would rather have the earth on him and people walking over it than be encased in concrete".

Redento Cunial born Possagno, Italy 6 August 1906 died Griffith 11 November 1978

married Griffith 28 August 1937

Lidia Ellena Salvestrin born Cavaso Del Tomba, Italy 21 August 1907 lives Griffith

• a

Emeri Anna born Griffith 29 September 1938; married Deen De Bortoli and lives at Bilbul. Children - Darren, Leanne, Kevin and Victor.

Miriam Bevenuta born Griffith 17 July 1945; married Giampaolo Martignon and lives at Farm 1689, Beelbangera. Children - Juanita, Jamie and Erica.

David Lawrence born Griffith 23 July 1948; married Christine Fawcett and lives at "Waverley", Tabbita. Children - Sharman, Jordon and Jacklyn.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Miriam Martignon (n6e Cunial), PO Box 354, Griffith 2680.

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DAL BROI Angelo Dal Broi was born at Possagno, Province of Treviso in Northern Italy on 29 August 1881. Because of the lack of work locally, Angelo left his village of Possagno with his two older brothers to travel to America and found work, clearing jungle in Argentina. On his return to Italy he married Antonia Favero on 17 February 1907.

Angelo Dal Broi

Antonia Dal Broi (nee Favero)

After the birth of their first child, Giovanni, Angelo again left for the USA and landed in New York. From there he proceeded to California where he worked felling timber and later as a fettler on the Railways. During his absence Antonia lived first with her inlaws and later with her parents. Angelo returned to Italy once more during which time their second child, Antonio, was born. It was 1912. Once more Angelo departed - this time for Switzerland where he worked as a fettler on the Alpine Railways. He returned briefly to Italy before going again to the USA where he remained for the duration of the 1914-18 war. He returned to Italy in 1922 and John was born 1924. While John was still an infant his father departed again, this time for Australia. He travelled to Australia aboard the "MV Caprera", landed in Sydney and from there went to Queensland. John says "I think he stayed in Cairns and did one season there as a cane cutter. Returning to Sydney he was advised by the Consul to seek work on the MIA where there were already a number of his countrymen." Arriving in Griffith he lived in a tent on Charlie Beilby's Farm No 884. He also worked for a neighbour, Percy Palmer who was the district representative of "Singer" Sewing Machine.

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John continues - "whilst working for Mr Palmer he was bitten on the big toe by a `large grey spider'. He survived that but a few weeks later, whilst picking oranges, as he poked his head into the tree in order to pick the oranges inside the tree, he was bitten on the nose by a frill neck lizard! I can well imagine his fright but again he survived."

G riffith November 1929 - The first Italian Band Tony Da Broi I. to R: Bob Vardanega, Aldo

Angelo first purchased land in Australia on 11 August 1928. The purchase consisted of a one acre farm - No 1220 - which is located on the corner of Moses and Merrigal Streets. He bought Farm 1220 from Ron Millynn (who was the original owner of Farm 1220; he was also an Electrical Inspector with the WC & IC). The purchase price was £55. Angelo then sent for his wife, Antonia, and their two sons and they duly arrived in Sydney in December 1928 aboard the ship "Oronsay". Upon their arrival in Griffith they stayed in a shack at Angelo Pastega's Farm 1290 (Harward Road). After staying at Farm 1290 for approximately nine months, he moved the family to Farm 1220 and stayed there until he sold to a Mr Alf Robinson for £105 and moved to Farm 1246 which was opposite that of Angelo Pastega. This farm he leased in partnership with his brother-in-law, Sebastiano Favero, on 14 February 1930. Farm 1246 had originally been taken up by Adam Hogg (30 December 1921) which he sold for £337/10/0 but they (Angelo and Sebastiano) had to take over the existing debt to the WC & IC which had accumulated to £1,436/16/1.

Dal Broi & Favero's first big ► crop of tomatoes on their first new truck - Farm 5, Hanwood. L to R: Sebastiano Favero (uncle of Tony Dal Broi), Tony Dal Broi, Angelo Dal Broi (little boy) and Jun Andreazza.

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On 14 February 1933 Angelo, with his family, became a naturalised Australian. The naturalisation certificate was signed by the then Governor General of Australia, Sir Isaac Isaacs. On 24 August 1934 Sebastiano sold his share to Angelo for £150, plus the debt of £1,379/14/1. The crops which were grown on Farm 1246 at the time of purchase consisted of citrus 8 acres (navels, valencias, mandarins and grapefruit); apricots 3 acres; apples 2 acres; currants 3 acres; sultanas 2 acres; almonds 3 acres and Gordo grapes 6 acres. Angelo continued working on Farm 1246 until his death on 30 March 1943 when he dropped dead from a cerebral haemorrhage, at the age of 61 years. His wife, Antonia, carried on with the help of her sons - Giovanni (full time) and his brother Antonio. Antonia sold the farm to her son Giovanni and his wife, Mary, in 1955. Tony Dal Broi (the eldest son of Angelo) arrived in Sydney in December 1928, at the age of sixteen years with his mother (Antonia) and younger brother Giovanni ("John") the ship "Oronsay". He lived with his parents, Angelo and Antonia, at Pastega's and moved with them to Farm 1220, a one acre block now at the corner of Merrigal and Moses Streets, West Griffith. Tony's first job in Griffith was at Weare's Nursery at Yoogali. He was lucky to obtain work so quickly because his uncle (Sebastiano Favero) had put in a "good word" to the boss, Mr Weare Snr. Tony worked at Weare's Nursery for about three years learning the nurseryman's trade. He then followed his parents when they sold the block at West Griffith and moved to Farm 1246 on Harward Road, which his John, Antonia and Tony Dal Broi father, Angelo, had bought in partnership with his brother-inlaw, Sebastiano Favero. Whilst all these movements and happenings were taking place he was also busy courting a very young lady, Rose Meneghini, from Farm 1195, Collins Road. Tony and Rose were married on 27 April 1933 at the Sacred Heart Church in Griffith. The Officiating Priest was the Rev Robert O'Dea. Tony loved music, something he had learnt in Italy from an early age. He played the cornet, guitar, mandolin, banjo and he had a good singing voice. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Church Choir for many years, a member of the Griffith Brass Band in the early thirties, and also played at weddings and parties in a small band. Unfortunately all this was severely curtailed when he moved to Farm 5, Hanwood. Tony and Rose with their new baby son, Angelo, moved from Farm 1246 (where he had worked with his father for three years) to Farm 5, Hanwood. Tony bought this farm, in partnership with his uncle, Sebastiano Favero on 27 November 1934. The purchase price was £1,550/7/8 which was mainly an outstanding debt that the previous owner owed to the WC & IC.

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Whilst the farm was gazetted as being of fifty-one acres of land suitable for the growing of stone fruits, table and wine grapes, oranges, lemons, mandarins, sultanas, sorghum, lucerne and hay crops such as wheat, oats and barley - the only planting of any economic value on the property was eight acres of prunes for drying. The balance of the plantings had to be grubbed out as they became uneconomic. Tony's wife, Rose recalls - "We paid £350 to Percy Lucas, the previous owner, and accepted the balance as a mortgage on the understanding that the debt would be reduced at a later date. The Anomalies Committee had promised that the outstanding debt would be later reviewed and either substantially reduced or cancelled altogether by WC & IC. At this time the WC & IC handled all collection of monies for water, rent and repayment of loans from the farmers to the Rural Bank (now the State Bank) as Farm 1246 - 1939 Floods their (WC & IC) agents. Just when we thought everything was taken care of for cancellation of the outstanding debt (after lengthy discussions and negotiations) war broke out. Whilst we were not classed as enemies, in so many words, despite of the fact that both Tony and I were naturalised British Subjects under our parent's Naturalisation Certificates (as we were under twenty-one years of age at the time that their Naturalisation took place) nothing more was done on our behalf to reduce or cancel the debt. We considered ourselves Australians but were treated as "aliens" which was demoralising and hurtful. "When war ended we went to the Bank of NSW and they helped to negotiate a mortgage so we could pay the outstanding debt to the Rural Bank. "Uncle Favero had returned to Italy prior to World War II and as the farm was not planted to permanent crops, apart from the eight acres of prunes, we had to rely mainly on growing vegetables - carrots, parsnips, tomatoes, pumpkins etc. These were sold, under contract, to the Leeton Cannery, Griffith Producers Co-op Co and the Australian Army who came with their trucks to pick up their requirements. "Being wartime there were not many men about to do a lot of the work. Vegetable growing at that time was very labour intensive so we employed many Land Army Girls to make up the short fall in manpower. Several of these girls still keep in touch with the family. "Those early years were very tough going for Tony and I but we managed to raise a family of two boys and two girls. Tony died in 1985 but I still reside on Farm 5 at Hanwood and have thirteen surviving grandchildren." Giovanni ("John") Dal Broi was only four and half years old when he arrived in Australia, in December 1928, with his mother and older brother Antonio. After attending St Patrick's Primary School in Griffith, he went to Christian Brothers College, Waverley (Sydney) as a boarder for three years. On his return to Griffith in December 1941 he commenced working for his father on Farm 1246 , West End. After his father died in March 1943, at the age of 62 years, John continued working the farm for his mother. On 22 June 1946 John married Mary Negro (a Yoogali girl) and a few years after they bought the farm from his mother. As the years progressed the family grew. The first born was Anthony, a few years later followed by Joseph, then Peter and last of all Maryann.

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In June 1965 John, Mary and Anthony purchased Robert Anthony's Photographic Studio from Anthony Robert Pittorino. When Anthony married Lydia Quarisa on 18 March 1972, John and Mary sold their share of the Studio to them. During John's twenty-one years as a professional photographer he became a member of the Professional Photographers Association of NSW and a member of the Institute of Australian Photographers, but alas, because of health reasons in 1986 he had to retire from photography. John and Mary sold Farm 1246 in June 1975 and purchased a house in the town. During his working life, John, was engaged in several community activities some of which were: Secretary of the Family of John and Mary Dal Broi Italian War Loan Committee L to R: Joseph, Anthony, Mary Ann, John, Mary, Peter (Griffith) during World War II, First Assistant Secretary of the Yoogali Catholic Club, Secretary-Treasurer for several years of the Ballingall Extension group under the Chairmanship of Mr Murray Polkinghorne, First District Warden for the Zone of Griffith West Civil Defence Organisation for several years under the then Shire Controller Mr Gus Crosby from the WC & IC, first President of the Griffith Branch of Diabetic Australia for five years and at the time of this book going to print, four years as a committee member.

Angelo Dal Broi born Italy 29 August 1881 died Griffith 30 March 1943

married in Italy 17 February 1907

•

Antonia Favero born Italy 2 February 1883 died Griffith 5 August 1967

Giovanni born Italy; died Italy aged 16 of Meningitis.

Antonio born Italy 30 September 1912; died Griffith 26 May 1985. Married Rose Meneghini four children: 1. Angelo married Diana Moraschi. Five children - Gloria, Stephen, Carl, Celeste and Adrian. 2. Ermida married (1) Robert Slater. Four children - Robin, Mark Karen and Matthew. Married (2) Ray Ellis - no children. 3. John married Yvette Cadorin. Five children - twins Denise (dec'd) and Debbie Anne, Michael John (dec'd), Paul John and Jason Anthony. 4. Catherine married Adino Battocchio . One Son - Simon.

Giovanni ("John") born Italy 19 June 1924. Married Mary Negro - four children: 1. Anthony married Lydia Quarisa. Three children - Vivian, Trevor and Gavin. 2. Joseph married Alice Salvestro. Three children - twins, Kelly and Trisha and Benjamin. Peter married Robyn Manning. Two children - Gary and Terry. 3. 4. Maryann married Frank Battistel. Two daughters - Kimberly and Belinda.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of John Dal Broi, 33 Elder Road, Griffith 2680.

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DALBY Whilst Morris Gray Dalby was not actually a pioneer of Griffith he was one of the early residents, arriving in August 1936. The great great grandparents of Morris Dalby, Henry and Mary Dalby, came to Australia on the "Royal Admiral" arriving on 30 September 1839 and settled very soon after in Newcastle where their ten children were born, from 1840 onwards. In the year 1855 there were only 120 persons on the electoral roll of Newcastle, so the Dalbys were indeed early arrivals. Many of Henry and Mary's descendants still live in and around Newcastle. Morris' parents, Alfred and Mary, were both school teachers - teaching mainly around northern New South Wales. Morris on leaving school went to Sydney where he worked in the motor trade for the firm of Bubb Bros (in the As with many spare parts department). businesses during the Depression, Bubb Bros Morris Gray Dalby went broke and Morris was one of the employees Melbourne Botanic Gardens who lost their jobs. To gain employment he during WWII came to Griffith. George Sealey was in Sydney at the time and Morris was offered a job at his garage in Banna Avenue. (George Sealey's eventually became Griffith Sales & Service.) Morris came up to Griffith by train and secured accommodation for the family at Campbell's Boarding House in Yambil Street and during the August school holidays his wife, Pauline, June aged 8 and Ernest aged nearly 5 followed him. After living in the boarding house for a short time the family shifted to rented premises, first in Hyandra Street and then in Carrathool and Binya Streets. They eventually built their own home in Hillston Street. In 1938 Morris was again unemployed and to support his family he rode his push bike around the local farms picking fruit. At this time he was involved with the Griffith Rifle Club where he was Secretary for some time. In 1938 Pauline and Morris taken before they were married he joined the Vacuum Oil Co (now on the Parramatta River, Sydney Mobil Oil) as an oil salesman going around the local farms selling 217

kerosene to farmers. As the Great Depression was still making its presence felt amongst the farmers in Griffith, Morris gave kerosene etc to customers on "credit" thereby helping those who could not otherwise afford to run their tractors. Morris enlisted in the RAAF on 2 June 1940 and on the completion of his training in Australia, he left Sydney on 13 June 1941 for the UK. He returned to Australia in August 1942 as part of the Spitfire Squadron which defended Australia from the Japanese invasion in the Northern Territory. On his discharge from the RAAF on 27 November 1945 Morris again resumed duty with the Mobil Oil Co. As there was no vacancy for him in Griffith he was employed at Mascot Airport in Sydney refuelling aircraft. When a vacancy became available Morris returned to Griffith as a driver for the company and he eventually became the depot keeper. He worked in this capacity until his sight deteriorated so much he was not able to do the book work involved so he once again became a driver (ironic isn't it!). Morris was one of the foundation members of the Griffith Aero Club and in his spare time he serviced the aircraft. He was also a very keen photographer and developed his own photographs. Morris died unexpectedly on 3 June 1956 and is buried in the Presbyterian section of the Griffith cemetery. Morris' father, Alfred Dalby, came up to Griffith in the last twelve months of his life. His wife, Mary, had died at Lane Cove and Morris' wife, Pauline, brought him to live with the family but the sudden death of his younger son, Morris, probably hastened his death. He is also buried in June's First Day at Griffith High School the Presbyterian section of the Griffith cemetery. 1940 - Carrathool Street Home Morris' wife, Pauline, was very involved L to R: June, Margaret and Ernie with the Hospital Auxiliary and for many years went around with the trolley on Saturday afternoons. In later years she became a keen bowler and after some years as a widow she married Samuel Martin. Both husbands predeceased Pauline who is presently living at the Griffith Nursing Home. A third child was born to Morris and Pauline in Griffith on 15 September 1937 a daughter, Margaret. On completion of her teacher training at Wagga, Margaret married John Shanks of Sydney. Margaret and her family of four sons live at Campbelltown NSW. Ernest worked for the WC & IC and after a short time went into the Navy. He and his wife, Halley (née Boyer) live at Young NSW. June, after leaving High School, went to work at Gordon's Garage until her marriage in 1949 to Ronald Palmer of Wagga. Ronald is a descendant of John Palmer the purser on the "Sirius" of the First Fleet. Ron and June had two children, both born in Griffith. Since 1958 they have lived in Melbourne.

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20 January 1963 L to R - Back: June, Margaret, Ernie and Pauline Front: Christopher (Margaret's son) and Robert (Ernie's son)

Henry Dalby married Mary Elizabeth Morris (arrived Australia 30 September 1839 aboard "Royal Admiral") 10 children Alfred Morris Dalby married Margaret Freer Howieson *

Alfred Ernest Dalby married Mary Ross Gray (1869-1956) * Morris Gray Dalby married Pauline Frances Kelly (1902 - ) (1906 - 1956) *

Beryl June born Drummoyne NSW 1928; married Ronald Palmer; two children.

Ernest Ross born Drummoyne NSW 1931; married Halley Boyer.

Margaret Ellen born Griffith NSW 1937; married John Shanks; four sons.

By courtesy of June Palmer (née Dalby), 9 Munro Street, Mitcham 3132

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DAVOREN Harold John Davoren, born 1898, was the eldest of the six children of John Steven Davoren and Mary Josephine (nee McDermott). Harold's grandparents, Patrick Davoren and his wife, Mary (nee Kerins) had both come from Ballyvaughan, Co Clare in Ireland. They arrived in the 1860s. They were married at Branxton in Harold John Davoren 1868 and settled nearby at Dalwood on the Hunter River. Harold John Davoren arrived in Griffith on 8 June 1927 (the King's Birthday Weekend) on the Temora mail train from Sydney. He was employed by Penfolds as a winemaker and had been working at their winery at Dalwood, near Branxton NSW. On his arrival he found accommodation at the Victoria Hotel (Mine Host was Bun Davis) where he shared a room with Bill Doyle. There were about sixty boarders there at the time, mostly Commission and Bank Employees. Many sent their laundry to Mrs Cooper in Yambil Street. (Mrs Cooper was later Bill Doyle's mother-in-law.) Harold married Mary Alice Sullivan on 20 January 1932 at Middle Park Vic. Mary was born 8 April 1901 at Hawthorn Vic, the daughter of Thomas Sullivan and Margaret (nee Clarke). After their marriage Harold and Maisie (as she was known) settled in a house adjacent to Penfolds Winery on the Leeton Road. Their only son, Harold Thomas Davoren was born at Griffith in August 1933. Sadly Maisie died a few months later when she drowned on 12 February 1934 whilst swimming in the Murrumbidgee River at Darlington Point. Initially Harold's sister, Ella, cared for him and his tiny son. When Ella married Aub Davis, Mrs Mary Daveron Snr (Harold's mother) came to live with and care for them. Harold lived in the house at Penfolds until his retirement in 1965. Long time friend and associate, Charlie J 011iffe, pays this tribute to Harold John Davoren "Harold Davoren was in every sense a gentleman, a Mary Alice ("Maisie") Davoren vigneron of the old school who knew his wines and cared for his growers. He was courteous and 220

DROWNED IN RIVER Rail Officer's Daughter

understanding of, and was held in respect and affection by, groups of every age. "His hospitality to visiting dignatories was the genesis of the Penfold Dry Red Group, which now meets of an evening on a regular basis at Orlando's to taste and discuss wines in an informal barbeque environment, that introduced a new tradition to Australian culture.

TWO DEATHS IN MUDDY STREAM

Mrs Davoren GRIFFITH; N.S.W., Monday. — While swimming in the Murrumbidgee, which is swollen by recent rains. and full of treacherous currents, in the week-end. Mrs Alice Mary Davoren, a former Melbourne girl, and daughter of Assistant Metropolitan Superintendent of Victorian Railways (Mr T. J. Sullivan) was drowned. James Henry Harding, 50, married. who is a grocer at Griffith. was also drowned in the river in the week-end when he contracted cramp. Mrs Davoteri. w hc _ the rife of the manager of Penfold's winery at Griffith. was drowned not far from where her husband and six-months-old son were seated on the bank_ Swimmers in the vicinity saw Mrs Davoren carried into midstream by the strong current, and disappear in deep water. Several of them dived in an attempt to rescue her, but they could see nothing in the rain-discolored water. UNIVERSITY GIRL The body was not recovered until an hour later. Mrs Davoren took a Bachelor of Arts degree at the Melbourne University some years ago, and before her marriage in New South Wales was a teacher at several schools there. She had a brilliant school career at the Catholic Ladies' College, and at Newman College at the University. Harding, who is a returned soldier, went to the river with a oarty of men to spend the week-end fishing. With another man he was diving for mussels. when cramp overcame him, and he sank in deep water.

Top: Interior of the fermenting cellar of Penfolds Winery in the late 1920s. Bottom: Penfolds Winery also in the late 1920s

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Patrick Davoren born Ballyvaughan; died 1876 married 1868 at Branxton NSW Mary Kerins born Ballyvaughan Co Clare, Ireland died 1916. (Both buried Branxton) • John Steven Davoren born NSW 1869 died Newcastle 1938 married 1897 at Branxton NSW Mary Josephine McDermott died Wagga Wagga 1963 (buried Branxton) • Harold John Davoren born Dalwood NSW 12 February 1898 died Griffith NSW 6 June 1985

Thomas James Sullivan married 17 April 1895 Margaret Ceclia Clarke •

married Middle Park Vic 20 January 1932 •

• Mary Alice Sullivan born Hawthorn Vic 8 April 1901 died Griffith NSW 12 February 1934

• Ilarold !minas Davoren born Griffith 9 August 1933 married Griffith 8 September 1956 Ileltn Carnell born Griffith 12 April 1932

Anti

Paul (;erard married Karen Murdoch

Gregory John

Jennifer Mary

Brian Joseph married Sally Crossing

y James

Mary Josephine Davoren (nee McDermot)

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Harold Thomas Davoren and Helen Davoren (nee Camell) and Jennifer Davoren. 222

De MARTIN Giacomo De Martin was born 9 June 1898 at Cavaso Del Tomba in northern Italy. He was the son of Massimiliano De Martin and Maria (nee Famea). In 1916 he was drafted into the Italian Army, who in this war fought on the side of the Allies. He served four years as a signalman, operating Morse Among the Code equipment. medals he was awarded was one for outstanding efficiency with Morse Code. Two years after the war he met Antonietta Salvestro (also born at Cavaso on 24 April 1900). She was the daughter of Felice Salvestro (who was of Austrian descent) and They Teresa (nee Salvestro). married at Cavaso on 26 January 1923. Because of extreme poverty in that country at that time and because he was unable to find work, Giacomo and Antonietta De Martin Giacomo decided to migrate to America where others from Cavaso had already gone. As he had no money of his own, his uncle offered to loan him the money for the fare. While migration documents and passport were being prepared America stopped intake of all migrants. He then decided to try for Australia, hoping he would have better luck. This time he succeeded. Exactly one month before he left Cavaso for Genova to board the ship "Citta di Genova" their first child and baby daughter, Eleonora, was born (25 July 1924). Therefore it was with much apprehension, but also with much hope, that he set out for the new land. However, this hope was tinged with tremendous sadness as he had to leave his wife and their new born babe, not knowing what the future held and if they would ever see one another again. In trying to make conditions better for his family he had no option. It takes little imagination to appreciate the emotional trauma involved. His promise was to work hard to repay his uncle for the loan of the fare money and earn enough to bring his wife and daughter to Australia as soon as possible. After a voyage of six weeks he disembarked, on 14 October 1924, at Port Adelaide where he sought work and found jobs at Iron Knob and Port Pine in the Antonietta and Nora smelters. 223

By July 1925 he had saved enough money to reimburse his uncle and send gifts to his wife and a first birthday present to his tiny daughter - a gold necklace set with a ruby and a pearl. Having heard that good wages were to be made in Queensland in the sugar cane fields, he left Adelaide in 1926 and went to Babinda and did two seasons cane cutting. By mid-1927 he had saved enough money to pay the fares for his wife and "Nora" (as she had always been known) to come to Australia. With much excitement, but also with great sadness because it meant that Antonietta had to leave her parents with practically no hope of ever seeing them again, immigration papers and passport were prepared and on 19 October 1927 they boarded the cargo ship, "Caprera" at Genova for the six-week-long voyage. On 30 November the little family were reunited at Port Adelaide. For Antonietta the mystery of coping with the unknown in a strange land was more than a little frightening. It was about this time that Giacomo learned that there were both relations and friends from their home town of Cavaso in Griffith so he decided to take his family and possibly settle there. Arriving in the December of 1927 they rented a cottage at West End in what is now Erskine Road. By this time he had saved £450 and wanted to buy an orchard at Beelbangera. It was one that a returned soldier had abandoned and on which this man had accumulated a debt of £1,000 owing to the WC & IC. When Giacomo approached the authorities concerned he was told that in addition to the purchase price he would also have to pay the debt if he purchased the property so the deal was abandoned. Two years later the debt was waived! Cane Cutting in Queensland In the meantime he had met one of his Giacomo De Martin on the far right countrymen who had leased a dry area property in the Tabbita/Goolgowi district. He asked Giacomo if he would care to sharefarm this property, on the condition that he and Antonietta would live there, as there were good returns from wheat growing. February 1928 saw them, with their tiny daughter Nora, pack what little belongings they had onto a horse-drawn spring cart and with three extra draft horses with which to work the property, they left for Tabbita - 32 miles into the "bush". This farm was at the rear of the "Dumossa" homestead, now owned by the Cheers family. Nora describes arriving, in the evening, at the new "home". Two rooms made from pine poles, bag walls and a rusty tin roof - "the corrugated iron had no doubt been used many times as it had more holes than tin!! Wheat bags for the kitchen floor and rough timber for the bedroom. So commenced life in a new country." For Antonietta life at Tabbita was very hard, extremely lonely and isolated. There wasn't another family for many miles and the language barrier was also a problem. Visits to Griffith would probably be, on average, twice a year for her. They would go to Tabbita

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railway station with the horse and spring cart, board the train for Griffith, leaving the horse tethered at the station. On their return trip, at dusk, they would drive their horse and cart the eight miles back home. Reminiscing still, Nora continues - "My sister, Elda, was born in 1929. Our father made her cot from wooden cases in which machinery parts had come. He also built our 'furniture' from kerosene tins and butter boxes. "Work on this mallee farm was very hard for our father. He set about making a mallee roller with a huge tree to roll down the mallee and clear the land for wheat planting. With the four horses he worked from daylight to dark. The weather was unpredictable. 1928/32 were the years of the big drought and the black, frightening dust storms would come Antonietta and Eleonora rolling in. It seemed that all they ever produced was several on the Tabbita Fann - 1928 specks of rain, only to be followed by more hot, dry weather. The wheat, if not eaten by the galahs first, would germinate and possibly grow a few inches before withering off. It was sheer heartbreak. "With the summer of 31/32 came the bushfires. All the surrounding people would attend. In those days bushfires were fought with bags and mallee bushes. Little water was available. However, men would arrive in old trucks, on horseback, in sulkies and even on push bikes. On the property on which we lived there was no water. Campbell's windmill was the nearest, approximately a mile and a half away. This was a daily trudge for my mother and me. Our Mum would 'don' a hand-hewn wooden yoke across her shoulders with a four gallon kerosene tin hanging from a piece of wire on either side and away we would set out to Campbell's windmill. When he had the time Dad would go in the horse and spring cart and get a 'good' supply - two tanks of fifty gallons each! "At the age of six I commenced school at Tabbita. To get there I rode 'a very tall horse' eight A miles through the mallee scrub, a return trip of 16 miles a day. My English vocabulary consisted of five words - 'Yes'. 'No', 'Please' and 'Thank You'. Everyone was very nice to me except the two boys sitting behind me who used to pull my 'pigtails'. As I didn't speak nor understand English I didn't quite know when it was lunchtime nor time to go home. I had been told when the bell is rung you have your lunch and that is the time to feed the horse his chaff. No one told me about the bell that was rung at eleven o'clock recess, so, at 'playtime' I had my lunch and fed my horse his chaff and went home when the lunchtime bell was rung! The teacher asked my father why I left so early and whether I didn't like school. I then learnt that I had to wait for another bell to ring Nora and Elda - c.1932 before going home."

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In 1981 the 50th Anniversary of "Back to Tabbita Reunion" was held. Almost 300 people attended, over a three day celebration. Amongst those who came back was a lady who, not remembering a school girl's name of fifty years ago, asked if the girl who couldn't speak English and who rode the tallest horse was present that day. When Nora was pointed out to her she immediately approached her saying how often she had thought of those school days and had wanted to say "Sorry" for not having been more thoughtful when a language barrier was such a problem. Nora says - "Her honesty and friendliness, fifty years later, was very touching and appreciated. In this way two school girls met again in a very happy and friendly circumstance." Nora smiles as she says - "Then I could speak no English, now I scarcely remember any Italian!" In 1988 a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the pioneers of Goolgowi and district. Giacomo and Antonietta's names were inscribed on the plaque. (They were the only Italian migrants to settle on dry area farming at Tabbita in the early years.) By 1932 the big drought had taken its toll. Disillusioned, with exhausted finances and some debt, Giacomo and Antonietta decided to return to Griffith where a one-roomed hut was offered as accommodation on Farm 1290 along what is now Harward Road on condition that Giacomo help on the farm when needed. Antonietta found work on a tobacco farm, picking and sorting tobacco leaves. Ron, Eleanora and Elda on "Brownie" This farm was in the general the tallest horse - at Walla Avenue - c.1936 direction of what is to-day Pioneer' subdivision. She would walk the two miles to her job, which was ten hours a day with very little pay, carrying her daughter Elda who was by then three years old. When the tobacco season ended she picked peas on another property three miles away and to which Antonietta still walked each day. On their return to Griffith Nora was enrolled at the public school but because of financial hardship and debts she too, at the age of 8 years, was working in the fields with her mother. She was often reprimanded by her mother for walking slowly when going to work. The reason was that, even then, she had to smell all the beautiful perfumed roses growing along the fences on the way. During those years Nora was more often working in the fields than at school. In 1934 the family moved to a farm in Walla Avenue. Their home there was a hayshed and they leased some land for vegetable growing. Even this had its setbacks. A grasshopper plague almost wiped out the entire crop. At dusk the whole family would converge on the hoppers with bags to drive them away but to no avail. At this time the price of vegetables was very low. Sometimes, after being harvested and railed to the Sydney Markets, they would be dumped because they didn't sell. All these costs, including that for the dumping of the produce had to be met by the grower. One of many examples of this was when 13 bushels of peas were sent to the market and the return

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from which was one shilling. Out of this shilling was deducted a charge of sixpence for exchange on the cheque!! With the other sixpence Giacomo bought a hag of boiled lollies for his children. This was a rare treat for them. As well as growing vegetables Giacomo got a job on an orchard where he worked long hours in the hope that the 'boss' would keep him on for some time, but alas, he was never even paid for that job! On 23 March 1935 their son, Ronald, was born and as time went by their living conditions improved, debts were paid and in 1936 they moved to a bigger acreage in Bromley Road and a neat two-bedroomed house. Giacomo and Antonietta continued to work in the fields side by side but from this time on with a much happier outlook. They purchased a second-hand truck which was their pride and joy and by 1938 they had saved enough money to put a deposit on Farm 323 at Bilbul. Unfortunately 1938/39 was the year of the big floods which caused not only the loss of all that season's fruit but many of the trees as well. At this stage all farm work was still being done by horses and because of this disaster their hopes of buying a tractor had to be foregone for another year. When World War H broke out Giacomo and Antonietta were not naturalized British Subjects. At that time the cost to be naturalized was £10, then a very considerable amount of money and money was very short. As a consequence they were forbidden to drive or even have the truck on their property and they were regarded, as a result of not having become naturalized, as "aliens" by the Australian Government. Ronald - 1937 All such unnaturalized citizens were obliged to report Bromley Road Farm to the police station once a month where they were fingerprinted each time. The truck was taken to a friend's property and as the war continued, with no end in sight, it was decided to dismantle the truck and the tray was made into a horse-drawn trailer. This became their only way of transporting produce to the Griffith railway for dispatch to the Sydney markets. This eight mile and return trip would take three hours. Nora met Bruno Ceccato in 1941 while he was home on leave from the Army. They were married in 1946. (Ed. These were the two people who gave Valerio Recetti [The Hermit] a home after his return from the internment camp and cared for him in his final years before his return to Italy where he died shortly after. Nora says the poor old man loved sweets and desserts so it was a pleasure to make them for him.) Elda continued to help her parents on the Bilbul property and after her marriage to Felice ("Felix") Castellaro she found time to do a Certificate Dressmaking Course at the Technical College. The floods in 1956 once again took their toll on the farm with losses of crop and trees. The WC & IC realising that there were problems, set up a rehabilitation scheme and Giacomo and Antonietta were allotted land at Cudgel, a newly opened up area between Yanco and Narrandera. Here, together with their son Ronald, they established an all-citrus orchard. In 1966 they sold their Bilbul property and moved to Cudgel. Ron still owns this

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property and the three technical courses (Automotive Engineering, Welding and Agronomy) that he completed no doubt contributed to the success of this venture. Despite their hardships, setbacks and heartbreak Giacomo and Antonietta often sang Italian folk songs in the evening. Their children would join in. Nora comments with a smile - "You didn't have to be a soprano or a tenor. It was their way of disguising their hardships and of making life more cheerful for themselves and their children". Giacomo died at the family farm at Cudgel on 24 December 1972. Antonietta died at Griffith 30 July 1985. They are both buried in the Griffith Lawn Cemetery.

Massimiliano and Maria De Martin

Felice and Teresa Salvestro

Massimiliano De Martin married Maria Farnea Giacomo De Martin born Cavaso 9 June 1898 died Cudgel 24 December 1972

Felice Salvestro married Teresa Salvestro

married

Antonietta Salvestro born Cavaso 24 April 1900 died Griffith 30 July 1985

Eleonora ("Nora") born Cavaso 25 July 1924; married Bruno Ceccato. Lives at Yoogali and have four children - Rickie, John, Trevor and Ian.

Elda born Yoogali 23 December 1929; married Felice Castellaro. Lives at Lake Wyangan and have three children - Denise, Glen and Paul.

Ronald born at West End, Griffith 23 March 1935; married Maria Calabretta. Lives at Narrandera and have two children - Derek and Melinda.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Eleonora ("Nora") Ceccato (nee De Martin) Farm 2380, Yoogali 2680.

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de SAXE Norman Douglas de Saxe was born in Melbourne in 1894, the elder son of Alfred Ernest de Saxe, a Melbourne dentist. Norman went to Scotch College and then to Melbourne University where he commenced Dentistry. This was interrupted when he joined the AIF in 1915. He spent part of his 21st birthday in the waters of the Mediterranean when the "Southland", carrying the 21st Battalion, was sunk near Lemnos. He saw action at Gallipoli and in Norman de Saxe - Camp 1919 France and was discharged in 1919. As a returned serviceman, Norman was allotted Farm 1813, Lake Wyangan. With the help of a neighbour, Ernest McClure, he built on the farm the home in which he lived with his wife Clare for the next forty two years. First the farm had to be cleared. Then Norman planted citrus and a few acres of sultanas. These were dried on the farm in long wire-netting racks which were a feature of many farms at that time. While waiting for the citrus to bear, he grew tobacco leaf. Norman married Clare Violet Harman, whom he had known since childhood, on 28 April 1923 in Melbourne. They had three children, Brian, Margaret and Gregory, all of whom were born in Griffith. Norman and Clare sold the farm in 1964 when they retired to Palm Beach NSW.

Waiting for their farms at Lake Wyangan - 1921 Norman de Saxe and Ernest McClure in Ernest's shack

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The last of Camp Life Ready to move to our "Shack"

Planting Tobacco on Farm 1813

Our "Shack"

•

Weeding the Tobacco plants

►

Entry by courtesy of Margaret Reidy (nee de Saxe), 698 Old Northern Road, Dural 2158. Original photographs by courtesy of Greg de Saxe - copies by The Griffith Collection.

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Philip Dargan de Saxe was born in Melbourne on 13 September 1901, the youngest son of Alfred Ernest de Saxe. Phil (as everyone called him) came to Griffith as a young man and worked for his brother, Norman, on his orange orchard at Lake View. Phil was not paid wages but was given board instead. Phil stayed with Norm for approximately two years. He then moved over to Stannard's farm at Lake View; they also had oranges and Phil was paid wages there. Whilst working at Stannards, Phil boarded with Oz Butler at Hodge's in Railway Street. Phil married Millicent Hetherington at the Methodist Church in Griffith. Millie, as she was always known, was born at Cowra in 1908 and came to Griffith at 20 years of age. She trained at the Griffith Hospital for three years before leaving to work for Sister Theo Griffin at "Woodlands" Private Hospital in Binya Street. Millie describes Sr Griffin as "a good boss". The nursing staff of "Woodlands" lived at the nurses' quarters next door to the hospital. Despite not completing her training, Millie helped deliver many babies and during her two years there she remarks upon the very low rate of deaths in mothers and babies. Caesareans were very few. After their marriage Millie and Phil lived in Carrathool Street for four years and where Os Butler, who was still a bachelor, boarded with them paying 10/- a week, full board. In 1939 their first child, Diana, was born. From Stannard's Phil went to work for Len Wincey at Hanwood and it was at this time that the family moved to Hanwood to live in a cottage on Wincey's farm. Here Millie helped with the picking of the orange

Philip de Saxe

crop.

In 1942 their second daughter, Judy, was born and followed by their son, Philip in 1945.

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Millicent de Saxe (nee Hetherington)

Phil worked for Len Wincey for approximately three to four years before buying Farm 121, Hanwood from Norm ("Burley") Clancy. This farm had apples and pears. Phil was a very good farmer. He grew the best apples in the district. He was sometimes referred to as the "Apple King". Whilst living at Hanwood Millie was involved with and worked hard for many charities such as secretary of Hanwood P & C, the Hall Committee and the CWA. Her daughter, Judy, recalls she worked particularly hard for the P & C "and made the best toffee apples around!" Millie also served as President of the Griffith Womens' Club and the Hospital Auxilliary. Phil and Millie had three children:-

Staff of "Woodlands" Hospital Back: Coralie Brodie and Millie Hetherington Front: Theo Griffin and Iris Ilarcourt

Diana was born in 1939. She married Jim Commins and they had two children - Jacqui and Vicki. Diana died in 1987. Judy was born in 1942. She married Ted Kenny and they have three children - Maree, Philip and Matthew. Philip was born in 1945. He married Colleen Prendergast and they have three children - Renee, Timothy and Shah. Phil gave his wife, Millie, and children a very good life. He was a quiet man who worked hard for his family.

Diana, Judy, Philip, Phil and Millie

Entry of photographs by courtesy of Judy Kenny (nee de Saxe), Griftith 2680

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DE VALENTIN Julia Colla's grandfather, Giovanni De Valentin, first came to Australia about 1920. In 1924 he sent for his son and namesake, Giovanni De Valentin, who had been born in Cavaso, Italy on 11 September 1905. First they went to Broken Hill and in 1926 Giovanni jnr sent for Giuseppina Zuccolatto. (Giuseppina had been born on 20 May 1906.) On her arrival at Broken Hill, in 1926, they were married and later came to live in Griffith. Giovanni had worked in the mines at Broken Hill and they travelled to Griffith by car. Their first home was at Farm 1309, Tharbogang. Julia's grandfather, Giovanni snr, went back to Italy but returned to Griffith about 1933. After a short stay he went to Sydney where he died in 1935 and was buried in Sydney. Julia recalls that - "Giovanni and Giuseppina and Giovanni De Valentin Giuseppina worked hard on their farm but also Wedding Day - Broken Hill 1926 liked to enjoy their life. Families got together and had picnics at Taylor's Beach at Darlington Point and also had parties in their own homes and danced on the back verandahs to the music of an accordion or to records. There were quite a few private homes where they went dancing on Saturday nights and the men played games of bocce or cards on Sundays."

A Social Outing at the Murnunbidgee River in the 1930s, including members of the De Valentin family.

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All five children went to Tharbogang School, then onto Griffith High School. In 1968 Giovanni and Giuseppina left Farm 1309 and retired to Griffith. Giovanni died on 28 February 1971 and is buried in the Griffith Cemetery. Giuseppina is still living at her home in Probert Avenue.

Giuseppina and Giovanni Dv Valentin - 1955

Family of Giovanni and Giuseppina:*

Lina born Broken Hill 28 January 1927; married Peter Cappello and lives at 18 Kywong Street, Griffith.

•

Julia born Broken Hill 1 May 1928; married Tony Colla and lives at 101 Kookora Street, Griffith.

•

John born Griffith 15 September 1940; married Christine Martin and lives at 6 Ross Crescent, Griffith.

•

Gino ("Jim") born Griffith 15 September 1940; married Iris Surian and lives at 28 Langley Crescent, Griffith.

•

Gloria born Griffith 23 April 1945; married Michael Carnell and lives at 12 McInnes Street, Griffith.

By courtesy of Julia Colla (nee De Valentin), Griffith 2680. 234

DEVITT Michael Devitt's parents, Owen Devitt and Mary Fitzgerald emigrated to Adelaide SA arriving on 4 December 1864 on the "Tarquin". Owen was born in Co Clare, Ireland c.1842 and came to Australia with other members of the Devitt family. Owen and Mary met on board the "Tarquin" but it was not until 6 January 1872 that they married in Adelaide. Michael Joseph Devitt, their fourth child, was born at Quorn in South Australia c.1884. He married Elizabeth Renwick Shueard in SA in 1913 and they moved to Broken Hill where the first three of their four children were born. Their daughter, Ethel, tells that "a number of miners were sent over to the new area of Griffith in 1922 to try to improve their health. These men were all suffering from what is now known as 'asbestosis' and it was considered that they needed to work in the open air. The miners I remember who came at this time, with my father Michael Devitt, were:William Couch, Alex Summers, Jas Theeuff, Bill Arnica, Fred Thorpe, Tommy Bramwell, Bill Carter, Paul Dolan, Harold Willington, Bill Watson, Jim Brenton and Henry Henderson.

From Diggers to Cockies.

1.6‘4.1 nt Griffith. A Group of ''Oompo." Men who left Broken Hill on lioninet butt ttit inspra rikxld il, ..111nit• 1C71ttlilrM.11, 1 It. Stnqnitl. Mom it.tt to rightt: B. .1. 14.t.ilerNott. NV. Wntilt'tn.4A. . I MI rind M..1. 1/Kitt: • • t,.41 1Vtikh. liremott, 11..1. Ilo4nr. II. W. Wallington W. It. Carter, II. II. tiods..1...1. nJ .4 r. .1. In Irmo. F. Thorpe and G. 11. :11111b.

"Barrier Daily Truth" 26 May 1922 Courtesy Ethel Maxwell, Broken Hill Family History Group & State Library of New South Wales

235

"In 1920 the miners of Broken Hill were on a strike which lasted two years. In that two years a doctor in Broken Hill couldn't understand why the miners were dying of pneumonia at such a young age. By the time the strike ended and he had found that after he had them x-rayed many of the miners had 'Dust on the Lungs'. Consequently they were unable to return to the underground mines. It was after that they were placed on small holdings of land in Griffith. They all received compensation - most were married men with families. When they arrived in Griffith the land was still being cleared ready to plant the fruit trees. Homes were built on the farms and after a year or two, their wives and families arrived. My father Michael Joseph Devitt lived in a shed on the farm. At that time Bagtown was just about deserted and people had moved into 'Griffith town'. "My father, and most of the other miners, remained on 'Compensation' until they died. The work on the farm wasn't easy but they managed to grow lovely fruit. On Farm 630 we grew apricots, Granny Smith apples, sultana grapes, Navel oranges, grapes, almonds, plums and figs. My father was in Griffith for fifteen years from 1922 to 1937. Many of the miners stayed until about the early fifties. Most of them sold after that but some died in Griffith Mick Devitt and son Owen with workmen c.1931 and are buried there. I was nursing Courtesy Ethel Maxwell (nee Devitt) at the old Griffith Hospital (now the Government Office block in Banna Avenue) and I remember a couple of the miners dying there. "In the early days of Griffith there was a very large slab of concrete next to the old Griffith Hospital - it was about two feet high and when the Great Depression was on it was a shelter for many unemployed men. It was called the 'Millions Club'. The men came to Griffith for a feed of fruit etc - of which they got plenty. The slab was there for many years in the early days of Griffith it had been intended to build a large canning factory for the farmers' produce. The foundations were erected and that's all that was done. The Canning factory was built at Leeton instead. "Clothing was much the same as it is today. O'Gilpin's, from Melbourne, opened a shop in Griffith in the early days. Big transport trucks brought the goods up and it was just like Coles and Woolworths are today. There was also a very nice dress shop - kept by a Miss Winn in Banna Avenue. Fred Eardley's was the men's store. We also received a catalogue each change of season from Grace Bros in Sydney. Mr Kensitt, the butcher, delivered the meat to the farms and the groceries were also delivered. My mother dealt with Canvey's - the orders were collected one day a week and delivered the next. "I often tell my children about our wonderful school master, Mr Bowditch, at Yoogali School. He was a very good teacher and his wife, Mrs Bowditch, taught us sewing on Friday. The games I remember were Rounders and Jacks (played with five of the big bones out of the joints of lamb which were painted pretty colours). There was a cement swimming pool and tennis courts at the school. We had our 'Wattle Queen' every year - voting for our Queen

236

almost the same way as we vote now in elections. My school friends were mostly Italian children whose fathers had settled on the land. As the fruit trees got older and there was plenty of fruit we used to have a large variety each day to swap at school. Later I rode a bike to the Griffith Convent School. Father O'Dea was the Parish Priest in those days. "It was quite an eventful day when the `Great White Train' came through Griffithwe had a holiday from school! It was about 1927 and I was about 11 years old at the time. As I remember it was a full size train painted white and it represented `The Industry of NSW' at the time. I can remember a lot of pictures on the carriage walls and we were all excited about its arrival.

Griffith School Children visiting "The Greet White Train" Courtesy Muriel Garton (nee Marks)

"After I left the Public Hospital (where I spent one year at the old hospital and one year at the new hospital) I went to `Loretto' Private Hospital and nursed there for four years. Dr Goldberg was the only doctor at Loretto and he was helped with surgery by Dr Dilger of Yenda. Sister Boss was the matron - she was a lovely woman and nurse. Dr Goldberg built two big wings on `Loretto'. The hospital was always busy so there was plenty of excitement! There was an old hospital (Sister O'Reilly's hospital) next to `Loretto' which Dr Goldberg turned it into the Nurses Homes. Later we moved to Dr Bodycomb's old home just down from 'Loretto' on the corner of Binya and Whitton Streets. "Bill Watson came to Griffith about the same time as my father. Bill built a two storey house on his farm. Mrs Watson, who was a nurse trained in obstetrics, used the top floor for a private hospital. They had one daughter, Mona, who married John Duchatel from the Irrigation Commission office. Mona was a very pretty girl. "Bill Couch and his sister Dollie Couch also came from Broken Hill. Bill was the leader of the Broken Hill miners. They had a farm nearer to town than ours. The other miners would always seek his advice on different things. Bill and Dollie stayed in Griffith about fifteen years. I think their mother was with them when they first settled there. Later they both retired to Sydney. Mother and Father knew them until they both died. Bill died suddenly and Dollie died in a nursing home in Sydney a few years later. Dollie was very artistic. She had worked at a photograph studio in Sydney. "Mr and Mrs Tom Bramwell lived on the farm near ours - their children were quite grown up. They had two sons and two daughters - Tom, Jack, Edna and Valita. Edna married Fred Eardley and Valita became Mrs Gordon - the Gordons had a garage in Griffith. Valita died when she was quite young. Mr and Mrs Bramwell went to live in Melbourne about the same time my mother and father went to Sydney. I loved Mr and Mrs Bramwell they were lovely people. I was 21 when I last saw them.

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"This amusing little story went back to Broken Hill. It was in the newspaper under the heading 'The First Crop'. "It came about when my Dad, Michael Devitt, and one of his Broken Hill miner-farmer-friends, Tom Bramwell, decided to take their apricots into the factory in the one cart as it was their first crop and they only had five cases of apricots between them. They packed up early and decided to go in and do the Christmas shopping and come straight home again. But, alas! Things didn't turn out as they expected. They delivered the five cases of apricots to the factory, bought all the Christmas goodies, including the butter and meat, put them all safely in the cart then decided to have a quick drink. "We waited at home all day. Mum kept on saying, as the day wore on - 'I hope they didn't forget the order'. At sunset we heard the cart coming up the road. Dad was asleep in the cart, his mate was asleep driving!! (I must tell you here Dottie Couch and Elizabeth too that the old cart and sulky horses knew their way home Devitt taken in Brisbane Courtesy Ethel Maxwell from town). They got into the yard and must have wakened up (n6e Devitt) long enough to pull the horse out of the cart and let the shafts fall down. The groceries and butter were all melted and running out the cracks in the cart. They had been in the boiling hot sun all day! "Neither of the men drank very much at all. I had never ever seen my Dad nor Tommy Bramwell drunk but they really made up for it that day! They both staggered down to an old bed under the verandah. My Dad got on top and his mate got under the bed and they slept until morning. (Tom's daughter came over to our place and took a snap of them on the bed on the verandah.) I don't think they got roused on. After all, it was their first crop!!"

Owen Devitt born Co Clare, Ireland c. 1842 died Broken Hill NSW married Adelaide 6 January 1872 Mary Fitzgerald born Ireland died Adelaide SA

• Michael Joseph Devitt born Quorn SA c.1884 died Sydney 28 March 1944

married 1913 Adelaide SA

Elizabeth Renwick Shueard born SA c.1892 died Sydney 13 March 1979.

Kathleen May born Pell Street, Railway Town, Broken Hill NSW 1914; died Sydney; married George Stephens - two children

Ethel born Pell Street, Railway Town, Broken Hill NSW 1916; married Alwyn Maxwell - four children, 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren.

Owen born Pell Street, Railway Town, Broken Hill NSW 1920; married Alice Lewis.

Mary born Griffith 1927; accidentally drowned on the farm in 1929, buried in Griffith.

By courtesy of Ethel Maxwell (nee Devitt), 15 Meyer Street, Southport 4215. 238

DICKIE The Dickie family came to Australia from Scotland by ship, paying their own passage and arrived in Melbourne in 1920. They moved to Finley in 1921, then into the Griffith area at Bilbul in 1922/1923.

William Dickie

1878-1960

Agnes Dickie (née Seouller) 1876-1966

Agnes Scouller (nee Russell) 1843-1928

Father: William Snr (16 June 1878 to 13 March 1960) Married 3 September 1903 at Carmunock, Scotland to Mother: Agnes Scouller (24 June 1876 to 23 August 1966) (Both born Scotland and buried at Albury Lawn Cemetery.) Children: William ,Inr

Andrew

(11 August 1904 to 7 February 1990). Born East Kilbride, Scotland. Married 2 March 1944 at Dehra-Dun India to Ann Crowley (13 May 1917 to 29 June 1991). Born Wath Upon Dearne, England. (Both buried Griffith Lawn Cemetery) (31 August 1906 to 2 June 1990). Born East Kilbride, Scotland. Buried Griffith Lawn Cemetery.

Agnes (Nancy) (20 August 1909 to 197?). Born East Kilbride, Scotland. Buried Victoria. Married William McKellar in 1934 and went to live at Ellerslie Vic. John (Jack) Maternal Grandmother:

(16 July 1916 to 27 November 1944). Born Glasgow, Scotland. Went missing over Norway while on active service. Agnes Scouller (née Russell) (1843 to 16 December 1928). Born Scotland and cremated at Rookwood Crematorium, Sydney.

While in Melbourne, William Snr, an agricultural engineer, carpenter and joiner by trade, went to work at Sunshine for McKay the Company which later became Massey Ferguson. William Jnr and Andrew went to school at Scotch College Melbourne. When the family moved to Finley to live, William Snr was then employed by the grain Elevators Board as engineer in charge of building grain silos along the railway line.

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William Jnr, in August 1921, obtained a job as a jackeroo on "Bullatella" Station near Deniliquin. Andrew, in November 1922, got a job as a farmhand on McDonald's farm at Bilbul. On 19 February 1923 William Snr purchased Farm 278 at Bilbul for £300. William Jnr left Deniliquin and arrived in the area by mail coach. William Snr with the Farm 278, Bilbul help of his two eldest sons began to Note the 'forest' of pine trees work the farm and converted a shed into a house. It was the beginning of August when the rest of the family moved house arriving into the district by train. Implements purchased during 1923 included a set of harrows £7-9-9, plough £9-100, International disc harrow £10-10-0, Harvey plough £20. Other purchases included a bicycle £8-15-0, 2 horses £36, horse harness £12-16-0, Clyde lorry £38, horse £21-10-0 and a horse and sulky £45. In 1924 Andrew purchased a belt driven Triumph motor cycle for £10, then his first car in 1927, a second-hand Chev S.S. £34, previously owned by Dr Goldberg. William Jnr purchased his first car in 1929, a new Oaklands, for £425. William Snr went back to working along the railway line building silos. He sent home £5 each week to the family. Later he secured a building job on the then new Parliament House in Canberra. The mother, grandmother and two eldest sons worked the farm while the two younger children went to school. Andrew got a job working for Griffith Producers Co-op making fruit cases. In 1928 both elder brothers ventured into fanning on their own. William Jnr went farming on J G Gordon's dry area farm. He purchased some plant and grew wheat and Nancy and Jack - note the clearing wood pile ran sheep. Andrew leased an orchard from Mr A Sawkins then in 1929 went share farming rice for T Dodds and D Hardiman and later on for R Boyd. On 23 October 1932, under a program of resettlement, Farm 2371 Warburn was drawn in a land ballot. The Bilbul farm had proved to be insufficient living area and was added to land of a nearby farmer. Farm 2371 was called "Kittoch" after the Kittoch Mill owned by the Scouller family near Carmunock, Scotland. William L to R: Unknown, Agnes Dickie, Nancy Dickie Snr built the house on "Kittoch" which is still

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there to-day. William Snr and his sons began to develop the farm - clearing, fencing and channelling. William Jnr enlisted in the RAAF and was called up in October 1940. Trained at Bradfield, Narrandera and then at Uplands, Ottawa, in Canada and got his 'wings' in July 1942. He was first based in England and then later in India. It was while in India, convalescing at Chakrata Hospital after an accident, that he met Sister Ann Crowley who had been born in England of Irish parents. They were married at Dehra-Dun, India, in 1944. He finished his flying days based at Essendon, Melbourne. Returned to farming at "Kittoch" where he settled with his family. Jack was one of the first students of Griffith High School. He first worked on the farm then went wool classing about 1936. He enlisted in the RAAF and was called up in November 1941. He trained at Bradfield, then Point Cook Vic and got his wings in October 1942. He went missing over Norway on 27 November 1944 while on active service. During the World War II William Snr spent a lot of time away working on ships in Sydney then in Adelaide. Andrew ran the farm for his mother and began leasing farms and dealing in sheep. One of these farms was "Pinevale" which was later purchased by William Jnr and Andrew. It is now owned by William Andrew and L to R: William Jnr, Jack, Nancy and her Shirley Dickie. daughter Nan and Andrew - 1940 William Jnr and his family moved into Griffith to live in 1957. He worked for the Water Commission as a channel attendant until he retired. His wife, Ann, worked at Griffith Hospital in the Maternity Ward as a night sister from 1957 to 1971 and was well known as Sister Dickie. In 1963 "Kittoch" was sold. Agnes then purchased Farm 860 Holt Road, Griffith. Andrew, a bachelor, went to live there for the rest of his life. Agnes spent the rest of her days between family members. William Dickie Jnr and Ann (née Crowley) had five children: I. John born Warrnambool Vic 1944; married 1969 Jeannie Johnston. Living at Griffith - two children. William Andrew born Melbourne Vic1945; married 1970 Shirley Nelson. Living at Griffith - seven 2. children. James born Griffith 1947; married 1971 Joyce Wade. Living at Griffith - four children. 3. 4. Peter born Griffith 1951; married 1973 Patricia Curran. Living at Yenda - five children. Ann born Griffith 1952; married 1976 Don Williams. Living at Broken Hill NSW - four children. 5.

By courtesy of Shirley Dickie (née Nelson), 6 Goondooloo Street, Griffith. 2680. 241

DISIIER/CAMERON/WATT JOHN DISHER born 16 Nov 1790 Whitehill Midlothian Co. Scotland died 16 Nov 1878 Native Valley SA; buried Naime SA married ELIZABETH STEELE born 28 Jan 1797 Coldingham BEW Scotland died 5 Aug 1888 Woodside SA ARRIVED AUSTRALIA 1839 per "SS Palmyra" to Adelaide; became Farmer/Grazier. Their family were:1. Robert born 1816 2. Eliza born 5 June 1818 3. James Wardlow born 1819 4. * William born 27 Dec 1821 Glasgow 5. John born 1824 6. Alexander Steele born 1826 7. Alexander born 1828 8. Margaret born 1831

* William married Agnes Horsburgh Their son Robert Milne Disher born 21 October 1854 Adelaide SA died 14 July 1929 Darlington Point NSW buried Darlington Point Cemetery married Sarah Amelia Cameron 30 Mar 1880 Kewell West, Horsham Plains Vic born 1858/9 Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia died 13 Mar 1902 Moredon Hill, "Uri Park", Darlington Point buried Waddi Cemetery, Darlington Point

SARAH AMELIA CAMERON The children of Allan Cameron and Christina Smith (née Halley) of Nova Scotia, Donald Cameron and his sister, Sarah Amelia Cameron came out to Australia when Donald "I'm was in his twenties and Sarah only 10 years old. Their Great Grandson Peter tells told that about 1870, Allan Cameron and his two children travelled to Australia to investigate a deceased brother's estate. It is thought that they landed at Portland, then a major port in the south west corner of Victoria. However, Allan is believed to have either died at sea or just after arriving in Victoria, but it is more probable that he died before landing. 242

"What happened to Donald and Sarah for the next few years is a story we will never know. Then records show Donald's marriage at Coleraine in February 1875. Sarah was married to Robert Milne Disher, at her brother's house in Kewell West five years later, before she and her husband began the gradual move across Victoria, looking for work". They came to Darlington Point by way of the Wimmera, Sailor's Home, Roseberry, Warracknabeal, Hopetown, Birchip - travelling by bullock dray. Exactly when they arrived in the Waddi/Darlington Point area is unknown but probably about 1898 as their eleventh child, Annie, was born at Darlington Point in 1899. Bob Disher, worked at "Uri Park" Station (a few miles south of Darlington Point) so maybe they lived there for a time. Sarah's death certificate states that she died at Moredon Hill, "Uri Park"' so presumably they were living there at the time of her death.

Robert Milne Disher ► Courtesy Peter Baldey

Moredon Hill was one of the paddocks on " Uri Park"

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Sarah Amelia Disher (nde Cameron) Courtesy Peter Baldey

Just before the turn of the century Bob had a selection beside the township of Waddi (in the County of Boyd - about 3km south of Darlington Point). His occupation is usually given as 'Bullock Driver/Farm Hand' and their Great Grandson Peter tells us also that Bob "worked for a time for Mr Donald Ross of 'Uri Park', hauling wool". There is a photograph of him in the Darlington Point School Centenary book with a load of wool outside the old Punt Hotel. The Family of Robert Milne Disher and Sarah Amelia (née Cameron) were:1.

• Norman Allan born 28 July 1883 Murra Warra Vic died 23 August 1965 Darlington Point; married Laurel Mary Isabel Watt

Ida Georgina born 27 July 1885 Sailor's Home Vic died 23 June 1922; married James Stewart

William Alexander born 25 March 1887 Sailor's Home Vic died aged 3 months

Agness born 25 March 1887 Sailor's Home Vic died aged 4 months

Eliza Jane (Janet) born 20 September 1889 Rosebery Vic died 1974/75; married William Knobel

Ethel Horsborough born 25 August 1890 Rosebery Vic died Goulburn 1902 aged 12 years

Hector Jasper born 23 October 1891 Warracknabeal Vic died 1892 Warracknabeal aged 2 months

Walter Frederick born 29 February 1893 Warracknabeal Vic died 1917 - Killed in Action in France

Norman Allan Disher Courtesy Peter Baldey

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Gordon Roy ("Biz") born 28 June 1895 Hopetoun Vic died, date unknown; unmarried.

10.

Alexandrina born 20 August 1897 Birchip Vic died October 1980 Bairnsdale Vic; married Percy Taprell

11.

Annie born 21 August 1899 Darlington Point died 1985 Darlington Point; married Thomas Finley

12.) 13.)

Twins born possibly March 1902 Darlington Point died (Records not searched as yet)

LAUREL MARY ISABEL WATT Laurel Mary Isabel Watt, a School Teacher, arrived from Forbes NSW in 1916. She arrived at Willbriggie by train and finished the last seven miles along a dirt track in a buggy drawn "by two fine horses". It is unknown where she resided first but her Great Grandson Peter says it "would have been accommodation suitable for a School Teacher in 1916". Laurel met and married Norman Allan Disher and they raised their family at Darlington Point. Peter also tells us that Laurel Disher "was always a good money getter and must be the Champion ticket seller in NSW. Her stalls at the school on election days have become a legend. The Polling Booth was always situated at the school and Laurel Disher realised that all parents had to vote to do their duty to the State and these stalls gave them the opportunity to do their duty to the school. Mrs Disher's 37 years as Treasurer of the Darlington Point P & C would probably be a State record. Her 40 years service to the P & C was a worthy achievement

Laurel Isabel Disher (nee Watt) Courtesy Peter Baldey

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for which she was presented, in July 1968, with a Life Membership Badge. (Only about 10 badges are presented each year in NSW.)" Laurel and Norm's home was "Roslyn", Hay Road, Darlington Point. The property consisted of the house and a cow paddock. The couple remained there all their lives. "He can be well remembered Of his Grandfather, Norm Disher, Peter says for his waggon and teams of horses that moved much of the wool in the early days. He carted wool for Donald Ross of `Uri Park' for many years and was one of the best one-eyed rifle marksmen in NSW (having lost his eye in WWI by shrapnel). He once shot seven pigeons sitting in a row on a branch with just one shot! "He was a part-time shearer as well and owned a horse and sulky but in later years owned a car, which he drove in whatever gear it happened to be in!! If it were in third gear he would stay in that and DRIVE!!"

Robert Falder m. Isabella Lax • Juliana Helen Darling Falder born 3 February 1851 May-field Shoalhaven NSW

William Redfern Watt m. Mary Grant • Hugh Wentworth Watt born 25 September 1855 Bombaldry near Cowra married 8 November 1884 St Paula Church East Sydney •

• 1. Roddam Lachlan born 29 December 1889 2. • Laurel Mary Isabel born 10 April 1893 Ashfield NSW died 11 May 1972 Darlington Point, buried Darlington Point married Norman Allan Disher 19 February 1921 Narrandera NSW • •

I. Daphne Annie born 28 March 1922 Narrandera married Bruce Wheeler - lives Redland Bay Qld 2. Beryl Ida born 30 June 1923 Narrandera NSW married Edward Stephenson - lives Concord Sydney 3. Alison Norma born 25 January 1926 Narrandera married John Mcdonald Baldey - lives Townsville Qld 4. John Allan born August 1928 Narrandera died 4 Jun 1956 - accidentally killed buried Darlington Point 5. Rena Milne born 28 July 1931 Narrandera married Jack Coughlan - lives Port Macquarie NSW 6. Heather Laurel born 18 March 1936 Griffith NSW married Keith Symons - lives Tumbarumba NSW

By courtesy of Peter Baldey, 31 Hatehett Street, Cranbrook QLD 4814.

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DREDGE Frederick George Dredge and his wife, Amelia Emma Cecilia (née Pearson) arrived in 1920 to take up residence in Yenda. On 20 May 1921 they were granted Farm 757, Yenda (a two acre town block) between what is now named Leaver and Dredge Streets. They lived here and reared their family of seven until Fred passed away in 1980 and Cecilia in 1984. Both are buried in the Yenda cemetery. Their daughters, Elsie and Coral, tell us - "Our mother's family were pioneers in the Ardlethan district. Her father, John Edward Pearson, was born in Durham, northern England, in 1849 and arrived in Adelaide in 1851 with his family and lived at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills. Grandmother Pearson, Johanna (nee Thomas) had arrived in Adelaide by sailing ship from Germany in 1854 at the age of six. John and Johanna married in 1875 and lived on a farm at Tungkillo in the Adelaide Hills. They later moved to Nhill in Victoria where our mother, Amelia Emma Frederick George Dredge & Cecilia, was born. She was always known as Amelia Emma Cecilia (née Pearson) Cecilia. Courtesy Elsa ("Elsie") Clarke (née Dredge) "Like many other Selectors they travelled north, by bullock wagon, into the cheap new country and in 1904 pioneered `Canambla Park' at Ardlethan. Their three sons later bought 'Kelvin Grove', `Uley', 'Brovna' and a property at Lake Cargelligo. "Frederick George Dredge was born on 3 September 1892 in the Goulburn district. After the death of his mother he came to Whitton to live with an uncle, Frederick Henry and his aunt, Eliza Jane Helenkamp who owned a bakery. (The Helenkamps later appear on the 1917 Electoral Roll as residing in Griffith). "As a young man Fred drove a mail coach between Whitton and Lake Cargelligo. Later he worked in Powell's bakery at Ardlethan before marrying and coming to Yenda in 1920. Dad's first job in Yenda was at the Yenda Producers. He also drove the school horse-drawn school 'bus' from Yenda to Yoogali. After his death Tiger Goring wrote of sixty-one years ago a kind young man drove the school bus from Yenda to him - ' Yoogali and four of the Goring family were pupils on that bus. We do remember'." During the 1930s he owned a butcher shop in Yenda but this business, like so many others, floundered during the Depression years. In later years he worked as a boundary rider on "Ballandry", "Gogeldrie" and "Kooba" Stations. He was also a horsebreaker and bred sheep dogs.

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L to R: Back - Coral, Phyllis, Enid Pearson (Graham), Elsie Front - Don and Nora Courtesy Elsie Clarke (nee Dredge)

Cecilia was a life member of the Yenda Red Cross in which organisation she was the "Birthday Lady" until her death. She had an amazing memory for names and knew and was interested in everyone's children, all of whom loved her. She entered the Griffith Nursing Home at the age of ninety years. Elsie further recalls - "I feel privileged to have spent my formative years in a small but lively and bustling country town such as Yenda was when I was young. Steam trains noisily passed as we watched from our sunny front verandah. Motor trucks whizzed by loaded with grapes for McWilliams Winery or loaded with fruit or vegetables for the packing sheds. Brawny men lumped bags of wheat, and later, rice at the weighbridge. There was excitement in our town when gangs of men cut through the heavy red clay at the back of our place to enlarge the Main Canal. Feeder channels were dug to supply all the fruit farms. Then the Bucyrus stood at the bridge until the years claimed it. Silos were built for grain many were the plagues of mice grown fat on the spilled wheat. The bitter storage complaints by local shopkeepers that an asphalt road to Griffith would ruin our town. How right they were!! "In Spring it was hazardous to walk past the old football ground because of nesting magpies which swooped to peck one's head. Then too, I loved to walk to Sunday School through fields of yellow and white paper daisies or further on to school on frosty mornings,

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chilblains tingling, as we cracked the ice on all the puddles and gazed in wonder at the beautiful spider webs glistening with sparkling dew drops hung between the fencing wire. "In summer we swam in the channels and mud ponds full of leaches, always in fear of that 'bogeyman' - the Water Bailiff - would catch us, with dire results! Goodness knows what that would have been but we feared the worst! "On cold, bleak winter afternoons after school I would stand and watch the blacksmith at work in his big old grey weatherboard shed with what seemed to me to have more daylight showing than boards. It warmed me up to see the sparks flying from the huge forge and hear the hammering on the anvil while the red-hot iron was shaped for horseshoes. Mr Cullen would then grab the horse's hoof between his knees, fit on the hot shoe while the hoof sizzled, drive in the nails and I would wonder why the huge draught horses stood so patiently when it seemed to me that it should hurt! "When our grandfather from Ardlethan came to live with us in 1928 we needed a bigger house so a surplus farm house was purchased for fifty pounds, taken apart and then re-erected by Sully Bros. - with added verandahs for a further fifty pounds!! "At school, Olive Poole and I had an on-going battle to win each others marbles. We had a bag each of about a hundred marbles, of all descriptions from which one would be selected (but it had to be the one the other desired), stand a brick against the school wall, stand astride the brick and hit the marble against it. The other would try to send her marble to with-in a hand span of the marble. If you couldn't span it then you lost it to the first player. We often stayed after school to even up, even though Olive had to ride a pony seven miles home."

Family Group - 1959 L to R: Phyllis, Gordon, Elsie, Fred (father), Cecilia (mother), Nora, Royce, Coral, (Don missing) Courtesy Elsie Clarke (nee Dredge)

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Here Coral takes up the story - "I have vivid memories of the wonderful school picnics held each year. There were all kinds of novelty events and the P & C put on a fantastic picnic luncheon. The children were treated to "Smacks" (chocolate coated ice creams) by Middleton's shop. The hotel provided ginger beer and the theatre proprietor free tickets to the pictures in the evening. "The Public School held a yearly concert in the picture theatre. That was a great event, particularly when Mr O'Connor and Mrs Miller were teachers at the school. A Librarian rode his bike the ten miles to and from Griffith bringing a selection of books which were carried in a box on the rack at the back of the bike and some on his handlebars as well!! He called at each house and books were 6d each." Elsie continues - "We held our Sunday School Picnics, for which I always had a new dress, at Mr Rup Sheldon's `Wilga Park' We drove there on the back of Mr Tom Stockton's lorry. (Father of Joyce and Neville). Mr Angus More always had bags of lollies sewn on the back of his coat and we all had to chase him, jump up for a bag before sampling the contents. "The Church of England held a fancy dress ball each year - another event looked forward to eagerly."

Four Generations L to R: Daughter Coral, Cecilia Dredge (aged 92 years), G/daughter Vicki, G/G/daughlt•r Lauren Courtesy Elsie Clarke (née Dredge)

Coral has wonderful memories of family picnics to the Binya Hills and the Murrumbidgee River - "the excitement of getting ready for these picnics with Mum preparing food and my older sisters making coconut ice and ginger beer. Our family were usually accompanied on the picnics by the Graham family, friends who lived in the same street.

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"Sunday dinners were always great occasions, with a roast and my favourite dessert - sago plum pudding, the like of which I haven't tasted since. Sunday evenings were also enjoyable, with lots of visitors for card games." Elsie says - "Don't forget Sunday tennis afternoons at Curran's, with Mrs Curran's super baking the highlight!" "Probably the great flood of 1931 is my earliest memory" says Coral. "I was only a small child of two years but I can remember the excitement of sleeping in a school classroom and climbing all over the desks, which were piled up against the wall. "Hats were always worn by the children in those days. I can remember fly veils too which were worn around school hats - they were high fashion as well as being very practical - they came in various colours. "I used to save my pocket money to go to the Saturday matinee at the Yenda Theatre. The 'Tom Mix' serials and others were a drawcard. "Games such as Oranges & Lemons, Drop the Handkerchief and, of course, Rounders were the most popular. "Empire Nights, with our enormous bonfires, were an attraction for many families in our street. We always had a crowd and the assorted crackers delighted the children and the grown-ups alike for many hours. We used to collect dry tree branches for weeks beforehand and we always had Guy Fawkes atop the mountain of boughs." Finally Elsie recalls - "During my teens, Saturday night dances were the big event. We always wore long dresses of crepe or taffeta with artificial flower decoration. Though we sometimes travelled to Binya on the back of an open lorry there is no way we would have been seen dead in a cardigan or a coat - though it be the middle of winter!! What a hardy breed we were!" The family of Frederick George Dredge and Cecilia Dredge (nee Pearson): 1.

Elsie born Yenda 2 September 1921, married Rhys Clarke (dec'd). Lives Hawthorndene, SA

Phyllis born Yenda 29 August 1923, married William Ryan (dec'd). Lives Richmond, NSW

Nora born Yenda 25 Mar,h 1926, married Patrick O'Brien (dec'd). Lives Cabramatta, NSW

Coral born Yenda 2 October 1928, married Egil (Chester) Litzheim. Lives Modbury North, SA

Don born Yenda 26 November 1930, married Marlene Sinden (dec'd). Lives Yenda, NSW

Royce born Griffith 18 January 1935, married Florence Millis. Lives Griffith, NSW

Gordon born Griffith 18 January 1935, married Billie Culbert. Lives Miller NSW

Frederick George Dredge died 17 April 1980, aged 87 years. Amelia Emma Cecilia Dredge (nee Pearson) died 31 October 1984, aged 92 years. Both are buried in the Yenda Cemetery.

By courtesy of Elsa (Elsie) Clarke (nee Dredge), Hawthorndene SA and Coral Cecilia Litzheim, (nee Dredge) Modbury North SA.

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DREW Edward Douglas Anderson Drew was born in Sydney on 2 January 1898, the second child of Edward Lambert and Fanny Drew, who had migrated to Sydney from New Zealand in the late 1880s. Edward Lambert Drew worked in the Government Architect's Office in Sydney and by 1905 was Assistant Architect in the Department of Public Works. On 10 February 1923 Edward jnr married Elizabeth Ida Shand, the sixth child of Dr John Shand and his wife Sarah. Dr and Mrs Shand had migrated from Scotland about 1888. They settled in Penrith, where Elizabeth was born on 26 May 1895 and the family moved to Sydney about 1900. Edward and Elizabeth both grew up in Sydney, Edward being educated at Shore Grammar School. He worked as a bank clerk before enlisting to serve in World War I. Edward was among the first twenty Edward Douglas Drew - WWI five farmers to grow rice on the MIA. He aged 20 years started farming at Murrami in 1922, but moved to Farm 2394, Benerembah in 1937. Edward often recalled that when he first moved to Murrami the train only passed through once a week. After a few years they purchased a horse and cart and then a 1929 Ford. The family used to go to Hanwood school at first, travelling in an old lorry with a canopy and seats, which acted as a school bus. Later they went to Hanwood via a horse and sulky, a distance of about six miles - it seemed to take forever to get to school. The road in which they lived was named Drew's Road and was reportedly eight miles long (one mile for each of the children in the Drew family!) Early memories of Olive (their fourth child) recall grinding their own wheat for breakfast cereal and cooking, separating the milk to make their own butter with a glass churn, her mother always baking her own bread, doing the washing in a tub and using "Mrs Potts" irons. They had to cart all their water and had only candlelight or kerosene lanterns at night. Edward Douglas Anderson Drew died on 8 October 1971 and Elizabeth Ida Drew on 28 November 1979. They are both buried in the lawn cemetery at Griffith.

000000000

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The family of Edward and Elizabeth Drew are:1.

Frances Sybella Hamilton born 26 October 1923 (resides Griffith), two children.

Douglas Cappie Drew born 17 March 1925 (resides Jerilderie), six children.

Elizabeth Boyd ("Betty") born 12 July 1926 (resides Five Dock), two children.

Olive Cynthia Sarich born 15 April 1929 (resides Matraville), five children.

Richard Greville Drew born 13 January 1931 (resides Griffith).

John Harvey Drew born 21 December 1932 (resides Hunters Hill), four children.

Crawford Neville Drew born 7 February 1935 (accidentally killed 7 August 1945).

Margaret Geneve Drew born 4 November 1937 (resides Griffith).

Edward and Elizabeth Drew about 1951

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Olive Sarich (née Drew), Shirley Crescent, Matraville 2036.

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DWYER The Dwyer family lived in Greenane, County Tipperary, Ireland. In 1828 John and Mary Dwyer farewelled their son, Michael, and his sister, Bridget, and they sailed to Australia. Landing in Tasmania Bridget taught school while Michael returned to Ireland in 1834 to marry Ellen Carthy. It was seven years later before Michael returned with his wife, plus their three children - Patrick 51/2 years, William 3 years and John 2 years. Mary, Michael's youngest sister aged 20, also accompanied them. The sailing ship "Lysander" departed Plymouth on 15 July 1841 and landed at the colony of Port Phillip on 22 October 1841. Primitive Melbourne had neither paved streets nor trains. Indeed the colony of Port Phillip had less than four thousand inhabitants at this time. The Dwyer family lived in Melbourne, where Honara, Mary, Michael, Bridget, Thomas and Ellen were born. In 1856 the family moved to Tylden where Michael and his eldest sons farmed. They also did contract work with their horse teams, which involved earth moving for the construction of the railways to the goldfields of Ballarat and Bendigo. In 1865 the family moved to the Tom and family - "Ionavale" c. 1930 Redesdale district where they lived for many years. Michael died in 1884 aged 82 years and Ellen died twenty one years later in 1905, at the age of 101 years. Tom Dwyer, who was born in 1896 at Drysdale NSW, the son of Michael and Mary (née Grealish), married Hannah McKinnon in 1924 at Oaklands. Tom and Hannah came to Griffith in 1925, travelling in a one ton Chevrolet truck. They settled on a mallee farm 27 miles from Griffith near Tabbita, calling it "Ionavale". Their first home on "Ionavale" was a two roomed weather board with a verandah front and back. Tom died in October 1936, his wife tried to carry on the farm for some years but finally vacated it in 1942 to live in Griffith. Family to Tom and Hannah were:Norman born Corowa 1925; married Stella Davidson and lives in Griffith Esma born Griffith 1927; married Ken Geisler and lives at Grafton Marie horn Griffith 1930; married Bill Kaitler and lives at Corowa Donald born Griffith 1935; married Dorothy Flanagan and lives at Parkes. Entry and photograph by courtesy of Norman Dwyer, Griffith 2680.

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EDMISTON Born of Scottish immigrant parents at Timaru, NZ on 29 September 1887 Richard Fleming Edmiston arrived in Sydney after many years in South Africa and met Elizabeth Martha Leahey who was born in Bathurst on 3 January 1889. They were married at St Mary's Cathedral on 10 October 1923. Hearing good reports about the town of Griffith, Richard came to investigate in 1934 and bought the Star Bakery which was sited where the Area Pharmacy now stands adjoining the Area Hotel. His wife and their three children, Lena, Mortimer ("Mort") and Roger followed in May 1935 after an unforgettable sixteen hour overnight journey by steam train the Temora Mail - and were accommodated at the Mirrool Guest House, operated by Mr and Mrs Scrivener. This was to be home to the family until their own was built in 1936 by Bert Oberg at 9 Hyandra Street.

Elizabeth and Richard Edmiston behind the counter of "The Star Bakery"

There were two other bakeries in Griffith at that time, one in the same block further down towards the Co-op corner and the other in the next block closer to the Ulong Street end. There was also Parry's at Hanwood. Competition was fierce and the horse-drawn rubber tyred carts serviced, apart from the town, the farming communities of Beelbangera, Yoogali, Bilbul, Hanwood, Tharbogang and Lake View (Lake Wyangan). The Star Bakery had four carts in operation and because of the long distances travelled the horses were 255

changed half way through the day. With a spare horse or two and a reserve cart these bread runs were not paying propositions. Richard concluded that "shop-trade" was the answer and despite discouraging reports he hired a pastry cook and launched into the production of cakes, biscuits, pies etc. and served afternoon teas. Refrigeration was installed and the sale of cold drinks, ice cream, ice blocks, butter, eggs, sweets and chocolates was undertaken. The business prospered and the proprietors of the premises were prevailed upon to build a second oven and enlarge the bakehouse. Bread production was in the vicinity of 75 bags (flour) weekly i.e. 7,500 (21b) loaves. Further investment was made in glass showcases and wall units fitted with glass shelving and mirror backing. Particular attention was given to window display and advertising. Indeed, a prominent slogan displayed gave rise to many a laugh in later days. The incident involved an employee whom the foreman reprimanded for laziness. After a final warning had no effect, Richard was paying him off when the employee remarked "I don't know what you are complaining about" and pointed to the advertising slogan - "The Home of a Good Loaf"!! Always innovative, Richard experimented in the late thirties with two Ford 10 panel vans for the bread runs but after exhaustive trials was obliged to revert to the horse and cart. About this time he entered into "catering" and tendered successfully for many of the large cabarets (balls) and also the local show held annually in October. Although a great deal of work and organisation was entailed, it was financially rewarding. The other two bakeries in the town were tied to millers, i.e. the "Star Bakery" Float - 1930s proprietors were in effect managers of the businesses for the flour millers who kept them going as outlets for their flour. These millers had obtained control by debt default of previous owners. With the outbreak of World War II and assured markets they were only too willing to be rid of the troublesome offshoots and the Star Bakery acquired both and became the only bakery in the town with Parry's of Hanwood the only competition. As the war intensified with the entry of Japan and America the government took control of manpower resources and enforced zoning. With the consequent rationalisation of deliveries only two carters were required, one who served the hotels, cafes and shops of the business district and the then closely settled West End. This constituted the morning run. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons he would do the Lake View run and on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons the Tharbogang run which extended as far again out along the Hillston Road to the end of closer settlement. Approximately 40 km was the distance travelled on each of these afternoon runs and horses were alternated daily. Delivery was to farm-gates where a tin or box was placed and depending upon circumstances 180 to 220 (21b) loaves of bread were carried. Indeed, the latter figure was about maximum cart capacity. The second carter had the town run, door to door, up and down all the streets. "Old Bill" (a light bay gelding with a white blaze forehead) so called because of his age - mid-twenties, 256

was the horse who plodded this route. Eventually he finished his days in retirement in the grass paddocks of a local farmer. The bakery stables had been located in the grounds of Pardey's flour mill which was subsequently sold to the Rice Miller's Co-op and because of planned expansion by the Co-op, notice to move was served. Industrial blocks of land had become available opposite the Producers Co-op between the railway line and the road to Beelbangera. Richard bought two of these blocks, the second and third from Crossing Street and built new stables, associated store-shed and caretaker's hut and entertained the idea of a modern bakery there in the future. However, this was not to be. The immediate post war years of the late forties were characterised by shortages of materials, machinery and labour. Richard was at retirement age and after many years working seven-day-weeks and the onset of poor health it was not the time to embark on new ventures. His wife had worked long hours in the shop (apart from home duties) and Lena and Mod who had become very involved in the business since leaving college were anxious for a change. Roger had left the business years earlier to work for and study under Bob Vardanega in his nursery at Yoogali (now the Premier Nursery). The property on which the bakery stood changed hands and the new owner was successful in obtaining possession of Bill Rangott's radio and electrical shop (adjacent) plus the major part of the Star Bakery's shop in a redevelopment project to open a pharmacy. Mr Muirhead who had recently bought out Parry's expressed interest in buying the Star Bakery as an outlet in Griffith L to R: Richard, Elizabeth, Mort & Lena for his own factory at Hanwood. The sale was completed and the ovens of the "Star" shut down. Surplus stock and fitting were auctioned and 9 Hyandra Street was bought by a new bank manager in the town. The blocks on Beelbangera Road were sold at a later date. In 1950 Richard and his wife retired to their cottage (also built by Bert Oberg) at Dalmeny, near Narooma, where the family had in years past spent their summer holidays. On 27 January 1958 Richard died at his home and was interred in Narooma cemetery. His widow Elizabeth survived for many years and died on 12 October 1979, and is buried with her husband. Lena went to Sydney from Griffith and later to New Zealand on a holiday, but remained there and is now living in retirement in Auckland. Mod also went to Sydney where he met his wife Patricia (née Keating). He qualified in Accountancy and is now living with his wife in retirement at Mollymook. Roger went to Perth WA where he met his wife Glenis (née Bezant). He retired from the Forestry Department in 1988 and they continue to live in his adopted city. Apparently this was the end of the Edmiston family connection with Griffith, but fate and love decreed otherwise. Gabrielle, the third daughter of Mod and Pat married Michael, the younger son of Dennis and Pauline Murray of Hanwood in June 1991 and they now live in Moseley Road, Beelbangera. Entry and photographs by courtesy of Mortimer Edmiston, Mollymook 2539. 257

ELDER William Cruickshanks Elder was born in Dumbarton, Scotland on 24 January 1886, one of four children of Andrew Elder and his wife Janet (nee Cruickshanks). Andrew was chief upholsterer for the Cunard Steamship Line in Scotland. Bill, as he was always known, worked as a Registrar issuing share and loan capital for Argyll Motors, Alexandria, near Glasgow until he was advised to live in a warmer climate. He and two friends emigrated to Australia in 1910 where he gained some farming experience in the Tumbarumba district of New South Wales before buying a property at Pulletop near Wagga. Soon after the start of World War I he sold this property and enlisted with the AIF. Serving in Egypt, Palestine and France with the 1st Battalion, Bill was badly wounded on the Somme, rejoined his unit after recovering and was again badly wounded and invalided back to England. William Elder While convalescing in Britain he was undecided whether to return to Australia or not. In the meantime he had been allotted Farm 1823 at Lake Wyangan. Because of the delay in his returning to Australia other settlers at Lake Wyangan were beginning to wonder who the settler was and if he would take up the block. He did in 1921. When asked what he would call his farm he thought a good name would be 'Wait and See'! The first home on the farm was the usual Inolonglo' hut. A house was eventually built and the hut, always known as 'the shack', served as a workshop and storage for as long as Bill owned the farm. The house was fibro with an outside coating of concrete known as `roughcasting'. This was a 'fruit salad' farm with all sorts of fruits being tried out. Eventually it was completely planted with citrus and remained in Bill's hands until it was sold in 1962. Bill became a Councillor at the first Wade Shire election on 1 December 1928 but did not seek re-election at the end of his three year term. He was Director of the Griffith Producers Co-operative Co Ltd for 24 years. Bill married Vera Bowden Madgwick, a schoolteacher, in St Stephens Church, Hurlstone Park NSW on 21 January 1933. Vera was born at North Sydney NSW Bill and Vera Elder with baby Janet on 18 December 1902, one of two children of Reginald Madgwick and his wife Lucy (nee Elston). 258

On the steps of the Nlolonglo Hut Bill Elder and friend Bill Elder & John Wallace

The Woodpile,"Jip" the dog and "Prince" and "Charle"

The Stables - late 1920s

The Elder home - c.1930

259

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Bill and Vera had two daughters, Janet and Jean, who grew up in the happy and free surroundings of Lake Wyangan. Things they remember - riding bikes, spending hours catching yabbies and all other creatures that lived in the ditches, swimming all summer in the concrete dam, schooldays at Lake Wyangan School, Saturday morning in town with threepence to spend, making camouflage nets and knitting khaki socks for the war effort.

260

Bill helped establish the Lake Wyangan Golf Club, was a member of the Jondaryan Club where most weeks he enjoyed bowls and he was also a Freemason. The farm was eventually sold in 1962. Bill and Vera lived in Griffith until their deaths - Bill in 1964 and Vera in 1984.

Lake View Golf Club in the early days

Andrew Elder married Janet Cruickahanks • William Cruiekshanks Elder born Dumbarton Scotland 24 January 1886 died Griffith NSW 8 August 1964

Reginald Madgsvick married Lucy Elston • married Vera Bowden Madgwick born North Sydney NSW • 18 December 1902 died Griffith 29 July 1984

Janet Elizabeth born Griffith 13 May 1934; married Alan Griffith Snow; lives at Griffith NSW. They have three children.

Jean Vera born Griffith 12 October 1935; married John Neville Salisbury; lives at Coolum Beach ()Id.

Janet and Jean Garden Island - December 1937

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Janet Snow (née Elder), 50 Griffin Avenue, Griffith 2680 and Jean Salisbury (nee Elder), Coolum Beach 4573. 261

ENNESS William Enness senior enlisted on 1 November 1914 in the 3rd Battalion, Essex Regiment (Special Reservists). He was discharged at Wailley on 26 August 1916 as medically unfit. He later died on 21 November 1916 at Connaught Hospital, Farnborough, Southhampton and was buried at Woodgrange Cemetery, Manor Park, Forest Gate. After his death his family received a pension. His widow, Mary Ann Enness (née Verrier), did not enjoy good health and by 1918 she fell ill with influenza which was followed by consumption (tuberculosis). Because of this she was unable to care for her eight children and three where accepted at the Ashley Downs Orphanage, Bristol. However she had to cure their sore eyes before they were allowed to William Enness aged 13 years enter. William jnr (the fourth child in the family) was (Passport Photo) accepted at the Dr Barnados home on 11 March 1919. He was a healthy and intelligent boy. William passed the exam which allowed him to attend Watts school. Mary Ann died in 1920, after which, Alfred her fifth child, spent four years in foster homes. In 1924 he was accepted into the Gordon Boys Home in Surrey. There he spent quite an amount of time in hospital with eczema. He studied carpentry whilst at the boys' home. In 1928 he left England to join his brother, William, in Australia. William had arrived in Australia in 1923 on the "Orsover" through the Barnados boys movement. He first went to Barellan to work and then on to H J Lowrie's farm at Yenda. Alfred arrived on 20 August 1928 via the "S S Esperance Bay". William died in 1932, of tetanus, at Yenda. Alf remembers - "My mother used to send me to a public house with a jug to have it filled with beer. Whilst I was away, Mum would heat up a poker in the fireplace and when I returned with the beer she placed the hot poker into the beer before drinking it. "I also remember taking Grandfather Verriers lunch to him whilst he was working on the railway." Grandfather George Verrier later owned two shops in the area where they lived." Alf at the Yenda Hotel 1940 H J Lowrie (known as "Bullar") had having "a last beer" prior to sailing nominated and sponsored Alf to come to Australia. for active service in Palestine After arriving on the boat at Sydney docks Alf had to 262

catch the train to Yenda. There was no-one at the Railway Station at Yenda to meet him so he had to find his way and walk the four miles to Farm 1381. "Bullar" Lowrie's daughter, Edna, can recall that day, as a seven year old, when everyone gathered around together talking on their verandah. Alf and Bill lived in a corrugated iron hut built especially for them. It must have been very hot in summer. There were a number of other young Englishmen living and working on nearby farms. In time they spread out and worked elsewhere. Alf joined the Army (1939-1945) and served five and a half years with the 20th Infantry Brigade HQ Ninth Division. He served in the Middle East and was numbered among the "Rats of Tabrook" and served also in Borneo and New Guinea. He was a driver. He suffered malaria three times and was also injured in a truck accident whilst training on the Atherton Tableland. Whilst in Borneo he had a pet monkey that kept him amused. Alf married Edna Mary Lowrie in May 1943 at Clovelly, a suburb of Sydney. They settled on Farm 713, Yenda in 1949. Edna recalls - "Our first peach crop looked beautiful, but three weeks before harvesting a hail storm took pieces out of the fruit rendering them useless - we both cried. "The fifteen years on the farm was back breaking work. By the same token, as a family, they were happy years. The children made their own fun. They didn't have many toys but they built cubby houses galore, dug tunnels into the dam bank, made cars out of boxes and so on. They swam in the watering ditches, some had bikes and rode to visit an old friend, Bob Armstrong. "Christmas was very special. The children painted pictures, drew christmas scenes, then coloured them in. Coloured crepe paper was made into streamers and the foil seals in the powdered milk tins were saved to make tree decorations. "The older children rode bikes to school at Yenda - four miles away. Later they rode to the Yenda Post Office where they caught the bus at eight o'clock in the morning to Griffith High School. The younger ones rode bikes or Alf drove them in the car. At one stage Jack Warren's taxi picked them up and dropped them off at the Yenda Public School.

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"The house was on Middle Road and a long driveway led to the house. We were opposite the Northern Canal and in wet weather we had trouble getting in and out with the car. Sometimes we had to leave the car at the front gate and walk in. We always had chickens and a cow, so with fruit and a bag of flour we had food even in the leanest of times. Our holidays were a day at the river in the heat of summer. "The soil on the farm proved unsuitable for fruit growing and in 1964 the farm was sold. We then bought our house at 38 Murrumbidgee Avenue, Griffith. Twelve months later our last child was born. From this time Alf worked on the garden staff on the Shire Council until he retired in 1975."

Frederick Enness married Jane Downs William Leonard Enness born 16 January 1872 died 2 November 1916

George Verrier married Maria Ann Martin married 1 Nov 1903

Mary Ann Verrier horn 10 November 1874 died 14 August 1920

(Eight children - two sons came to Yenda) 1.

William Leonard born 24 April 1909; died at Yenda September 1932.

Alfred George ("Alf") born Essex 20 May 1910. Married Edna Mary Lowrie - six children. 1.

Gweneth Joyce born St Lukes Private Hospital, Griffith 7 January 1944. Married Alexander F ("Sandy") Duff - two sons, Duncan and Nathan. Lives Yenda NSW.

Patricia Ann born St Lukes Private Hospital, Griffith 31 August 1946. Married Peter Brisch - two daughters, Vanessa and Evonne. Lives Elliott NT.

June Elizabeth born Griffith Base Hospital 16 May 1951. Married Ronald Pattison - three children, Gregory, Natalie and Jaqueline. Lives Griffith.

Beryl Mary born Griffith Base Hospital 23 January 1953. Married Norm Ruedigar (div) three children, Troy, Mark and Gail.

Alfred John born Griffith Base Hospital 13 August 1955. Married Jennifer Kohler - two daughters, Kylie and Amanda. Lives Griffith.

Robyn Jane born Griffith Base Hospital 8 October 1965. Married (I) Michael Silburn (div); (2) Reg Pike - one daughter, Amy-Lee.

The family of Alf and Edna Fitness - 1990 L to R: Pat, Beryl, June, Edna, Alf, Robyn, Alfred John and Gwen

►

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Alf and Edna Enness, Griffith 2680.

264

EVANS William Samuel Evans, better known as "W.S." or "Bill", was born on 29 June 1898, at a little place called Murga, near Parkes NSW. He was the fifth of the six children of his parents Tom and Ellen Evans. Bill grew up and was educated at Peak Hill, near Dubbo. On the completion of his education, at the age of 14 years, he worked in the mines around Peak Hill for a time and then became apprenticed to Walter Powter, who ran the only Barber Shop in Peak Hill. Times were hard and he decided to look further afield for greener pastures, so in June 1920 he boarded a train and set out for the fast developing Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Upon seeing it for the first time, he remarked "I will never leave here" and he never did! Originally Bill intended to settle in Leeton, but found when he arrived there that Mr Jack Washington had already started a Barber Shop and Billiard Saloon in the building next door to where he was intending to open the same business. He boarded the train once more and came on Bill and Flo Evans to Griffith, which in 1920, wasn't much Courtesy Bob Evans more than a "bag town". On arrival in Griffith, he was fortunate enough to acquire a job with Mr Les Chettle who ran a Barber Shop and Billiard Saloon down near where the Co-op Store was. Mr Jack Wood also had a Barber Shop in another part of Banna Avenue; and over the years, although they were in opposition to one another, Jack, Bill and their families, became very good friends. They lived next door to each other until the death of Mr and Mrs Wood. In 1922, Bill started out in his own Barber Shop, in a business which was situated roughly where Pat Smith's Newsagency now stands. After about six months, he moved to 262 Banna Avenue (it was No. 67 then) to a building owned by Mr Mick Guihen, a Real Estate Agent, who occupied the other half of the building where Simpson's Pharmacy now stands. Mr Guihen then had as his office boy Bill McClellan; hence the firm friendship that developed over the years between Bill McClellan and Bill Evans. The first apprentice to work for Bill in his Barber Shop, was Bill Cranston who now resides at Lake Cargelligo. Some of the others that followed were Men' Smith (brother of the late Mrs Eric Heath); "Smacker" Russell; Bill Page; Jim and Pat Cregan (brothers to Mrs Nora Hickey); Roy and Les Perfect, Kevin Sheridan (of Sheridan's Nursery); Frank 265

DeMarco, Tony Battaglia (who now has his own business, with his family, at the top end of Banna Avenue). In 1925, Bill married Florence James (a sister to Bob Burley James - well known in Griffith in the early days. Bob worked on the Railway and was a good and well known footballer). The union produced a family of three, one daughter Shirley (now deceased) and two sons, Bob and John. Shirley's husband, Howard Perkins resides in Moree, where they had moved after bringing up three sons; Jeffrey, Terry and Peter. Bob and John are still partners in the business at 262 Banna Avenue. Bob married Eva Carman and their family is Elizabeth, Jenny, Chris and Greg. John married Leonie Bond and their children are Leanne, Kylie and Karen.

Banna Avenue, Griffith L to R: Jack Scrivener, Bill Evans, unknown, Jim Fallon, unknown, unknown, unknown. unknown, Courtesy Bob Evans

It was when Bob James first moved to Griffith from Newcastle in 1932, that Bill Evans became involved with the Griffith Rugby League and was made a selector for the teams. In those days Barber Shops were as much a meeting place as the Clubs and Hotels are today. People would come to discuss football, cricket (these were the Bradman days) and many other sports; or to listen to the races, as not many people had a wireless and T.V. didn't exist. Consequently, the Selection Committee for the Griffith Black & Whites would meet there and many an uproar would occur, particularly as Maher Cup Football was very strong and competition with neighbouring towns like Leeton, Narrandera, Barmedman and West Wyalong was fierce. Maher Cup was played on Wednesday afternoons when all the shops used to close. Some names that come to mind of people who played for Griffith then are: Lex Small (Grandfather to Greg and Mick Mullane who played for Cronulla); Sep

266

Chittick; Doolie Murray; Jack Bourke; Tom Lee (Charlie's father); Jack Scrivener; Dos Dossetor (Don's father), Jack Casey; Bob Stevenson and Lloyd Prest. Bill Evans was also involved in Greyhound racing and later played a lot of tennis, golf and bowls. A Memorial Veteran Bowls Event is held for him each year at the Jondaryan Club.

L to R: Kevin Sheridan with Bob Vardanega, Bill Evans with Fred Bradford and Bob Evans with Dr Burrell - 10 September 1957 Courtesy Bob Evans

Bill's wife and daughter predeceased him, then on the 16 November 1985, he passed away at the Griffith Base Hospital, aged 87 years. He left two sons and ten grandchildren. He had a long happy life despite the fact that the early days and the Depression of the thirties were hard, but he saw Griffith come through all that to become the great City that it is today.

267

Thomas and Ellen Evans

William Samuel Evans horn 29 June 1898, died 16 November 1985 married

Florence James born 1902, died 12 January 1961

Shirley married Howard Perkins

Jeffrey

Terry

Peter

Robert ("Bob") married Eve Carman Elizabeth

Jenny

Chris

Greg

John married Lennie Bond 1.

Leanne

Kylie

Karen

By courtesy of Bob Evans, Griffith 2680. 268

EVERINGHAM Amos Corbett Everingham came to Griffith about 1919/20 with They were his wife, Hepzibah. cousins and the great greatgrandchildren of a First Fleet convict Mathew James Everingham, who came to Australia on the "Scarborough". Amos worked as a tailor for Oxenham & Oxenham in a shop in Banna Avenue, approximately next to the present Company Pharmacy. They lived in Yambil Street immediately behind a shop on part of the present site of Keith Gill Motors. Amos and Hepzibah had twelve children, but only Ouida, Doris, Travers and Dudley spent time Travers and Dudley in Griffith. attended Griffith School at the same time as Vina Vagg and Nora Crawford. Doris married Frank Klein, the assistant Post Master at the time, at the Methodist Church in 1924 with the Rev R C Barlow officiating. Amos and Hepzibah's granddaughter, Muriel Zeonee Everingham, married Mervyn Thomas Stokes of Farm 12, Hanwood. Amos Everingham died in Griffith in 1925 and is buried in the Methodist Section of the Griffith Cemetery, near the centre circle. Hepzibah died on 26 January 1938 on her 71st birthday at the Maroubra home of her daughter, Ouida Porter (n6e Everingham), and is buried in the Randwick cemetery.

Amur Corbett Es eringhant

Entry and photograph by courtesy of Zeonee Stokes (née Everingham), Langley Crescent, Griffith 2680. 269

FARRELL Peter Farrell who was born on 16 December 1865 at Dunfermline, Fifeshire, Scotland, married Mary Barker in February 1888 at Wellwood, Fifeshire. (Mary was born on 1 June 1868 at Wellwood, Fifeshire.) They had eight children - Robert, Peter, Mary, Henry, William, Arthur, Jean and Isabel. All the family migrated to Australia with the exception of Peter Junior who had died as an infant. Peter with their sons, Robert, Henry and William arrived in Australia aboard the SS "Pakeha", a vessel of the Shaw Savill and Albion Line. Mary, after selling her mixed business in Cowdenbeath, followed with the rest of the family and household goods. (Just a note of interest - the late Mene Gow was also a passenger on the "Pakeha".) Mary passed away on 14 January 1939 aged 70 and Peter on 5 June 1951 aged 85, both are buried at Bulli NSW. Robert Farrell born 12 November 1888 at Wellwood Colliery, Fifeshire, married Grace Forsyth Dickson Beith on 28 November 1913 at the Presbyterian Manse, Wallsend, NSW. Grace was the adopted daughter of John and Janet Beith and was born on Robert Farrell 31 August 1895 in Edinburgh. She had arrived in Australia on 25 November 1913, only three days prior to their marriage, aboard the SS "The Irishman". Their youngest daughter Jean now takes up the story - "Dad had started work at the age of twelve in the mines at Wellwood and due to Granny's thrift and good management was able to attend night school and study after hours to become an electrician. This was not the easy task it is these days after a full working day spent in the mines, to come home and then spend several more hours in class - remembering of course that work was six days a week and often up to ten and twelve hours a day!! I think a great deal of determination must have been needed to finish his course, but finish he did, to become a qualified electrician - a trade in which he was to remain for the rest of his life. "Shortly after their marriage, Dad and Mum moved to Plattsburg on the South Coast and it was here that Peter, the first of my siblings, was born on 25 November 1914. While here they were involved with both their church and community and as this was the war years they helped where they could as so many of the young men were away at the war, including Dad's two brothers, Henry and William. Dad, at this time had a job Grace Farrell (née Beith) with the Electricity Council. Over the next eight years, nursing her daughter Joyce, four more children were born - Arthur 15 September with Betty standing beside the swing 1916, Henry ("Bill") 7 May 1918, Grace ("Betty") 13 270

May 1920 and Joycelyn ("Joyce") 26 February 1922. "With an increasing family to provide for, Dad being a very staunch "Union Man", had joined the Electrical Trades Union. Reading in their monthly journal about various positions available round the state, he applied for one with the Dubbo Electrical Department. So it was in 1922/23 that the family moved to Dubbo The Farrell home c. 1930 where Mary was born on 10 May 1924. "It was while they were in Dubbo that Dad heard about the fairly new area of the state that had opened up for irrigation. Not that he was of farming stock, but knowing that electricity must surely follow, he kept his eyes open for any jobs that might become available in the area. So it was in 1924, after reading an advertisement for an electrician, that he applied for and was accepted by the then WC & IC (Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission). Thus began our family's association with the town of Griffith. Dad left Dubbo ahead of the others and travelled by train and car arriving in Griffith about August 1924. Mum with the children and family possessions arrived a few weeks later. "Peter, Arthur and Bill enrolled at Griffith Public School. Prior to their coming Dad had obtained accommodation for a short time at a boarding house in Yambil Street, not tar from the WC & IC workshop at the corner of Yambil and Kookora Streets. "During August 1925 the family moved to Hanwood. A home belonging to, I believe the WC & IC, became vacant and Dad and Mum rented this for a couple of years. I have been told this could have been Farm 458. Peter, Arthur, Bill and Betty started at Hanwood Public School on 24 August 1925 and Joyce on 14 February 1927, all leaving in December 1927. It was during the Christmas school holidays of 1926/27 when Mum had taken the family to Austinmer to visit the Grandparents that Robert ("Bob") made his appearance - on 1 January 1927. "Just before the end of 1927 Dad was able to rent a home from Mr Bill Wells in Merrigal Street - this was Farm 1158. As Peter was about to enter High School and there was no family vehicle (and thus no transport) it was necessary to move. Some time during 1930 Mum purchased this home, with an acre block from Mr Wells - it was not a large home, but was added to over the years as finance permitted. Also during 1930 Thomas ("Tom") arrived - on 8 June. "I made my presence felt on 14 December 1931. Two interesting things happed at this time. Dad registered me on Christmas Eve, but he could not remember what day I was born (having, of course, indulged in the usual Christmas cheer being handed out at the time). So I am officially one day younger than I really should be, Dad gave my date of birth as the 15th The Farrell home about 1938/39 instead of the 14th. (Yes! I do feel I am 271

able to celebrate for two days and often do!) The second thing was when Dad applied for the "Baby Bonus". It was disallowed because his stated income was £259 per annum. Mum often said she could not understand how many others, with smaller families and far more assets, were able to get it! Maybe, then as now, we had dishonest people!! "Andrew, the youngest of our large family, was born on 16 March 1937. Like a great many other babies in those years, Tom, Andrew and I were delivered by Dr Burrell and Nurse Taylor. What a fortunate community we were in having such a devoted and dedicated medical team. "We were no different to a number of families at that time. Mum made all our jams, pickles and preserves and baked all the bread, often rising in the early hours to do so. The majority of our clothes were home-made or `hand-medowns'. I can still remember Mum making our overcoats and she taught me how to make them for our kids. We always seemed to have enough to eat. No 'Kentucky Fry' or `McDonalds' then, but we still had our small treats - Mum was a good cook but on special occasions we had Arnotts Iced VoVo's or Spicy Fruit Rolls. Sweets were nearly always home made. "Dad was very interested in our education, perhaps because of his own lack of early education and the many years spent in catching up. Perhaps this obituary from an old 'Area News', writer unknown, tells of some of Dad's work within the P & C. Dad was also one of the people who fought for the Griffith Intermediate High School to be built near the existing Primary School at a time when several of the business folk and others wanted it on the town side of the canal, because they did not want their children having to cross the canal. It did not matter that the majority of pupils lived on the school side! Thankfully commonsense prevailed and it was built near the Primary School. "Dad was for a short period Show Secretary - I think this could have been either in the late 1930s or early 1940s. "Dad and Mum very seldom went to social functions, preferring to entertain their friends at home and be entertained by them in return. Cards and sing-a-longs, family birthdays, Christmas and New Year party times mainly. The Wells, Camerons and Anstees mostly, taking turns and everyone supplying supper. Friday evening used to sometimes see Mr Twigg or Father O'Dea visit. This I have never been able to understand as we were neither Catholic nor Church of England - maybe it was the home made wine Dad used to have given to

272

THE LATE ROBERT FARRELL The late Mr. Robert Farrell was connected with the Griffith Public School P. and C. Association for over 20 years, being a foundation member who held office fon a similar period. He was the first District 'Councillor of the P, and C.' Federation, and his work in , the formation of smaller District Councils and the Library system of book interchange between schools will always be remembered. No job was ever too hard for "Bob," and the work he did when the original Tuck Shop was founded, and the School Swimming Pool was only a figment of imagination, was invaluable. When the baths' trustees were elected in 1934, to control and build the school swimming pool, Mr. Farrell did more than his share of the digging of the pool, and was the first volunteer controller of the baths. In this he was very ably assisted by his family of boys, who helped him in no small measure. At P. and C. concerts, sports days football and cricket matches, high school dances. etc.. Bob was never far away, and as his home was close to the school, he was always at anyone's beck and call, and never refused to help. Whenever any Job had to be done in connection with electricity, and these were not infrequent, obmwas sn ,always available and nn an occasion he risen a faulty water tap. He had a remarkable aptitude for work for the children and devoted his lifetime in Griffith to their .well beira and better school facilities. He was on deputation attar deputation, asking for more for the school. and his detarmined nature hardly ever failed. Griffith P. and C. Association will always be In debt to Bob Farrell. and this generation of school children can thank him in no small mearure for many benefits which have accrued to them from the activities of the P. and C. Some months prior to his death. Mr. Farrell had a serious electric shock. and a bad fall. This Impaired his health to such no extent that, much to his regret, he was unable I:. continue his grand work with the P. and C.

him, or it could have been the beer! Then again, it may have been the home cooked goodies. "Mum was not one to work 'in the spotlight'. She did cooking for the various school functions, and helped where she could. Mum was the Red Cross Collector for the West End area during the war. Often we kids helped her as she covered a large area and we had no car. Many of the contributors were of Italian origin, and as was common in those days, some did not like to have their names on the list so it was just put down as 'anonymous'. "We made our own entertainment as kids. We swam in the summer and played cricket - our cricket pitch was in the middle of the road. There were very few cars in those days and you had plenty of time to get off the road as they were so slow. We used drums of any sort for wickets. In winter we played hockey and football, using the bridge across the channel as one lot of goal posts and a couple of drums or kero tins for the other. We used to practice running on the showground oval and walked for miles at week-ends. Sometimes we rode our bikes to the Point (Darlington Point), starting very early in the morning and now and again getting a ride back home on someone's truck. (Some of the families in our street were the Wells, Martins, Ryans, Webbs and Browns.) "Peter was the sportsman in the family. He won several trophies for swimming and as far as I know still has his name on some of the shields at Griffith High. He played League with the Black and Whites and represented Griffith at cricket during country week in 1937. Tennis and golf were two more sports at which he excelled. Peter was the first Boys' School Captain of Griffith Intermediate High. Mary Erskine, I am told, was the Girls' Captain. Peter left school and was apprenticed to Mr Savage, a chartered accountant, moving to Armidale and then Sydney and became a chartered accountant. He served in the militia during the war after being rejected for service because of his deafness. He was in Cowra when the Japanese broke out and was later transferred to New Guinea with the Quarter Masters Stores. He reached the rank of Warrant Officer and was discharged in 1947. Peter married Rhoda Barklay. They had no children but devoted their time to St Stephens Church in Lidcombe of which Peter was the Secretary/Treasurer for 33 years until his death in 1980. "Arthur became an apprentice butcher at Irvins Butchery on leaving school. He was also keen on swimming and bike riding, winning trophies for both of these sports. Like many others he enlisted in the army and was with the 8th division in Malaya. He was a prisoner of the Japanese for three years - something he seldom spoke of after his return home, but enough for us to know the bitterness he felt, not only for the "Beasts" as he called them, but our politicians as well. Arthur married Vera Irvin. They had no children. "Bill left school during the Depression and found work on a farm. He was paid mostly with such commodities as wood or meat - even this was better than nothing! Bill won trophies for swimming and riding - these I believe he still has. Bill enlisted and was sent to the Middle East with the 9th Division as a Transport Driver. Bill married Alma Simmons. They have seven children. "Betty went into domestic service on leaving school, working in several homes in town. Not into sports Betty was an exceptional knitter. Betty married Clifford Godfrey. They had three children. "Joyce suffered from epilepsy and finished school early. She stayed home and helped Mum when she was able. Joyce, like Betty, was a good knitter and a very fine needlewoman. Joyce never married and had a daughter. 273

"Mary on leaving school worked as a domestic and also at one of the hotels. As well she did fruit picking and I believe she may have worked in one of the packing sheds. Mary played the mouth organ - it was a joy to listen to her. Mary married Robert Hanchard and having no children of their own fostered two brothers. "Robert ("Bob" or "Chick") left school and entered the Post Office, leaving there to join the army in Queensland. On his discharge he had a few jobs before he started at Mackays Furniture Store, which at that time was managed by Bill Mackay. Bob stayed there until some time after Don's disappearance, when he retired. Bob was a keen fisherman and also had ferrets which he used when rabbiting. Bob married Joan Hearne and they had three children. "Tom, the only one of the family that took many years to settle down - (at least I think he has settled down!). Tom joined the army for a while; worked on the railway and has had numerous jobs over the years. An armchair sports fan (not the "Norm" type) Tom has married three times and has three children. He is married to Sillverah Alderson. "Now, me (Jean) - I have not done a lot. I left school in 1946, went to Sydney for a time, worked at David Jones and Ensign Ties. Returned home and worked for Myrtle Crockford then married Four Generations Norman Murphy and we have four children. I am at L to R: Jean Murphy, daughter Norma Rattler and grandaughter Fiona Kidder the moment helping to organise a family re-union and Sitting: Grace Farrell (nee Beith) Norm and I have recently retired to the North Coast. "Andrew the youngest of our family, is a very keen fisherman and golfer. He also worked at Mackays for a while, later joined the Railway, where he is still employed. Andrew married Dawn Holden and they have three daughters. Andrew and Dawn live a couple of streets from where Mum now lives at Berala NSW. "Mum is now at the Berala Nursing Home and although in her 98th year is mentally alert hut a little unsteady on her feet."

274

Robert Farrell born 12 November 1888 died 13 June 1953

married 28 November 1913

Grace F D Beith born 31 August 1895 lives Berala NSW

Peter Robert Beveridge Farrell born 25 Nov 1914, died 22 August 1980. Married Rhoda Barklay. No issue.

Arthur Barker Farrell born 15 Sept 1916, died 11 March 1965. Married Vera Irvin. No issue.

Henry William ("Bill") Farrell born 7 May 1918. Married Alma Simmons - 7 children, 21 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Grace ("Betty") Forsyth Dickson Farrell born 13 May 1920, died 29 December 1989. Married Clifford ("Mick") Reginald Godfrey - 3 children, 2 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Joycelyn Mary Farrell born 26 February 1922, died 11 July 1952. Not married - 1 child.

Mary Barker Farrell born 10 May 1924, died 9 March 1986. Married Robert Hanchard. No issue.

Robert ("Bob" or "Chick") Allan Farrell born 1 Jan 1927, died 8 May 1984. Married Joan Hearne - 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

Thomas Barker Farrell born 8 June 1930. Married (1) Ivie Jackson - 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Married (2) Valerie Taylor - no issue. Married (3) Sillverah Maie Alderson - no issue.

Jean Isabel Farrell born 14 Dec 1931. Married Norman Leslie Murphy 4 children and 10 grandchildren.

10. Andrew Farrell born 16 March 1937. Married Dawn Holden - 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

Entry and photos courtesy Jean Murphy (née Farrell), 135 Bangalay Drive, Port Macquarie.

275

FITZ-GERALD Richard ("Dick") Jerome Fitz-Gerald was born at "Tylden" near Kyneton in Victoria on 3 October 1889, the son of Richard Fitz-Gerald and Bridget (nee Shannon). Dick's father, Richard, had been born on board the "Calphurnia" enroute to Australia - the fourth son of Denis and Johannah Fitz-Gerald. Denis and Johannah were emigrating from Ireland with their three older sons, John, Patrick and Denis. They had sailed from Plymouth on 30 December 1851 to arrive in Melbourne on 29 March 1852. Dick was educated at Christian Brothers College, "The Parade", Melbourne. He enlisted in 1914 in the 6th Regiment Light Horse and served four years. He came to the area late in 1919 after being demobbed and lived in "The Barracks" at Beelbangera. Dick worked with other soldier settlers clearing their blocks until his block came up - Farm 585 on the Yoogali/Yenda Road. Dick married Mary Jane Reay of Burnley (Melbourne) in 1920 and brought his bride back to Farm 585. Mary was born at Burnley Vic on 22 December 1901 the daughter of Robert Reay and his wife, Mary Jane (nee Brown). Dick and Mary's only child, Thelma, was born in Melbourne in 1922. Early soldier settlers were advised to grow tobacco crops - Dick thought he would try his hand at this and had a very successful crop but, by the time it was ready to sell, the "powers that be" decided they didn't want it, so along with quite a few other soldier's crops, it was left on the railway station to rot! Deciding that there was a need for carting contractors in Griffith, Dick sold Farm 585 and Richard ("Dick") Fitz-Gerald bought the first hard-tyred Leyland truck in the area. 6th Light Horse On 19 September 1928 Dick took up as an Irrigation Farm Purchase (IFP) Farm 1096 which had been the first Show Ground in Griffith. The old pavilion made an excellent store shed for housing the chaff and the Leyland. His old army mate, Cliff Thorne, had the piece of land facing the Hanwood Road and grew mandarins on it. Dick had a house cow and grew lucerne for it. One of Thelma's earliest memories was seeing this seven acres demolished in ten minutes by a plague of grasshoppers, which were very bad in those days. Dick employed another old Griffith identity, Sonny Ryan, lumping wheat, etc. and they worked together for many years. Moses Gollan had traction engines and chaff cutters and kept them on the FitzGerald farm when not using them. Their neighbours at that time were Thornes, Sidlows, Kennedys, Polkinghornes, Oakes, Raes, Holroyds and Baggs. Dick continued the carrying business and selling chaff until 1932 when Mary died and Thelma went to school in Melbourne. The house on the farm was burnt to the ground 276

in 1935, Dick just escaping with his life. The neighbours were wonderful, but Dick had an old dog named "Towser" who would not let anyone get near him. Dick was "out to it" on the ground and it was 3 o'clock in the morning! The neighbours had to get Eileen Flack (only a child at the time) to handle the dog so that they could get to Dick. Following the death of his wife and separation from his only child, the heart went out of Dick and he decided to sell the Leyland to Ebert and Sara. He sharefarmed etc and eventually worked for the first Sailors & Soldiers Ex-Servicemen's Club which was in Banna Avenue. It is now the Regional Art Gallery. He continued to work for the Club when they moved into the old Mirrool Boarding House (which by then was managed by Aub Davis, a son of Bun Davis who was the first licensee of the Victoria Hotel). In the latter years of his life he worked for Wade Shire until his death in 1948. Thelma married Joe Hickey in 1949 and they had a family of five. In their early school days, Dick's grandchildren had something of the Tom Sawyer excursion as they drove their cart and "old Trigger" to school - a two mile journey to Calorafield Public School. Daughter Thelma is sure that Dick would have been pleased that his grandson now farms "Ballandry" Station, not that far from where Dick first started in the area.

Drive it to school

Well organised and supervised bus services have taken much of the adventure out of the daily business of going to school But to these Widgelll boys, Peter, Gerald and Garry Hickey, it still has something of the quality of a Tom Sawyer excursion as they drive their cart the two-mile journey to Wichrelli Public School. Newspaper Cutting - Source Unknown

277

Mary Fitz-Gerald and her daughter, Thelma

►

Denis and Johannah Fitz-Gerald arrived Australia 29 March 1852 on board "SS Calphurnia"

• Richard Fitz-Gerald born "SS Calphurnia" 1852

Robert Reay

married Victoria 1876

married Pt Melbourne Vic

Bridget Shannon ■ Richard ("Dick") Jerome Fitz-Gerald born Tyldon Vic

Mary Jane Ethel Brown • Mary Jane Reay

married Burnley Vie 1920

3 October 1889 died Griffith 21 Nov 1948

born Burnley Vic, 22 Dec 1901 died May 1932

• • Thelma Muriel born 21 September 1922; married 20 August 1949 Joseph Patrick Hickey (born 3 March 1919). Now lives at Griffith. Five Children:-

Carry Joseph born 23 August 1951

2.)

Gerald Richard born 16 August 1952; died 18 May 1968 }twins

3.)

Peter .John born 16 August 1952; died 19 November 1982

Kay Maree born 9 August 1955

Margo Anne born 22 December 1957

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Thelma Hickey (née Fitz-Gerald), PO Box 1336, Griffith 2680. 278

FLACK Charlie Flack, now living in retirement in Griffith, has vivid memories of the early days when the surrounding hills and countryside were covered in pine forests "Dad (Arthur George Flack) was a good axe-man - he had to make a quid however he could. He worked for the sawmills felling logs. The mills moved from place to place cutting the best of the pines. My brothers and I stacked the tops and trimmed the pine logs - we became quite proficient axe-men by the time we were 10 or 12 years old. It is years since I worked on the saw-mills but I can wake up at night and hear the saws singing. It gets into your blood. "When we went to a new site Dad drove a horse and sulky - Mum drove a four wheeled buggy. Dad would soon have a hut built using scrap timber and by overlapping the boards would make the place water Charlie and Phyllis Flack proof. Dad often said - 'All you need is a pound or two of nails'. He would box a fireplace and line it with mud. If we were there for long we used wooden boxes for chairs and cupboards. Beds were made from wheat bags with two poles in the sides and stretched over forked sticks hammered into the ground. Three bags were sewn together to make a `Wagga rug'. "We didn't have much to cart around. Camp ovens, a frying pan, a billy or treacle tin and a few kerosene tins - one to boil the meat and one to boil the clothes. One camp oven was kept for cooking the bread. Water was heated in the kerosene tins for washing or washing up. The tins were cut corner wise to wash up in. If we were lucky we had a kerosene lamp or we had to make do with a tin of fat with a wick in it. Our cups were made from condensed milk tins. "We bought groceries every few weeks. A typical order would have been - 251b or 501b bag of flour, baking powder, sugar, rice, tea, golden syrup or treacle, jam, potatoes, onions, matches and tobacco. Meat, milk and eggs were bought from the farmers - then of course, there were the rabbits. We ate lots of rabbit! "Dad followed Dixon's saw mill to Colinroobie. I went to school there - we were taught by Mrs Downie. She had a boarding house at MacLeay's farm, next door to Turner's. Mrs Downie was an ex-school teacher so she held classes for the workers' kids there were four Flack children, Bill and Lorna Downie, Gladys Smith and a few others. Tommie Smith (later a famous horse trainer) was too young to go to school. "Another mill in the 1920s was Michellson's on Jack Anderson's 'Blue Plains'. He was bought out by Richards and Weir about 1928 and they moved to Marcus', then to 279

Rowan's where there was a good water supply for the steam engine. We got a good lot of pine timber there. Some of the teamsters dragging out logs to the mill were Allan Fraser, Reg Atkinson, Neil Smith, Archie Robertson and Charlie Downie. Then we moved on to Munro's in Scrubby Range. "It took about a week or two to set up a mill on a new site. First we would dig pits 4ft bins deep for the saw-dust to go in. Then set the saw bench in the ground. Put skids in place for shifting the timber. Set up the plane. Saw file posts and so on. There were ten men on a well-run mill. There was Walter Hack with one of his children the log yard man - he cut logs into lengths using the one-man cross-cut saw. The breaker down man - he ran the log through and took the first slice off (this was known as a round-back). The bench man then pushed the log to the tailor-out and the carrier-off man. The tailor-out pulls the logs out and pushes them back to the bench-man. The carrier-off man throws the waste round-backs to the edging-jerker. The edging-jerker stacks them up in heaps and pushes each heap along the skids to the waste heap which was burnt every night. "At one time my father was put in charge of the Nine Mile Tank. This was a Public Watering Place or PWP. The wind-mill pumped the water into a very long metal trough - the remains of this trough could still be seen in 1990. Dad had to keep tally of the number of sheep or cattle that drank at the trough as there was a charge. I can still picture the drovers arriving with their big mobs kicking up such a dust! I also remember seeing the bullock teams and horse teams pulling waggons along the Whitton Stock Route - I think the waggons carried the ingots of copper and other metals from the Cobar and Mt Hope mines. "We lived at Stony Point, near Leeton, in about 1920 where Dad helped harvest the sorghum that was grown there. There were a lot of dairy farms at the time and Dad had a cream run from Stoney Point to Leeton. We had a wagonette pulled by one to four horses depending on the weather and the road conditions. Dad collected the cans of cream from the farms and took them to the Leeton Butter Factory. On his return journey he brought back the mail, bread and other supplies for the farmers. "About 1924 I went to school in the old wooden Memorial Hall in Griffith where second and third classes were held as they were short of space at the Griffith Primary School. I was in fourth class and fourteen years old. I left school about this time and went out to Westrups to work on Dixon's saw mill. A good supply of water was needed to run the steam engine which provided the power for the saw mill. The bore water used on Westrups had a lot of minerals in it and it coated the inside of the boiler. As I was small at that time I got the job de-scaling the boiler. I could just fit in. I had to climb through the man-hole and lie on the stay-tubes. I can well remember my sore ribs. Every time I moved I took a bit of skin off! It took me two and half days to chisel enough scale off and I was paid one shilling an hour.

280

"Dad bought 61/2 acres of land with a house on it at Wickham's Hill for £200 in about 1925. It took Dad two years to pay it off. We moved out to Thomas' to the mill leaving the house empty. While we were away the house burnt down and Dad got £40 for the land. "Ring-barking is cutting a groove in the bark of a tree to kill it, which was done in the hope that the grass would grow. I ring-barked a large area across the road from Archie Marcus' Yarrandale' at Myall Park. Then I got a job on a bore rig, drilling for water for Archie Marcus, as an off-sider to Reg Phillips. We were about 300 feet down when the drill struck rock. This was trouble! So the boss and his mate came from the head office at Temora. They drove a very nice big car - a Morris Iris. They put three lots of dynamite down the hole then they used the Morris Iris to cart stones to drop down the bore! They finally managed it and the rocks blew up about 300 feet into the air. We struck water but the 6 inch casing might have been a bit bent! I believe they always had trouble with that bore. "During the late 1920s I bought a T-model Ford for £30 with my push bike as a trade-in. I sold it two years later for £8 as I could not afford the registration. My money was in the bank but the banks had closed their doors! "Times were bad. I saw fifty or sixty men at the Dog Ground boiling up wind-fall peaches in kerosene tins. That is what they had for breakfast, dinner and tea. When Fred Driscoll came to Griffith he had nowhere to stay so he spent the first three or four nights under the cement foundations of the IXL Cannery - this was then known as the Millionaires Club. It provided shelter from the wind and rain for many men during the Depression. "Skip Turner was in charge of gravelling Banna Avenue about 1930. He had about ten drays. One man would have three horses and drays hooked one behind the other. They took the drays up to the quarries in Scenic Hill and shovelled on the gravel. The drays could be tipped to empty the gravel onto the road. "My father was a horse crank. He always loved buck jumping and rodeos and such things. My brothers, Roy and Art, took after him. Some of the travelling shows put up their tents on the empty ground where the motel is between the railway ground and the Area Hotel. I remember doing a bit of bull-riding! At that time there was a strip of ground with rails where horses were tied while people did their shopping. "My grandfather died in 1936. I was working out at West End on a road job. I had a truck - a '36 Rio'. Dad came along on his push bike and told me that Granddad had died at Barellan. Grandma had died long before - I could not even remember her. Dad asked me if I would use my truck to take the family to Barellan. So I picked up Mum and Dad, Uncle Jim and Aunty Ivy. We got the coffin from Trenerry's. Eileen Gammon, my Aunt Susie's girl, was teaching at Beelbangera, so we picked her up on the way. "When he was found he had been dead about three days. The Barellan police let us into the house. We had to put him into the coffin. Then the puzzle was how to get him out to the cemetery. The truck was too high to lift the coffin on and anyway it was full of people. Someone suggested that Billy Hansell had a utility truck. It was too short for the coffin so we put two pieces of four by two (4' x 2') across the back - put the coffin on them and tied it down. Billy's son, Ted Hansell, drove the utility to the cemetery! "Only a few years later the Hansells moved to Beelbangera. Ted became my brother-in-law when he married my wife's sister, Eileen Atkinson. "Both my mother and father are buried in Narrandera - Mum died in 1967 and Dad in 1968."

281

Walter George Flack born Campbells Ck Vic 1857 died Barellan NSW 6 August 1936 (buried Barellan)

married at Lanes Bridge near Hillston 12 September 1885

Mary Ann Bullock born Duck Ck Vic 1864 died Niumniera 19 May 1902 (buried Narrandera)

Arthur George Flack born Yanco Creek NSW 23 July 1886; died Narrandera 16 July 1968; married Ada Florence Russell at Nymagee NSW in 1908; ten children 1. 2.

4. 5. 6.

8. 9. 10.

Walter George born Narrandera 1909; died Narrandera 1992; married Jean Smith. Charles John born Narrandera 1910; married Phyllis M Atkinson; lives Griffith; three children - Kevin, Allan and Kathleen. Arthur James born Narrandera 1911; married Marjorie 1 Bowman; five children - Jim, George, Steven, David and Fay. Ivy May born Narrandera 1912; married William Booth. Edward J born 1914; married Mona Christian. Florence Ada born Whitton 1916; married Robert Warren (dec'd); lives Griffith; three children - Dennis, Mary and Dawn. Roy Gordon born Whitton 1917; married Arthur and Ada Flack Gloria Atkinson; lives Narrandera; 11 children - Doris, Patricia, Leonard, Lynnette (dec'd), Barbara, Raymond, Rhonda, Colleen, Rodney, Barry and Stephen. James Louis born and died 1918; buried Whitton. Alfred James born Argoon 1920; died Griffith 1984; married Daphne Pollard. Ronald George born Argoon 1922; married Margaret Pollard.

Mary Ann ("Susannah") born 1888; married Thomas Gammon. Eight children - Leslie, Harold, Eileen, Gertrude, Reginald, Cecil, Rita and Ruth.

Amelia ("Minnie") born 1890; married

Caroline born 1892; married

Walter Robert born 1894; killed in action on Hill 60 in 1915.

James horn 1898; died Griffith 17 October 1967; married Ivy Robinson

Graham.

Bastain.

Entry and photographs by courtesy Charlie Flack, 91 McNabb Crescent, Griffith 2680. 282

FLOOD Henry Flood (known by the nickname of "Handsome") came to Griffith about 1919, accompanied by his son, Bert. Prior to 1919 they both worked in the Yenda area on the channel construction - Henry as a ganger and Bert under contract to the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission (WC & IC) with his own horse team and scoop. He was involved in the excavation of the channels and dams. Later Bert also did some shearing as well. Of Irish stock, Henry's father Patrick Flood (born Dublin 1830; died Bethungra NSW 1887) arrived in Australia in 1850 aboard the "Thetus" and married Ellen Green at Queanbeyan NSW. They had a family of eleven children:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Hannah born 1855 Jane born 1857 Ellen born 1859 Elizabeth born 1861 Thomas born 1864 Alan born 1865 HENRY born 1870 Arthur born 1872 Eliza born 1875 Maggie born 1878 Samuel born 1880.

Henry Flood (1870-1942) Courtesy Carol Stockton (nee Clarke)

Henry was born at Gundagai NSW on 15 August 1870 and married Mary Ann ("May") Evans at Narrandera on 2 April 1895. Henry died in Griffith 1942. May lived in Day Street, Griffith for many years before moving to 67 Canal Street, Griffith where she died in 1955, aged 80 years. Bert (Victor Herbert Sydney Flood) was the eldest of their eight children - Bert, Elsie, May, Allan, Alma, Edna, Irene and Sam. Bert married twice. First to Lillian Armstrong by whom he had four children - Les, Jean, Lance and Dulcie. When Lillian died in 1929 these children were raised by their grandmother, May. Bert's second marriage was to Winifred ("Wynne") Lynch and they had two sons - Graham and Lyndsay. The family settled permanently on Farm 1149, Erskine Road. Bert died in 1982 aged 90 years and Wynne died in 1986 aged 80 years.

283

Mary Aim ("May") Hood (nee Evans)

•

►

Lillian Flood (nee Armstrong)

Victor Herbert Sydney ("Bert") Flood

►

Photos courtesy Carol Stockton (nee Clarke)

284

The children of Bert Flood and Lillian (nee Armstrong) were: 1.

Leslie Henry Herbert born 1917, died 1988 aged 71 years. Married Eileen Ashton. Lived Dubbo NSW. 1. John 2. Robyn 3. Paul

Gladys Jean born 1919. Married Bryan James Clarke, lives Griffith. * 1. Noelene 2. Carol 3, Denise 4. Garry

Lancelot Victor born 1922. Married Norma Clarke lives Goolgowi NSW. *

Michael

2. 3. 4. 5.

Kevin Maureen David

Peter (dec'd)

Dulcie Nina born 1924. Married Ken Tyson - lives Griffith. I. 2. 3.

Stephen Janice Russell

The children of Bert Flood and Winifred (nee Lynch) were: 5.

Graham, married Irene Wright - lives Melbourne. * I.

Derrick

Lyndsay horn 1941. Married Joyce Atcheson - lives Sydney. * I. 2.

Geoff Wayne

3. 4.

Jay Shari

By courtesy Carol Stockton (nee Clarke), Bingar Street, Yenda.

285

FOSCARINI Francesco Paolo Foscarini (or Frank as he became known in Griffith) was born at Castelcucco, Treviso in northern Italy on 6 November 1907, the son of Giacomo Foscarini and Maria (nee Zilliotto). At the time he came to Australia there was no work nor money in Italy. He was the eldest of a family of twelve children, five of whom had died at an early age (7 years and younger) during World War I three died in one year. Living in the same house as his own family was also his Uncle Alesandro Foscarini and his family. In 1926 Francesco's godfather loaned him the money for his fare to Australia, a loan which he later repaid. He travelled in the company of his friend, Antonio Zandona, on the ship SS "Caprera" on which conditions were very bad on a voyage of about forty-five days. Arriving in Melbourne in the February of that year, 1926, he travelled by train to Griffith where a large number of his countrymen from northern Italy were living. When he first arrived in Yenda he L to R: Emilio Signor, Demetrio ("Don") Foscarini and Francesco ("Frank") Foscarini lived in a tin shack at De Bortoli's for some time. There were a number of other migrants living there in tin and bag shacks and later Francesco used to tell that they had little else but plenty of flies and mosquitos. Frank was also to tell his children in later years that their beds were usually made from old boxes and some people even slept on the bare ground. In 1927 his brother Demetrio ("Don") came to Australia and lived at De Bortoli's too. They worked all over the area, always walking to work often as far distant as Hanwood or Ballingal - to wherever work was available. However, no matter how hard times were they never gave up, in the hope that things would get better - which they did. When, in May 1936, he married Dominica Zanatta Frank bought Farm 1360 where he and Dominica lived until Frank died in 1985. (Dominica remained on this farm until mid1993 when she moved into Yenda to live). Don has spent all his life on Farm 1366 where he and his wife, Lucia, still live at the present time. In 1949 two other brothers, Decimo and Bruno, arrived to settle at Yenda. The following year, 1950, their parents Giacomo and Maria Foscarini, with another son Germano and his wife Bruna, also settled in Yenda to live near their sons and their families. Sadly Giacomo only lived for a few more years, dying on 22 November 1959, at the age of 79. Maria lived on until the age of 91 years. She died on 22 March 1972. Both are buried in Griffith.

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The house in Castekucco, Italy (Photo taken in 1992) Germano Foscarini at left when serving in the Alpini

The Wedding of Guiseppina and Vittorio De Bortoli with members of the early Italian community, many of whom lived at De Bortoli's

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Two sisters remained overseas Angelina who lives in Verona in northern Italy and Demetria who lives in France. Before coming to Australia to live, Germano had gone to Africa in 1936 to work for two years before being recalled to serve in the Italian Alpini forces and served at Monte Negro near Albania and Greece. He was taken prisoner by the Albanians. Of the two years as a prisoner-of-war he was later to tell how they almost starved and survived mainly by collecting and eating potatoes which fell from the food trains. After his return to Italy in 1945 he worked in the mines in Italy and France. He died young as a result of war deprivation whilst a prisoner-of-war. Decimo also served with the Alpini at Monte Negro before returning to Italy where he was captured and became a prisoner-of-war for four years. After the war he worked on farms and in the mines before coming to Australia. In 1956 Decimo returned to Italy with Wedding Day his younger brother Bruno, each to marry their Dominica and Francesco Foscarini fiancées and return with their brides to Yenda. Decimo again worked on farms in the Yenda area before buying his own farm. This fruit farm at Bilbul was where he and Yole have raised their Australian born family. After the war Bruno had also worked in the Italian mines before coming to Australia where he worked on farms as well as working for some time at Cooma on the Snowy Scheme. He later settled on a farm at Yoogali. Joyce, Frank and Dominica's eldest daughter, shares some of her memories - "Drinking plenty of water from water-bags, putting washing-blue around our eyes to keep the flies away. Clothes were simple women wore a dress or shirt and skirt, men wore big, hard boots. Women and children wore sandals - one pair for all occasions. Every woman owned an apron and a large straw hat. Vegetables, which every family grew, were plentiful - as was chicken and pigeon meat. to R: Maria (mother), Bruno, Decimo Yabbies were caught from the channels. We never holding Anna (daughter of Germano). went hungry and had a happy childhood." Giacomo (father) seated at front

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Maria Foscarini (née Zilliotto)

Giacomo Foscarini Giacomo Foscarini born Italy 1880 died Griffith 22 November 1959

Maria Zilliotto born Italy 1881 Griffith 22 March 1972

married

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Francesco ("Frank") born Italy 6 November 1907; died Yenda 8 August 1985; buried Griffith Cemetery. Married Dominica Zanatta; three children - Joyce, Bruna and Johnny. Dominica lives in Yenda.

Demetria born Italy 1908; married 1931 Emilio Reginato (dec'd); two children - Marie and Simonetta. Lives in France.

Demetrio ("Don") born Italy 1909; married 1936 Lucia De Poali; four children - Lino, Raymond, Mary and Alice. Lives in Yenda.

Germano born Italy 1913; died Griffith 23 June 1979 buried Griffith. Married Osola, Italy 1949 Bruna Bof; four children (all born in Australia) - Anna, Nadia, Gemmi and Giacomo ("James"). Bruna lives in Yenda.

Angelina born Italy 1920; married Ernesto Castaman; two children - Tarcizio and Marina. Lives Verona, Italy.

Decimo born Italy 1921; married Yole Bosa; three children - Dina, Mario and Pio. They live at Bilbul.

Bruno born Italy 1924; married Maria Loro; six children - Ennio, Tony, Silvano (dec'd), Bruno, Juilianna and Colin. They live at Yoogali. (Five other children of Giacomo and Maria died under the age of 7 years during WWI.)

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Joyce Manera (née Foscarini), PO Box 62, Yenda 2681.

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FRASER Though not actually a pioneer in the true sense of the word Harold Arthur Fraser contributed to the early development of irrigation farming in the Griffith district. He came to Griffith about 1933 and was a resident at "Mirrool" House and then the Victoria Hotel, later building the first home in Carrathool Street. As an Agricultural Instructor employed by the Department of Agriculture he worked, in conjunction with Surveyor Harold Chauncy, to develop the contour method of irrigation layout and promoted the wide spread growth of improved pastures, especially the use of subterranean clover in rice rotations. Harold also conducted research into the production of tomatoes for canning - San Mazana, a variety from California and the introduction of Hales Best Strain 36, a variety of rock melons also from California. During that period Harold was a member of the South West Farmers Rehabilitation Scheme working on the amalgamation of the small farms into larger profitable areas. 1. When World War II broke out he was "man powered" into soil conservation and then left • Griffith. Harold Fraser (Agronomist) on the right judging the winning While in Griffith he was crop of wheat in the Royal Agricultural Society's Competition a church warden at St Alban's and took a leading part in the plans to build a new church. This came about some years later (1955) and ultimately became the cathedral for the diocese of the Riverina. He served four years in the RAAF. He held a soldier settlers block on the Waa Waa scheme from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. During the war, Harold married Dorothy Clare Roberts of "Hillside" Cootamundra, the younger daughter of a well known pioneer family in the district - Mr and Mrs F C Roberts. They had three sons - Robert Antony, Alexander Frederick and Christopher Simon. Harold now lives in retirement at Wagga.

By courtesy Harold Fraser, 37 Nixon Crescent, Wagga Wagga 2650. 290

GALES Samuel Thomas Gales (called "Tom") was born in Yorkshire in 1885. His father was a Railway Stationmaster and the family moved to Palmer's Green, London, shortly after Tom was born. He was the second eldest of five children - three boys and two girls. Tom was educated at a small private grammar school and on finishing school, he went to work for the Great Northern Railway Company. In 1910 Tom left England for Canada. After twelve months working on a horse stud in Alberta, he came to Australia and settled at Yanco. Tom's mother, Annie Maria Gales (nee Grove) and two sisters and a brother followed Tom to Australia in 1913. With the advent of World War I, Tom enlisted in the AIF at Victoria Barracks in 1916. On the day of enlistment he met Clive Hayes-Williams and they became friends. After two years serving at the front in France, Tom contracted pneumonic flu and it was fortunate that his mother, Annie, had by this time returned to England and was able to take him home and nurse him back to health. Tom returned to Australia and was discharged in 1919. He went to the infant MIA and became Paymaster for the WC & IC, meeting up with Clive Hayes-Williams again. Tom was very keen to take up a "block" and in due course he settled on Farm 1494 at Yenda, on the northern canal. He planted wine grapes, apricots, prunes and apples and built a shack. After a time a modest house was built, but the shack was always used as a kitchen, storeroom and bathroom. In 1921 Tom married Rita Wishart from Mosman, the daughter of a Ship's Captain for the Burns Philp Line. Their daughter, Dorothy Elmhirst Gales, was born at Yenda on 29 March 1922. Tragically, Rita died from cancer in 1923 and Dorothy went to live with Tom's parents, who were retired and had emigrated to Australia in June 1920 and by then lived in Goulburn. Tom's sister, Elizabeth (called "Bessie"), married David Standen and they also lived at Yenda. They had one son, Philip.

"Tent-Town - Early Days on the MIA" Tom Gales sitting on ground, third from right

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Tom met Thelma Crosbie from Cowra in 1926 and they were married in 1927. Their daughter, Enid Margaret Gales, was born at Yenda on 12 April 1929. In due course Dorothy returned to live with Tom, Thelma and her baby half-sister, Enid. Enid tells us "The years at Yenda during the Depression were very tough for most people. Problems were compounded on our farm by severe frosts. I recall my father staying up all night tending Tom Gales at Yanco before WWI bonfires in a futile effort to keep frost at bay. "In 1931, I think, Mirrool Creek flooded and we had to leave our farm in the middle of the night in our spring cart. An adventure for me, but another set-back for my parents. Although very young I clearly remember the occasion Dad leading the horse through the water holding a lantern and Mum crying and I wanted my cat! "The bushfires of 1939 burning in the hills were visible for some days across the canal from our farm. I could see the red glow clearly from my bed on the verandah which was quite frightening. The heat during that summer was dreadful and sustained. I have loathed hot weather ever since. "Many times my poor father crawled back to the house after his days work. He had `trench feet' as a result of his time in the trenches in World War I and thereafter suffered severe pain without complaint. He applied for a Pension on several occasions, but like many WWI veterans, he was knocked back. "My years at Yenda were very happy, despite our poor circumstances. Our neighbours and friends were such interesting people from all walks of life. All children received an excellent education at Yenda Public School. The women did a wonderful job considering many of them came from comfortable city homes. "I recall wonderful parties at McMahon's place. The adults looked so elegant dressed in their best. For a few hours they could forget their worries. I have some of the books my father kept on the farm. He received such a pittance for all his hard work!

Gales' Home - "Grove Farm" Yanco 1913 L to R: Standing - Dick Westbrook and Tom Gales Sitting on chairs - Dave Standen, unknown, Annie Maria Gales On Verandah - Herbert ("Dick") Gales and Elizabeth ("Bessie") Gales

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"At the outbreak of World War II my father endeavoured to enlist again and was told that men who could type were required for administration work. So he went to a commercial college in Sydney and spent approximately a year learning to type and brushing up his book-keeping. With these skills he was able to enlist, putting his age back 10 years! He was quickly promoted to Orderly Room Sergeant and Paymaster. "By the 1940s quite a few families from Yenda and Griffith were living in Sydney. The Depression had forced them to leave their land in some cases and others were ready to retire. "The Watters, Debelles, Standens and Gales possibly started the reunions which were held in the Botanic Gardens. I know advertisements were placed in the Sydney Morning Herald. Others I recall who attended were Brammers, Benyons, Crawfords and Girdlers - many others attended too. Sometimes only the children of the early settlers attended. Morrises also attended - one Morris family was by then caretaker of Fort Denison and we used to go there to see them. I believe these reunions continued into the fifties. However, I have been told that there had been another reunion in the late seventies.

Yenda reunion in Botanic Gardens, Sydney - possibly late 1940s. L to R: Gertrude Leaver, Dorothy ("Clancy") Newham, Thel Gales, Bessie Standen, unknown, unknown

"My mother and I left Yenda at the end of 1940. It was a very sad day for all of us. Dorothy was already working for the Public Service in Canberra, living with Dad's sister, Gertrude. When the War ended, we were in Wagga and we settled there." Tom worked for the Southern Riverina County Council until his retirement at age 75. (They thought he was 65!!) Unfortunately, he went blind about 10 years before his death at the age of 90. He was a wonderful gentleman. Thelma died in 1982, aged 77 years.

000000000

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Herbert Gales married Annie Maria Grove, 9 April 1883 in England Annie first came to Australia in 1913, returned to England 1917 Herbert and Annie settled permanently in Australia in 1920

1. Samuel Thomas ("Tom") born Yorkshire 12 Sept 1885; died Wagga 15 September 1975; arrived Yanco 1911 married (1) Marguerita Julia Bianca ("Rita") Wishart born Sydney c. 1891; died Griffith August 1923. *

Dorothy Elmhirst Gales born Yenda 29 March 1922. Went to England 1950; married Wilfred Morris; no issue. Lives at Brighton, England. married (2) Thelma Crosbie born Kirribilli c.1905; lived in Cowra from 1910 until marriage to Tom; died Wagga 5 November 1982 *

Enid M Gales born Yenda 12 April 1929. Married Maxwell Gillman two daughters, Susan and Julie. Lived at Wagga until 1988, retired to Ulladulla.

2. Gertrude came to Australia 1913; married Albert Barnes; five children. Lived Canberra for many years, died there 31 October 1963.

3. Reginald - no issue; lived Canada until his death in 1951.

4. Elizabeth ("Bessie") came to Australia 1913; married David Standen; lived at Yenda; one son - Philip who served in RAAF during WWII. Retired to Newport Beach, died in Canberra 12 July 1977.

5. Herbert ("Bick") came to Australia 1913; married Myee Ballard; three children. Lived at Mirrool until WWII, died in Canberra 20 July 1975.

Entry and photographs by courtesy Enid Gillman (nee Gales), 29 Edward Avenue, Kings Point, Ulladulla 2539.

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GAMBELL It was a large extended family of Gambells that arrived in early Griffith from West Wyalong. Their first abode was tents at "The Pines" Camp which was situated on the hill now occupied by the Hospital and Catholic Church. Those who came were "Uncle" George and his son, Leslie; Jack Gambell and his brothers George junior and Allan; Jim and Cecil ("Jerry") the sons of Jim Gambell and a family friend Sam Whittaker.

"The Pines" Camp 1920 Back L to R: Les Gambell (son of George Snr), Jack Gambell, Sam Whittaker (family friend). Jim Gambell (brother of George Snr) Front L to R: George Gambell Jnr, Dick Glanville, Allan Gambell (brother of George Jnr), Percy Kent and George's dog "Spot", who allowed no one to touch George nor any of his belongings. Photo courtesy Lillian Gambell, caption courtesy Jack Gambell.

GEORGE GAMBELL, senior. The story of George Gambell senior ("Uncle George") is told us by his daughter-inlaw, Leslie's wife Lillian, in her 79th year "The Gambell family came from England in the late 1800s. My husband's father, George, settled in Wyalong where he married Sophia Mary Edgerton. My husband, Leslie Claude Gambell, was born there on 12 October 1903. There was another son, Hedley, born there also. I have heard it said that after coming to Australia, the Gambell family split up and that some went to Canberra and some to the Bundanoon area.

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"Whilst travelling one year, my daughter Lesley and I met a very old man at Bundanoon who showed us lots of photos among which we found one of 'George Gambell of Wyalong' (George Gambell snr - Leslie Claude's father). "My father-in-law's first (tent) home was on the site of today's Catholic Church. When Father O'Dea first arrived he was asked if the Gambell family would have to move. He replied - 'You were there first. Stay there.' He and old George Gust Gambell were to become good friends.

The Butchers Shop in Banna Avenue (now the site of the Crystal Arcade) L to R: Unknown, George Gambell Snr, Jack Gambell, Les Gambell, Unknown Courtesy Lillian Gambell

"This George Gambell built a brick house at 82 Binya Street. That and Dr Burrell's were the first brick houses in Griffith on the northern side of the railway line. "The Gambells later opened a Butcher shop in Banna Avenue and a Bakers shop in Yambil Street. In the early years of the Depression three thousand sheep went through the Butcher shop to be distributed among the poor and hungry. Mutton chops were highly regarded then. This was done as long as possible (till the money ran out) and the butcher shop was forced to close. During these Depression years the baker shop was also forced to close. "The Gambells were strong supporters of Jack Gambell driving the Gambell's local greyhound racing. My late husband, Les, Butchers Cart. Courtesy Don Gambell. used to speak of 'this special dog they raced and which became their meal ticket' during the 296

Depression years of 1929 to 1932." She adds "George, Les' father, was a drinker of beer, whereas wine drinking was the order of the day. Les himself was a teetotaller. "Les and I were married at the Griffith Court House on 8 November 1949. We had both been married previously - Les to Madge Patricia Hall who died at the age of 34 years and was buried in Griffith on 25 March 1941. My first husband and I had a son, Fred. Lesley Christine, born 14 July 1952, was the only child born to Les and I. "In the mid-fifties Les opened a Panel Beating workshop on Jensen Road at Wickhams Hill. Between this time and that of the Depression he had worked carrying timber to local farmers for grape vine supports. My son, Fred, was involved with the running of the panel beating business and for this reason we had his surname changed to Gambell by Deed Poll. He operated his own carpet-cleaning business in Wagga which has since been sold. While running the panel beating business they were also involved in skin/wool buying out in the Hillston/Ivanhoe area."

The Panel Beating Shop at Wickham's Hill Courtesy Lillian Gambell

The house at 82 Binya St L to R: Les, Sophia Mary and Lydia Courtesy Lillian Gambell

Les Gambell with "The Meal Ticket" of the Depression years Courtesy Lillian Gambell

By courtesy Mrs Lillian Gambell, 51/3 Endeavour Place, Riverwood and Lesley Lockyer, 18 McMahon Road, Yagoona.

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JACK and ROSE GAMBELL Don Gambell, the son of Rose and Jack, related their story to his cousin, Jack. "Dad came to Griffith to join his brothers George and Allan and camped near where the Catholic Church is today. Uncles George, Jim and cousins also lived there. Old Uncle George could always point out the tree where they had helped Father O'Dea put up his tent when he arrived on his bike. Old Uncle George Gust Gambell was a well known identity, with his dog "Spot". One day Dad went down the town and took "Spot" with him. Not knowing that he was Uncle George's brother, he was told - 'George Gambell will shoot you if you take his dog!' "Dad met our mother, Rose Harris, whilst she was working at the well known boarding house, Mirrool House. At this time Father O'Dea used to say Mass there. They married and had two children. Myself and my sister, Jean. "In the early Depression years they had a dairy farm with a lot of cow pastures on the side of the hill not far from the Lake View Bridge. My father used to carry water in kerosene tins from the canal, up the hill to the tents we lived in. I can still remember the day when, as a small boy, one of the cows attacked me and tossed me up in the air. My father raced in with a shovel to protect me. Jack Gambell "My mother was great friends with Nell and Bill Owens. Courtesy Don Gambell We used to visit them quite regularly. "After the dairy farm venture Dad went to work for old George Gambell who had a butcher shop down the Mirrool House end of Banna Avenue. He drove a horse and cart to deliver meat all around Griffith. I used to go out with him on a Saturday afternoon when he delivered meat as far out as the other side of Tharbogang. He worked, for many years, for Fred Kensitt (the butcher) too. "He later got a 2 acre farm, Farm 1225. It was on the corner of Hillston Road and Merrigal Street and we lived there until the move to Sydney in the 1940s. "When my mother's sister, Doris, died at the young age of 28, leaving five children, our parents took into our home four of the children and helped to rear them. They were Valma, Wallace, Bill and Gordon Armstrong. We all had a happy childhood together. From Farm 1223, at what is now known as West End, we all walked to the Catholic School. All the boys still live in Griffith. They married and have brought up their families there. Rose Gambell "My father worked six days a week. He would leave for (nee Harris) work in the dark and come home in the dark. He used to do his Courtesy Don Gimbal books on a Sunday. At the end of the Depression he was getting f.31151- a week wages." Courtesy of Don Gambell, 581 Old South Head Road, Rose Bay 2029. 298

GEORGE GAMBELL, junior. George Gust Gambell was born at Junee on 1 April 1898. He was the son of John Jobbins Gambell and Rachel Louisa (née Gust) who were married at Millicent SA, in 1894. George Gust was the second of their seven children - Doris, George, Allan, John, Eadie, Christopher and Donald. His parents moved from Millicent to the Junee district in 1895 where his father, John Jobbins Gambell, trained as a Salvation Army officer. He was one of the first Salvation Army officers in Australia, working in field appointments for eleven years, after the work of the Salvation Army began in Adelaide in 1880. Rachel's ancestors were some of the first settlers in Mount Gambier, the Gusts coming from Hahndorf and the Wyatts through the Henty settlement by bullock wagon, and through hostile Aboriginal lands, in the 1850s. Grandfather Gust was the first blacksmith in Mount Gambier and a civic leader. He told George many stories of trips overland to the Henty settlement near Portland in Victoria. George spent his early years in the Gundagai district, attending school there for two years. His father drove the Cobb & Co coach between Gundagai and Tumut. In 1908 the family returned to South Australia and settled in Mount Gambier where George attended school for another four years. Being the elder son he then left school to help maintain the family. His first job was as an apprentice to a tinsmith, his wages being 7/6d for a six day week. However, he was a great reader and extended his education from the books George Gambell junior and his brother, Jack Gambell Courtesy Don Gambell he was always reading. During his early years shearing was a fairly well paid job, so George decided to become a shearer and he became a good one, capable of shearing more than 200 sheep a day. Between seasons he worked at the Compton rabbit factory where the rabbits were processed for meat and skins; the meat was then canned. Being a competent shearer, and confident and adventurous, he began shearing in Western Victoria and NSW. He told many tales of riding a push bike along camel trails from Broken Hill to Tibooburra and beyond to the shearing sheds. In those days personal transport was by horse, bike or boot and the wool clip was transported by camel train, as were station supplies. When World War I ended George was shearing in Victoria and there heard about the great opportunities in the new irrigation area in NSW - so - with his two brothers, his dog and his bike, he worked his way towards "the land of opportunity". Some years before his death, on 10 May 1986, aged 88 years, in an interview with an Area News reporter, George was to recall those days in 1919. When he moved to Griffith "it was just scrub and bag humpies and twice as rough as you could imagine." He recalled with delight and awe, the hardships endured by those early residents of the town.

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"I came from Wyalong in October 1919 by push bike to Mirrool. Then I got a free ride on the train from there to Griffith with my dog and bike. If you had no money they would put you on just the same! When I arrived I was directed to 'The Pines' Camp up on the hill where the Catholic Church and the Hospital now stand. That was one of the camping grounds until you got a job, and after making inquiries, I was told to go down and see Dave Taylor. Dave had the only store here at that time. The other shops were at Bagtown, three miles away. He would also 'prop you up for a bit of tucker' until you got a job. "It was no trouble to get a job in those days. All you had to do was take a bit of dinner and go to Wickhams Hill and you got a job right away. I camped under a pine tree and the next day started work driving horses and scoops. Allen Towart was the ganger and he had about sixty horses. Everyone knew him. Taking the horses out to work they would walk very slowly, but would walk twice as fast coming home at night! Allen would not let a horse be touched with a whip or stick. "I lasted about five days at that job until going home, I saw a man screwing in a tap in Banna Avenue. I asked him if there was any work for plumbers. He said that there was no plumber at Griffith at the time and he would give me a job for £1 a day. That was big money in those days so I left the scooping and went plumbing! He rigged me up with a few tools and the first job I did was on the first three cottages built in the township of Griffith. I made the rain water tanks - perhaps the first made in Griffith. The builder was Harry Morel and the cottages then waggishly referred to as 'Rotten Row' (reminiscent of the mansions in the city of Bath in England). Everyone else lived in tents or 'humpies'. These cottages were located where the former Womens Club and now the Griffith Leagues Club Northside now stands. "To make a camp in those days we went over to the main canal after the men knocked off and helped ourselves to empty cement bags. We cut them open and got a hank of twine and sewed them together, then put up a frame out of round pine poles. There was a thick forest of them at that time. We covered it with cement bags and it would not let a drop of rain in. When we got that done we rigged up a bit of a galley of galvanised iron outside to do the cooking. (See photograph of 'The Pines' Camp 1920.) "We were not there very long when a young Irish priest arrived - with a tent, a Bible and an ambition. Although Father O'Dea arrived with a tent he did not know how to pitch it so we cut the poles and rigged it up for him. He used to sleep there and had his meals at Mirrool House. The first thing he did was set to work and cleared a nice piece of land and a man named Hillslow came from somewhere and built a school which was also used as the Church at first. I worked on that job. A tough man in those days was Father O'Dea!! "He loved to have good bare knuckle fight and I can tell you he had many. In those days it was a dry area and they used to go to Hanwood and get wine in empty petrol tins four gallons at a time. It was not top grade, but had plenty of kick in it! Empty Capstan tobacco tins were mostly used for measuring a drink. A few tins full and they would fight the world. They did not care if you were Father O'Dea or the King of England - they would still throw a punch at you! "The best fight I ever saw was Father O'Dea and Skinny O'Grady behind Venardos' Billiard Room. Skinny O'Grady was one of the best fighters in the camp. "We were sitting down watching the billiard games and Skinny came alongside Father O'Dea and knocked him clean off his seat. He got up and shook himself and said 300

`Out the back you'. Well, as I said I have never seen such a good tight. It lasted about twenty minutes. Father O'Dea gradually wore him down and when he was beaten he would not get up. I will never forget! Father O'Dea said 'Pick the cur up till I have one more shot at him!' I could go on all day taking about Father O'Dea. "When the Church/school was nearing completion we said to him 'I suppose we will have to move now' but he replied - 'No, you were here first'. He was always a good friend of mine. Although I was not one of his flock, I always had a great respect for him. I consider he did the best job of anyone in Griffith to achieve what he did in a year after he came and pitched his tent in 1921." As well as working on the construction of the first Church/school, George Gambell worked on some of the first buildings in Griffith - The Co-op Store in Jondaryan Avenue, The Griffith Producers and several of the houses in Wakaden Street. In the early twenties he again followed the shearing runs in the Hillston district and further west, first as a shearer and later as a shearing contractor, making his base at Hillston. In August 1925, at Hillston, he married Susanna Maria Hallam, a widow with five sons - Joseph, William, Charles, Victor and Francis. The eldest was about 11 years of age. There were two more children to the marriage of George Allan Gambell's Packard Car and Susanna (always lovingly known as Courtesy of Don Gambell "Dolly") - John Walter and Jean Marian, making a family of seven. Early in 1939 George and "Dolly" moved with their family to Queanbeyan from where he worked on the construction of the Canberra airport and in the Canberra Commission as a plumber. Returning to Griffith in 1946, he was soon busy making large corrugated iron tanks, on site, near the windmills on many properties in the Ivanhoe/Hillston district. Only getting home at weekends soon became unattractive to George and he looked around Griffith for a business opportunity in which he and his family could be involved and work together. He founded the plumbing business of Gambell, Hallam and Edwards which traded as a family business until he retired. Next to his love of family, particularly the children, this George loved fishing. He took his family to the coast at every opportunity. He was reputed to have known the Clyde River better than the locals and could always provide a fish meal for his family and friends. His wife, "Dolly", predeceased him by 12 years in 1974.

Courtesy of Jack Gambell, 26 Thompson Street, Griffith and Area News Interview by reporter Angela Calabrese

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Edward and Mary Jane Gambell (Descendents of this couple who lived in Griffith are shown in bold)

1. John Jobbins Gambell born NSW 1872 married Rachel Louisa Gust. Three of their seven children came to Griffith:-

GEORGE GUST GAMBELL JNR born Junee 1 April 1898; died Griffith 10 May 1986; married Susanna/h Maria Hallam (born 1892 died May 1974) - a widow with five sons - Joseph, William, Victor, Charles and Frank; George and Susannah had two children - John and Jean.

ALLAN GAMBELL born NSW 1899; married Martha Birtwell; one daughter - Patricia

WALTER JOHN ("JACK") GAMBELL born NSW 1904; married Rose Harris; two children - Donald and Jean. (Reared Valma, Wallace, Bill and Gordon Armstrong).

Edward born NSW 1875

3. JAMES EGERTON GAMBELL ("JIM") born NSW 1876; died 12 March 1935; married Lydia . 1.

JIM (JAMES?) dec'd; married Gwen Moore.

CECIL ("JERRY") dec'd; married Ella McGlynn.

JACK/JOHN dec'd

NOEL dec'd (un-married).

GWEN dec'd

4. GEORGE GAMBELL SNR ("Uncle George") born c.1882; died 26 December 1944, aged 62 years; married Sophia Mary Edgerton (born c.1884, died 8 May 1948 aged 64 years) 1.

LESLIE CLAUDE born West Wyalong 12 October 1903; died Griffith June 1960; married (1) Madge Patricia Hall (born e. 1907, died March 1941 aged 34 years) married (2) Lillian Richards - widow with one son, Fred; Leslie and Lillian had one daughter - Lesley Christine.

HEDLEY born West Wyalong, died young.

Courtesy of the Gambell Family. 302

GATTO Egidio Gatto was born in the small northern Italian town of Caerano S. Marco, Province of Treviso on 21 August 1898 the son of Quirino Gatto and Angela (née Bonora). He lived with his father, uncle and aunty in an old stone house which had two stories and an attic. The attic was used for breeding silkworms and drying corn in the winter. The family slept on the first floor. On the ground flour was the kitchen, dining room and living area where they spent the summer evenings. Egidio served in the World War I with the Italian Army but did not see much action as he was gassed early in the war and spent some years in a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany. Back home in his hometown he married Elisa Bittante (a young girl born in Bekeriet, Switzerland). They had two sons, Sergio and Nicodemo ("Emo"). During the War (about 1917-18) Elisa had to leave Caerano and go south, as a refugee, to Sicily to escape the fighting between the Germans and the Italians. She told how she had to protect Sergio by lying on top of him as shells were going off over their heads. While there Sergio contracted a disease which made his stomach swell. Elisa was told that the cure was to have chicken broth. She begged for it! Food was scarce but people did feel sorry for them and gave them food. The war had caught up with them but not to the same Egidio Gatto - WWI extent as in the north. In 1924 Egidio (known as "Jim" to his Australian mates) immigrated to Australia. After his arrival Jim went to Sydney Central Railway Station where he was to have been met and taken to North Queensland. However there was a mix up and no one turned up to meet him. Bendo, a friend, was also at the station that night and said that, as no one showed up, he would take him to Griffith. So Jim came to Griffith where he and many other men camped at McWilliam's Hanwood farm. There were eight or nine tin shacks along the fence of the property - it was muddy when it rained, cold and frosty in the winter and in summer dusty and hot, with the added discomfort of fins and "mossies". They put up with the lot, just like everyone else did

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in the Area. There was much hardship, but no one complained - those who did not like it left! Jim told of the time it rained all night and on awakening he could hear their bottles of wine rattling as they floated in a foot of water beneath the beds. Wash day was Saturday afternoon or evening (on the channel bank) as they usually worked from Monday morning until Saturday noon. A kerosene tin was used as a wash tub. Kerosene tins had many uses as seating, for boiling water and they were cut open and used for the walls of the shacks. Sunday was recreation day - spent mainly playing "Bocce" at Mrs Alvaro's. The court had a sandy surface about thirty metres long by three metres wide with a border of pine posts to keep the bocce in play. They played for a bottle of beer. On Sundays everything was closed and beer was one shilling (1/-) a bottle after hours. Jim worked for Mr Holroyd on Farm 472 on the Hanwood Road, until 1929, when he returned to Italy to be reunited with his family. His third son, Emilio, was born there in 1930. While Jim was in Australia, Elisa and her two sons had continued to live at the Gatto home. Elisa, with the other women, did the cooking, tended to the silkworms which were fed on mulberry leaves, worked in the fields where corn was mainly grown for their "polenta", looked after the cattle and chickens. To keep warm before bed time in winter the family stayed with the cattle in the "Casone" (the stables) as the cattle gave out warmth. It was either put up with the smell or go cold! They played cards (no money involved) and the women folk knitted. There wasn't much food in those days. It was a simple, hard life to lead and that is why so many Italians immigrated to other countries. Early in 1931 Jim returned to Griffith with Elisa Gatto (nee Bittante) - 1916 Elisa and sons, Sergio, Nicodemo and Emilio. The voyage from Italy was on the liner "Oronsay" of the Orient Line and took about forty days by way of the Suez Canal, Fremantle, across the Great Australian Bight to Melbourne. Leo Gatto (Jim's cousin) met them at Port Melbourne and they visited his family for the day. They returned to the liner and the next day they continued on to Sydney. Sergio recalls the long slow journey in the train, second class, in what was known as the "dog boxes" - it rocked from side to side. It was made like a big box with seats on each side. In front of the toilet door was a seat that had to be lifted to allow entrance to the toilet, disturbing the one seated on it. There were flasks of water and two glasses above their heads - the water was always hot in summer! The train stopped at Goulburn early in the morning - always cold even in summer, where breakfasts could be had. Then on to Junee for another long stop for dinner or refreshments. Junee to Griffith was very slow as the rails were of a lighter gauge.

304

After this long trip they arrived at Griffith Railway Station on a hot summers day with a dust storm hitting Griffith as they got off the train. It was frightening. It was like a huge rain cloud from one end of the horizon to the other. The sun was blacked out. It seemed like night. It did not feel good at all. Elisa started to cry and the family were tempted to return to Italy immediately. However, they clambered aboard an old truck (which served as a taxi) and went first to meet Mr Holroyd at Farm 472 and then on to Farm 1133 to stay with Mrs Alvaro. After a short time they returned to live on Farm 472. It was on this farm that Guerino ("Nino") was born, with the help of a midwife, in 1932. Mr Holroyd employed five or six men. Jim was employed in the shed packing grapes or whatever fruit was in season. Sergio was given the task of shooting the sparrows - being careful not to shoot the hawks as they helped to keep the birds away. Elisa always worried when Sergio was using the shot gun. Mr Ceccato (father of Aldo, Gino and Alexandro) also worked on Farm 472 up until World War II when he returned to Italy. At this time, Jim and Elisa fostered Aldo Ceccato (and other Ceccato sons). Aldo remained in Griffith where he married. Egidio and Elisa became naturalized Australians on 14 June 1946. Before the red Dodge ute with black mudguards was bought the family went to town to do their shopping on a horse drawn trailer. The trailer had wheels from a T Model Ford with wooden spokes, the seats were a couple of boxes or sometimes an old car seat. The first purchase was chaff bought at Cooper's Store near the Railway Station (where Hugh The "Cason" belonging to the (atto family - taken c. 1954. Then 70 years old. Crawford is now situated). Whilst the family shopped the horse and trailer were parked in what is now the Gemini Motel but then was just vacant land. There was a horse drinking trough and a sugar bag containing chaff was tied to the horse's neck with his mouth inside so that he could eat the chaff. After the shopping was completed Jim visited the Area Hotel for a beer at the bar while Elisa and the boys visited the Ladies Lounge. A beer was bought for Elisa and lemonade for the boys. The journey home would take an hour, with the boys sitting on the bags of chaff and dangling their legs over the side of the trailer. Jim purchased Farm 1383 which was planted with only one row of red apples. The family planted some orange trees on the new farm and as Jim continued to work for Mr Holroyd, Elisa and Sergio were the main workers on the farm. To supplement their income, whilst waiting for the trees to bear, they planted peas, rockmelons, tomatoes, etc. The farm eventually was called a "fruit salad" farm because of all the fruit varieties. Jim suffered from asthma which made farm work difficult so Emo worked the farm until 1950 when Nino took over after leaving school. In 1954 both Emo and Sergio bought farms of their own. Nino also bought his own farm and together with his father ran both farms until Jim's death in 1963, after which Nino continued to work the two farms. They 305

picked and packed their own fruit until 1968, then took their fruit to the Griffith Producers for a number of years and at the present time all their fruit is packed by Mario's Packing House. The original farm is still in the Gatto family, being worked by Jim's son, Nino, and his grandsons, Glen and Mark.

January 1962 - The Gatto Family L to R: Standing at the back - Guerino ("Nino") and Ricario. Sitting - Elisa nursing Sandra, Frank, Gigetta nursing Lynette, Emilio ("Mill"), Egidio (holding bottle of beer), Eileen, Lorraine, Elese, Nicodemo ("Emo"), Sergio and Loretta. (Baby Michelle asleep in another room)

Quirino Gatto born 1873 married Angela Sonora born 1875 * Egidio Gatto born Caerano S. Marco 21 August 1898 died Griffith 8 October 1963

Antonio Bittante born 1859 married Elisa Ileer/Herr born 1864 married *

Elisa Bittante born Bekeriet, Switzerland 31 May 1898 died Griffith 24 January 1974/1975

Sergio born Caerano S.Marco, Italy 16 October 1916; married Eileen Kirkwood of Farm 1700, Griffith. Retired - lives at Griffith. Three children - Loretta, Ricardo and Frank.

Nicodemo ("Emo") born Caerano S. Marco, Italy 1923; married Gigetta Signor of Italy. Retired - lives at Yoogali. One son, Robert (dec'd), three daughters - Sandra, Lynette and Lisa.

Emilio ("Mill") born Caerano S. Marco, Italy 1930; married Lorraine Tonics of Sydney. Lives at Farm 1383, Griffith. Two children - Martin and Kylie.

Guerino ("Nino") born at Hanwood in 1932; married Elese Signor of Farm 2383, Bilbul. Lives at Farm 1383, Griffith. Three children - Michelle, Glen and Mark.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Nino Gatto, Farm 1383, Griffith 2680. 306

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GEE The Gee family first arrived in Australia from Northern Ireland in 1851; landing in Melbourne. They made their way to the goldfields in Ballarat and Bendigo by way of bullock drays and wagons. All being miners they followed the goldfields, some members of the family even going to Western Australia.

The family of William and Hannah Gee L to R: Back - John William, Walter Charles, Harry (the father of Harry Ilerbert Sampson Gee who came to Griffith) and David Centre - Thomas, Jane Charlotte, William James (father), Elizabeth and Susan Hannah (mother) Front - Frederick and Norman.

Robert Gee tells - "My grandfather, Harry Gee, went to Broken Hill and worked in the mines until his lungs gave in from the dust, which eventually killed him." Harry and his wife, Edith May (née Bray), were both born and married in Bendigo Vic. Their two sons, Harry and William, were also born there. After his lungs became diseased, Harry and Edith came by train to Willbriggie and from there to Griffith by horse dray. They settled on Farm 969 - it is believed that the farms were given as compensation for lung complaints that the men had recieved from working in the mines. Harry drew the farm in 1922 and died in 1924 leaving his wife and two sons to run the farm. Harry was only 42 years of age and his eldest son, Harry, was eighteen and William was eleven.

308

Harry Herbert Gee and Edith May (nee Bray), with son Ilarry

The farm remained in the family until 1973. Harry Gee born Bendigo Vic c. 1882, died Griffith November 1924 married 22 June 1904 Edith May Bray born Bendigo Vic 1893, died Griffith c.1957 4'

Harry Herbert Sampson born Bendigo 1906, died Griffith 19 April 1968 aged 61 yrs. Married Eileen Nita Cousens (born Bendigo 16 April 1907; died 24 October 1940). Five children Robert Harry married Phyllis Florence Wall 1. Eileen Edith (dec'd 1972) - unmarried 2. William Albert ("Bronco") (dec'd 1985) 3. married Janice Oakey Kathleen married Geoffery Gullifer 4. Elsie Betty (dec'd February 1939, aged 3 5. months).

William James born Bendigo Vic 1913, died 2 January 1954. Married Iris Ellesmere. Two children 1. 2.

William married Jean Turner. Betty married Sandy Skinner.

Eileen Gee (nee Cousens)

The children of Harry Herbert Gee and Eileen Nita (née Cousens) Standing at the back: Robert Harry Sitting: William Albert, Kathleen, Eileen Edith. Entry and photograpths by courtesy of Robert Harry Gee,

40 Lawson Crescent, Griffith 2680. 309

GIBBS William Mark Gibbs was born at Mosterton, Dorset, England and in 1886, at the age of three, came to Australia with his parents Job and Mary Gibbs and six brothers and sisters, landing in Port Phillip Bay on the "Habsburg". The family took up land at Gowangardie South near Violet Town, Victoria and named the property "Dorset Hill". William married Isabel Daphne Beryl Moore (known as Daphne) and in 1927 with their five children moved to Griffith. The family lived in Griffith on Farm 959 while Bill Gibbs and his two elder sons, Lionel and Os, camped during the week on their property, "Willow Bend" at Benerembah. The first year Bill and his nephew sowed 500 acres of wheat and stripped only 150 bags off the lot owing to drought. The next year Bill put in a 14" pump on the Mirrool Creek, driven by a steam engine, and as a result stripped 2,500 bags of wheat off the same acreage. This pump was used for irrigation from the creek Bill and Daphne Gibbs until Commission water was supplied to Benerembah District. To fuel the steam engine the property was gradually cleared of timber. After watering the wheat that second year, Bill Gibbs and Bob Irvin Snr were successful in obtaining the first contract let by Wade Shire for road building. They cleared and formed the Hillston Road from what is now Brown's Road to the end of Wade Shire just before Warburn Siding. Owing to the Depression the family moved to live in a shed on the farm. Mrs Gibbs, with the help of daughter Dulcie, raised turkeys and hens and made butter for sale to help the family income during those depression years. Eventually a house was built and later remodelled. Tobacco seedlings were grown from 1930 to 1936 and delivered to tobacco growers in Victoria. 310

L to R: Os, Digger, Lionel in Light horse Uniform, 1938

Reg McNamara and Bill Gibbs. They were close friends and shooting companions

311

Bill Gibbs won the Master Farmers' competition two years running just before the Second World War. The boys were keen horsemen and young visitors were taken horse riding as well as being well catered for by Mrs Gibbs. Prior to the war the three eldest boys joined the 21st Light Horse. During the years before the war the eldest son Lionel, with the help of his brothers, built a glider and flew it, crashed it, and rebuilt it. When war broke our Lionel joined the R.A.A.F. and was later killed in action in 1943 when his plane, on a Pathfinder Mission, crashed in Holland where he is buried. Os kept his farm going during the war while Digger served in the A.I.F. The youngest son Roy served in the Occupation Forces in Japan. Bill Gibbs' main sporting interest was shooting. He was first reserve for the Australian Clay Target team in the 1956 Olympic Games. He was a Life Member of Griffith Gun Club and travelled successfully to many other clubs. He was also a keen duck shooter. Bill was very active in farmers' organisations and the local Agricultural Show Lionel Gibbs 1940 in R.A.A.F. uniform Society. Daphne Gibbs was a very keen gardener and when, in later years, she and Bill moved to live in Evatt Street, Griffith, she continued her interest in her garden. Bill died in 1968 and Daphne died in 1973. Both are buried in Griffith. The Family: 1.

William Lionel horn 1912, killed in action 1943, buried in Holland. Married Dorothy Long.

Oswald Francis born 1914, living on Farm 2364, Warburn. Married Elma Letheby.

Dukie Emily born 1917, living in Parkes NSW. Married Vivian Evans (dec'd), and later William Smith (dec'd).

Harold George ("Digger") born 1921, living on "Willow Bend", Warburn. Married Eileen Brown.

Roy James horn 1927, died 1977, buried in Griffith. Married Myra Roach.

Entry and photos by courtesy of Eileen Gibbs (née Brown), "Willow Bend", Warburn. 312

GOLDBERG Solomon Goldberg was born in Palestine in 1901, the third of four children of Leon and Betty (née Feinberg) Goldberg. Shortly after Solomon's birth his father, Leon Goldberg, left the family to make a new start in Australia. He settled in Geraldton WA and eventually established a business and served for some years on the town council. In 1904 he had sufficient funds to send for the rest of the family to join him. In 1909 a fourth child was born in Australia. Solomon was awarded a scholarship to Perth Modern Secondary School. The family eventually re-located to Perth and when Solomon matriculated they moved again, this time to Sydney, to enable him to study medicine at Sydney University. He graduated in 1923. Shortly after graduation Solomon contracted to do a locum tenens for a Griffith medical practitioner - Dr Watkins. He returned to do a second locum and decided to settle in the area. At first he was in partnership with the doctor who employed him. He went into practice on his own Solomon Goldberg account and established the Loretto at the Surgery in Railway Street Courtesy Ruth Wilson (nee Goldberg) Hospital on the corner of Hyandra Street and Whitton Street opposite the then Methodist Church. It is thought he may have altered and extended an existing building which may possibly have been a boarding house or a Catholic property. (Sr O'Reilly, who was a Catholic, named her original little cottage hospital "Loretto". This is obviously where the name came from.) This would have been about 1929 or 1930. In 1929 Solomon visited the land of his birth. It was a time of Arab riots against the Jewish population. He served as a voluntary medical officer caring for the injured and also served on medical convoys. In Jerusalem he met Shoshana ("Suzanne") Cohen. After a brief courtship they married and returned to Australia, via Europe where Solomon undertook a course of study in Vienna with a master surgeon. On returning to Griffith he established his first surgery in Banna Avenue and later moved to Railway Street - roughly located behind the old Rio Theatre. Solomon and Suzanne built a house in Hyandra Street (opposite the Sertori family home). Their son, David, was born in 1930 and their daughter Ruth in 1932. They moved into their new home in 1935. As well as his medical practice Solomon also had an interest in farming and purchased a Beelbangera property in 1937/8 - a rice farm until the war years when it was converted to vegetable growing for the war effort where he employed a large contingent of Land Army girls as labourers.

313

Loretto hospital

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Solomon Goldberg with Loretto Staff Mrs Suzanne Goldberg in the car

Solomon Goldberg at "Carmel" ►

Rio Theatre

Photos courtesy Ruth Wilson (nee Goldberg)

314

About 1938/9 he also acquired a property at Benerembah called "Carmel" where he cultivated wheat and raised sheep. He also grew opium poppies (under licence from the Government) for the manufacture of medicinal drugs which were in short supply because of the war in Europe. In the thirties he became involved in establishing cinemas in Leeton (the "Roxy") and Griffith (the "Rio" and "Lyceum" theatres). The consortium was called the Riverina Picture Theatre Co (the land for the Lyceum was purchased in the name of "Riverina Theatres Ltd" Ed.). Harry Morel and some others were involved in the venture while it was managed by John Goldrick. As can be seen by the photo, the Rio Theatre was initially open air. In the mid 1950s Solomon The Goldberg home in Hyandra Street Goldberg transported Corriedale sheep with daughter, Ruth, standing at the entrance from "Carmel" to Israel. One group of Courtesy Betty Watts (née Jansen) sheep travelled by plane, then there were two shipments by sea. The manager of "Cannel", Claude Anderson, accompanied the sheep. The Goldberg family left Griffith in about 1956 although Solomon retained "Cannel" at Benerembah. He then had a very small medical practice in Sydney and supervised his agricultural interests at Benerembah and Hillston and also his sheep in Israel. Solomon died suddenly at the age of 65 years in 1966 and Suzanne died in 1989. David and Ruth both attended Griffith Infants, Primary and High Schools. They both went on to attend Sydney University - David studied Medicine and Ruth studied Arts. David married Talia Harlap. They have two children and they now live in Sydney. His sister, Ruth, married David Wilson. They have four children and also live in Sydney.

By courtesy Ruth Wilson (née Goldberg), Drumalbyn Road, Bellevue Hill 2023. 315

GRAHAM William ("Bill") Graham was born at Sebastopol (a suburb of Ballarat Vic) on 9 February 1894. Bill came to Ardlethan in his early twenties where he worked for John Pearson on his grazing property. He married Evelyn Feltwell when working as a storeman at the "Cash Club", later the Griffith Co-operative Society, at Bagtown. Prior to their marriage, Evelyn had been living with her sister, May, in Ardlethan. At the time, Bill rode his bicycle from Griffith to Ardlethan to woo Evelyn. They were married at Ardlethan in December 1920. They moved to Yenda in 1924 and lived in Henry Street until Bill's death in 1959 and Evelyn's death in 1970. Both Evelyn and Bill were musically gifted. Bill played the mouth organ and piccolo at social gatherings, whilst Evelyn, who possessed a fine soprano voice, would entertain with song. Bill worked on various rice properties before working for the Griffith Council for many years. During the Depression years he worked hard as a Evelyn Graham (nee Feltwell) grave digger at the Yenda cemetery. Daughter Courtesy the Graham Family Doreen recalls clearly the extreme exhaustion he suffered whilst performing this necessary task in heatwave conditions. Evelyn and Bill had five children - Andy born in 1921; Les in 1926; Ross in 1928; Betty in 1930 and Doreen in 1934. Andy worked at the Yenda Producers until he joined the Army in 1939. Prior to joining the Army, Andy was a popular figure at the local dances held in the CWA Hall, the Catholic Hall and the Grand Balls held in the Regent Theatre, Yenda, where he often acted as MC. He married Enid Pearson, a niece of Mrs Fred Dredge of Yenda. After their marriage, Andy joined his father-in-law in a joint manufacturing enterprise in Sydney, where he lived until his death in 1988. Les joined the Army in 1946 and was stationed at Moorebank in Sydney, where he met and married Eva Pearson, sister of Enid. Situations were then reversed with Eva living in Yenda with her husband. Eva and Les have lived in Yenda since their marriage in 1950 and have raised two sons, Bruce and David. Eva and Les worked for many years at McWilliams Winery and the Yenda Rice Mill respectively. Les was a member of the Yenda Fire Brigade for 27 years, the last eleven were served as Captain. Ross married in Sydney, where he raised a family and has lived for the past thirtysix years. Betty married Arthur Coote and lived in Yanco for several years. After the death of her husband Betty moved to Burcher and then later to Sydney with her family, where she now resides. Doreen married Max Cunial and has lived in Yenda all of her life. They spent their early years of married life on a fruit farm. After the sale of the farm in 1960, Max took on the position as Manager of the Yenda Diggers Club, a position he held for eighteen years. 316

The Graham Family • L to R: Back - Ross, Les, Evelyn, Bill Front - Betty and Doreen •

•

Over the years - two familiar faces on the Yenda Football gates Bob Laird Snr and Bill Graham

Doreen Graham - Yenda Cafe in the background

"Dis Way For De Sports" - Bill Graham 'clowning' with Freddie Dredge - Ardlethan Photos courtesy of the Graham Family

317

Max has been a long serving member of the Yenda Fire Brigade. Doreen has been a stalwart support to her husband and children Evelyn, Ann, Peter and Anthony and to various good causes in the town throughout the years. Doreen recalls the Depression years as a hard time for most families in Yenda. Bread and dripping was sometimes on the menu, as was damper and golden syrup. She remembers huge bags of broken biscuits purchased from the Co-op Store as quite a treat. Yabbying in the Yenda canal was an exciting event for the family and of course the feast that followed was even more exciting. Doreen remembers the good times they had as children, playing games such as rounders, oranges and lemons, drop the hanky and hide and These games were played with the seek. neighbours and often until dusk on most evenings. Les recalls picnics at the river and hikes in the Binya Hills as great family outings. Home made ginger beer and coconut ice were special treats on these occasions.

Bill Graham Courtesy the Graham Family

1920 - In front of the Store Sled of old Griffith Co-op at "Bagtown" L to R: Bill Flynn (standing in dray), Unknown, Unknown, Bill Graham (sitting on shaft of dray) Courtesy The Griffith Collection

Courtesy of Les Graham, Short Street, Yenda 2681 and Andrew Graham, GuildfOrd 2161. 318

GRIBBLE The first Gribbles of this family came to Australia as assisted migrants from Cornwall and arrived in Melbourne in 1848. They were John Benjamin Gribble and his wife Mary (nee Brown) and their four daughters and baby son. Roy Hazelhurst Gribble related their story to his daughter-in-law, Anne. Roy, who came onto Farm 1613, Yenda, in 1924 is the grandson of that baby son. Several of John Benjamin Gribble's descendants were church rectors, involved in setting up and managing Aboriginal missions. Roy's mother was a granddaughter of Benjamin Rixon, one of the first triplets born (1806) in the new colony.

The Rev Gribble and his family L to R - Standing: Dorothy, Rev Arthur Gribble, Hazel Sitting: Clem, Selina Alice (nee Rixon) nursing baby Lorna, Norman, Gwen Sitting on the floor: Roy and Aubrey

Roy Hazelhurst Gribble was born in Maryborough Qld, 1904, when his parents were missionaries on Fraser Island. After leaving Fraser Island the family moved on to Trafalgar, Heyfield, Gulgong, Coonamble, Millthorpe and Barellan. Leaving school Roy started work, aged 17 years, as a jackeroo near Cobar for twenty five shillings per week. He first came to Yenda in 1923 to help his sister Hazel and her husband, Ted Procter, on their new farm at Myall Park. This is the northern end of the MIA, on the edge of the irrigation and dry areas. He also did farm work for others. Fencing was sixpence per hole, two feet deep and a halfpenny per hole to bore the posts. Roy and his father, then the Minister at Barellan, looked at farms to buy around Barellan but they were too expensive. They found Farm 1613, Yenda, for sale and purchased it. But at that time only returned soldiers could own these farms so it was purchased in his father's name. (Later the sons of Returned Soldiers could own a farm).

319

Farm 1613 cost one hundred pounds (£100) and take over the existing debt with two horses thrown in for good measure. Originally only one hundred and fifty acres was irrigable but after a lot of scoop work, filling in of gilgai holes and ditching the farm (except for about twenty acres) all was able to be watered. The work pattern was - up at 5am, feed the horses, put on collars and harness, have breakfast and then off with the team. Six horses to start with and a three furrow plough; he would grow and cut up to fifty tons of oaten hay annually to feed the horses. The contracter was paid five shillings per ton to cart and stack the hay. Sheep on agistment cost one penny per head per week. In lieu of payment of Shire rates, Gordon Poole and Roy formed up part of the Myall Park Road, part of Gribbles Road and part of Wallace Lane. He did all the work on the farm; bought an old Massey header from a man at Barellan, stripped the crop in the daylight, sewed the bags after tea often Selina Alice Gribble (nee Rixon) by the light of a hurricane lantern, then carted the harvest in and Marge Gribble to the Yenda Railway Station. The WC & IC drew up the plans for ditches and check banks - often the plan was terrible. Some bays were only about half an acre, in some cases nine inches of water on the lower end and one inch on the top end; the bank had to be at least eight inches across the top. If the Inspector said that another ploughing and delving was needed, one waited for a week and another inspector - he would often pass the job. Roy batched for six years before he met his future wife, Marjorie Estelle ("Marge") Reilly (see Reilly entry this Series) who lived on her father's farm at Myall Park. Roy harvested his first rice crop in 1929; the proceeds of which enabled him to pay the first instalment on a "coffee pot" rice header, get married, go on a honeymoon and buy some furniture. Rice harvest would start about Anzac Day; eight horses in the header in wet years and lucky to get five tons of rice off per day. (In 1956 Roy and son Paul purchased the first auto header in the Myall Marjorie ("Marge") and Roy Gribble Park area and began bulk rice handling). Roy and Marge had two children - Leola Robin (known as "Bobbie") born 1931 and Paul, born 1935. Roy was a foundation member of Yenda Rotary Club, president of Yenda RSL and served on the Griffith Show Society for a number of years. Roy served in the Middle East during WWII and the Yenda Tourist Information Bay is named after him. Marge was a strong supporter of the church and Inner Wheel Club. Paul, wife Anne and sons Chris and Rod, continue to farm 1613 with the addition of two dry area properties making nearly seventy years on the farm for one family.

320

John Benjamin Gribble born England married 1830 Mary Brown • Benjamin John Brown Gribble (1847-1893) married Mary Anne Elizabeth Bulmer (1848-1928) • Arthur Hazelhurst Gribble married Selina Alice Rixon (1873-1951) • •

Herbert Norman Arthur married Hilda McCrony. 2.

Clement John

Hazel Alice married Edward Procter.

Dorothy Ena married Reg Gray.

Gwendolin Vera married Frank Luff.

Roy Hazelhurst Gribble born Maryborough Qld 1904; married 1930 Marjorie Estelle ("Marge") Reilly (1908-1984 - See Reilly entry this Series.) Roy lives at Yenda. Two children: 1.

Leola Robin ("Bobbie") born Griffith 1931; married 1953 John Pickup; three children - Susan, Janet (married David Pickering) and Alison.

Paul, "Tinker" and his dog

Paul born Griffith 1935; married 1957 Anne Sophia Bardney; three sons - Chris, Rod (married Carole Murray) and Guy.

Aubrey Rixon married Linda Shaw.

Lorna Jean married Eric Harris.

Vivien Wellesly married Lauris Graham.

Paul and Bobbie

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Paul and Anne Gribble, Farm 1613, Yenda 2681. 321

GRIFFIN Theodora Griffin (also known as Sister Griffin and "Teedie") was born at Copeton NSW on 9 February 1898. She was the third daughter of John and Mary Griffin. Her elder sisters were Kathleen Langhof and Nancy Blumer, and her younger sister, Dorothy Vining. Sister Griffin started nursing at a private hospital in Maitland, but came to Griffith at the request of Nancy and Paul Blumer to take over "Woodlands" Private Maternity Hospital, which was owned by Dr David Bodycomb. Theo came to Griffith in the mid 1920s and remained at "Woodlands" until the hospital was sold in 1938. During that time hundreds, or even thousands, of babies were born at "Woodlands" and Sister Griffin's name became known throughout the Area. Other sisters there were Sister Mitchell, Sister Harcourt and Nurse Millicent Hetherington (now Mrs Millie de Saxe). Sister Theo ("Teedie") Griffin When Archie Tully's wife died after giving Courtesy Garry Blumer birth to twins, the twins Allan and Alison, were looked after by Theo and the staff, and her nephews Paul John and Garry Blumer, for some months until arrangements could be made for their care. In 1935, Dr Bodycomb and his family left Griffith and went to live in Melbourne where he set up practice in Toorak. Dr E W Burrell continued with "Woodlands" until it was sold in 1938 and Dr Burrell built and operated his own private maternity hospital, St Lukes, opposite the Jondaryan Club. After the close of "Woodlands" Theo celebrated her retirement by taking a cruise to New Zealand with her nephew, Paul John Blumer, on the "SS Orcades". (This ship was later sunk by a German submarine during World War II.) On their return to Griffith after the cruise, Theo and Paul John introduced the dance "The Lambeth Walk" to Griffith at dances and parties. Sadly, Theo then left Griffith and did not return to live here until after her husband, Wylie Mothers & Babes outside "Woodlands" Cullen, died. She lived with Dorothy Vining, her Hospital with Sr Theo Griffin sister, at Noorilla Street, Griffith, until her death and Sr Iris Harcourt on 1 July 1973. "Teedie" was sadly missed by all Courtesy Millie de Saxe her friends, relations and ex-patients.

By courtesy of Garry Blumer, 33 Wood Road, Griffith 2680. 322

GRIFFIN William Richard Griffin was born at Galston NSW in 1880. He married Mary Isobel Downer Harvey at Hunters Hill in 1902. Mary's father, Elijah Harvey, was born in England about 1843. He was a carpenter who migrated to Australia, before his family. His wife, Martha, and four children followed later. Elijah settled in Galston, opened the first post office there and took the mail by sulky across Galston Gorge to Hornsby where it went by rail to Sydney. Mary Griffin was their eldest daughter and was born at Shirley, Southampton, about 1876. William Richard Griffin (always known as Richard) was reared by his grandparents. His father, Richard Griffin, was a Master Butcher. Richard Jnr was an orchardist working for Judge Bevan on his orchard when he met Mary. Richard and Mary had three children Jeanette, Ruth and Stanley. Mary died at the birth of their son in 1907 and is buried in Dural cemetery. After some years Richard married again - and applied for the position of Fruit Inspector with the WC & IC at Leeton. The family travelled from Galston to Yanco by train and thence to an unfinished house by horse and cart. They later moved to Government-erected tents on a location that is now the Leeton Showground. He held this position at Leeton for four years before transferring to Griffith on 1 December 1921. Richard and his second wife, Molly, travelled from Leeton in a motor bike and sidecar. Jeanette and Ruth arrived by sulky and Stanley was on the lorry with the family's furniture. Ruth says they had a lovely all-day drive! It was a novelty going so far and they enjoyed every minute of the open spaces. They arrived about 5.30 pm after a very early start from Leeton. The children hated leaving Leeton but settled in their new surroundings in Griffith after making new friends. In Griffith they stayed on Farm 1704 in a lovely old residence built in 1913 for Resident Engineer Higginson. (This house is still a lovely home, almost opposite the CSIRO and until recent years owned by the Trewin family.) Remembering, Ruth says - "There were plenty of rooms and a wonderful verandah on which to walk and play - and later, as we grew older on which to dance." She remembers dancing the Charleston on the verandah. They even tried roller skating there - "always making sure Mum and Dad were out". Richard rebuilt the tennis court and "Nette" (as Jeanette was always known) renamed it "Oldenu". They had some great tennis days, held tournaments for the hospital and gave them a nice little cheque as a result. "Nette" remembers that the girls wore print frocks and aprons and boots to school and the boys wore shorts or knickerbockers. Women nearly always wore aprons over their frocks and had house frocks and "going out" frocks. The men wore much the same as today - waistcoats were commonly worn and mostly boots, except for very special occasions, e.g. dances and weddings. Children's sports, seldom played now, were marbles, tops, rounders and, of course, tennis and cricket. The family loved to go to the pictures on a Saturday night and also enjoyed Mrs Hawkins playing the piano. Ruth remembers the day the Lyceum Theatre was partly blown down and the roof blown off. The building was demolished and rebuilt. When it was rebuilt as far as the new floor but with no sides, an "Outdoor Dance" was held, which was a huge success. "How about a trip down to Darlington Point on a horse-drawn lorry? Yes, there were several. We sure had sore 'Eats' the next day, but it was worth it all. We also went 323

out to the dam on Mirrool Creek and had a swim among the leeches - but these were soon removed. Then on to a dance, riding our bikes three miles with a hurricane lamp, more concerned about our shoes than our bikes. While we danced the bikes were hidden against the wall under Dave Taylor's shop. Everyone owned a bike." Richard and his family stayed in Griffith until 1928, when he was transferred to the Castle Hill district with the Department of Agriculture. Ruth married Bill Bradley and they lived at Wollongong until 1967. Nette lived with her parents at Castle Hill until her marriage to Fred Manser when they came back to Griffith to live and raise their family.

Picnic at Mirrool Creek L to R - Back: Lionel Merritt, Stan Gilliard (Pianist), Unknown, Bill Bradley (Violinist), Clarrie Johnson, DoIf Whiskin, Gomer Hawke (Bank), Kath O'Meara, Jim Fallon, Ally Osborne, Nette and Ruth Griffin Front: Kitty Whiskin (née Bell), Unknown, Roy Rogan, Unknown, Jessie Sangster, Worked in Speirs Jeweller's Shop - Roy Elphick (?), Val Harris, Win Harris. Courtesy The Griffith Collection.

William Richard Griffin born Galston NSW 1880; died 1933 (cremated - Rookwood NSW) MARRIED (I) Mary Isobel Downer Harvey born Shirley, Southampton c. 1876; died 1907 (buried Dural NSW) • Jeanette ("Nette") born Galston NSW 28 August 1903; married William Frederick Manser (dec'd). 1. Two children - Warren and Leone (dec'd). "Nette" now lives at The Entrance NSW. 2.

Ruth Lillian born Galston NSW 8 February 1906; married William Leaney Bradley (dec'd). One son, Murnan Leany who died at Wollongong at the age of 20 years. Ruth now lives at Canterbury NSW.

Stanley Murnan (dec'd) born Galston NSW 1 December 1907; married (1) Margaret Bell of Griffith (dec'd). Two sons - Gordon and Richard. Married (2) Nancy Jack of Wagga (dec'd). Three children Judith, lain and Susan.

MARRIED (2) Molly Ilyland (no children).

By courtesy of Jeanette Manser (née Griffin) and Ruth Bradley (née Griffin), 8/6 Kresser Grove, Canterbury 2193. 324

HALL Thomas James Hall was born at Ballnakelly in Northern Ireland on 23 October 1884. He came to Australia before World War I and worked on the construction of Burrinjuck Dam. He joined the AIF as a gunner and saw active service in France. On his discharge he was allotted Soldier Settlement Farm 570 near Yenda in October 1919. He went back to Ireland to visit his family and on his return to Australia he met Eleanor Kirby who was born at Leytonstone, England and they were married in Melbourne in 1922. They returned to the farm where two daughters were born, Eileen in 1923 and Jean Elizabeth in 1924. Their son, James Anthony was born in 1929. Later Thomas joined the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission and worked for several years as a Water Bailiff in the Yenda area, later being transferred to their Griffith office. During this time their only son, James Anthony was killed on his motor bike at the railway crossing near Dr Dalton's surgery. Thomas and Eleanor retired to Cronulla in 1949. Eleanor died in 1953 and in 1961 Thomas moved to Cooranbong, near Newcastle to be close to his family where he died in 1973.

Thomas James Hall

Eleanor Hall (née Kirby) Eileen and Jean Hall

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Jean Campbell (née Hall), 114 Turnbull Street, Hamilton 2303. 325

HAMILTON/LOW Dorothy Low remembers - "My parents, Percy and Mildred Hamilton, settled permanently on Farm 348 Yenda after their marriage in 1922, Percy having come to Yenda in 1919. He worked away from the farm for grain merchants - Kerridge and McMahon in Yenda - as a salesman. Our farm was cleared and fenced with the help of Percy's brothers, Jack and David, from Queensland. "Rice growing was established in the Area by Sid Marchinton who grew the first crop, on the neighbouring farm, in 1925. Percy began growing rice some time between then and 1929. In that year Percy's rice grown for the 1929 Agricultural Society's Competition came second, with 242 points. Mr HayesWilliams took out first place with 251 points. As well as growing rice, sheep were also run. As time passed my only brother, David, began farming until his untimely death in 1949." Following in his father's footsteps Percy became a Councillor for sixteen years twelve years of that time as Shire President. He willingly gave of his time to Council and He was a strong community progress. instigator for the establishment of the Griffith Percy Hamilton and Mildred (née Marriott) Aerodrome and was also a member of the Pastures Protection Board, Narrandera. As Shire President, Percy was very much involved with discussions regarding the upgrading of the local cemetery. After much discussion between the President and the senior Funeral Director, agreement was finally reached for the work to be carried out. At the time Percy, the Shire President, said "Thank you for your co-operation in this matter". The reply from the Director "Don't worry Mr President. I'll be the last to let you down!". (Loud laughter!) Percy refused to have cows on his farm or be involved with dairying for the reason that there was, at that time, rather than the lack of transport, no refrigeration - "the milk would be sour before it left the cow" was his comment! On another occasion, after a profitable day at the sheep sales and a few beers, Percy took his neighbour home - the neighbours having purchased some sausages for tea. Greeted with vigour by the sheep dogs, the sausages came adrift as Mr Hardiman trooped up the driveway. The trail of sausages grew shorter by the minute, consumed by the dogs, before he realised why the dogs were overjoyed to see him! "Never did hear what kind of reception he received on arrival home", comments Dorothy.

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Mildred Hamilton (nee Marriott) came to Yenda in 1920 to housekeep for her brother, Wilf Marriott. She would have come either by sulky or on horseback. In the early days she was elected "Princess of Yenda". Remembered with amusement is the remark made by Mildred regarding the constant fighting of the Dorset Horn rams - "They must get dreadful headaches". Before coming to this Area, Mildred was a Voluntary Nurses Aid, giving hours of her time caring for World War I men in a Nursing Home in Nowra during and after the war. Here daughter, Dorothy reminiscing about her childhood during early days in Yenda, says - "Lots of fun was enjoyed with neighbouring families - adults and children visiting each others homes. We spent hours rolling and racing each other on 44 gallon drums until one of our neighbours fell and broke an arm. The pastime was 'taboo' from then on - especially if our parents were around! "Once again, a 44 gallon drum, cut in half, was used as a canoe on dams and channels - even the dogs rode with us until we capsized and sunk each other. We swam in the dams and canals and even the leeches didn't deter us. Percy Hamilton "I was born on the MIA and educated at the in Mayoral Robes Yenda Public and Griffith High School. We shared a car with next door neighbours - our parents taking it in turn to drive four of us to school in our younger years. Next came horse and bike riding or sharing a sulky with neighbours. Despite all the years of pranks and mischief we managed to survive horse races, sulky races and a buck jump show in Yenda town - one only - before parents were quickly informed, by a shopkeeper, of the dangers etc. Next, Griffith High School - once again years of fun, mischief etc. We travelled by Ritchie's bus and the bus driver needed eyes in the back of his head! The buses were crowded and were called the 'Sardine Tin', with the 'oil' in the summer and without in winter. There always seemed to be a problem to start the bus on a frosty morning. Cases were stacked in roof racks by a student and the bus driver would ask 'Are we ready to go?'. 'Yes, let's go' came the answer from a certain student (doubt anyone would know who that was?) As we awaited the bus it appeared, through the thick fog, with a figure huddled on the roof and covered in frost. I doubt that the driver ever knew about that incident!" Dorothy further recalled - "I also drove David and friend viewing model of sheep to Griffith saleyards on horseback - 'Brownie' original Settler's farm made by David

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my pony and `Darkie' the kelpie sheepdog as helper. I was possibly the only farmer's daughter who did this job from a very young age. "I finished High School in 1941 and began nursing training at Royal North Shore Hospital but became medically unfit because of foot problems. Next attended business college in Sydney - couldn't finish that quickly enough. Next was enlistment in Australian Womens Army Service where I served about three years, before being discharged in 1946. I then travelled to Brisbane with some Army mates and worked in Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade until being interviewed for a job as a clerk/typist in Port Moresby. I was asked 'How soon can you leave, staff is needed immediately.' I phoned my parents and told them - 'Do as you wish', was their answer, 'and Good Luck'. Flying to Port Moresby, accommodation was at the Single Women's Barracks - locally known as 'The Stables'. "Here I worked for Post War Reconstruction in Port Moresby. My new name was `Sinabada', which in New Guinea stood for 'White Woman' or `Mrs'." In 1950 Dorothy married Frank Low in Port Moresby and after the wedding sailed to Australia on board the "Bulolo" as Frank had to undergo surgery in Australia. Frank, born in Sydney, had followed his father, also Frank Low, to New Guinea, at the age of 18 years. In 1935 he sailed on the "Macdhui" which was later sunk in Port Moresby harbour by the Japanese during the war. He was engaged in gold mining at Edie Creek, New Guinea and Misma Island, Papua before enlisting in Australia during World War II. He returned and served with "Angau" on the Kakoda Trail. `Loaned' by the Army because of his previous experience in plantation management on coconut and rubber plantations to the British New Guinea Trading Co, this was a stint of on leave without pay from AIF during the latter stages of his service during the war. He was manager of a coconut plantation at Otamata, Dorothy and Frank Papua and the assistant manager of Kanosia Rubber "Newly-Weds" om Sydney Estate, Galley Reach, Papua. Discharged from the Army in Australia 1946 Frank returned to Kanosia, Papua. Later he was employed by the Australia Petroleum Co in oil search. He then went to Lae to run the waterborne section of Morobe Transport Co, working for Mick Leahy, until seriously injured whilst lightering cargo in Lae Harbour which resulted in the need for surgery to his left wrist. It was during this time that Frank met Dorothy in Port Moresby. After surgery and some time spent in hospital the young couple returned to Yenda and took over the management of Farms 348 and 350. Their five children were all born at the Griffith District Hospital. Dorothy's introduction to her future father-in-law was shortly after she and Frank became engaged and Frank took her to meet his Dad in Wau, New Guinea. Having told him that she had been born in Griffith she was startled by his reply - "First place the good Lord

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made and forgot to finish!" His next question was as to whether they were any hotels in Griffith? - "Yes," replied Dot. Frank's senior's comment about that was - "I always said if hotels or liquor licences were issued in the MIA farmers would go broke due to heat, dust and thirst and publicans would become millionaires!!" The outcome of this conversation was to reveal that Frank Low (snr) and his two brothers had come to Griffith in 1913! Coming from Sydney, Frank (snr) and his brothers, Sinclair and Robert, had arrived on the train to Willbriggie and walked the fifteen miles to Bagtown. Later they were followed by Frank's wife, Margaret, and their six weeks old infant daughter, Edna. Margaret also arrived at Willbriggie and travelled to Bagtown by Micky Cush's coach. Frank was a carcass L to R: Frank Low, Mildred Hamilton, butcher while Sinclair and Robert were both Dorothy Low (nee Hamilton) and Percy Hamilton stone masons. Before taking up a block, in the vicinity of Alan Little's farm, the family lived in tents at Bagtown. It is not known whether the brothers ever lived on their block of land in the Hanwood area or planted any fruit trees but they did have dairy cattle. Frank and Margaret stayed in the district about two years - helping his brothers clear, fence and establish the land. Frank also worked at the Quarry on Scenic Hill. Whether they all walked off the land together is not known. Frank, his wife Margaret and tiny Edna returned to Sydney. Sinclair went back to his trade of stone mason and as well as making concrete posts he built the original Technical College in Yambil Street sometime in the early 1920s. Robert started a bootmakers shop in Griffith and they remained in Griffith until 1925. When the decision to leave the land was made Moses Gollan and his team was employed to move in to cut the hay. Money was scarce! This story was told to Frank junior by Percy Cox - It was decided that to enable them to pay Moses Gollan for the job the last cow was milked and then slaughtered - thus providing the meat for the workers and the milk for their tea from the same cow! Another story told to Dorothy by Frank (snr) was, as food was also very scarce, Margaret watched with delight as Frank struggled home with a huge Murray Cod over his shoulder which had become caught under a water-wheel "We eat Again!!". Margaret Low was to tell of wrapping the baby Edna in wet towels in order for her to survive. "So", concludes Dot. "It seems the wheel turned the full circle. Frank's parents came to the MIA David iliuuilton in 1913. My parents, Percy and Mildred, came here

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after World War I. Almost coincidentally Frank and I met in New Guinea after WWII and married in Port Moresby. All our children have been born here in Griffith - our sons, Greg and Tim, are farming here still. Perhaps there is some truth in the old saying - Once having drunk the channel water, one will always return - even if it is transferred via parents."

Taken on Wilf Marriott's first farm at Yenda secured by ballot, after WWI. Mildred Marriott (later Mrs Percy Hamilton) on horse. Wilf Marriott sitting on fence under tree. Other persons unknown. R C Fullarton's horse-drawn photographer's van in right hand corner background.

Robert & Ellen Hamilton buried Allora Qld • Percy Hamilton born Walcha NSW 16 Dec 1889 died Farm 348 Yenda 2 May 1964 buried Griffith NSW

married Nowra NSW 16 Dec 1922 •

Thomas & Annie Marriott buried Nowra NSW • Mildred Marriott born Nowra 23 Feb 1897 died Nowra 22 Feb 1990 cremated Dapto NSW ashes interred Griffith

• Dorothy Ellen born Loretto Hospital, Griffith 21 July 1924. Married Frank Low, five children - Gregory, Suzanne, Christopher, Matthew and Timothy. Dorothy and Frank live at Huskisson NSW. David Carlton born Griffith 1927 accidentally killed 9 November 1949 aged 22 years. Buried Griffith.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Dorothy Low (nee Hamilton), 10 Duncan Street, Huskisson 2540.

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HARDWICK Joseph James ("Jim") Hardwick was born in England, at Chew Magna in the County of Somerset on 10 May 1893. Having lost his mother at birth, Jim lived with and was reared by his grandparents. After the death of his wife, Jim's father left England to live in America, taking with him the elder boy, John. A daughter, Dorothy, also stayed in England rather than go to America. Eventually their father re-married in America and had another daughter. Dorothy married George Fenn who later farmed at Tharbogang on Farm 1728. They had two sons - Les who grew up here and now lives in Adelaide and Walter who also grew up here, married local girl, Joan Mills (see Mills entry this Series) and recently retired from the Anglican ministry. They now live in Griffith. As a young man Jim Hardwick worked Jim Hardwick on the family farm in Somerset. The work was heavy in those days - lumping five bushel sacks and cutting grass using a scythe. He decided to emigrate to Australia which he did on an assisted passage for the cost of £5 aboard the S.S. "Ballarat" probably boarding at Plymouth near his home. On his arrival he immediately travelled to a property west of Parkes where he worked as a farm hand. This work involved fencing, working in shearing sheds and travelling with chaff cutting machinery about the district of Bogan Gate. There he met and courted Alice Maude Rawson, a land owner's daughter. Alice's parents were early settlers in the Bogan Gate area where they also owned a mixed business. They had come from Geelong, Victoria. Alice was the second eldest of their eight children - Elsie, Alice, Horrie, Ken, Ernie, Arthur, Una Mary and Allan. Jim had come to Griffith in 1919 and when they married, on 24 March 1920, the couple decided to settle in Griffith. After a honeymoon in Sydney they travelled by train to Willbriggie and then by coach to old Griffith (Bagtown). After a temporary stopover there they moved to Bill Foote's farm at Yoogali where they boarded and kept house for Bill Foote and Jack Smith. While living here their first child, Kendle ("Ken") was born. Jim was one of the first three employees at the Griffith Producers. First he worked as a fruit packer then became their agent, visiting the new orchards selling oils, greases and spray material to the farmers. His ownership of a horse and sulky gave him preference for this job. Later, Jim was the first Vacuum Oil Company agent in Griffith. The depot was located at Farm 925. Jim and Alice eventually set up house on a one acre farm, No 925, now in Couch Road named after the Broken Hill miner of that name. This block was able to be flood irrigated from the back channel (now replaced by pipes under Coolah Street). 331

Delivering a load of frozen rabbits from the freezing works to the railway

Alice Hardwick on her 90th Birthday with some of her grandchildren and two great grandchildren

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This first home was two rooms and when electricity became available they were allowed two lights and one power point. Later the two rooms had a verandah built around and still later more rooms added to cater for a growing family of six children - Ken, Allan John (deceased 30 November 1923), Daisy, Ron, Bill and Bob. Jim bought a carrying business which would have been a The 1928 "Chev" horse and four-wheeled lorry from on the left, Alice at the Jim Hardwick someone at Beelbangera and set up steering wheel and Ken and Ron in the back seat a carrying business in Griffith and so became the first general carrier here. It was during World War I that Jim attempted to enlist but was rejected as being medically unfit and received a medal which had been especially struck for those who were rejected on medical grounds. After many years of hard work Jim's health began to fail so the decision to sell the business was made. It was sold to Bill Alpen who had previously worked for Jim Hardwick. Alice and Jim enjoyed playing golf with their family at Lake View golf course. Alice also liked her game of bowls. She was a life member of the Griffith Hospital Auxiliary and for many years a member of CWA. Jim could be recognised unseen by his ready and distinctive laugh. Jim died in 1961, aged 67 years. Alice passed away on 9 June 1991, aged 93 years. They had 24 grand children and 45 great grand children.

The Hardwick Family L to R - Standing: Bob, Ron, Daisy, Ken and Bill At the front: Jim and Alice

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Ken Hardwick, 75 Noorilla Street, Griffith 2680.

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HARRIS Charles Reginald ("Reg") Harris was born in Stoke Climsland, a small village about thirty miles from Plymouth, in Cornwall, England. He came to Australia in 1912, and was to have been met by a cousin when the It was ship arrived in Sydney. arranged that he wear a green ribbon in the lapel of his coat, but as the date was 17 March (St Patrick's Day) in the resulting multitude of green ribbons, the cousin was missed!! Employment may have been arranged before he left England - this is not known for certain but he left for Junee by train, where he was employed by a Mr Hillam, a farmer in that area. After a few months he decided to have a photo taken to send home to his Mother, and it was in the studio of Reuben Price Taylor, of Junee, he met Ruby Taylor (daughter of Reuben) this young lady Reg was later to marry. At the outbreak of war he joined the AIF and served with the 6th Light Horse Regiment in the Middle East, Gallipoli and France. On his return to Australia, he Charles Reginald and Ruby Margaret Harris married Ruby Taylor in 1919, at St (nee Taylor) - Wedding Day 1919 George's Church of England in Hurstville, Sydney. The couple lived in Hurstville for several years, awaiting their turn to draw a Soldier Settlement block. Two daughters were born at Hurstville. In 1922 Reg left Sydney to take up land at Myall Park, about two miles away from the irrigation area, on the 'dry', along the road to Rankins Springs - he named the property "Climsland" after his birthplace in Cornwall. Here he began preparing the land and building a house, while living in a tent on the property. In the summer of 1923, Ruby arrived at the Yenda Railway Station, with her two daughters, aged 3 and 1. After a night on the train, she prepared them to meet their father, dressing them in pale blue frocks, which had been carefully carried in a "dress basket". Yenda, in the morning sunlight, was a small gathering of iron buildings from which newly made red dirt roads went off in all directions. Reg met his family and conveyed them the ten miles to the farm on a sofa, perched on a horse-drawn wagon.

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The house was only partly finished, but the children loved playing in the dirt before the sitting room floor was put down! Water came from a tank just outside the kitchen. In the summer, when the tank was dry, it was carted from the canal in a Furphy tank. The laundry was a copper in the back yard. Mail and bread came from Yenda every Tuesday and Thursday. Ruby and the girls often spent the days helping Reg clear land, taking a picnic lunch and rugs on which the children had their afternoon sleep. Despite the obvious hardship, the early years were very happy ones and, with a few good years, plans for the future were rosy. The first school was a small iron building on 'Climsland', a 'subsidised Ruby Harris nursing Marion Gwen and Yvonne in foreground school'. The Teacher was Marjorie Reilly, thought to be first harvest - 1924 later Mrs Roy Gribble. The first pupils were Roy and Ted Procter, Gwen, Yvonne and Marion Harris. Later the school was moved to Cochrane's house, near Reilly's farm - later still a school house was built. The building is still there but it is no longer a school. It is now part of the Marcus property on which John Marcus lives.

A Farmers & Settlers Association Meeting 1925 Archie Marcus (near car, wearing bow tie and nursing Dave), Mrs J Anderson and Mrs J Coulter (sitting in front of car nursing Jessie (?) and Doris), Mr Burcher (2nd from car nursing Tommie), Mary Ilurcher (wearing hat, 4th from end front row), Bessie Coulter and Gwen Harris (at end of front row).

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Reg Harris from his earliest days in the Area was very interested in the Griffith Show Society and was secretary for some years. Show Day was a big day in the year - the girls usually had a new dress. Yvonne and Marion were keen horse riders and often competed. After years of drought and Depression, in 1937 the decision was made that these dry area holdings were not large enough for "a living area" and a relocation plan was put into action. Two or three farms were made into one. As a result, Reg and Ruby Harris sadly gave up 'Climsland' and moved into Griffith. Later, after the death of his wife, Reg remarried and lived at Broulee, near Moruya.

Charles Jarvis Harris born Cornwall, England buried Sydney NSW married Mary Elizabeth Congdon born Devon, England buried Sydney NSW Charles Reginald Harris born Stoke Climsland, Cornwall 27 May 1894 died Moruya NSW 11 October 1969 buried Canberra, ACT

Reuben Price Taylor born Birmingham, England buried Junee NSW married Frances H Smith born Taradale Vic buried Sydney NSW MARRIED (1) Hurstville, Sydney 1 Sept 1919

Gweneth born Hurstville 4 July 1920; married Thomas Quill; lives Montrose Vic

Yvonne born Hurstville 3 March 1922; died Bairnsdale Vic 1 June 1990; married Milton Murphy, Bairnsdale Vic

Ruby Margaret Taylor born Colac Vic 8 November 1894 died Griffith 21 June 1940 buried Griffith NSW

;Marion born Griffith 25 September 1924; died Griffith 7 November 1938, buried at Griffith 4.

Reginald ("Rex") born Griffith 25 December 1926; married Kath Duffell; lives at Smithton, near Kempsey NSW

Wendy born Carlton, Sydney 24 May 1931; married William Johns; lives Horsham Vic

MARRIED (2) 1944 - Ethel Purvis, born Cootamundra NSW, 29 July 1905. Lives at Sussex Inlet NSW.

Off to School - 1930 Courtesy Gwen Quill (née Harris)

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Gwen Quill (nee Harris), 14 St James Avenue, Montrose 3765. 336

HARRIS Bob Harris tells his story:- "I was born at Carowra Tank north of Trida in 1920 the fourth child of John ("Jack") Harris and Tibby (née Williams ). When I was only a few years old we were forced to move to the Carowra Mission. My people were 'The Wongaibon' who lived north of the Lachlan River. "My grandfather, Dave Harris, came from Tasmania. He had eyes the colour of the skies. He was a station manager on "lallock' Station and later on `Keewong'. They are some miles south of Cobar, between Ivanhoe and Mt Hope. "My grandmother, was a full-blood aborigine, Emily Keewong, the daughter of Jimmy Keewong. Jimmy never wore clothes. He lived tribally and had nothing to do with white men. My grandmother died in 1910 when she was 40 years old. Her daughter, Mary Kennedy, was 28 years old when she died on 2 February 1916. I've been told by relatives that they both died in child-birth. They are buried at Mossgiel cemetery and have nice headstones. My grandfather got sick in Cobar and died in Sydney about 1920 I think. "When Dad left home he bought twelve horses and a 10 ton wagon at Ivanhoe. That was a big wagon for those days and he was going to make his fortune. Mum drove two horses pulling a wagonette. "We moved to Griffith when they started taking the young girls from the mission. (The The grave of Emily Harris (née Keewong) Aboriginal Protection & Welfare Board considered at Mossgiel that aborigines should assimilate - become part of the white community. They took the girls to live in homes and work as house-maids to learn to live as white people.) I had two sisters and Dad (Jack Harris) said he didn't want them to get our girls. Whymondes came to Griffith at the same time and for the same reason. I think this was about 1923. We camped near the canal west of Griffith. "Dad was born on `Yallock' Station in 1890. He died aged 87 and is buried in Griffith. My father's brother, my Uncle Dave, managed `Keewong' Station for 45 years until he retired. `Keewong' is not far from lrallock'. "Walter, Dad's younger brother, was sent to boarding school at Cobar. We were out of touch for many years until recently his grand-kids came looking for us. I met two of Uncle Walter's eight children - John is an architect and his sister, Kathleen, is university educated. Her husband worked for the United Nations in Nepal. John's daughter, Megan, is in Japan teaching English and her sister, Laura, attends University in Brisbane. They live in Coolangatta. "Murrin Bridge Mission at Lake Cargelligo was originally Carowra Mission. First it was shifted to Menindee. When they dug the holes for the pit toilets they dug up bones as it was on the site of an aboriginal burial ground. The old people soon started to die. 337

When the wind blew the dust killed the people. The old people's deaths were blamed on the dust by all us aboriginal people there. (Bone dust was used in a similar fashion as 'pointing the bone'.) So that was why the mission was shifted to Muffin Bridge. "Carowra is now a property called Wingdin' owned by Bob Vagg. Carowra Tank is a public-watering place. There were about 100 to 150 aboriginal people at Carowra Mission. There were the Cobar or Stone people, the Nelia or Needle Wattle people and our mob - the Trida - Belah (we say `Pillah') people. Our languages were similar. We could understand each other as only some words were different. At the mission we built our own bush shelters. We were given a ration of flour, tea, sugar, salt and a cereal to make porridge. If we ran out of porridge we mixed flour, sugar and hot tea and had that for breakfast. We called this `knumanay'. "A lot of the aborigines would not stay on the missions as they were too independent. If they had a job on the stations the Government couldn't touch them. "There were no rivers out in that place. A lot of the them people would not know what a river looked like. Our tribal group is called Wongaibon in books. But I pronounce it 'Wong-i-porn' with a soft 'g'. 'Wong-i-porn' meant a lot of nothing; no rivers or anything like that. We had our big corroborees and initiations and so on. It was about 1914 when the last initiation was held at Conoble Lake. This was before I was born, but I was told about it. "I knew an old bloke at Murrin Bridge who was there. His name is Archie King. A relative Jack King, was head of the 'Wong-i-porn' tribe. There were lots of Kings in our tribe. Jack King chose a wife for you; couldn't marry just any one. It was very carefully worked out so there was no in-breeding. "There was still a lot of people living their tribal life. I remember the last family they brought in late in the twenties. They refused to ride in a cart pulled by a horse. They couldn't speak any English. We mostly spoke our own language at the mission. They tried to teach us but I didn't learn much English until I got to Griffith. "We were brought up in tribal ways. If we couldn't track we wouldn't survive and we had to know the water holes. We ate kangaroo and so on. One time I was picking corn at Griffith and I ate so much I felt really sick. It reminded me of when I was very young I gathered `yarraypon' (the yellow skinned, red fleshed, black seed from the rosewood tree) in such large quantities and ate so much that I made myself sick then too. "The roots of a kurrajong tree has a sweet coconut taste. Its tap root is tasty too. Then there's the Toopa or Woody Pear. It will make your lips sore if you eat too many raw. It is better to cook it. "Fire was made by my elders by friction; a small stick twirled between the palms. I often saw them do it but I never did it. One of us boys had to carry a fire stick. If it went out we were in trouble so that was a job we tried to get out of. "My Dad told me that if there was a big drought we would all have to walk to the nearest river. We would only walk at night; it was cooler then. Dad said there were different water holes that might be forty or fifty miles apart; so they would have to travel that far in one night. Water was carried in hollow sticks holding a gallon or more. The women carried it; tied with a bit of kangaroo hide and hung over the shoulder. "The tools the 'Wong-i-porn' tribe used were the spear, the returning and killing boomerang and the `pountee' - a club for killing animals. The women used bags they had woven from the inner bark of kurrajong trees. They made ropes from the bark of kurrajong. 338

Jack Harris' Droving Plant

Thelma I larris

Alf Christian in front of Jack Harris' horse team

An old Whippett car cut down into a utility. One night's catch by Bob Harris using traps at Gunbar

Ted Harris - WWII

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"If Dad heard us talking in our tribal lingo he would 'go crook'. You had to live like the white boy. So we had to learn from our uncles and the aboriginal women. We learned from the women what you could eat and what you could not eat. When I went out with the women they would cook what they caught or gathered before they got back to the mission. One might say to me 'Get a kukurr (fire stick) and we'll give you some of this'. My favourite was the tail of a bogeye (Shingleback, Pine-cone or Stump-tail lizard); tastes a bit like lobster tail. Yam roots were common tucker. The kids had their `kanay' (sharpened sticks) for digging yams.

Bob and Ted started a travelling rodeo, rope spinning, rough riding etc and had travelled to Mildura when War broke out. They played guitar and played all the old cowboy songs. They were called "The Diamantina Rough Riders".

"Dad share-farmed at Boorga. Also at Monia Gap. He mostly grew wheat. He drew his own block and this was later owned by 'Jock' Bennett. Around about this time I went back where I was born and worked as a stockman. My brothers did too. Uncle Dave taught us a lot. We worked on `Keewong', 'Paddington', `Trida' and 'Irish Lords' mostly. "We worked also at the gypsum mines at Lake View using horses and scoops. When the war was on and it looked as though Australia was in danger we decided to join up. Ted joined up first. Some remember my brother Ted as a pretty smart dresser. He was also a keen bike rider; rode with Wally Trenerry. Ted rang me from Mildura and said he had had a bit of trouble getting into the army. He said it would be O.K. if you said you were of Indian descent; so that's what we did! "My number was VX 121402. Ted and I both joined up at Mildura. I trained at Puckapunyal. I was in the Light Horse and I was sent up to Gympie to stop the Japs. Then Earnie ("Kit") and Ron joined the Militia in NSW. Ted was sent up to New Guinea. He was killed just before the war ended, in 1945 1 think it was.

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"My brother, Kit, was badly burned in a fire and his legs had to be amputated. When he was at the rehabilitation centre he started painting. John Laws, the radio commentator, used to visit Kit when he was in hospital in Sydney." Finally Bob said in his gentle soft voice - "People say I should tell about the bad times, but I think they are better forgotten."

Kit in the workshop at the Prince of Wales Hospital

►

The Wedding Rhonda and Albert Cunial L to R: Back - Norman Cousins, Christine Tucker (nee Cunial), Albert Cunial, Rhonda Cunial (nee Harris), Glenys liorrigan (nee Harris), Len Bertoldo Front - Julieanne Cunial and Pamela Harris

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David ("Dave") Harris born in Ireland lived in Tasmania (Station Manager of 'Yallock' and 'Keewong', Cobar) died c.1920 in Sydney married Emily Keewong (daughter of Jimmy Keewong, who lived tribally) born c 1870 - a full-blood aborigine died 4 November 1910, aged 40 years. Buried Mossgiel. (3 sons - Dave, John and Walter and daughters about whom nothing is known) 1.

Dave born c.1876

John ("Jack") Harris born 1890 at 'Yallock' Station; died 14 February 1977 at Griffith; married "Tibby" Williams (born c.1900 at 'Tiltangera' Station, Cobar). 9 children -

Edward ("Ted") born 1915. Killed in action in New Guinea.

Earnest (`Kit") born c. 1918, died Griffith September 1973 aged 55 years, buried Griffith Cemetery.

Thelma born 1919; married Herb Cummings. Nine children. Lives in Griffith.

Robert ("Bob") born 1920 at 'Carowra' Tank north of Trida; married Beverley Disher. Lives in Griffith. Ten children Glenys, Rhonda, Margaret, Robert, Michael, Betty, Max, Valerie, Pamela and Peter.

Ron born 1923; died Griffith.

Emily born 1924; died Griffith c.1964.

Johnnie born Griffith 1926; died Griffith 1968; married Vera Hayes. Four sons. Lived at Griffith.

Rita born 1928; died Griffith 1980; married Max Cranston. Three sons.

Billy born 1934; died Griffith 1981; married Lorraine Johnson. Several children. Lived at Hay and Lake Cargelligo.

Walter had eight children.

Entry courtesy of Bob Harris as told to Enid Atkinson. Photographs by courtesy of David Eade, Bob Harris and Rhonda Cunial, Griffith.

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HART "My dad was Albert Seymour Hart" writes his eldest son, Bert, "born 17 September 1894 he was affectionately known by his friends as 'Bill' - by courtesy of William S Hart, the Shakespearian actor, stage director, and, one of America's first cowboy idols of black and white films. The likeness is apparent and both are of English descent but on investigating, William's 'S' stood for Surrey, not Seymour! "The name Seymour goes Albert ("Bill") Hart and his sons - 1931 back to the 1600s, but as records Cliff (on the left) and Bert are incomplete, tracing the direct family line has proven difficult. Bill came to Australia from Liverpool, England, where he had become orphaned prior to World War I. He came perhaps as a 'Dreadnought Boy', under the well known migration scheme, established in Britain about 1910. He, with others, worked on rural properties around the Lismore area. He was working with another immigrant, A Huxtable, at Mr Robb's property at Nimbin, via Lismore NSW. "He enlisted on 9 May 1916 (aged 22 years and seven months) in World War I, and served with the 23rd Machine Gun Squadron. He was discharged medically unfit on 30 November 1918 after serving 2 years 205 days, of which 1 year 221 days was served abroad. He had been severely gassed and suffered 'trench foot' which was brought about by mud in the trenches. Their feet also became frozen. This was due to the appalling conditions on the Western Front. "My mother, Jessie Kempt, was born at Liverpool, England on 27 September 1893 to Mary (née Leitch) and Robert Kempt, a marine engineer, then living in Liverpool. She was trained, and served as a nurse, in Heswell Sanatorium, as well as Toxteth Infirmary. She arrived in Australia on board `SS Orsova'. Mum possibly came with other war brides on the 'Orsova'. "Dad, we think, was hospitalised in Liverpool before returning to Australia, to be hospitalised in Prince of Wales, Randwick. It was from here that our parents married at St Paul's Anglican Church, Randwick on 6 September 1919. "I have in my possession a fob - '1914, 15, 16 Jessie Hart (née Kempt) Lismore to her sons'. Also a 'Welcome home to Pte A Hart, from members of Red Cross, in Nimbin 22 June 343

1918'. There is also a 'Rising Sun' brooch with a boomerang underneath as well as another brooch in the shape of a wishbone, with dad's 23rd Machine Gunner's colour patch of an oval of yellow, surrounded by a mid-blue, on a rectangular background of grey. These wartime items of jewellery were proudly worn. "Dad also spent time at Dame Edith Walker's Convalescent Home at Concord. This was followed by time in the Red Cross Repatriation Home, `Kyooma', at Stanthorpe, Queensland. "My parents then returned to Nimbin NSW where I was born, (Albert Seymour Hart junior) on 3 June 1920, usually called 'Steve' (after the bushranger). "My brother, Cliff, (Clifford Seymour Hart) was also born there on 2 May 1921. Dad then spent a period at `Boddington' T.B. Sanatorium, Wentworth Falls, another Red Cross Hospital. In 1922 we all arrived at Beelbangera Hills Red Cross Training Camp, before we moved on to Farm 1883, at Lake Wyangan, a holding of twenty three acres in total. Our neighbours were Ross, Long, Morris, Mallinson, Smeeth, and Mallaby. "This did not prove to be an economic proposition. I really think that the returned Servicemen wished to be independent, wished to be outdoors, although not fit enough to pursue that dream. The farm had three different types of soil. One so wet, that it would grow only reeds, another like concrete, while the last section would grow nothing! I remember Dad having a wonderful crop of lemons. Manna from Heaven! Then came the heavy rains and floods - then the channels overflowed which affected this crop in total. We never grew lemons there again! It was heart-breaking for my parents. The loss of trees, due to seepage. Test wells were sunk, with the seepage water being about two inches from the top of the wells, so, the farm went backwards. At one time Dad thought that he had found oil, in the middle of the farm where the Washington navel grew!! It was Salt!! There was no problem where we later grew apricots. Unfortunately the acreage was insufficient to be economic due to the continual problems of frost, seepage, scale, fruit fly, grass hopper plagues, codling moth, shot-hole beetles and high water tables. Then salt became THE PROBLEM. This not only killed the trees, but, the hopes and possibly the spirits. "During 1939-45, tile drains were introduced, pumps were brought in to bring excess water to the surface. This saved many farms from going out of production but it was much too late for many, including my parents. I remember at one time Dad growing apples for the British market; picking them, wrapping each individually by hand in tissue paper. The ultimate indignity - when the fruit was freighted to Sydney plus selling charges, agent's fees, for little return. Sometimes not a cheque, but a bill! He was even charged a fee for dumping! Apricots picked before Christmas, pitted, cooked in sulphur-boxes, set out to dry in the sun and then, the grand daddy of all dust storms, which ruined the lot. Oh! The dust and the flies and the frustrations those elements brought. "There was a subsistence allowance, from the Government probably, through the WC & IC, until the farms became a payable proposition. It was all so experimental. "In those early days, I remember seeing Mrs Mallinson and Mrs Passey walking into town from their nearby homes, near Lake Wyangan, possible 31/2 miles. "I commenced school in 1925 and Cliff the following year, in a one-roomed school, with Arthur Brissenden being the sole teacher. I still have book prizes - Cliff's won for his abilities, mine for attendance!

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"In the 1920s, I remember planes barnstorming and their landings. H J Butler came through with his mail plane, a twin-engined mono-spar from Longreach, Qld, to Melbourne, refuelling at Griffith. Our parents bought tickets for us to fly the circuit with Kingsford Smith, in the 'Southern Cross'. What a thrill that was for us! As youngsters, we loved planes - nurtured originally from a print in 'Boy's Own Annual' of an RAF plane flying over the Khyber Pass, in the sunset. "I remember, during the Depression, being on holidays in Sydney with Mum and Cliff, queuing outside the Rural (now State) Bank, wishing to withdraw money, but, the Banks 'closed their doors' to prevent a 'rush' on their money. "I remember too, at school fighting my battles as well of Cliff's. No wonder my children were horrified at Lake Wyangan School's 50th Anniversary, some years ago now, when the first Punishment Book was on display with my name appearing frequently. I had not thought of myself as being aggressive but I was surprised that I had 'taken on' boys two or three years older than myself! Mad Lovell (nee Long) has a photo of this first intake of pupils in her biography in Series 2. "Who needed sisters when we had Pat, Val, Ailsa and Gay Ross (who lived two farms away from ours)!! They were our play mates and what fun we had once. Jumping on Paul Zanotto's and Don Ross's sultana drying racks! Who needs a trampoline? But oh! What trouble ensued!!

Early Members of the Griffith Band

"I have Cliff's membership card of 'Gould league of Bird Lovers 1910-1932, on their 22nd birthday'. How we loved the numerous types of birds; sulphur crested cockatoos, galahs, wee jugglers, flocks of budgies, grass parrots, quarrions, incredibly marked finches, pee wees, sparrows, curlews, magpies, wrens, kingfishers, ring-necks and the water birds: the ibis, blue crane, swallows and spur-winged plovers; as well as the mopoke, emu, hawks 345

and eagles. I remember too, the troublesome starlings; the devices set up to overcome them - none proved successful. A pastime was collecting bird's eggs - which was a pretty useless exercise. Their markings were interesting. One wonders how many of these birds remain to-day. "After school we had our jobs, with Mum's encouragement. For extra money we found jobs on other farms. "Remembered too - stabling our horse and sulky at Leckies when we went to the Pictures. Later the horse was left on the vacant block near the old Council Chambers, tied to the hitching rail provided there.

Griffith Co-op Store - 1937-38 L to R: Jim Bagley (?), Fred Hewitt, Beryl Enright, Eddie (Customers at the far right)

, Bert Hart

"How homesick Mum must have been with each communication from 'The Old Country'. When our parents migrated they had no prospect of returning and due to unproductive farms, the Depression, War and ill health, there was no hope of them ever doing so. "Then I remember Mum's afternoon tea parties, with everyone dressed in 'their best'. Pretty white, crochet-edged table clothes and matching starched serviettes, served out on 'the lawn'. How our Mums must have missed the gentleness, security and stability of their families and their established homes in England. I do not recall my mother ever complaining. If it did happen, it certainly never took place in front of us. It must have been continual heart-break, with a sick husband, intolerable hardships and an uncertain future. "We really were as poor as church mice.

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"Remember - Tony Miranda's (who lived on the next farm, 1884,) tobacco kiln going up in smoke one night! Everyone had a smoke that night! I also can recall Paul Zanotto's singing while riding his bike going back to town that same night. "My parents were musically inclined and we were encouraged to take part. Dad played several instruments and they both sang in the church choir. I had piano lessons from Mrs James in town. My father used to `do the rounds' collecting money to build the first Presbyterian Church. A book of records towards the funding of that church has been passed into the Western Riverina Library Archives in Griffith. "Cliff and I joined the Town Band; Cliff played the comet, while I played the euphonium. We practised in a room at the back of Louez Bros store. "Mum was interested in the Hospital Committee, with their successful balls, the CWA and 2WG's Sunshine Club. The latter raised funds for an ambulance for crippled children. We enjoyed holidays at the CWA Hostel, 'Keira House', at Dee Why. "Dad coached for the Soccer Club - with the boys wearing blue and white sweaters which were bought from Bill Evans, Barber and Sports Store. We had a cricket club. Some of the players were Syd Sellers (Morris's uncle), Ted Clifford, Johnny Smeeth, Cliff and me. We were probably fourteen or fifteen years old. "We both attended Griffith High School, originally being accommodated in the 'Old School', where 'Smithy' (Capt Smith, a WWI digger) operated his cane most efficiently. Later we transferred to the 'New School' which celebrated its 60th Anniversary in April 1993. "Later I worked in the Co-op Store with Beryl Enright and her sister, Bessie, Roy McNabb, Athol Hillsley, Fred Hewitt, Arthur, George and Harry Pauling, Bill Parker, Arthur Webb, Jean Gill, Merle Rush, 'Little Audrey', with the Co-op Manager/Secretary Eddie Pendlebury. "Cliff became captain of Griffith High School and later worked for Wade Shire Council with Ed Wilson. "Remember, in earlier days our transport - 'shanks pony', horses - horse lorries and drays, horse and sulkies, buggies, bicycles and later 'utes' and cars. Our amusements rabbiting, duck-shooting, yabbying, bikes, fishing at Darlington Point with Laurie Gee and Jackie May. Remember eating duck at the 'Garden of Roses' Cafe, shot with a 22!!

► Wade Shire Staff - March 1939 L to R - Back: J F Harrison (Engineer), Frank O'Brien (Shire Clerk), Jim Hall, Arthur Stewart Front: Ed Wilson, Enid Denyer, Cliff Hart and Bill Sampson (Health Inspector).

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"Remember going with Laurie Gee and others, representing Griffith in League (football) in 1937 against Canberra, played at Manuka Oval, on a very hard ground and also against Queanbeyan. I think we were billeted in Ainslie. The games were great! "World War II came and it was a sad day for Cliff and me when our guns were impounded by the Voluntary Defence Corps, never to be returned. Our Dads joined this movement to 'look after and defend our country'. They wore uniforms and were permitted to use their colour patches earned in WWI. "After enlisting with the RAAF (we had lessons at the Prods in morse code and classes at Griffith High school - we had refresher courses in maths by Mr Wheeler). I trained as a pilot in Rhodesia, eventually being posted to Peterhead, Ayrshire, Scotland; flying mustangs with 122 RAF Squadron with Fighter Command. Cliff followed suit by also joining the RAAF, being trained in Australia and England, finally being posted to 103 RAF Squadron, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire, England, as a pilot on Lancasters. "Whilst serving with the RAAF it was great to represent our country in International sport - e.g. Union and cricket. Even if only on the Squadron v Commonwealth countries, as did many other servicemen. Being a League player - the games were enjoyed - mistakes and all!! "Cliff and I enjoyed some leaves together and we also stayed with the same family in Surrey on other leaves. I remember flying over the Mennin Gate, Belgium and recognised that Dad had been there twentyseven years earlier, but on foot! We had a print of that famous arch in Lake Wyangan School. I received news on the Station that Cliff was missing in Action, on a raid to Pforzheim, Germany, 23/24 March 1945. "Flight Sergeant Keith Lord, a member of Cliff's crew, wrote to my parents Cliff and Bert Hart after the crew survivors got back to England lloniley RAF Station not far from telling them of the details of how the aircraft Birmingham in England - about 1943 was destroyed. He wrote:/ am trying to give you news of my safe return home, after spending about three months in German hands, as a prisoner of war. It is with very mixed feelings that I announce my own safety, as well as that of four other members of Clif f's crew, as I have increasing doubts as to his safety, as well as Angus McGrath (also an Australian, from The Rock). Since my return to this country I have made personal enquiries to Australia House, London, regarding news of their whereabouts but except that they are missing, I learnt nothing. My own anxiety is shared by the other four members of the crew, who are also at home. They have asked me to write to you on their behalf, as well. We all feel that our own fortunate escape is marred by the thought that two great pals of ours may not have made it. A few seconds after we had bombed our target (Pforzheim, Germany) afire developed in our starboard inner engine; this was due to incendiary from

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another aircraft. The fire was soon under control after the engine had been feathered. However, this fire had given our position away, and just as this fire was dying out, a fighter (plane) came into attack from the rear, setting the port inner on fire. At this stage, Cliff gave the order to put on parachutes. Another fighter came into attack from underneath. It became obvious that although the port inner was feathered, the Graviner used, that the fire had got a good hold. Cliff then gave the order to jump. I was first out; we were approximately five thousand feet above ground. The mid-upper and rear gunner gave the following story of events in the rear part of the aircraft. When they arrived at the door, the Wireless Operator, Angus McGrath (Australian) was waiting for them with the rear door open. He had his helmet on and was on the inter-com to Cliff, to tell him that they were going to jump. All the drills were carried out, in perfect order, and exactly as trained. I had been in Cliff's crew for nearly a year as a bomb-aimer; he was a great pal. We were a happy crew and consequently feel very shaken that there is no news. He was a great pilot and skipper. My father joins me in sending kindest regards and the hope that Cliff, will by some miracle, still come through!! "Hart Street in East Griffith was named in memory of Cliff. "Mothers wore brooches, during this war - stars on a bar, represent the number of sons and daughters involved in the services. Another, with stars, designating the number who were lost. "Dad had continued troubles with our farm and finally found it necessary to approach Paul Blumer senior to represent him with his case against the WC & IC or the Bank. This they won. So many years of hard work, worry and hardship and precious little to show for it. Twenty-five years of blood, sweat and tears had gained them nothing. "Our parents then retired to Dee Why, where they enjoyed the beauty and the peace of the beach and where Griffith friends either visited or stayed with them. Finally they bought a home at North Curl Curl. It was when they settled here that the news came through that Cliff was Missing In Action. "Peace came and I returned from the United Kingdom. The first person I recognised on setting foot on Australian Soil was a WAAF, Jean Gill, with whom I had worked at the Co-op Store. This took place at Bradfield Park where our parents met us. We were given three months leave and ration books to buy clothes and for food. Later we were discharged at the Showground. "I then spent three years in an iron lung with polio and associated problems. "From North Curl Curl Mum and Dad would visit Dr Watkins (an early Griffith doctor), at Lindfield. Mum passed away in 1953. I had married in Sydney in 1949, so, later on we looked after Dad for twenty-four years until he passed away in 1981. He was granted a Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Pension, not long before he died!! "Their ashes are in the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Sydney. "After the war I discovered that I had been on a raid, as escort duty, with Cliff s squadron over Europe and also with Jimmy Mallinson's squadron to Witten, Germany. "In Cliffs letters he mentions meeting some Griffith school friends who were with the RAAF and on leave in London.

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"In the 1980s I met Fred Holt (who recognised me after all those years) at the Pioneer Park and who reminded me of the breeze that blew across the Lake whilst we played cricket. 'What a difference it made!!' He had come from Merriwagga in the 1930s and had married one of the Morris girls. "It was great in the Bicentennial Year (1988) at Griffith to meet so many people whom I had not seen since I had enlisted in 1940. Some were Claude Morris, `Kicka' Mallinson and Jim Bugno. Also to speak with Mum's friends, Ettie Morris and Vi Jones. "It is still great to reflect on those days and those times as I have wonderful memories. They were great times. We knew no other life; we were content and we were always busy. "What a great idea it was of Council to name the streets in the newly developed East Griffith area in honour of our school friends who did not return from the war. I thank them for that gesture. "I take this opportunity to thank Jimmy Mallinson, his committee, with Charlie Beltrame and Council for their vision and efforts in creating and establishing the Soldier Settler Memorial in Banna Avenue, Griffith. I also wish to thank those involved in the plan of the plaques and the planting in the Griffith Cemetery of a Pine seed which was brought back from Lone Pine Ridge, Gallipoli where so many of our fathers fought. The pioneers efforts have not been in vain; their efforts and the sacrifices made will long be remembered and this example of their fortitude and courage followed. "In my working life in Sydney I was fortunate to work with Quantas - finally working with Operations but not flying. "In our area we are not far from Griffith identities, Marj Lovell (nee Long), Dorothy Young (née Passey), Ethel Wellings (nee Mallaby) and Marg Jessup (nee McWilliam). My favourite nurse at Ryde Hospital has Griffith connections - she is Bernadette Aliprandi. Also, a medico, Twigg, son of a school teacher, (not the son of the Church of England Minister).

Albert Seymour ("Ilill") Hart born 17 November 1894 died 1981

married 6 September 1919

Jessie Kempt born 27 September 1893 died 1953

Albert Seymour Hart born at Lismore on 3 June 1920 who married Norma Edna Bitmead on 9 December 1949. Norma was born on 15 October 1923. They had two daughters * Penelope Seymour Hart married David Selwyn 1. Barnett. Two children - Matthew and Katrina. 2.

Caroline Seymour Hart married Gary William Oakley. One child - Maughan.

Clifford Seymour Hart born Lismore 2 May 1921 and Missing In Action 23/24 March 1945 Pforzheim, Germany.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Bert Hart, 60 A Anthony Road, Denistone 2114.

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HAWKINS Oliver Edward Hawkins and his wife Ada (née Adams) and their three children, Bertha, Frederick and Dulcie, took the big decision to leave Broken Hill, where he was an Engineer for the Mines, and take up farming on the newly formed MIA in 1913. Together with several from Broken Hill (including the Lasscock family) the Hawkins family responded to information that a new area, the MIA, was to be opened up to suitable applicants. They sold their home and so began the long journey to help pioneer a brand new MIA and to know a full and rewarding life. Bertha was then 8, Frederick 6 and Dulcie 4. They travelled by train to Willbriggie and then by hired horse and dray to Griffith in the company of Charles and May Lasscock and their young family.

Ada Hawkins and her sister-in-law, Edie Adams, on Scenic Hill Iledley Adams (Ada's brother) and his wife, Edie, started a combination store/post office/lodging house referred to as "The Emporium" at Hanwood. Teachers who were "lodgers" there slept in tents. Courtesy Lorna McDonald

In early 1914 Oliver was granted Farm 75 of 50 acres, adjoining the Lasscock's 50 acres. During the early days of clearing and planting, the two men built a large shed, known by the families as "The Big Shed". Here the two families lived, sharing the fuel stove, with the shed divided by a large hessian curtain in the middle. Eventually two comfortable family homes were built. Bertha and Fred were among the first pupils to attend the old Bagtown school. Later they and Dulcie became students of the new Hanwood School. All three children took part in school concerts and pageants. Bertha won the first "Queen Competition" held in

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First Queen Competition - Catholic Church Griffith L to R: Bob Rotchford, Fred Hawkins, Kath O'Meara, Bertha Hawkins, Father Duie, Kath Turner, Molly Morgan, Fred Manser, Small children in front: Dick Boyle, Mary Erskine, Pat Boyle Courtesy Lorna McDonald

Hanwood Public School Concert 1920 Back Row: Stan Cummings, Muriel Friend, Maud Irvin, Norman Thornett Front Row: Dukie Hawkins, Vera Johnson, Bertha Hawkins, Jessie Sangster, Doris Walsh, Gladys and Elvie Johnstone Courtesy the Griffith Collection • original photo courtesy Nora Gibbons (nee Crawford)

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Griffith - to aid funds for the new Catholic Church. As an 8 year old Bertha was among children handed a sugar gum tree to plant in the new Hanwood School grounds in 1913. Her tree still stands as a landmark in the grounds. Oliver and Ada Hawkins were well known for their love of music. Ada was an accomplished pianist and one of the instigators of Griffith's first orchestra. She was also the pianist for eleven years for the Silver Films shown at Harry Morel's Lyceum Theatre. She can also claim to be the first woman to own a rubber tyred sulky and the first woman to drive a car in Griffith. Oliver Hawkins was also active in working to help form the Griffith Producers Co-op. Both he and Ada were keen golfers and were foundation members of the Lake View Golf Club. The Lake View Golf Club moved from Lake View (now known as Lake Wyangan) to an area which now encompasses much of East Griffith. Eventually this was relinquished and they amalgamated with the Griffith Golf Club. The Griffith Golf Club has an annual trophy called the 0 E Hawkins Trophy to perpetuate their memory. Early in the 1940s they retired to Narrabeen after selling Farm 75 to the Erskine family. Oliver died in 1948 aged 79 years and Ada died in 1965 aged 89 years. Bertha also took an active interest in the Griffith Musical Society and at the age of 18 years took the lead as a soprano in several productions including "Trial by Jury" and "Miss Hook of Holland". She worked as cashier at the old Bagtown Co-op and then in the new Co-op in Banna Avenue until 1926 when she left to marry Clarrie Clark of Farm 12, Hanwood. Oliver and Ada's son, Frederick, married Elsie Nelson and their youngest daughter, Dulcie, married Harry Whitford.

By courtesy of Lorna McDonald (née Whitford), 12 Allison Road, Hyland Park, Nambucca Heads 2448. 353

Ada Hawkins

Oliver and Ada Hawkins Photos courtesy Lorna McDonald

HENDERSON Henry James ("Harry") Henderson was born in New Zealand on 11 October 1882 and married Bertha Alice Buss at Broken Hill. Bertha was born in South Australia on 16 June 1889 the daughter of Joseph Buss and Theresa (née Wild). Prior to coming to Griffith the young couple lived at Broken Hill with their family of seven - Vikky, Henry, Leamie, Ted, Jack, Emma and Robert. Harry Henderson came from Broken Hill to the Griffith district in May 1922 with a group of miners, whose health had been impaired by working underground, to inspect the area and select their farms.' Harry selected Farm 1001, which was granted to him on 17 June 1922. He returned to Broken Hill with the group. Harry and another miner, J H Theeuff, then returned to Griffith, in a spring cart with two horses - a journey which took three weeks. The two men then built shacks on their farms in readiness for their families' arrival. The Harry Henderson two families also travelled together - the two wives and twelve children. They travelled by train to Adelaide, on to Melbourne and then on to Griffith. A journey which took five days. Daughter Vikky recalls "I will never forget that journey. It was pretty hot when we arrived and Dad was waiting for us in a spring cart pulled by a big farm horse. We sure had a load when the nine of us got into that cart! When we got to the farm and saw what we were going to live in we all wanted to go back to Broken Hill! It was a pine forest so thick you couldn't see through it. "Well, we settled down to it and had plenty of hard work in front of us. Whilst the farms were being developed the Broken Hill Miners were paid a pension to subsidize their income. Farm 1001 is on what is now named Murrumbidgee Avenue. The land now belongs to the Housing Commission and our original house has been pulled down. "Our clothes were very plain and not very many of them either! Our food was also very plain but we had plenty. For entertainment we had a gramophone and we all loved playing cards. All the folk who had come from Broken Hill went on communal picnics to Mirrool Creek about once a month. It was always looked forward to and our transport was the spring cart and the farm horse". Three years after the Henderson family settled on the farm, and when they were looking forward to harvesting their first crop of apricots, Bertha died of a heart attack. Harry was left with a family of seven children to raise. This he did with the help of his eldest daughter, Vikky, who was almost 17 years old when her mother died.

Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission historical records.

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I, to R: "Leamie", Ron Rowley on her shoulders, Jack, Ted, Jim Rowley standing in front, Bobby

Back: Jack and "Leamie" (Selina) Henderson Front: Jim and Ron Rowley

W J Carney & Son's delivery truck bogged on Rossetto Road, about three miles from Griffith, in the early 1930s. The Bullock Driver was Roy Byrnes. Photos taken by J P Carney.

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Vikky had been working in the drapery department at Cleary's - general merchants later to be owned by Carney's. She resigned this position to look after the younger children, four of whom were at school and two were pre-schoolers. She also had to cope with the household chores. After Vikky married Nelson ("Tod") Rowley, they lived with the Henderson family for about twelve months until Selina ("Leamie") was old enough to help her father. In later years, after Leamie left home, Emma then took over the household duties. Vikky and "Tod" Rowley moved to their own home at 22 Hyandra Street in Griffith. "Tod" worked with Carneys for twenty-seven years delivering groceries to surrounding farms. Harry died at Griffith on 11 August 1954 and is buried in the Griffith cemetery.

Henry James ("Harry") Henderson born New Zealand 11 October 1882 died Griffith NSW 11 August 1954

married

Bertha Alice Buss South Australia 16 June 1889 died Griffith NSW 17 April 1925

Victoria Bertha ("Vikky") born Houghton South Australia, 14 July 1908. Died Griffith 7 May 1993. Married 18 December 1926 Nelson Lawrence Rowley (dec'd). Vikky lived at Griffith. Five children James, Ronald, Norma, Margaret and Russell.

Henry William George born Broken Hill 3 May 1913. Died Griffith 19 November 1960, buried Griffith Cemetery. Married Lorna McLean of Narrandera. Two children - lan and Anne.

Selina Praxy ("Leamie") born Broken Hill 4 July 1914. Died Bowral, buried Sutton Forest NSW. Married Bernie Fitzgerald of Wagga. One son - Stephen.

Edward Horace ("Ted") born Broken Hill 29 July 1915. Married Jean Campbell (deceased). Ted lives at Lake Wyangan. Five children David, Barbara, Judith, Robert and Jeanie.

Albert George ("Jack") born Broken Hill 14 August 1917. Married Shirley Atkins. They live at West End, Griffith. Three children Janene, Gail and Terry.

Emma May born Broken Hill 18 June 1919. Married Neville Daines (deceased). Emma lives at Griffith. Two children - Shirley and Beverley.

Robert Henderson born Broken Hill 7 July 1921. Died Griffith September 1979, buried Griffith. Married Dorothy Campbell. Six children - June, Colin, Peter, Kevin, Linda and Andrew.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of the late Vikky Rowley (nee Henderson).

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HIC KEN David Hickey came to Australia in 1854 at the age of 21 years. He was the son of John Hickey, a farmer of Tipperary, Ireland, and Mary (nee Courick). David married Mary Nugent who had been born at Bansha, Tipperary in 1843 and came to Australia in 1858 at the age of 15 years. They were married at Ballarat, Vic on 7 March 1859 and had fourteen children. Mathew Hickey, who became known in the Griffith district as Abraham ("Abe") Hicken was one of their children. The Hickey family moved to Sale in the Gippsland area in 1880 - prior to this Abe's father, David, had been the publican of "The Farmers Inn", Fellmongers Road, Warrenheip. David Hickey purchased a farm in 1881 and the family lived in a log cabin until David died in 1883 at the age of 50. Abe was only 6 years old at the time of his father's death and when he reached the age of 12 he decided to leave home and go picking potatoes at Mansfield for five shillings a week. Some years later, Abe moved around, in a tucker wagon, and worked droving cattle across the Snowy River. They often camped in the Khancoban area and Abe developed his skills as "a horseman". He was also known to enjoy amateur boxing. A rope was set up on the sandy beaches of the mountain streams and a round or two enjoyed. Abe often spoke with admiration of a boxer named "Abe" (possibly Abel Hicken) and this is when he changed his name to Abe (Abraham) Hicken from his given name Matthew Hickey .7 During the late 1890s Abe found work on Samuel Topping's "Rockview" Station at Murrulebale to R: Back - Abe, Lucy nursing Clarrie, Rose 'Linsley near Old Junee NSW. Here he met Front - Annie and Ettie Hannah Lucy Jane Hillsley the daughter of John and Lucy (nee Sawyer). They were married at "Rockview" on 5 September 1900 and the owners of the station, Samuel and Rosanna Topping, were witnesses at the marriage. Abe later sharefarmed on the station and later still the family purchased a small property at Marrar.

There is some doubt as to when Abe finally used the name of Abe Hicken. He used that name when he married in 1900 and yet the surname of Hickey is engraved on the silver tray presented to them in 1911.

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The first five of Abe and Hannah's (better known to us as Lucy) ten children, Annie, Ethel, Clarence, Myrtle and Mavis, were born at Junee. Whilst there Abe attended night school at Junee to improve his literacy. On leaving Junee to move to Barellan Abe and Lucy were presented with a silver tea service and tray from their friends at Marrar. This is still a valued possession of the family. Some of these friends were Benni Wooden, the Greedys, Paddy Carroll, Jack Male and the Langtrys, one of whom later got into politics. By this time Abe was a skilled horseman and delighted in reckless riding at station gatherings. One day a friend, Barny McKinnon, who owned a large black horse, which was a good jumper, challenged Abe to jump the horse over the Old Junee Railway gates. The gates were especially high and to Barney's astonishment Abe successfully cleared them. Abe also enjoyed a social game of cricket. Some of the competing teams at the time included Junee Reefs, Clear Hills, Berry Jerry and Gulgumala Station. Through the four following generations of Hicken men, cricket is still a major part of their sporting life. In 1910 Abe and Lucy and their five children moved onto a mallee farm twelve miles north of Barellan ("Boysdale" Sandy Creek). It was there that five more children were born - Leslie, Irene, Cyril, Dulcie and Ronald. 1914 was a drought stricken year and Lucy cut down Kurrajong trees to feed the cows, whilst Abe was out working on the property of Samuel McCaughey at Yanco. Samuel McCaughey was growing experimental crops and it was Abe's job to plough the ground to grow lucerne, for a mere six shillings an acre. He also stacked the lucerne hay. One day while boiling his billy on the roadside a swagman approached Abe and asked if he could share his fire. The swaggie commented on Abe's work load and offered a suggestion to make the work a little easier. When cutting the lucerne stacks he suggested the use of two strainer posts and to one end of each of the posts that he tie two hundred yards of barbed wire - then the one horse pulling on each post, back and forth, cut through the lucerne in no time at all. While in the Barellan district Abe soon became noted for his easy manner as an orator and interested himself in local charities and organisations. As a member of the IOOF lodge (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) he earned himself the title and badge of Past Grand Jewel, which with his lodge collar was one of his proudest possessions. Abe also worked on the Soldier Settlers Committee. In October 1922, Abe and Lucy sold "Boysdale" to a returned soldier, Ivor Hancock. With the help of their good friends the Parnabys and the McVitties of Barellan they packed one wagon of furniture and three wagons of chooks, pigs, poddy calves and not forgetting "Tiny" the shetland pony! The trip to Bilbul took two days with an overnight stay at Ziebarth's property near Binya. The Hickens selected Farm 314, Bilbul. It was one of the first five hundred land holdings of irrigation farms in the area and had an area of 146 acres 2 roods. The rent was £50/121- per year. When Abe and Lucy arrived on the farm Abe pitched a large tent where the family lived for the first eighteen months. They lived there until they could afford to pay Ernie Bates £1 a day to build them a four-roomed weatherboard home with a tin kitchen built out the back and separate to the house. Four of the children, Mavis, Irene, Cyril and Ron, attended Bilbul school and on occasions Cyril enjoyed the trip to school on horseback. In 1926, on Arbor Day, Lucy 358

donated trees to be planted around the Bilbul school boundary. She had collected the trees herself in a horse and buggy from Narrandera. Lucy was a member of the Rebekah Lodge for over forty years and drove her horse and buggy into Griffith for meetings. During both World Wars Lucy sewed and knitted for the troops overseas. She always patronised her church, St Pauls at Hanwood, and packed grapes to raise funds towards the building costs of St Albans the Martyr in Griffith. She worked tirelessly for the 2RG Sunshine Club and was fondly known to the members as "Opal". The Sunshine Club held dances at the RSL hall to raise money for the war effort and later dances were held at the "Palais de Dame". (The building was moved to the Griffith Showground and is now known as "Woodside Hall"). The club charged a 2/- entry fee to dance and enjoy the music of Mrs Essie Trenerry on the piano together with her two sons, Joe and Wally who played the saxophone and drums. Claude Hurley (a train engine driver) was the MC and sometimes Harold Evans (Lucy's son-in-law) also acted as MC. The Hicken family to this day enjoy the Annual Griffith Agricultural Show. The show was held originally where the Ex-Servicemen's oval is now situated and at one time was the golf course. The family drove their horse-drawn buggy to participate in the day's events. Abe was an active member of the Griffith Show Committee in 1934 and was appointed trustee of the land dedicated on 22 November 1935 for the now sited Agricultural Showground. Abe, Lucy and family took a keen interest in the Show Day 1959 L to R: Dick Brown, Abraham Mathew Hicken many activities. Cyril entered the and Mick Cudmore walk, trot and gallop race in 1942, riding Nathaniel Spry's black horse and won first prize. Lucy was an enthusiastic exhibitor and Abe a cattle steward and the lap steward for the trotting events. Many people only knew him as the "old gentleman who rang the bell". The Hicken family still have the bell that Abe rang and today there is an "Abe Hicken Memorial Trot" which is sponsored by his son Cyril. Five years before his death, Abe was made honorary Life Member in appreciation of over thirty years of service to the Show Society. On Farm 314, Bilbul, Abe grew wheat and oats. He cut and stacked lucerne hay to sell to the farmers and carted chaff, one ton at a time, to Dave Taylor's store which was then sited at the Westpac Bank corner in Banna Avenue. Abe got £3 a ton during the Depression and £5 in better times. Lucy and the girls milked, by hand, forty cows a day. The separated milk was fed to the pigs and the cream taken by horse and buggy to the Widgelli siding to be delivered by train to the Butter Factory in Leeton. Yenda was the growth centre at that time. The Hickens were regular customers of Constantine's Cafe and Mrs Byes' Baker Shop where Cyril bought his favourite sweet chocolate frogs, for a penny each.

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The Hicken Home on Farm 314, Bilbul - 1926

I, to R: Abe, Lucy, Ron, Annie, Cyril, and Mavis

Twelve Horse Team pulling a steel wheeled Rice Header in 1934

Annie Evan's Home - N'ann 282,Ibul

Cutting Chaff on Jim Biggar's in 1943 Charlie Gladman, Clarrie Hicken, Jim Bowen and Jim Biggar

Hay Stack at Hanwood - 1938

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The Yenda racecourse, on Farleys Road, was a great gathering place for the locals two or three times a year. The open air silent movies were only held in the summertime, weather permitting. It was a great form of entertainment for Abe and his family who were regulars on a Saturday. The silent movies were sited in the area where Suman's of Yenda stand today. The family also looked forward to the Saturday night dances at the Bilbul Hall. The cost was 2/- to get in which included supper. The pianola played until midnight at which time Major Moore, who was the caretaker, came across and turned out the big kerosene lights and locked up. No dancing was allowed on Sundays. The hall was also the venue for the annual school Christmas tree. Dave Arblaster owned the first taxi at Yenda in 1923/24. The car was a blue Oakland and was not only used as a taxi but, in emergencies, was used also as an ambulance. One time Clarence needed the ambulance service to drive him from Yenda to Griffith hospital at a speedy forty miles per hour - nearly blowing Bilbul off the map! After six years on Farm 314, Abe and Lucy sold it to Ted and Doris Cheesbrough for £3,000 and then purchased Farm 197 at Hanwood, on 1 February 1929, from Jack C McDonald. The farm was of 150 acres and had a home on it which had been originally moved from the Red Cross Farm at Beelbangera. The farm was in two sections - one section was planted with mixed fruit trees and vines and the other section did not have permanent plantings and was used for growing oats and wheat. Wheat silos were built at Yenda in 1936 and the Hickens delivered bagged rice in steel wheeled wagons drawn by ten horses - they were one of the last families to deliver rice this way. The Hickens also delivered wheat to Griffith Railway Station by horse drawn wagons. At that time beer was transported by train to the Yenda Railway station and delivered by Paddy Greenshields to the Yenda Hotel. Cyril can still recall the water storage dam, opposite Donaldson's, being built with the assistance of Government relief money. Using picks, shovels and wheel barrows men dug the trenches for the pipes from the dam through Yambil Street, up to where Auswilds is now, and also for the sewerage pipeline trenches in Banna Lane. Before the dam was dug the ground was used as a cricket field - many a game of cricket was played there. In 1934 Don Bradman came to town and played against one of our local teams. Bob James, the captain that day, successfully bowled Don out. In the World War II years the ground where the aeroplane monument stands, on the corner of Banna Avenue, was a hockey field and prior to that (about 1932) it was used as a miniature golf course. During World War II, the rugby oval in Coolah Street was the venue for many a game, and one day the Land Army Girls challenged our local girls to a game of Rugby League - to the delight of our local girls they won! 1944/45 were years of droughts and dust storms. Cyril remembers the depth of the water in the river at Darlington Point was only eighteen inches. The farmers lost a lot of sheep that year and the Hicken family cut and sold hay to "Kooba" Station. Lockie Plant delivered the the hay for them. In 1952 Abe sold 75 acres of his farm to Francesco Sergi. The remaining 75 acres was known as Farm 1052 Hanwood which Ron Hicken, son of Abe, purchased in 1953. This farm is still being farmed by Ron's son, Lance Hicken - a grandson of Abe.

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John Hickey married Mary Courick David Hickey born 1833 died 21 July 1883 married 7 March 1859 - Ballarat Mary Nugent born 1843 • Mathew Hickey/Abraham ("Abe") Ilicken born Gong Gong, Ballarat - 11 March 1876 died 13 February 1962

married 5 Sept 1900

Hannah Lucy Jane }finsley born 14 October 1882 died 18 March 1961

Annie Beatrice born Junee NSW 3 December 1901; died Griffith 2 December 1988. Annie married Harold Evans from Binya. They purchased Farm 282, Bilbul. Having no children of their own, took into their care Norma Peisley (daughter of Annie's sister, Mavis).

Ethel Alice ("Ettie") born Junee NSW 17 June 1903; died Leeton NSW September 1986; buried Bacchus Marsh Vic. Ettie married Sam Taylor from "Sandy Creek", Barellan. They had four children - Evelyn, Betty, Kathie and Cliff. In later years Ettie married Bill Dunn from Leeton and they had two daughters - Joyce and Irene.

Clarence John David ("Clarrie" or "Pal") born Junee NSW 24 March 1905. Clarrie married Ethel Emily Freeman of Barellan. They have four children - Elsie, William, Lionel and Stan. Clanie and Ethel retired into Griffith in 1976 and, due to ill health, Clarrie presently resides at the Griffith Nursing Home in Merrigal Street.

Myrtle Mary born Junee NSW 14 July 1907; died 20 November 1950. Myrtle married Ernie Robinson from Bilbul. They had twin sons - Baden and Warwick.

Mavis Isabel born Junee NSW 7 October 1909; died 10 January 1986. Mavis married Charlie Peisley of Yenda. They had twins - Ken and Norma and a daughter Gloria.

Leslie Abraham Charles born Barellan 18 December 1911; died 18 December 1919 and is buried in the Barellan cemetery.

Irene Lucy Olive ("Teenie") born Barellan 18 June 1913; died Griffith 11 April 1936. Teenie is buried with her mother in the Church of England section of the Griffith cemetery.

Cyril Harold Richard born Barellan 30 April 1918. Cyril married Gwelda Niven from Ballingal. They have one daughter - Barbara.

Dukie Clarice Emily born Barellan 1 October 1918; died 22 October 1918 and is buried in the Narrandera cemetery.

10.

Ronald Collin born Barellan 28 February 1920; died Griffith 20 November 1988. Ron married Myrtle Turner, a Griffith girl, and they had three children - Lance, Christine and Kay.

Photographs and entry by courtesy of Sonia Hicken (wife of Allan Hicken), Cyril Hicken and Myrtle Hicken (née Turner), all of Griffith. 362

HORNE Some years ago Ben Home of Yenda recorded his memories of the early years in Yenda. Asked what made his father come to Yenda Ben replied - "My Uncle and Aunt, Dick and Chit Marshall, lived on Farm 1350 down on the Stock Route - Aunt Chit was my mother's sister. My grandfather came up for a holiday with them and while here he fell in love with the place. He wrote to my father and said it was a good place to be. My mother got the train and came up and found this place (Farm 1478) was vacant so she went up to the Commission office in Griffith with my Uncle Dick and put about £5 on it to close the deal. "My Uncle Dick said 'they won't be able to pay anything for a long while'. The manager, whoever he was, said 'Oh well, say they don't pay anything for - I don't know what it was - two years or five years' - I can't remember. Anyway later on they got a bill for about £200 or something like that - they were lucky to have 200 pence! Of course, the WC & IC tried to press them to pay. My father said 'we don't have to pay anything yet. I've got a letter here to say I don't have to pay anything for so many years'. 'First letter I've seen like that' the WC & IC official said in astonishment. It was signed on Commission paper - it was 'fair dinkum'.

Ben Horne leaving Sydney on his trip to Griffith - 1925 Ethel and Ben Horne and daughter Elsie Courtesy Bill White

"Well anyway - I came first and lived over at Marshalls. I had been working at David Jones Department Store and at the Post Office on the telephones - I had passed as a telephone mechanic at Newtown. My father had to finish up his job in Sydney before he 363

could come. He was working at the Bankstown Quarry. I arrived in February 1925 - my father arrived soon after. He brought one hundred and fifty quid with him, as a deposit, and fortunately got a receipt for it. Three or four months later some blokes came out from the Commission to have a look at the receipt. It appeared that the chap to whom he paid the money had cleared off with it. Dad had paid with a hundred quid note and I suppose the bloke had never seen a hundred quid note before and bolted! "There was a £2,000 debt on the farm - we never ever paid it! We always paid our rent and water bill or we would have been put off our land. "My father went back to Sydney and bought two horses and a lorry and drove them up from Sydney to here. The two Richards boys travelled with him until they reached Rankins Springs. They had a single horse and a tip cart. They came via Bathurst and Blayney and when they got to a big hill the Richards boys took the horse out of the tip cart and put it in front of my father's horses and helped him up the hill. My father was three weeks on the road. "When they got to Rankins Springs the weather broke and they got bogged along the Stock Route. At that time some of the Stock Route was corduroy - made with poles laid down with a bit of metal put on the edges. Luckily it didn't rain until they got to Rankins Springs. The mailman, old Newth, came along. He had a sulky and used to deliver the bread as well as the mail. The bread was carried in a chaff bag and in wet weather when you finally got your bread it had to be dried off in front of the fire before it could be cut. Anyhow, Newth took a message to Rankins Springs and a young fellow with a horse team came and pulled my father out. "The lorry had iron shod wheels and a brake. It had to have a brake as there were a lot of hills between here and Sydney. It had a bow in the middle like all lorries in those days. You could tell it had been used for a long while. Of course, my father had a big load on. He brought furniture - beds and chairs - and all sorts of things, including some jam that my mother had made. He slept on the lorry and the two Richards boys slept there too, or maybe they slept on the ground. "For about four months, until Father came back with our furniture, I had to sleep on a chaff bag filled with straw. There was a big packing case to hold the bread and jam and whatever and two kerosene boxes to sit on - that was the dining furniture. "My mother came up in January 1926 by rail and brought more furniture. We were allowed half fare because we were coming to the country to farm. We only had to pay about half the freight on the furniture as well. "At first we planted grapes. We had a lot of trouble with the rabbits. After planting the vines the rabbits ate them off. The Commission sent blokes around with dogs and shotguns. "We then planted oranges. The oranges were sold by mail order. We advertised in country newspapers. We packed them ourselves and sent hundreds of cases away on the railways - the freight was 2/- a case. My father bought shooks' and we made up our own packing cases. We built a home-made orange grader. It wasn't very accurate but it was good enough to sort them for size.

Shook - a set of wooden parts ready for assembly

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"One time, in 1926 I think, we went to Griffith to get a load of lucerne hay. It was way out past where the High School is now. We went through Beelbangera. It took us all day of course! When we came back we stopped at Beelbangera. All that was there at that time was the one shop. Mrs Noble may have been there - I don't remember. The shop was surrounded by scrub so we camped near the main channel and my father got a billy out and made a fire. The water out of the channel in those days was really good - just like spring water. "In 1928 we bought a sulky. We only ever went into Griffith at Christmas. We did all our shopping at Yenda. We didn't have much time to socialise as we were too busy working to provide for ourselves. However, I remember taking my sister to the Griffith Show once. It was held where the Catholic High School is now in Wakaden Street. A bloke tried to sell me a watch but I was very careful with my money - we didn't have very much! "There was Saturday afternoon shopping and the shops were closed on Wednesday afternoon. We used to drive our pony into town to do the shopping and go to the pictures. We left our pony at Paddy Greenshields livery stable near where Cauduros are now. Paddy had a cocky who used bad language. Paddy's wife used to have afternoon teas and she used to make Paddy put the cocky in the shed while the ladies were there! "When we went to Griffith we left our horse at Leckie's livery stable - it was quite a big stable. While there the horse was hosed down and given a feed. It was called a `Livery and Bait Stable' - the bait was the chaff he gave them! "We used to get ice delivered at one time from the Yenda Producers. They had an ice works right opposite the winery. It got burnt out later on. Bread and milk were delivered every day and meat a couple of times a week. The bread was always left on the tank stand and was always stale by the time we got home. The milk came from Twiggs who had a dairy. We never bought milk as we had a cow. "At one time there used to be a holiday train. A special train full of holiday-makers going from Griffith to Sydney. "During the Depression we were pretty right because we grew everything. People from Binya used to come and bring a few bags of wheat for our fowls and our pig and took away vegetables and fruit. They then went into Griffith to get some of their wheat gristed into flour. "I remember the 1931 flood at Yenda. It rained about June then two weeks later the flood arrived from down Temora way. All that country near `Merribee' was like a flood plain. The Creek was very small, just a depression which couldn't carry the flood water. When the water hit the main channel all it had to take it under the canal was a drain pipe that would take about 10 revs, I suppose, if it was lucky. The Creek built up and then it all came down to Yenda where it eventually broke through the channel. We could hear it roaring at night. "My sister, Elsie was in the Girl Guide movement with her good friend Flora Kilpatrick and also with Ruby Bennett, Desiree Beale and others. Elsie worked in Mr Mathieson's chemist shop in Yenda. Then she worked in the Lyceum Cafe and the paper shop for Mr Grimes. Elsie married Charlie White, the son of the garage proprietor who was near the Yenda Hotel. "My friend, Roy Kilpatrick married Winnie Bow. When Archie Bow and family first came to the area they camped near the cemetery. There was young Archie and Gordon and Winnie and another sister who was sent away.

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"In the early days we did not have much to interest me and I went to the Orange Lodge in Griffith with Roy Wood and Billy Hughes. The Lodge was for Irish Protestants they started one in Yenda but it didn't last long. "We also played cards with Bert and Ray Leach who lived less than a mile away. I used to take my gramophone under my arm and we listened to records while we played cards. That is when I learned to play Five Hundred. Sometimes we would visit Carrie Hudson - travelling by spring cart."

Ben Horne and "Friends" at his 80th Birthday Party Courtesy Alan Wakley

Moses Home born Nottingham England 1875 died at Yenda 1.

Ethel Maud Bennett

married Hurstville NSW

born Peakhurst NSW 1885 died at Yenda

Benjamin born Mortlake (Sydney) 1907; died 3 July 1990. Married Alice Maud Livingstone (born 1909 Peakhurst died Yenda 1978).

Elsie born 1914; married Charles White; lives at Goulburn NSW.

By courtesy of the late Ben Home, Farm 1478, Wakley Road, Yenda 2681 and Edna Wakley, who recorded his memories. 366

HUDSON This Hudson family came to Griffith in 1920. Frederick ("Fred") Charles Hudson was the first of his family to arrive. At the age of 19 he accompanied the Cranston family on an eleven day journey from Shuttleton, a small town in the Cobar/Nyngan mining areas. Prior to leaving George Cranston, the father of the family, had been the hotel licensee at Shuttleton and the two families had been close friends for many years - a friendship which was to endure life-long. George Cranston, his wife Emily (nee Ayers) and daughter Isobel travelled by horse and sulky, Emily's father who accompanied them drove a horse and spring cart while the two boys, Fred Hudson and Bill Cranston (aged 13 years) rode bicycles the entire distance of 327 kms (approximately 204 miles). The first night they camped at "Chinaman's Gardens" Gilgunnia. The second night they camped at Mt Allen which was about twelve miles from Mt Hope and then on to Mt Hope and spent that night camped at the Government Tank there; then on to Euabalong West before another stop - this time at the old woolshed on "North Whoey" station, a short distance out of Lake Cargelligo. It was at "Whoey" that Grandfather Ayers' mare became sick so the party was delayed another day to allow the horse to recover. The next night they stayed and slept in the "Naradhan" woolshed and the following night near Rankin Springs in the then deserted old inn, usually referred to as "Scotties' Pub". All these years later Bill Cranston, in his 86th year, recalls vividly continuing on the next day toward Pulletop, taking the old mail coach road which comes out at the Whitton Stock Route near Yenda. The fmal night of their journey was to see them camped at "The Pines" Camp at Griffith. "The Pines" was on the hill now occupied by the Base Hospital but which was then heavily covered in pine trees through which eighty to one hundred tents were scattered. Asked if he could remember any of the other people camped there at that time Bill replies - "Oh it's such a long time ago! Let me see. Percy and Ossie Cook were there; also Stan and Arthur Edmunds and Bill and George Bloomfield who, I understand, later moved to Darlington Point. Of course there were some real wild fellas too construction workers who, despite it L to R - Back: Alice and Clare being a prohibition area, managed Front: Frank, Elizabeth Hudson and Dorrie to get plenty of cheap wine. There were also PLENTY of 'sly grog joints'. "Griffith was good to me but I have too many memories of those early years to relate them all. One that comes to mind is the hats the young women wore in the late 1920s - the Charleston days. Picnics, old time dances, sing-a-longs around the piano, sports meetings - no wireless or TV then.

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"Food? - Good old home cooked meals such as roast beef or lamb with vegies, I have even tried goat, emu, kangaroo, pigeon, wild duck, fish and pork, steak, etc most kinds of rabbit" Fred Hudson's first employment was on the canal construction. He then went to work for the Bagtown blacksmith, John Carroll, who had by this time relocated to Yambil Street on the south-eastern corner of Yambil and Kooyoo Streets, diagonally opposite the Griffith Hotel. Fred and George Cranston obtained blocks side by side. Fred's was a half acre block, Farm 948. Later the farm numbers were dispensed with and his address became No 58, corner of Couch Road and Ulong Street and this is where he was to reside for the rest of his life - 57 years in Griffith except for a period of three years when he was the regulator keeper at Yenda. His only venture into farming was when he planted up his block with apricots. The first crop was harvested and sent off to market in Sydney. However, instead of a nice cash return Fred received a bill!! In the early years Fred was a keen Bill Cranston, Paddy Davis and Merle Hudson supporter of and played with the Griffith outside Cranston's Barber Shop in Black and Whites for six or seven years. He the Victoria Hotel Building also performed with the early group of entertainers known as the "Mirthmakers" and was a loyal, long serving member of his Masonic Lodge. In 1925 Fred married Adelia ("Dellie") Carroll, one of the daughters of Ada and John Carroll. John Carroll was the first blacksmith in old Griffith (Bagtown) in 1915. Fred and Dellie had one child - Kevin. When Fred first went to work for the WC & IC he was employed as a truck driver until 1938 when he became a channel attendant. During his years as a channel attendant he made many friends. In 1960 he retired from the Commission and in retirement joined the Ex-Servicemen's bowling club where he was a keen bowler and active member involved with the committee of the bowling club. Fred died on 23 November 1978, aged 78 years. Dellie predeceased him on 19 October 1952, aged 45 years. They are both buried in the Griffith Cemetery. After Fred the next to arrive was his brother-in-law, Fred Morris, his sister Alice's husband. When the decision was made for their widowed mother, Elizabeth, to move to Griffith both the Freds rode their bicycles back to Shuttleton to assist the rest of the family to pack up and prepare for the journey. Travelling by train from Cobar to Orange, Elizabeth was accompanied by her two daughters Clare and Alice and Alice's two small boys. They stayed for a week on a cherry orchard at Orange with Elizabeth's brother and then set out again by train for Griffith via Blayney, Cootamundra and Temora. At this time another of her daughters, Dorrie, was at boarding school at the Convent at Carcoar. Dorrie came to Griffith when she finished school and later married a local policeman, Clarrie Hart. The two 368

Freds, accompanied by the youngest son Bill, made the journey back overland, bringing the family's possessions. In later years, recalling when they first arrived, Clare was to say - "We were so lucky. Poor old Fred (our brother) was the only one to have to rough it. We had a house to go into when we arrived. That house had a verandah on the front and two sides and it wasn't long before cousins arrived from Canbelego - Ron Millynn, husband of our cousin Ada (née Hudson), Harry Hudson (Ada's brother) and our mother's brother-inlaw Bill Budd. Our sister Alice, husband Fred Morris and their two small children slept on one side of the verandah and the men on the other side. By this time too our brother, Harold, had arrived from Canbelego. I think he came overland with his two horses and drays and went to work carting wood to Tom Berry's brick kiln. His wife, Ivy, followed later with their two small children; Merle the baby was just three weeks old. Brother Bill went to school and I got a job pitting apricots at the old ice works. After leaving school Bill went to work for Don Campbell (who had also come from Cobar) in his shoe store at the top of Banna Avenue". Later Clare was to Elizabeth Hudson (née Morris) work as receptionist for Dr Watkins and later with her four sons L to R: Fred, Harold, Frank and Bill still for Dr Goldberg. Harold Hudson, Fred's brother, spent the greater part of his working life in Griffith until he and his wife, Ivy (nee Parker daughter of an apiarist from Bobadah) retired to Belfield, Sydney in 1950. They also lived on a block further along Couch Road, first in a small two-roomed house made of round-backs with a lean-to at the side for the sulky and later a car. This was eventually replaced by a nice spacious house where they lived until retiring to Sydney. Harold and Ivy had two children. Henry James ("Ted") born 1920 and Merelyn Louise ("Merle") born 1922. Both Harold and Ivy died in Sydney - Harold on 22 July 1972 aged 79 years and Ivy on 31 May 1984 aged 82 years. Alice and Fred Morris moved to Sydney after some years here. One of their small children is among the first burials in the Griffith Cemetery. Bill and Clare also settled in Sydney where they both still live, as do Merle and her husband Arthur Gibson. By courtesy of Clare Hudson, Canterbury 2193. and Hilary Dalton (nee Millynn), Yenda 2681. Photographs courtesy of Merle Gibson (nee Hudson), Belfield 2191. 369

HUGHES John Joseph Hughes senior and his eldest son, Sidney Bernard (always known as either "Bern" or "Bernie") came to Griffith in 1922. John Joseph's parents were English and Welsh. John Joseph was born in Kyneton Vic in 1875. He was a miner who had been widowed and left with one small son, Frederick, born at Wollongong. When John Joseph moved to Cobar to work in the mine his small son from his first marriage, Fred, was left in the care of the Campbell family who reared him. From this time Fred was always known as Fred Campbell and is survived by two daughters - Clare Logue and Rita Baker and their families of Wollongong.

Hughes Family c.1934 Back: Bern, George, Bob and Jack Front: John Joseph (father) and Jane Elizabeth (mother) Courtesy Doreen Ilughes (née Martin)

After moving to Cobar John met and married Jane Elizabeth Weltie. Born in Bourke 1874 Jane Elizabeth was the daughter of Peter Weltie (born Germany) and Anne (nee Kelly, born England). Her parents, Peter and Anne had married in Australia. As a young woman Jane was a noted horse rider and in 1889 rode a horse called "Slow Tiger" to win at the Cobar P & A Association Show. The owners of "Slow Tiger" presented the trophy, a silver cake tray, to Jane. She was also a noted cook. She was tall of stature, just on six feet tall and this no doubt shows up in her tall sons and some of her grandchildren.

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Jane and John had four sons - Sidney Bernard, John Joseph junior ("Jack"), Robert Peter Malcolm ("Bob") and George Thomas. At Cobar they conducted a bakery until the closing of the mines. They then sold the bakery and John senior and Bern came to the MIA seeking work which they obtained with the WC & IC on the construction of channels in the mallee area (Lake View). They were accompanied by Jane's two brothers, Peter and John Weltie, who also obtained work on the channel construction. After a time, despite being only 15 at the time, Bern returned to Cobar to assist his mother and the younger boys in the move to Griffith. Jane drove a sulky and Bern drove a dray loaded with their possessions. The journey took a week and they camped and picnicked on the way. The boys enjoyed the trip and George recalled celebrating his 7th birthday on the way. They travelled in company with other families, one of whom was George and Florrie Jones and their children. John senior and Bern continued working on the channels and the family lived in tents. During this period Jane cooked, on or in camp ovens, for her family and twenty men boarders. One of George's favourite duties was to ride his pony to where the men were working and deliver their lunches. Jack was a great help to his mother. The boys' education at this period was by correspondence. Later the family moved to a house in Yoogali where the younger boys attended Yoogali Public School. Bern eventually obtained an orchard property at Ballingal and the family lived there for a time. The boys were all keen cricketers and tennis players in the 1930s and played cricket with the Savage brothers, Harold Evans, Reg Read, Jack Cudmore and Alec Strachan. The family was also very involved L to R: Jack, George, John (father), Bern and Bob with the Sacred Heart Parish and had a great Courtesy Doreen Hughes regard for the late Father O'Dea. John Joseph senior died at Griffith on 15 December 1935 aged 61 years. Jane Elizabeth also died in Griffith on 12 September 1949, aged 75 years. They are both buried in Griffith. Buried in the same grave as Jane Elizabeth are two of her brothers - Peter Weltie (died 16 October 1928 aged 60 yrs) and John George Weltie (died 21 January 1932 aged 68 years). Bern married Nancy Young, daughter of Mr and Mrs Charlie Young of Warburn. Bob married Kathleen Button, daughter of Mr and Mrs Ted Button. Jack married Rita McNamara. George married Mary Doreen Martin of Kew, Melbourne. When Bern and Nancy married the rest of the family moved to a house at West End. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939 Bob enlisted in the Air Force. He was in Bougainville when the war ended. George was called up for the CMF but enlisted in the AIF in 1942. He was a Sapper in the 2nd Australian Field Survey Co when war finished and was discharged on 11 February 1946. Bern worked his farm at Ballingal until 1951 then sold out and bought a large area property at Deniliquin. He and Nancy are now retired and living in Deniliquin.

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At the end of the war Jack, Bob and George rejoined the WC & IC in Griffith. Bob and Jack later took up farming in the area. Jack, Rita and children moved to Barellan and then to Young. Jack died at Young in 1983 and Rita on 1 December 1992. After the fanning venture Bob managed the Golden Fleece Depot at Griffith for a time and then became a representative for the United Farmers & Woolgrowers Association. He died in 1973 and is survived by his wife Kathleen, son Barry and daughter Patricia. Their eldest son, Peter, died in 1989. Kathleen lives at Marylands, Sydney; Barry in Adelaide and Patricia in Leeton. George died at Griffith in 1969. He is survived by his wife Doreen and children. He was still working with the WC & IC at the time of his death. Doreen still lives in Griffith.

Ilughes/Cudmore Family Picnic Courtesy Marie Neville (nee Cudmore)

Joseph and Elizabeth Hughes

John Joseph Hughes born Kyneton Vic 1875 died Griffith 15 December 1935

Peter and Ann Weltie • Jane Elizabeth Weltie born Bourke NSW 1874 died Griffith 12 September 1949

married

• •

I. 2. 3. 4.

Sidney Bernard born Cobar 1907. Married Nancy Young. Five children - Malcolm, Helen, Laurence, Marion and Kevin. John Joseph born Cobar 1909, died Young 1983. Married Rita McNamara. Two children - John and Mary. Robert Peter born Cobar 1913, died Griffith November 1973. Married Kathleen Button. Three children Peter (dec'd), Barry and Patricia. George Thomas born Cobar 1916, died Griffith 27 November 1969. Married Mary Doreen Martin. Four children - Patrick, David, Margaaret and Terrence.

By courtesy of Doreen Hughes, 15 Wade Street, Griffith 2680. 372

IRVIN William Irvin was born 19 February 1876 at California Gully, Victoria, the son of Samuel Irvin and Sarah (née Arblaster). He was one of six sons and four daughters. His wife, Florence Mabel Irvin (known as Mabel) was born 23 August 1884 on her father's property at Gunbar. Mabel was the daughter of William Thomas Spry and Florence Emmaline (née Donnelly - known as Florence).' She was one of three sons and five daughters.

The Irvin Family about 1920. Standing: L to R - Maud, Gladys, Florence Sitting: William & Mabel. Front: Fred, Roy, Vera, Keith, Bill Courtesy Glenda Brill (née Irvin)

Her father, William Thomas Spry and his wife, Florence, had a farm at Gunbar until 1901 and then he had a team and carried wool by bullock waggon to Melbourne and supplies to Riverina towns as far north as Cobar. Mabel and her sister May, who were both superb horsewomen, made regular trips to Whitton for groceries - taking two days on horse back to make the trip there and back to Gunbar.

See Spry entry "Griffith & District Pioneers Series 1"

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Mabel did not have any formal schooling and at the age of 16 years (1900) worked in Junee at the railway refreshment rooms, where she met her future husband, William Irvin. They were married at Narrandera in 1901. They then moved to Rutherglen Vic where their first child was born in 1903. After working at Rutherglen, William returned to Narrandera and lived on a farmlet. He bought a horse team and went dam sinking until 5 December 1914 when he drew Farm 91, a new irrigation farm in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area opened by the Government. He later expanded this farm from 50 acres to 330 acres and did contract work sharefarming. William had many occupations during his lifetime and was a teamster, farmer, horsebreaker and dealer. He was also a baker by trade.

Courtesy Val Irvin

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The Premier Butchery c.1937138 Left to right: Roy Irvin, Keith Irvin, Les Flood, Gladys Irvin, Arthur Farrell, Albert Clark, Charlie Foster, Mrs Mabel Irvin, Ian Stevenson, Wally Bruce (Manager) Courtesy Glenda Brill Mk Irvin)

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Early Griffith Show - now Griffith Catholic High School Courtesy Nancy Mason (nee Rounce)

The Irvin Family L to R: Back - Florence, Fred, Maud, William, Gladys Sitting - Roy, William Snr, Mabel, Keith, Vera Standing in front - Robert Courtesy Val Irvin

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Mabel - Cattle Sale - Flemington, Sydney Courtesy Val Irvin

The Irvins saw the potential for a dairy on the farm as "Bagtown" was growing and new settlers were So they arriving all the time. travelled to Narrandera and bought "springing" cows and heifers and sent them by train to Willbriggie as there was no rail to Griffith. From their dairy farm they delivered milk daily to "Bagtown" and to other farms. The Irvin children attended the Hanwood and later the Yoogali School. Their daughter Maud became a teacher at Hanwood. William Irvin worked and then became a manager of the Co-op butchery. Later he opened his own butchery known as the "Premier Butchery" which many years after was pulled down and became part of the Griffith Co-op Store. He was also involved with the Griffith Abattoirs.

SEPTEMBER 13, 1938

WOMAN BUTCHER

'HER OWN BUYER A

WOMAN was a buyer of tat cattle at Flemington stockyards yesterday.

She Is Mrs. F. M. Irvin, proprietress of the Premier Butchery, Griffith, N.S.W. of "Mrs. Irvin is one of the best judgesMr.

fat cattle in New South Wales." said Cid. White, assistant auctioneer. Farmers and Graders, Ltd. Calmly Intent on the bidding, her neat erre was conspknoas among the men who crowded the platforms al • Flemington. "No. I'm not a scrap nervoue, and I take no notice of what amen* else Irvin use my own judgment." Mrs. Irvin said yesterday.

A Grandmother

buy all over the country—wherever the market Is right. Because of drought conditions In the west, I have had to. 7 come to Flemington." Mrs. Irvin confessed that the la a trandmother. and has Wise children of con

"When my husband died suddenly eve years ago, we had Just bought a little butchery business, and I was left to carry on." the explained. "Gladys. my daughter, ts my righthand 'man' Is the shop. I don't snow what I would do without her. "The drought Is responsible for the high price of cattle at present. -The butchers must buy, and they Peas the coat on to the public. but they are not making the Pronto." stated Mrs. Irvin.

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Meat supplies for the butchery were always selected and bought by the Irvins themselves. William and Mabel's nine surviving children all helped in the dairy, butchery and abattoir businesses. William belonged to and worked hard for the Griffith Agricultural Society and was on the Board of the Griffith Hospital until his death. Mabel rode horses successfully at most of the Riverina Agricultural Shows up until World War II, and became a well known figure in the town in her neatly tailored riding habit. On 1 July 1933, William passed away suddenly with a heart attack, leaving Mabel with nine children from the age of nine to thirty years. She successfully continued with the farm and butchery for many years before retiring. She lived in good health until her 81st birthday and passed away on 2 October 1965 - the day of the Griffith Show. The family of William and Mabel Irvin: Gladys Mabel ("Glad") born 25 January 1903 at Rutherglen, died 22 August 1972. Married Frank Lunt. They had no children. Florence Lena ("Flo") born 7 July 1904 at Rutherglen. Died at Griffith 30 June 1989. Married Horace William McFadzean in 1923 - the first wedding in the Griffith Methodist Church. They had five children: Reginald, Frederick, Stanley, Leonard and Mavis. Maud born 6 January 1906 at Narrandera. Died at Sydney 4 November 1986. Married Max Edwards in 1929. They had four children: Margaret, Graham, William and Elaine. William Edward ("Bill") born 8 August 1908 at Narrandera. Died at Wakool 30 September 1976. Married Rose Lucca. They had four sons: William, John, Peter and Tony. Frederick Albert ("Fred") born 25 October 1910 at Narrandera. Died 17 March 1971, buried at Whitton NSW. He married Trix Johnson. They had no children. Roy Henry (Roy) born 16 April 1914 at Narrandera. Died at Griffith 13 June 1976. Served AIF in WWII. Married Esma Lorraine Hosking. They had three children; Allan, Glenda and Stephanie. Samuel Keith McNickle (Keith) born at Griffith 1 January 1916. Died in Deniliquin 29 December 1982. Married Eunice Foster. They had nine children: Merle, Francis, Valma, Gordon, Calvin, Janice, Shirley, Ian and Susan. Vera Daphne (Vera) born 14 December 1917. Died in Sydney January 1976. Married Arthur Farrell at Sydney. They had no children.

Robert James born at Griffith 15 February 1921, died 4 June 1921. Robert Wesley Valentine ("Bob") born at Griffith 12 September 1925. Died at Griffith 30 April 1988. Married Valerie Isabel Edith Betts. They had four children: Bruce, Julie, Gaye and Lynette Ann (dec'd). Robert was a Councillor and on the Wade Shire and later Griffith Shire Council and also served terms as Shire President and Deputy Shire President.

By courtesy of Glenda Brill (née Irvin), Box 348, Griffith 2680. 378

JACKSON Frederick Henry ("Freddie") Jackson was born at Corowa NSW on 23 April 1898. He was educated at Fort Street Boys High School, Sydney and after leaving school, joined the staff of the Royal Bank. From the commencement of World War I, his aim and ambition was to join the armed forces but, being under-age and not having his father's consent, this course was not open to him. Undaunted, he made a number of aborted attempts to enlist by Eventually his father falsely stating his age. capitulated and gave permission for him to enlist on 23 May 1918. He joined the 53rd Battalion of the 60074 Regiment of the AIF and embarked for service in Belgium on 30 July 1918. Returning to Australia in September 1919, he resumed his position in the Royal Bank. Freddie was always interested in sport and won a gold medal for a heel and toe walking event. Being of short stature (5 ft 51/2 ins) he decided to Frederick Henry Jackson compensate for his lack of inches by joining a July 1918 gymnastic and muscle building group who gave exhibitions on Bondi beach. He was endowed with a natural ability for drawing and augmented his bank salary by doing caricatures of sporting personalities for a newspaper of the day - "The Referee and Arrow". At the age of twenty-three, he married Lisa Brooke of Sydney, whose great uncle was Charles Lee, after whom the town of Leeton was named. Their only child, daughter Pat, was born on 12 November 1922. Freddie's free spirit commenced to rebel. He was of the opinion that there could be several outcomes of working in a bank - he could end up in gaol or, what would be worse, could become a bank manager sitting in a small office in the banking chambers, or worst of all, remain a bank clerk, so he grasped the opportunity of becoming a horticulturist by taking up, on 30 May 1923, Farm 1711, Tharbogang. A versatile person, he erected the usual two-roomed cottage, with verandah front and back. The back verandah partitioned at either end for a kitchen and bathroom. Following government recommendations, he planted his holding to citrus and at the end of 1923 was joined by his wife, Lisa, and their twelve month old baby. A trying time followed for city-bred Lisa. One of her most vivid recollections was trying to light a fire with green wood to heat milk for a screaming, hungry baby. However, she adapted to the harsh conditions and somehow always managed to keep herself and baby immaculate. The trip to Griffith was, at first, made sitting on a sea-grass chair on a horsedrawn dray - a rather bumpy ride over the stony Police Station hill at the western end of Banna Avenue. This form of transport was soon replaced by a very basic, open motor vehicle - virtually a tray with a seat, the only covered part being the engine.

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After four and a half years of hard work, it was obvious that the citrus trees would never thrive, the farm was condemned as unsuitable for horticulture and was surrendered on 27 January 1928. It has now become part of rice farm 1697. The fifty acre farm, Farm 182 Hanwood, was then purchased from George Hemming at a cost of £2,200. It was planted mainly to mixed varieties of grape vines, with a few apricots, prunes and citrus, the boundaries being planted with a windbreak of almonds. This was not quite such a fruit salad planting as some of the orchards at that time. Lisa and Pat were delighted with the house which was constructed of concrete bricks, boasted a hallway and a wide front verandah, where they spent many an evening waiting for the southerly breeze which would bring an eagerly awaited cool change to alleviate the intense summer heat. The usual arrangement prevailed of back verandah with kitchen Lisa Jackson (Me Brooke) and bathroom (with galvanised iron bath) at either c. 1918 end. There was even the basis of a garden with a tree lucerne hedge, some kurrajongs and the ubiquitous dolichos creeper. The weekly wash still had to be done in the open, the tank stand being wide enough to accommodate two galvanised wash tubs, with the fuel copper nearby. The water was carried by bucket. After the boiling, rinsing, blueing and starching the ironing was done with flat irons heated on the fuel stove. Later a kerosene iron was used. This always appeared to be about to blow up. A two-roomed workman's cottage was already on the farm, so an Italian migrant family was sought for farm labour. The arrival of Giuseppe ("Joe") Mares with his wife, daughter, and all their goods and chattels, was quite an event for everyone concerned. Joe's daughter, Gina, was the same age as Pat, so, in spite of speaking different languages, the children soon learned to communicate in one of their own - Pat imagining that she was speaking Italian and Gina happy in the thought that she was learning English, all of it quite unintelligible to the adults! Pat was intrigued by, and eager to taste (to her) the strange Italian food and fascinated by the pig-killing and sausage-making celebration when friends and relations seemed to arrive in large numbers; and, of course, she was delighted to have a playmate! The orchard was situated amongst rice farms - in fact, during one watering season, Freddie drew a cartoon depicting himself as Noah, but pointing out that his particular flood lasted for more than forty days and forty nights. The adjoining farm, owned by the hospitable Little family (see Series 1), had a large house - the original homestead of the former (Selector) Anderson family's "Yarranvale" property. This was the venue of many happy occasions for all the surrounding neighbours. There were tennis parties, card games around the large kitchen table, sing-alongs, bonfire nights and woolshed dances. On bonfire nights, after the fireworks, the men formed a circle

380

and threw a lighted ball of string which had been previously soaked in kerosene. And the children ran wild! They were happy times, but the Depression of the late twenties and early thirties was severe. Pat, after having ridden a pushbike three miles to Hanwood school for two years, was now being educated in Sydney. More money was needed so Joe became a share farmer. Vegetables were grown on an area of unplantal land and Freddie made use of his quickness with figures to earn additional income as a penciller for John Venardos, a bookmaker at that time. Freddie was one of the early members of the . i Jondaryan Club and a member of their cricket team, playing as wicket keeper. Sixteen club members /'(/ /7 were the subjects of his caricatures which hung in the club rooms for many years and were used on the kieZt tG:74;1‘.3 inside cover of the Club's 50th Jubilee booklet. He .04,mand that U. fO was frequently asked to draw posters for local dances. They always had a humorous theme, and LFAGLIE .ALL two are in the Pioneer Park Museum - showing "Admission 3/- for a New Year's Eve Dance at the Lyceum with supper. Music by the Melody Makers. In aid of Ballingal P & C. Walter Bull M.C., E S Furby, Sec". The second poster advertises the 11th Annual League Ball on 11 July 1930. Admission 15/- double. A journalist in an article for the Area News wrote - "1 do not know whether Mr Jackson sketches because he is happy, or is happy because he sketches. Indeed the rubicund Mr Jackson is an interesting study in cause and effect; one does not quite know which is which, but any cause of such a pleasant effect is worthy of investigation. Perhaps Mr Jackson is simply the product of an easy conscience or a good digestion. At any rate he is the only wholly happy horticulturist 1 have met."

r:r S•ct•

F.0 DAM: 3ts•pl,

ftoery

•

One of Fred Jackson's friends once remarked "Freddie Jackson must be the most amiable man I have ever met." He and Lisa were a popular couple at social functions - Lisa for her attractive appearance, pleasant manner and ballroom dancing skill, Freddie for his ability to quickly become the life of the party with his keen sense of humour. The finale of many a ball was, when at the insistence of the stragglers, he would do a "back flip" or "chuck a doubler". Older and much heavier than when, in his youth, he had mastered those feats, Lisa would stand on the sideline, with her heart in her mouth, imagining that surely this time the result would be a broken neck. In 1936 perhaps he was not a "wholly happy horticulturist", because he decided to return to the city and sold the orchard to Joe's brother, Angelo Mares, for £1,793, which as £407 less than he had paid for it nine years previously.

381

Freddie and Pat - 1925 Farm 1711 Tharbogang

Freddie and Lisa Jackson with daughter Pat - 1924

•

"Off to Cricket" 1935 L to R: Beryl Jackson (Freddie's youngest sister), Lisa and Freddie

►

Farm 182, Ilanwood - 1935 Lisa about to boil the kettle

►

382

DR,JE TAYLOR.

OS. iburLEFt

BILL WALES PErttc•imoika Art

DOC. BURRELL.

V INC KENNEDY

NORMAN BOOT.

Some of Fred Jackson's caricatures of well known Members of the Jondaryan Club. The 'NCR Cr, 'Se

383

It is said that once having drunk channel water, a person will always return. The Jackson family LOWINGWACKSON AUCTIONEERS. STOCK E. STATION AGENTS did just that, and Freddie, with his ::;14111CAR.GEDYELHALLOclIN I VP r•ZZA.', /MUM (II CI'VP argadiorsce friend and former Hanwood Comas neighbour, Alan Lowing, commenced the real estate agency of Lowing and Jackson. After the death of Alan Lowing he again had the urge to go on the land and bought a dairy farm at Little Jilliby in the Wyong district. After a couple of years, he was persuaded that he was not really physically Griffith Show c.1940 able to continue with that, so he L to R: Alan Lowing, Arthur Payne, Fred Jackson sold out and he and Lisa went for a trip overseas. On their return, Freddie bought a small property at Wallacia, intending to spend his later years running a few head of cattle and playing golf. Unfortunately that was not to be. In 1956, at the age of 58, and only a week after moving in, he died suddenly at home with a severe heart attack. Lisa returned, once again, to Griffith to be near Pat and family where she lived until her death in the Griffith Nursing Home at the age of 85.

Frederick Henry Jackson born Corowa NSW 1898 died Wallacia NSW 1956

married Lisa Ethel Lee Brooke born Tatura Vic 1896 • died Griffith NSW 1981 •

Patricia Lee born 1922; married Arthur James Weare (see Series I). Three children. •

Ian Arthur married Elizabeth Smith (three daughters - Georgina, Alexandra and Eliza). Living in Griffith NSW.

Lee Anne married Murray Shaw (two sons, one daughter - Ben, Charles and Anna). Living at Darlington Point NSW.

Sandra Jean married Donald Jones (two sons - Edward and Alexander). Living at Hillston NSW.

Caricature of Allan Little

by Freddie Jackson Entry and photographs courtesy of Pat Weare (née Jackson), Farm 1434, Griffith 2680.

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JANSEN Although my parents (Bert and Ida Jansen) were not among the first settlers in Griffith, I think they could still be regarded as pioneers as they arrived in Griffith from Victoria in 1923. Dad was a returned soldier from WW1. He had been discharged from the army as medically unfit after being gassed and wounded in action in France. This was in 1917, the year he and my mother were married. Dad was the son of William Jansen, a German sailor who had jumped ship, possibly in His Melbourne, about 1878. mother was Jane Baldwin, daughter of John Baldwin and Ellen (née Mansell) both of England. Mum was the daughter of David Pinnuck who was 2 years old when he arrived, with his parents from England on the ship "Netherby", which was sunk at King Island on the trip out in July 1886. Her mother was Mary Ann Peterson, daughter of Charles Peterson (Norway) and Bridget Bailey (Ireland). My parents, Bert and Ida left their dairy farm at Kyabram in 1922 to come to this area. They stayed at Jerilderie for a while before coming to Leeton where Dad worked for the Commission. There were three children. The eldest, Bert Kenneth (always known as Pat) was nearly 4, Stella was nearly 3 and I (Betty) was about 18 months old. They lost most of their possessions at Jerilderie, except the caravan, in a fire caused by a "whirley wind" blowing ashes from a campfire Ida & Bert Jansen - 1917 onto a pile of clothes put out to be washed. I can't remember much but I know we spent some time at Leeton living on McGreggor's farm at Cow Shed Hill (now known as Wattle Hill). We gave it another name when I rolled down a culvert into a fresh cow pat! Stella contracted polio while we were there and she was left with a limp for the rest of her life. I can remember her leg being in

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plaster for a long time. Bill McGreggor who had had polio before we went to live there was always in a wheel chair. He and his parents later had a little greengrocers shop in Leeton. In 1923 we shifted to Goodsall's farm at Hanwood and from there Dad worked on "Kooba" Station before he went back to work for the Commission. We lived in a tin shed on Goodsall's farm not far from the shop. I can remember Dad taking Pat, Stella and I to the Ostrich Farm while we were there. We went by sulky and I can just remember driving on a road between netting fences to look at the birds. I thought it was out towards Whitton.'

Ida Jansen (n6e Pinnuck) with her children, Stella, Ida, Betty and Pat. Taken about 1926-27 at "Kyvalley" Tabbita near Pinteebakana.

Ida was born while we were at Hanwood in 1924. Not long afterwards we shifted out to the channel head at Lake View where Dad was working on the channel construction. We lived in a tin-roofed, hessian sided hut while we were there. Mum cooked breakfasts for the workers who lived in tents on the work site. Dolly Clifford, who lived next door to us, also had a breakfast service for some of the men. We lived not far from where Ken Tyson now has his farm (1991). Some time ago I was talking to Bernie Hughes who had a farm at Ballingal and he said he knew my parents well. He was Dad's "Billy Boy" when he was working on the channel construction at Lake View (Lake Wyangan). We shifted back to West End in Griffith in 1925 when Mum was expecting another baby, Jack, who was born in December 1925. He was a sickly baby and only lived for 10 months when he caught measles and passed away. We lived on a 1 acre farmlet behind "The

It is known that ostrich were farmed at Yanco and there are still many photos to verify this.

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Common" (now the Showground) which was used by the residents to run their horses and cows. Our next door neighbours were the Reub Richards who had four children, Jack, Doris, Alice and Tommy. The Rebergers and Haynes lived behind us. Ruby Haynes passed away about a week before Jack - I think she was only about 18 years old. The Rebergers had a big family but I can only remember Doreen and Tom. Dan Pentland who lived down the road, had a daughter Marie. Dan's brother, Charlie, lived with them while Bloomfields and Hoggards lived close by. Bloomfields had twin daughters Minnie and Maggie. There weren't many shops in the town then. Pritchards had a little shop where Mum used to send us to buy broken biscuits. We were always pleased when Mr Pritchard found us some broken Brockhoff biscuits which rarely lasted till we got home. Very often the bread had the same treatment when we ate the centre out of a fresh loaf. The old Post Office was in the main street about where the St George Building Society is now I think. Dave Taylor's shop was a real treasure trove. There were water and verandah bags," lanterns, glass bottomed kerosene lamps, pretty canisters, enamel and father mugs, enamel plates, groceries and all sorts of nick knacks that used to keep us entertained for however long Mum took to do the shopping. The Police Station was where Neighbourhood House is now in Benerembah Street and Leckie's had the blacksmiths shop and stables in Yambil Street. Bones had the barber shop and Miss Robinson had Verandah Bag the paper shop which also sold material and sewing needs. When I had a poisoned leg, I spent some time in the old Hospital, which was near the Co-op. I used to spend time talking to an old Aboriginal whose name was Archy Foot. He had been bitten by a snake. I learned a lot about snakes, which came in useful when we shifted out to Tabbita (Pinteebakana) the following year. Pat and Stella had been going to the Primary School at Griffith and I had just started school when Dad drew a Soldier Settlement farm at Tabbita. I can't remember much about the school except there were blackboards all around the walls where I spent most of my time drawing. We shifted out to the farm in early 1927. There was no school out there and Mum taught Pat and Stella by correspondence until the school was started in a tin shed on Whinfield's place. We walked three miles to school until the old "Elimo" School (from near Yenda) was shifted closer to our place. It was renamed "Pinteebakana", which meant "The home of the Willy Wagtail". Our house, like many others, was built of corrugated iron. The two bedrooms had board floors but the kitchen had a dirt floor that had to be sprinkled with water every

Verandah Bag - Suspended canvas water hags approximately one metre high. Most had a canvas lid to keep the dust out with either a canvas spout or wooden tap at the bottom.

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morning to lay the dust before it was swept and wheat bags put down for mats. We had one rain water tank on the house for drinking and cooking water and the rest of the water was brought by "Furphy"' from Richards' dam or Ryan's bore. Our own bore that was sunk later was only good for the animals as it was too brackish for household use. The women had the hardest job as they had to contend with little water and food, primitive cooking methods, dirty and hungry children and little money in the early years. Everyone was in the same boat. Mum did all her cooking in camp ovens until she acquired a bakers double oven stove. This stove had a fire box in the middle and an oven on both sides. It enabled Mum to cook bread or cakes in one side while she cooked a baked meal in the other side. All the farmers' wives swapped their made up recipes. Lots of people asked Mum for her recipe for "Gunbar Stew", made from potatoes and onions that were plentiful and "Hardcases" - biscuits made from sweetened pastry with currants and rolled out thin. Our biscuit tin was never without them. Meat was scarce and rabbits were used extensively. Mum bred turkeys as a side line and exchanged dressed turkeys for fruit and vegetables when she came to town. Dad brought bags of wheat into the train and sent them to Pardey's Flour Mill at Temora. The wheat was gristed and sent back as flour, semolina for breakfast cereal and pollard and bran for the turkeys and dogs. The white flour bags were used for all sorts of things including boys' shirts, girls' bloomers and aprons, sheets (six bags made a double bed sheet and one made a pillow slip). Sugar bags were trimmed with cretonne and made into handtowels, washing aprons, peg bags and many other things. It was while we were on the farm that "Sol" Green started a variety shop in town, I think about 1930. It was in the middle block but it wasn't operating for long when it was burnt down. They had a fire sale which Mum and Dad went to. Dad got a real bargain when he bought Stella and I a pair of shoes each for only a shilling. Mine were green and white leather. The only trouble was they were both for the left foot! I often wondered who got the pair for the right foot. They were not changeable!! It was about the same year that Dad's brother wrote and said that he would give Dad a T Model Ford if he liked to go over and get it. We all went over with the Arthur Curleys who went on to Moulamein after staying the night with us in Hay. Dad was very proud of this vehicle, which wasn't registered and Dad didn't have a licence! It was only used for going to town. To start the engine Mum got the old grey horse and towed the truck until it started. Alternatively we kids had to push until it started and then hop up on the

Water cart made at a foundry established by the Furphy

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back. This saved Dad cranking it. It had no brakes and when we came to a gate Dad had to slow down and we kids would hop off the back of the truck and hang on while Pat ran ahead and opened the gate. By then the truck would be stopped and Pat could close the gate and get back on. When we got to town Dad left the truck in Gambell's yard in Binya Street. Dad was always at loggerheads with Sgt Samson. Dad would spend some time at the "Pub" and when it was time to go home would have had one too many. We kids were told to watch out for Sgt Samson while Dad got the petrol, which was 9d per gallon at that time. Although Sgt Samson was nowhere in sight the minute Dad pulled up at the bowler the Sgt would be waiting for him. He would ask Dad for his licence and registration papers that he knew Dad didn't have! He then refused to allow Dad to drive home. When Mum asked how we were to get home he would say "You or the lad can drive home". Pat was about 13 and after taking it out of sight of Sgt Samson, Dad would take over and drive home!!

Sheep being fed Kurrajong leaves in drought about 1930 Courtesy Betty Watts (nee Jansen)

After many droughts, dust storms, mouse plagues, grasshopper plagues, a severe bush fire and the continuation of the drought and Dad's bad health they walked off the farm just before Christmas in 1936. Mum had bought a block of land in Tharbogang for £5. It had a small bark hut on the block and Dad got enough corrugated iron to roof a small place as two bedrooms and a kitchen. Later they built another house out of roundbacks with cement slabs for the floors and later still they built a weatherboard and fibro house through the War Service Assistance. This house still exists and was bought by Bill Cottom and his wife who live there now. It was pouring rain when they shifted and rained non stop for a week. On Christmas day the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. We children voted it the best Christmas ever with a channel full of water at the back door. Jack Hales lived one side and Percy Jones the other side. Old Bill Dunn had "the hotel site" where De Luca's now have a big shed. Frank Dunn lived in the Water Bailiff's house at the other end of the Village.

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The only other houses were the railway houses on the other side of the Village near the railway line, occupied by the Pollard and Lewis families. Annie and Bill were born while we were out at the farm. Annie in 1929 and Bill in 1932. Another baby died at birth in 1927. Annie and Bill both became desperately ill the first year we came to Tharbogang with what was thought to be gastro enteritis. Many children had the same complaint and there were some deaths from it. After many weeks in hospital and the children getting worse each day, Dr Burrell decided it was like Enteric Fever and as a last resort sent for anti-enteric serum. Both children responded to the treatment and after many months were back to normal. It was said to be caused by drinking channel water. After I left school I worked on several farms around the district before starting to work for Mrs Chauncy at Bilbul in 1938. It was while I was there that the big town water supply was built down near the Co-op. I remember going to the Venetian Carnival that was held to officially open it - the marvellous fire works, the like of which had never been seen in Griffith before and the float that won the prize with the girl painted in gold representing a statue. From a hot day it turned freezing cold. Everyone was dressed in light summer clothes. We all pitied the people on the floats scantily clad and freezing. I worked at Chauncy's for about two years. I had several jobs before I started to work for Dr and Mrs Goldberg. I was supposed to work in the house but after several men left to join the Army the Doctor asked me if I would also work for him if he taught me how to drive. I agreed and soon had my driving licence. My day started at 5 a.m. when I got the Doctor his breakfast before he went to the farms and often ended very late at night. My work included the house work, cooking, gardening, getting David and Ruth off to school, doing the messages for Loretto Hospital and the carting to the farms. The Doctor's farms were at Beelbangera, where he grew vegetables under Government contract for the Army and at Benerembah ("Carmel") where he had stud Corriedale sheep. He also grew opium poppies for seed under Government contract. The hospitals needed opium that was normally imported but was no longer available. Mostly I drove the Maple Leaf Chev truck. I drove out to Beelbangera in the ute to collect the truck which had been loaded with vegetables, by the Land Army Girls, to be delivered to the train by 11 a.m. After this I went out to Benerembah where the Land Army Girls there loaded the truck with the bagged poppy seed which had to be delivered to the railway by 4 p.m. After unloading, I drove the truck back to Beelbangera and left it for reloading the next morning. I then came home in the ute. If Doctor was busy I often took the Land Army Girls out to the farm or brought them back in. The lawns were often done, using a hand pushed mower, at night or on my "day off" if I were particularly busy. The Doctor always paid me for any extra hours I worked. I was there for about two years before I joined the Army as a transport driver. Dad passed away in 1941 when he was 52 and Mum continued to live at Tharbogang until 1959 when she went to Ariah Park before returning to live in the Smith Family units. When the Legacy Units were built in Kelly Avenue she was one of the first occupants and she lived there until her death in 1978 just before her 90th birthday.

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The children of Bert and Ida Jansen: 1.

Bert Kenneth (Pat) born 20 May 1918 at Echuca, Victoria. Died 3 March 1963 at Lake Cargelligo. Buried in Griffith. Unmarried.

Stella Edith Ellen born 27 November 1919 at Echuca, Victoria. Married Ernest Dotter 22 August 1942. Children: Carol, Roy, Leslie, Mary. Died 31st March 1959. Buried North Rocks, Sydney.

Betty Josephine born 20 December 1921 at Kyabram, Victoria. Married William George Watts 26 August 1946. Children: Susan, Michael, Margot, Janice, Rodney. Lives at 'Tharbogang.

Ida May born 19 May 1924 at Hanwood, N.S.W. Married Edward Shiels 15 February 1946. Lives at Adelong. Children: Mervyn, Peter, Jeffery, Colin, Anne, Fay (deceased).

Jack Thomas born 4 December 1925. Died Griffith 25 October 1926.

Unnamed Boy still born 20 December 1927 at Griffith.

Annie Marie born 13 September 1929 at Griffith. Married John Ridges Lived at 23 April 1955. Died 23 March 1989, buried at Griffith. Liverpool and Port Macquarie. No children.

William David born 17 November 1932 at Griffith. Married Heather Brown 8 April 1957. Children: Yvonne, Ian, Deborah, Paul, William, Garry. Lives at Whitton.

Entry and photographs contributed by Betty Watts (née Jansen), PO Box 458, Griffith 2680.

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JOHNS George and Phoebe Johns arrived in Griffith, from Hay, in 1914 and took up two farms - 194 and 195 (now part of Beaumont's property "Rosemont", at Hanwood) which they operated as a dairy in the days when everything was done 'by hand'. Married in Hay in 1897, George and Phoebe (nee Hodges) had six children - all of whom were born at Hay -

George Johns Sur - IliMinn

1. Dorothy born 1897; married Walter Fullalove - lived at Hay. 2. George born 1899; died Sutherland 27 February 1973; married Madge Hill (daughter of Thomas and Edith Hill who lived at Griffith and later at Sutherland). 3. Jenny born 1902; married Thomas Collier. 4. Ivy born 1904; married John Arthur ("Jack") Collins. 5. Annie married Donald Warford - lived Wagga. 6. Florence married Maurice Martin - lived Hillston George's parents, Frank Johns (born Lelant, Cornwall 1836) and Jane (nee Kirk, born in 1837 at Wick, almost on the north eastern tip of Scotland, just below the Orkney Islands) were the first Mayor and Mayoress of Hay. Frank opened the school at Hay in 1869. Frank and Jane had been married in 1858 and operated the Punt at Maude from 1862. After selling this punt the Johns family moved to Hay where they took up land on the river, in 1864, and lived on it for the next 43 years with their family of six children. Whilst living at Hay the family also had two punts operating before the Hay bridge was opened. 'loin Collier and Jilin), (ii(t. Johns) For his part, George was the last of "111How Green", IliIlston the old teamsters and road contractors, starting in 1904.

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In the latter years of her life Ivy, George and Phoebe's daughter, was to recall the day she arrived in Griffith, aged 12. It was the worst dust storm she'd ever seen in her life. "You couldn't see a hand before you and the flies!! I'll never forget the flies!!" Even though such a young girl, she remembered helping her father grub out and throw the stumps into heaps to clear the land L to R: Ivy Collins (nee Johns), for the first wheat crop - an experiment in Jack Collins, unknown. growing fodder for the Irrigation Commission (who had to provide fodder for literally hundreds of horses used in the construction works). The crop was sown from a tub hung around their necks so that both hands were free to broadcast the seed which was the disced into the soil. When this ground was watered Ivy remembers it being "covered with Ibis and crows". As well as the fodder crops the farms were used for dairying. After milking by hand the milk was taken into Bagtown and delivered to the Cheese Factory. Some years later George and Phoebe sold out and bought land in the Hillston district where they both died - Phoebe (born Cowra 1878) on 12 December 1961; and George on 29 January 1963. George Jnr, the only son of the family, married another pioneer in her own right - Madge Hill, the daughter of Thomas and Edith Hill. This family arrived from Adelaide in 1916. Madge's father, Thomas, operated the first two horse-drawn school conveyances - one of which was driven by Madge when she was only 16 years old and to do so permission had to be obtained. George Jnr worked as a grader operator for George Johns and Jack Collins Wade Shire Council before moving to Sutherland where he worked for the local council for many years prior to his retirement. Ivy married John Arthur ("Jack") Collins, another pioneer who arrived in 1914, and Jenny married Tom Collier who came to Griffith in 1921. (Both the Collins and Collier families are also featured in this Series).

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Mary Mitchell (nee Collins), Hoad Street, Griffith.

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JOHNSTONE There have been six generations of the Johnstone family living within a twenty mile radius of Griffith since 1876. The earliest settler of this family in the district was Frederick Emilies Thomas Johnstone who was born in London, England in 1843. He arrived in Australia at the age of 6, one of four children, with their parents Benjamin King Johnstone and Elizabeth Smith Minton. They reached Point Henry at Geelong, Victoria in 1849 in the ship "Medway". Frederick married Rebecca Lititia Tyrrell in Ballan, Victoria in 1868. They had a family of four children, Frederick Stuart 1869, Henry Thomas 1872, Benjamin King 1874 and another male child who did not survive. Frederick moved his family to Hulong NSW near the Murrumbidgee River in He took over the 1876. licence of the "Junction Hotel", which was at the junction of the stock routes to Hay, Narrandera, Rankins Springs and that to the punt on the river where the bullock drovers met the Paddle Steamers. Frederick Emilies Thomas Johnstone The railway line from Courtesy Robert & Marjorie Johnstone Narrandera to Hay was completed in the early 1880s. At that time Hulong (because of confusion with Howlong near Albury) was renamed Whitton and the township was established at the rail line, a few miles north of the river. The Johnstones moved into Whitton and in 1883 Frederick's "Royal Hotel" was the first to be established. It is not known when the family left Whitton but they were residing on "Currawong" Station, Mt Ida (Barren Box Swamp - Warburn area) west of Griffith, before Frederick's death in 1898. He is buried in the Whitton cemetery, Whitton then being the largest town in the district. 394

Frederick and Rebecca had four children - Frederick Stuart, a boy child who died in infancy, Henry Thomas and Benjamin King. Frederick Stuart Johnstone, the first child of Frederick and Rebecca was born in Ballan, Victoria in 1869. He remained single. He lived in Griffith and purchased two residential allotments in Yambil Street in 1920. He died in 1956 and is buried in the Griffith Cemetery. Henry Thomas Johnstone, the third born child of Frederick and Rebecca, was born in Ballan, Victoria in 1872. He married Mary Amelia Beaumont in 1903 at Whitton. Mary's parents were Alfred Henry Beaumont and Martha Hampshire who married in Melbourne in 1871. Alfred was employed by the Learmonth Brothers at Ercildoun in Victoria after his arrival on the ship "Roxburgh Castle" at Melbourne in 1859. When the Learmonth Brothers purchased "Groongal" Station, west of Griffith, Alfred became manager of this station. Later the original "Groongal" was divided into three Stations, namely "Wyvern", "Groongal" and "Bringagee". Mary was born on "Wyvern" Station in 1872. She became the first Government paid Governess sometime around 1890, and taught children privately on the properties and at Lake View (Lake Wyangan) and Mt Ida. Henry and Mary Johnstone had a family of eleven children. The first child, Henry Norman, born 1904, married Ada Chester. They lived near Barren Box Swamp and raised four children. Henry died in 1965 and is buried in the Griffith Cemetery. Ada now lives in Griffith. Frederick George Stanley, the second child, was born in 1905. He married Berta Chester. They had two children who are now living near Barren Box Swamp with their families. Frederick died in 1975 (Griffith) and Berta lives in Griffith. Austin King, born 1906, married Olive Young. They live in Parkes. They raised three children. The fourth child, Ethel May (dec'd) married Hugh Wilson (dec'd). They had a family of three children. Cyril Beaumont, born 1908, married Amy Young. They had a family' of two children. Amy lives in Griffith. Cyril died 1950 in Griffith. The sixth child, Reginald Lacy Hugh (known as Lacy), born 1909, died July 1991. Married Grace Ross. They had a family of two children. Grace lives in Griffith. Rita Lititia, born 1910, married Eugene O'Callaghan. They also had a family of three children. Rita died 1984, buried in Griffith.

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Roy Hector, twin to Rita, married Elsie Gladman. They also had three children. Roy died in 1984 in Griffith. Edna Amelia, the ninth child, born 1913, married Sylvester Francis Chester. They have one child. Edna lives in Geelong, Victoria. Francis Hilton ("Frank") born 1916, married Roma Hawkins. They had a family of three children. Frank deceased - Nelson Bay. The eleventh child of Henry and Mary Johnstone was Alfred Edmund. He was born in 1917 and married Clare Callaghan. Alfred died in 1969 and is buried in the Griffith Cemetery. Henry Thomas Johnstone died in 1923. Mary Amelia "Beaumont" Johnstone died in 1926. Both are buried in Griffith. An article regarding the Beaumont/Johnstone family appears in Series 1 of "Griffith & District Pioneers". The fourth child of Frederick and Rebecca Johnstone was Benjamin King, born in Ballan in 1874. He married and lived mostly in Temora. He died in 1924 and is buried in Leeton. There are many descendants of this Johnstone family, including some third, fourth, fifth and sixth generation members still living in Griffith and surrounding districts.

By courtesy of Robert and Marjorie Johnstone (Robert being a fifth generation Johnstone in Griffith).

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JONES Alfred Evan Jones married Emma Rawlings Mills at Finley in 1919 upon his return from World War I. He was a wheat farmer and in 1924 was farming at Moombooldool. In 1926 he decided to try his luck at Griffith. He arrived with his family in a horse and lorry and they rented a home for two years before building their own home on Farm 1148, Erskine Road. Alf worked with the Water Commission repairing the channels throughout the area until he retired. He was a ganger and in the early days transported his team to and from work on a horse drawn lorry. Emma made all her own butter and jams. She had her own fowls for eggs and Alf always had a pig to kill for Christmas and Easter. They had two daughters. Nancy who married Colin Hamilton of Yambil Street and they had two sons and a daughter. Nancy was born on 24 August 1921 in Deniliquin and died in Sydney on 18 June 1989. Beryl was born on 17 February 1923 also in Deniliquin. Beryl had one son, Colin Roy, to her first husband, Roy Icher. She later married Noel Murray, a plumber for many years in Griffith. They moved to Dapto on the South Coast where they still live. During the Depression years, Alf and his next door neighbour, Bert Flood, pushed a wheelbarrow a mile into Griffith to collect the fortnightly supply of groceries for the two families. For many years Alf would gather up the neighbouring families and take them to the local show, on his horse and lorry. The show was then held where St Brendan's School is now situated. Alf died on 31 October 1956, aged 80 years and Emma died on 26 February 1967 aged 79 years. They are buried together in the Presbyterian Section of the Griffith cemetery.

Presbyterian Sunday School - c.1936

By courtesy of Beryl Murray (nee Jones), 3 Lakelands Drive, Dapto 2530. 397

JONES As the editor of The Area News, and later the Managing Director of Radio 2RG and Television MTN9, Dr Leo Manning Jones was a well known member of the Griffith community between 1934 and 1968. His wife, the former Irene ("Rene") Marjorie Horan of Sydney, was a resident of Griffith from 1929 to 1980. During the three and a half decades in which he was connected with the town, Dr Jones played an important role in the development of Griffith as a major centre in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. He was Managing Director of Irrigation Area Newspapers Limited which controlled The Area News, and was instrumental in bringing both radio and television broadcasting stations to Griffith. Prior to her marriage, Rene Horan worked as a stenographer with the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission and the Rural Bank. Dr Leo Manning Jones Dr Jones believed that the media (in this case late 1930s the newspaper) has a responsibility to serve the comCourtesy Paul Jones munity and assist in the development of the district to which it is related. In his first editorial in The Area News he stated the paper's policy. He undertook to provide unbiased reporting of news in general, while he reserved the right to address issues affecting the best interests of the Griffith community in his editorials. Leo Manning Jones was one of a large family. His parents George Frederick Aloysius Jones and Julia Mary Jones (nee Shanks) were from Williamstown Vic where they married in 1894. His mother's family had Glasgow connections. His father, a solicitor and barrister, had established a legal practice in Collins Street, Melbourne when his third son, Leo, was born on 15 March 1899. The family resided at 382 Church Street, Richmond. Following the death of Julia Jones and his father's consequent remarriage, Leo lived for a time with his Scottish grandparents. Dr Jones was reticent about his personal history but it is known that he was educated at Xavier College (Melbourne). It is believed that he also studied in Glasgow. He graduated from the Gregorian College in Rome with doctorates in Canon Law, Psychology and Philosophy. His talent for languages and understanding of the power of both the spoken and written word gave him the skills necessary for a good journalist but he did not immediately follow that career. For several years he served in the Navy, transferring from the Royal Navy to the RAN. On 1 August 1934 the newly formed company, Irrigation Area Newspapers Limited, took over the publishing and printing of The Area News from its original owner P J Slattery who had begun its publication in 1923. Mr Slattery was highly esteemed in the town because of his involvement in the community and this made a deep impression on the new owner-

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editor. At that time, the newspaper operated from a site in Banna Avenue approximately where Fred Cole's Electrical store was to stand in later years. The need to provide public entertainment was the impetus for much development in Griffith in 1934. The new Palais de Danse was opened in Yambil street, and the manager of the Rio Theatre (John Goldrick) was planning to construct a new building opposite the Hotel Victoria in Banna Avenue. Radio reception from transmitters outside the Area was poor and programmes lacked local content. On 21 June 1935 The Area News carried a banner headline triumphantly announcing: "BROADCASTING LICENCE GRANTED FOR GRIFFITH". The new radio station to be erected and operated by Murrumbidgee Broadcasters Limited would be run by the management of The Area News. A site was acquired and planning for the new building commenced. One of the companies linked with the new station was Western Newspapers Limited, a company with publishing (and later broadcasting) interests in Orange, Lithgow, Forbes, Parkes and Young. Dr Jones became a director of this company in August 1936 and for several years held the post of deputy chairman. He was also a director of several of its subsidiaries. Radio Station 2RG, "The Voice of the Murrumbidgee", commenced transmission from Ulong Street at 6 pm on 14 September 1936 with a selected programme of music. The first announcer-manager was Cyril James, a popular radio and stage personality of the time and a returned soldier. The opening night was attended by the Minister for Agriculture and Chairman of the "Amateur Hour" - 2RG c.1950 Water Conservation and Irrigation L to R: Mr Munro, Ilugh Roberton MP, Leo M Jones, Commission, Mr Hugh Main, Mr Anthony and Percy Hamilton (Shire President) accompanied by two fellow Courtesy Paul Jones Commissioners. The new station was to provide entertainment, news and market reports of interest to its listeners. The "Sunbeam Club" began as a weekly children's programme in 1936. Dr Jones read stories to the young listeners, and many young folk made their radio debut with songs or recitations. The programme continued for several years under the direction of Miss Kath O'Donnell. In January 1937 a new chief announcer (John Powell) was appointed. More new programmes followed, including one for women, and in later years programmes in English and Italian for farmers and orchardists were produced and presented by the Department of Agriculture and the CSIRO. By mid October 1936 the printing works and business of The Area News had also moved into the Ulong Street premises. Following its policy of "progressive enterprise", the management planned even further developments. The electoral roll of 1936 lists Leo Manning Jones at 23 Banna Avenue, Griffith but he moved into a flat in the new building soon after. He was already involved in the community being one of the delegates chosen to approach the NSW Government for a Royal Commission into bank policy and dealings in the MIA. 399

"THE YELLOW PERIL" - FRIDAY JULY 28, 1939 "The Yellow Peril" was a mock newspaper of one page printed by "The Area News" staff to mark a celebration of five years of "Thc Area News" under the direction of Dr L M Jones. A celebration dinner was to be held, with Dr Jones as host, on this date. According to this 'newspaper', the staff of "The Area News" and Radio 2RG at that date were as follows.

"DR L M JONES, as head of the organisation, naturally is entitled to pride of place ... a remarkable man ... When the lion roars [pun], the staff spring into action." [Proprietor of newspaper and managing director of Radio 2RG] "EVELYN (EVE) DAVIS, ... she wears rubber-soled shoes and glasses ... and, in her spare time, conducts the Women's Session over 2RG." [Presenter of Women's programme] "TOM FALLON, ... aged 15, acts 75." [Apparently the of fice boy from their further description] "BETTY LONG, ... has blue eyes, a ready smile, ability to make friends, and control the cash box." [Book-keeper] "ARTHUR E LOVE. Longterm employee with Area News and foreman of the workroom in 1939." "VICTOR JARVIS, ... alleged engineer of Radio 2RG. " [Radio engineer] "ARTHUR McCUDDEN, ... is the presiding genius at the printing machines yes, all two of them." [Machinist and Compositor/ "HARRY McCUDDEN, ... brother Harry, one year senior, is the comp. Supposed to make up the paper. He runs a dance band, works at his trade in his spare time and tootles a wicked saxophone." [Compositor] "EDWARD W MILLER, ... one of the terrible twins... Presiding genius at the intertype, sets a couple of columns an hour ... Group 17 football secretary..." [Linotype operator] "GEORGE H MILLER, ... the other half of the terrible twins... Recent acquisition to office. Gives cheek ... to all." [Appears to be the second printing machine operator] "KEN McLAURIN, ... there goes Ken McLaurin ... on his motor bike. Looking for ads, jobs-bing, radio work." [Advertising, etc] "MARIE PENTLAND, ... can't sit still, can't stop talking." [Clerk or typist] "JOHN BADEN POWELL. ... diminutive ... has a charming wife..." [Radio announcer, 2RG/ "GERALD (JERRY) WOODS, ... Jerry adds tone to the office ... he makes the headlines each day, he's not news value. It's just part of his job." [Subeditor!

400

Irene Marjorie Horan, the middle daughter of Thomas Patrick Horan and Minnie Caroline Horan (nee Spehrs), was born on 29 July 1907. Her father, a customs officer, was moved from Albury to Sydney after Federation. She was a sister of Mrs Dorothy McCann (see Series 2). Rene attended Domremy College (Fivedock) before starting work and had good references. She was unsettled after her mother died in 1926 and moved from regular work to temporary jobs while trying to look after the younger family members. Rene had visited the Area several times before she joined the Griffith branch of the Commission in December 1929. Her starting salary as a shorthand writer was £15.2s.5d per month plus an allowance of 18s.5d. By 1933 her pay had dropped to £13.2.9d because of the economic recession. In an early 1930s snapshot Rene appears with a group of Commission stenographers. In the group are Amelia ("Billie") Sellin, Winifred ("Fog") Fogarty, Iris Chilvers and Stella Gladwell. Mrs Sellin (née Kalbfell) of Farm 227, Griffith remained a close friend as did Miss Fogarty, head stenographer Irene Horan - c.1929 with the Commission until 1935 when she married Courtesy Judith Freckman (nee McCann) John Cameron of Leeton branch. The others had moved on by then. The Griffith Branch of the Rural Bank opened in December 1933 with Harvey C Bale as Manager. In July 1935 the Bank took over the financial administration of the area from the Commission, as agent for the Government. Rene was one of several staff members transferred from the Commission to the Bank. Although initially on loan for twelve months, her appointment was made permanent from 1 December 1935. Rene boarded at Mirrool House (later to be the site of the Ex-Servicemen's Club) which was managed in the mid 1930s by Mr and Mrs J Scrivener. It was home to many of the young clerks and teachers employed in Griffith during the 1930s and parties and dances were often held there. During her service with the Commission and the Bank Rene's competent approach to her work made her popular with colleagues and because of her personable manner she enjoyed a busy social life. Early in January 1939 Rene resigned from the Rural Bank and, with the best wishes of all the staff (and their autographs), was presented with a fine tea set. While heatwave conditions seared all the State, Leo Jones and Rene Horan were married in Sydney. After the ceremony on 19 January 1939, a small reception was held at Petty's Hotel in York Street (Sydney). This elegant old hotel was popular as an informal Naval officers' club. Rene was attended by one of her friends and her small niece Judith McCann was "flower girl". During their early married life, Leo and Rene Jones lived in the small flat above the newspaper offices. Their son Paul was born on 1 January 1940 and a year or so after this event they moved to a house on Farm 1182 which was to be home for the next thirty years. After her marriage Rene kept up her office skills; she often assisted her husband with confidential business matters and occasionally stood in as social reporter for the paper.

401

Commission Stenographers - early 1930s L to R: back - Iris Chilvers, Rene Horan, Stella Gladwell, unknown Front - Winifred Fogarty, Amelia Sellin (nee Kalbfell) Courtesy Paul Jones

Area News Staff - 1948 L to R: Unknown, Noel Tyndall, Graham Franklin, Myra Roach, Arthur Love and Beverley Crocker. Courtesy Janet Redpath (nee Franklin)

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The Griffith Bachelors & Spinsters Club Dinner Dance - 22 September 1932 held at the Hydro Hotel Leeton Courtesy Paul Jones

402

Rene also enjoyed the new challenges of home-making and, as an enthusiastic cook, happily entertained friends and her husband's business colleagues. She often made her own clothes and was an expert knitter. In later years she made soft furnishings and ventured into cabinet making. A major event of the early 1950s (which marked upgrading the radio transmission power) was the broadcasting of the popular "Australia's Amateur Hour" from 2RG Griffith. In 1958 Murrumbidgee Television Limited was formed with Dr Jones as its Foundation Chairman and Channel MTN 9 was opened. Despite continuing problems with his health in the 1960s Dr Jones began a column "From My Armchair" with comment on current affairs. In 1968 part of his leg was amputated and early in November of the same year he retired from the Board of MTN9 to be replaced by Sir Charles Moses (formerly of the ABC). His son Paul Jones, then Managing Director of The Area News, succeeded him on the board of 2RG Broadcasters. On Friday 6 December 1968 Dr L M Jones died. By coincidence his final column appeared on the same day: he wrote of his concern for the lack of accommodation for aged and frail local residents. A Requiem Mass for Dr Jones was conducted by Rev Father B B Gallagher in the Sacred Heart Church. Pall-bearers were Ray Gamble (General Manager of Broadcast Centre), Arthur Love and Graham Gorrel (both of The Area News) and his nephew Brian McCann. One of the original members of Griffith Chamber of Commerce, Dr Jones was its President for a number of terms. He was a life member of the Griffith Agricultural Society and was associated with the Murrumbidgee Valley Water Users' Association. He regularly attended, as a member, the Jondaryan and the Ex-Servicemen's Clubs in Griffith, and also belonged to the Imperial Services Club and the Royal Automobile Club of Australia in Sydney. Rene Jones left the farm in 1974, a few years after her husband's death, for a small apartment in town. Her son had moved to Sydney and her sister (Mrs McCann) had died. Despite health problems, Rene continued to lead an active life. In addition to being a foundation member of the Griffith Women's Club she was a committee member for several years. A keen card player and lawn bowler, she often entered club competitions in these activities. In September 1980, soon after returning to Griffith from a short holiday overseas, Rene died suddenly at home. Her many friends attended her funeral Mass at the Sacred Heart Church and she was buried with her husband in Griffith Cemetery. Paul Jones was educated at St Brendan's School, Griffith and later attended St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill and Griffith High School. He married Noelene Hamilton of Wagga in 1960 and there were four children of this marriage. In 1981 he married a second time to Josephine Ann Graham Mercer, formerly of England, and they have three children. He resides in Sydney where he has business interests. Sources: 1. The Area News, State Library files, Sydney. 2. The Murrumbidgee Irrigator, do. 3. WC & IC Salary Registers (incomplete), State Archives, Kingswood (NSW). 4. WC & IC Archives, Parramatta NSW. 5. State Bank (formerly Rural Bank) Archivist, Sydney. 6. Personal recollection (1 Freckman). 7. Papers and photographs of estate of Irene Horan.

Contributed by Judith Freckman (nee McCann) and by courtesy of Paul Jones. 403

JOSLING Edward John Shilson-Josling, better known as Ted, and Emily Snaith were both born in England. Ted was born in London on 1 June 1905 - his parents being Mr and Mrs Walter Shilson-Josling. Both parents died in England and are buried there. At the age of 17 years, Ted worked his passage out to Australia. He worked for a short time in Sydney and then the same year he moved to Leeton to work with the Water Commission. He travelled to Leeton by train and arrived with just ten shillings to his name. It wasn't long before he was transferred to the Griffith office of the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission. When he first arrived in Griffith he lived at Mirrool House and continued to live there, working as a clerk with the WC & IC until 1927 when he bought part of Farm 1288, which had been split up to give the nearby farms more land. The house with the quarter acre of land, still known as Farm 1288, was bought by Ted Josling for £300. He batched there for twelve months before his marriage to paint and renovate the house.

SIGNATURE Of BRAIIDDI

SIGNATURB DU TITULADM

Emily Josling (nee Snaith) and Edward Josling. Courtesy Mrs Elizabeth Josling

Ted Josling met Emily Snaith in Griffith. Emily had emigrated to Australia with her parents William and Elizabeth Snaith and her three sisters. They arrived in Sydney in February 1926 on the ship "Bendigo". Being 19 years old and a very attractive young woman, Emily, and her sisters had enjoyed a wonderful time on the trip out to Australia. 404

She had a very strict father who made it very difficult at times but as men were separated from the women in the ships and her mother was more lenient, she managed to escape and enjoy some lovely evenings dancing. The family travelled by train to Griffith, taking eighteen hours, and they felt the heat terribly, having come from the cold north of England where it was snowing when they left (Cleadon, South Shields, near Newcastle on Tyne) and arrived to an Australian heatwave. Emily's older brother William Snaith had come to Australia earlier and was at the station to meet them. The family first lived in a rented house in Yambil Street. William Snaith worked as a Carpenter and Joiner for Trenerry's, and also worked for Area Builders. Emily's family were all strict Methodists and attended this church regularly. This was one of the few places to go for social contact. Emily worked for Miss Robinson, a Newsagent/Dressmaker in the top block - it was while working here she met Ted Josling. They were very much in love but met with some strong opposition from Emily's father. They eventually married on 7 January 1929 with her father He later not being present. accepted the marriage and all was well. Ted and Emily lived on Farm 1288 when first married. There they had no telephone, no radio, no town water and the only source of water was a rain water tank and a dam, so water was very precious. They used a home made drip safe' and of course the usual fuel stove. To do the it"" washing and have a bath, the Etnily Josling (nee Snaith) on the verandah water had to be carried by bucket of her first home, on Farm 1288, 1929 to the copper to be heated. The Courtesy Mrs Elizabeth Josling copper was in an open shed, which was the laundry and then the water was carried to the bath. The washing was all done either in the copper, which was a round galvanised tub, or by a washing board. It was a long walk to town, so a most exciting event was when Emily and Ted became the owners of a horse and sulky. Emily said she felt like royalty driving to town to do her shopping even though the horse was slow and seemed old. Emily remembers too, that although they had the luxury of a milkman calling, the milk was quite often sour when they got it.

A home made "Coolgardie Safe" - a cupboard made of hessian for storing perishables. On the top was a metal tray containing water in which the hessian sides immersed, the air was cooled as it passed through the wet hessian.

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•

Ivy Snaith, Ted and Emily Josling. September 1929

Ted Josling - Farm 1288 ► about 1930

Ted and Emily's house in Wakaden Street, Griffith. 1931

Ted and Emily Josling ► and Terry in front of Josling and Snaith. 1934

Photos courtesy Mrs Elizabeth Josling

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The only source of entertainment they had was an occasional night at the pictures in Griffith, but they were very happy just being together. At this stage they rented a house in Canal Street where their eldest son Terry was born. When Terry was eighteen months old, they returned to England, possibly to stay. However, they became homesick for Australia, hated the cold and so returned to Griffith. In 1934 Ted Josling built and opened a Produce Store with his brother-in-law William Snaith as partner. This store was known as "Josling & Snaith" and was located at 473 Banna Avenue, Griffith. It was while living in the flat above the produce store that Farm 1288 about 1929 their second son, Peter was born Courtesy Mrs Elizabeth Josling Peter was a very in 1936. premature baby being only 31b in weight. He was born at home when Emily went into early labour as a result of a big storm that blew the roof off. He lived in a shoe box for the first couple of months being wrapped in cotton wool, washed in olive oil and fed hourly with Emily's milk by an eye dropper as he was too weak to suck. It was a great feat that Emily managed to keep Peter alive in the primitive conditions they had.

Tom Ward and Ted Josling in front of Josling & Snaith - 1934 Courtesy Mrs Elizabeth Josling

407

Later Ted started a fruit packing shed on the next block and then also exported fruit. The business was known as "Murrumbidgee Packing House" and was a very successful business for many years with Arthur Leitch as Manager. It was sold on 1 October 1965. Emily and Ted retired to Leura in the Blue Mountains, but Ted was later diagnosed with leukemia and he died in St Vincent's Hospital in 1976, aged 70. At his request he was buried at Griffith. Emily moved back to Griffith in 1978 to be closer to her family. She died in 1989, aged 83 and is also buried in the Lawn Cemetery at Griffith.

Edward (Ted) Shilson-Josling born 1 June 1905, London; died 22 January 1976, Sydney married

Emily Snaith born 4 July 1906, England; died 22 July 1989, Griffith 1.

Terrence born 1930, Griffith and married Barbara McFarlane *

1. 2. 3. 4. 2.

Timothy Garry Peter Eric

Peter born 11 January 1936, Griffith and married Elizabeth Broome *

1. 2. 3. 4.

Craig Jennifer Paul Michael

By courtesy of Mrs Elizabeth Josling (née Broome), 60 Messner Street, Griffith

408

KEAREY The Kearey Brothers, John and James, sold their coach building business in Dublin in the 1830s to come to Australia where they established a coach building factory in Pitt Street of Old Sydney Town. So proficient were they in this skilled profession, the family still possess a medallion won at the 1878 Royal Sydney Show for "Collection of Buggies". Another example of the success of this enterprise that has survived the years are the mansion-style homes built side by side by the brothers in Military Road Mosman, in 1885. One was later divided into offices. The better known house, "Boronia", (registered by the National Trust), became the Mosman Municipal Library when the Kearey family were forced to sell it during the 1890 recession. The buyer, a Mr Godwin, sold "Boronia" to the Mosman Council in 1952. Recently, after massive efforts by the Mosman Historical Society to restore it to its former glory, "Boronia" has recently been occupied by an advertising agency and now is the venue of a well known restaurant - still called "Boronia House". John Kearey eventually emigrated to South Africa while James married Ellen Doughty. They had a family of six children - four girls and two boys of whom John Joseph ("Jack" born 1888) was the second youngest and younger son. This Jack, destined to become a Bilbul soldier settler, expressed fond memories of life in Mosman and of the old houses in particular. Before World War I Jack worked as a Station Overseer at "Mascot" Station, Nyngan and also in the Pilliga Scrub. He joined the AIF on 11 May 1916 - No 18686, Gunner, 7th Field Artillery Brigade. During action in France he was badly gassed and, as a result, was to suffer from respiratory illness for the rest of his life. Under the Soldier Settlement Scheme he was granted Farm No 564 at Bilbul. During the early John Joseph ("Jack") Kearey years of farming Jack grew a variety of fruit for 1888-1958 market. In the 1920s he had the opportunity to acquire two adjoining farms which brought the Kearey farm up to the 18 hectares (72 acres) it remains today. Over the years the farm has produced apples, pears, prunes, plums, pecan nuts and table and wine grapes. Jack was associated with the Jondaryan and Ex-Servicemen's Clubs and was a founding member of the Beelbangera Co-operative Winery and on the Board of Directors for eight years. In 1924 Jack married Dorothy Jordan. Her father was a Railway Engineer in NSW on the Blue Mountains line for many years. She was brought up in their family house in Henry Street, Penrith. The young couple returned to Farm 564 and in 1925 their only son, John Gerald, was born, followed two years later by a daughter, Patricia ("Pat"). In 1934 their third child, Marjorie Barbara ("Mardie") arrived. All three children completed their primary schooling at Bilbul School. 409

At the completion of her secondary education Pat followed a family tradition to train for nursing at the Royal North Shore Hospital. For many years she was a well known personality at the Griffith Base Hospital. After finishing High School Mardie did a brief course in Business Studies in Wagga, followed by a short working career in the city. Later in life, when widowed, Mardie returned to her preferred love of artistic drawing and painting at which she was very accomplished. Her premature death in 1992 was deeply felt by her very large circle of friends. John did his secondary schooling at Yanco Agricultural College. From Yanco he won a BHP Scholarship to BHP Newcastle from whom he obtained a late scholarship to Sydney University where he studied Science and Geology. However, at the end of 1944 he returned to help on the farm as his father, Jack, was still suffering from the effects of the gassing he had received Wedding Day - 1924 during WWI. In 1947 John married John Joseph and Dorothy Kearey June Farrell, a daughter of two other pioneer families - the Farrell and Sangster families. Until his death in 1991, John successfully developed the family farm with technological advances. As a result of uncontrollable diseases in the apples and pears, a major decision was made in 1982 to change the property over to citrus. (Also that year John lost an eye from melanoma.) The farm was reshaped. The results were featured in an article in the rural magazine "Power Farming" in 1989, where John's application of drip irrigation, along with tile drainage, was seen as an innovative answer to the need for water conservation, whilst maintaining low levels of salinity in the soil. The article suggested that John and June Kearey's farm was one of the most cost-effective citrus operations in the MIA. John was well respected in the Griffith district and was a director of co-operatives and an active member of various fruit marketing boards. He was at various times a Director of the Griffith Wine Marketing Board, the Yenda Co-op and the Griffith Co-op Store. He passed away in 1991, aged 66. John's widow, June, continues to run the farm. John Joseph ("Jack") Kearey died 12 May 1958 aged 69 years. He is buried in the Griffith Cemetery. Dorothy Kearey (née Jordan) died 21 October 1988, aged 90 years.

410

Named in memory of this soldier settler and his wife, Kearey Road runs through the back of Bilbul off the main Yenda Road about 15 kms from Griffith.

The Wedding of John and June Kearey L to R: Dick Cave, Bruce King, John Kearey, June Kearey (née Farrell), Lois Blurrier, Pat Kearey

John Joseph ("Jack") Kearey born 1888 died 12 May 1958

married 22 April 1924

•

Dorothy Edna Jordan born 28 May 1897 died 21 October 1988

John Gerald born 5 June 1925; died 3 November 1991; married lune Farrell. Three children - Robyn, Suzanne and Paul.

Patricia ("Pat") born 11 April 1927; died 18 May 1980; married Richard Cave. Five sons Peter, David, Steven, Andrew and Jonathan.

Marjorie ("Mardie") born 17 November 1934; died 14 May 1992; married Edwin Jones. Three sons - John, Alister and Albert.

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Suzanne Rout, 119 Bingley Crescent, Fraser ACT 2615. 411

KEARY Despite having left Yenda with her family in 1937, Yvonne Tierney (née Keary) who was born in Yenda on 12 October 1922 - the eldest child of Madeleine and Bede Keary writes "My memories of life in Yenda are very strong. There was a strong sense of community life and we were very fortunate to grow up there. "My father, Thomas Bede Fitzroy Keary, D.C.M., (always known as "Bede") was born on 14 July 1894 at Sydney, the son of Thomas Keary, a hotel keeper of William Street in Sydney and formerly of Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. Thomas' first wife had died at a relatively early age leaving him with one daughter and four sons. His second wife and Bede's mother was Eulalie ("Lily") Flanagan, daughter of Dr Flanagan of Melbourne. Bede was the eldest of four children - himself, Eulalie ("Eula"), Olga and Adrian." After leaving school, Bede went to work on a sheep station out of Warren for some time and then Bede Keary - 1917 went by Cobb & Co coach across to Dorrigo NSW, on leave in England in the mountains behind Coffs Harbour. He told of the hazardous journey by horse-drawn vehicles and timber jinkers, down precipitously winding roads to the coast and of many tragedies when the vehicles and animals left the road and crashed down the mountainsides. Having worked on a dairy farm in Dorrigo for some years, he returned to Sydney and worked in the Post Office until the Great War - World War I, broke out in August, 1914. Bede joined the Army on 14 August, with the number 424, and did his training at Kensington Race Course. He was drafted to the 4th Battalion and landed on Gallipoli at dawn on 25 April 1915; he was later wounded and sent to hospital on the island of Lemnos. On recovery he returned to Gallipoli to rejoin his battalion and fought until evacuated with the rest of the Australian troops. The Battalion went on to France where Bede won the Distinguished Conduct Medal for rushing and silencing a German machine gun post. He rose to the rank of Warrant Officer II. Two or three times wounded in France, he was returning to Australia for leave when peace was declared on 11 November 1918. In 1920 Bede came to Yenda and served his time with the clearing gangs. The gang with whom he worked was camped on what later became the Yenda Reserve, now occupied by the Scout Hall area and the Golf Course. He was allotted Farm 1331 at Yenda which was twenty-five acres for fruit growing, at the northern end of what is now known as Pigott's Road. Having eventually built a rustic-style house, his fiancee, Madeleine Watts, came to visit and stayed for a short while with Mona and Tom Cassell at their farm just opposite.

412

Bede ploughing

Madeleine on the verandah of the house with Yvonne in the pram - 1923

► The house surrounded by water during the 1931 floods. (Water was about one foot deep inside the house for several days).

413

Madeleine Annetta was born 11 June 1903 the daughter of John Watts and Honorah, known as Annie, (née Lafferty) of Paddington NSW, one of a family of nine children. Madeleine and Bede were married on 13 January 1922 at the Sacred Heart Church, Randwick. Madeleine was just 18. Their first child, Yvonne Marie, was born on 12 October 1922. Bede often related the story of his having to ride a bike to Barellan to summon the doctor for Yvonne's birth. The doctor was attending a ball there and the roads he and Bede had to travel were just muddy tracks. There were no telephones available in those days. Their second child, Joan, was born in May 1924 and was drowned in the dam on the farm on 21 October 1926, aged 2 years 6 mths. She is buried in the Yenda cemetery. Bede and Madeleine were both very active in community affairs - Bede with the RSL and wine growers affairs as well as playing and later coaching Rugby League football. Madeleine was a member of the CWA and served one term as president. She became the Yenda correspondent for the Madeleine and Bede's sister, Olga, Area News after the Wumbulgal school about to have a swim in the farm dam teacher, Cec Rubie, was transferred back to Sydney and continued until they left the area. The night the great flood hit Yenda, in 1931, Madeleine and Bede could hear the roaring of the water and were concerned for the Cassell family, with very new twin boys, who were at this time living out near the Northern Canal, over towards the railway line. Madeleine took the sulky and Bede the spring cart but when they got over the culvert at Beale's corner, the sulky horse could not keep his feet, so they had to turn Mrs Lily Keary (Bede's mother), Madeleine back and bring out only the spring cart. and Yvonne and "Beau" (the dog) on Farm 1331 They realised they could not get around to Cassell's and that the CWA Hospital was in danger, so they went there and began loading women and babies into the cart. They took these patients to their home until alternative arrangements could be made - Yvonne still remembers that night. Yvonne continues - "We all created our own entertainment and fun. The Yenda Happy Hour Club organised family functions, the ones I remember most being picnics to the

414

Murrumbidgee River. Anyone who owned a car or motor-lorry loaded as many adults and children as possible on board. We children loved going on the lorries because we sang our hearts out all the way to the beach near Whitton or Taylor's Beach out from Darlington Point. All the vehicles stopped in the town for ice creams and soft drinks for 'the kids', plus, the biggest treat of all, bananas! These were then unavailable within the Area. After a wonderful day of swimming in the river and playing on the sand, we would be approaching Yoogali in the dark, recognisable because of the line of kurrajong trees along the YendaGriffith Road. "We grew up in a wonderful town with only the one school for many years, so that everyone for miles around supported it, and did much for its pupils. There were wonderful prizes, mostly books, presented to the students on 'Break-up Day' each year and many 'trimmings' to go with other occasions. "On school picnic day, in Spring each year, we were taken out to Twigg's additional area, just over the Northern Canal, at Mallee Point Bridge; but after a few years, the site was changed to Sheldon's paddock on the Yenda-Griffith Road. We loved to watch the boys in the Greasy Pig Race, as the greased pig charged for the mallee and the boys tried hard to retrieve it, amidst squealing and laughter. The other exciting event was the pillow fight, where the boys were astride a smooth round log and tried to knock one another off with their pillows. Madeleine Keary "After the picnic, the picture-show was open to all children - free. I do not remember what pictures we saw, hut it was always a fitting end to another memorable day. "When in our early teens, a small group of us formed the Yenda Girls' Novelty Club, with a badge and the colours of green, black and white. We organised various activities to entertain ourselves, such as tennis days, bike rides and parties. We had some very happy times. Some of the girls who were members were - Val Hayes-Williams, Mary and Eily Flood, Ruth Stockton, Nola Watters, Elsie Dredge, the Poole girls from Mt Elliott, Dorothy Gales and others whose names I cannot recall." As a result of war injuries and the poor economic circumstances for fruit farmers at that time, Bede and Madeleine left Yenda in June 1937. Bede joined the Army again in 1940, but as he was not fit for active duty, served with several training battalions, including ones at Bathurst, Wagga and Cowra. Discharged in 1947/48 Bede then worked at Sydney Technical College until he retired in the early sixties. He had graduated from the Horticultural and Gardening Course and the Landscape Gardening Course while working at the 'Tech', and became particularly interested in our native fauna and flora. After retiring he formed the Engadine Heathcote branch of the Society for Growing Australian Plants. Bede died on 22 December 1982 at the age of 88 and was buried at Woronora Crematorium. In 1943 Madeleine joined the YWCA as a representative to the Australian Army Medical Women's Services. Completing her service at the end of the war, Madeleine was appointed by the YWCA to set-up a referral and guidance service for ex-servicewomen

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trying to settle back into civilian life. Towards the end of the war, while working full-time, she commenced a part-time course in Social Work at Sydney University. On graduation, (Madeleine and another student were the only grandmothers to graduate) she was employed by the Immigration Department. Later she joined the Australian Red Cross as a social worker and worked as Second-in-charge of that department until forced by ill-health to resign. Madeleine died after a long illness on 31 October 1983. Yvonne joined the Australian Women's Army Service on 12 August 1942 and was drafted to Australian Special Wireless Group, an intercept unit, a part of Sigint, the Signals/Intelligence arm of the service. She chummed up with Freda Hazard in camp and one day she mentioned Yenda. When asked how she knew about such a small town, Freda said that she was engaged to Stan Leaver! Yvonne married Maurice Frederick Tierney in the Sacred Heart Church, Randwick on 10 June 1944. They had two children, Graeme Bede born on 3 June 1945 and Leonie Ann born 2 May 1952 who died on 18 August 1965. (Maurice died on 2 July 1975, his 54th birthday).

YENDA RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM 19 24

Yenda Rugby League Team - 1924 Bede Keary standing on the right hand side at the rear

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Yvonne Tierney (née Keary), 2 Sunhury Street, Sutherland West 2232.

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KEEN Oscar Sydney Keen who was born 11 October 1886 at Croydon NSW descended through a long line of William Keens, the earliest known being William Keen born 5 March 1755 in Blockley, Worcester, England. These early Keens had large families of between eleven and thirteen children. Oscar's father, William Henry Keen, was born 29 June 1847 in Blockley, Worcester which had obviously been the birthplace for many previous generations of Keens. This William married Susan Elizabeth Perry (born 29 November 1850) at Raymond Terrace NSW and the couple had eleven children. The marriage took place between Oscar Keen and Violet McConnell (born 14 March 1888) at Thames, New Zealand and six children were born of this marriage. Two children, Allan William and Joyce Aroah, came to Griffith in 1915 with Oscar and Violet who farmed in the area and two further children were born. However, two other children born to the couple, died in early infancy. Jim Keen, a son, remembers that his father had a windmill which he used to say was 36 feet to the mill. One night during the winter months about 7.00 to 7.30 pm, his father had to go up to the mill with a hurricane lamp to make some adjustments. At that particular time the planet Mars (the red planet) was near to earth. It so happened that old Charlie Gronn, a Boer War veteran, and another bike rider from Hanwood were riding their bikes into Griffith when Charlie Gronn made a remark to his fellow rider "Look, the end of the world is coming, see how close Mars is to Earth!" - but it was only Oscar up the wind mill. Jim also remembers Micky Cush driving an old Ford with the mail from Griffith to Hanwood about 1924. Mickey gave Jim and his mother, Violet, a lift into town one day. During the journey he told them that he had been in Madame Tussaud's Wax Works in London when he overheard one women say to her friend "I have never seen wax works look so real" - referring to poor old Mickey!!! The family left the district in 1929 but Jim paid a visit to Griffith in 1941 and was told that if he had a drink of channel water, he would return within seven years. It was eight years before he returned but less than seven each time since and he still holds a very tender spot for his birthplace. Violet Keen died at Chatswood NSW in 1976.

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William Henry Keen born 29 June 1847 Blockley, Worcester married Susan Elizabeth Perry born 29 November 1850 Raymond Terrace NSW

Oscar Sydney Keen born 11 October 1886 Croydon NSW died 1966 Dee Why NSW

William McConnell born 1857, Ayrshire, Scotland married Mary Ann Craig born 1858 Geelong Vic

married

Violet McConnell born 14 March 1888 Thames N.Z. died 1976 Chatswood NSW

• Allan William born 3 September 1912, Croydon NSW, died 8 May 1988 Chatswood NSW. Married Hilda Rees (born 8 July 1912, Wales UK) Joyce Aroah born 1914, Croydon NSW, died 15 October 1920 Griffith, buried Bagtown Cemetery, Griffith James Herbert ("Jim") born 7 June 1918, Griffith. Married Jean Elaine Fox (born 28 March 1930, Strathfield NSW) Kenneth Henry born 26 February 1927, Griffith. Married Edna Joyce Fox (born 23 Novembert 1928, Burwood NSW)

By courtesy of Jim Keen, 3 Crabbes Avenue, Willoughby 2068.

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KELLY/PARSLOW Elma McDonald (nee Parslow) writes - "My father, Peter Bernell Parslow, was born in Omeo, Victoria, on 28 April 1898, the youngest child of Peter Bernell Parslow Senior and Constance Louisa Parslow (née Goldie). Peter snr was born in Melbourne in 1853. He was the second of fourteen children of James Parslow (born 1823) from Gloucestershire, England and Mary Meighan (born 1834) of Campsey, Scotland, who married at age 15 years. Louisa was born Buckland, Victoria, in 1859 and she and Peter were married at Myrtleford on 25 April 1883. My grandparents, Peter and Louisa, had eight children - four daughters and four sons. They were 1. Anne - Mrs Burley and later Mrs Taylor, of Barellan 2. James ("Jim") - of Forbes, married Mary ("Molly") Bourke of Barellan 3. Mary - Mrs Joseph ("Joe") James of Melbourne 4. Sarah ("Sal") - Mrs William ("Bill") Bennett of Barellan 5. Charles ("Charlie") of Binya, married Margaret ("Maggie") Curry of Barellan 6. Alice - Mrs Thomas ("Tom") Bourke of Barellan and later Melbourne 7. Louis ("Lou") of Thirroul, married Eliza ("Pearl") Gravlin. 8. Peter Bernell who married Mary Ellen Kelly "My grandfather, Peter, was a 'High Country Cattleman' at Omeo, also a labourer and later a drover. My grandmother, Louisa, was a midwife at Omeo, assisting at many local births which took place at home in those days. She later had a maternity hospital at Barellan and adopted a ninth child, 'Topsy', who married Patrick ("Paddy") Curphy of Rankins Springs. The Peter and Mary Parslow family moved to Whitton in 1911 married Barellan 21 April 1924 because work was available in the rapidly developing rural area of the MIA. My uncles, Jim, Charlie and Lou enlisted for World War I from Whitton in 1915. My father was unable to go to the war because of impaired sight due to an accident as a child. My grandfather, Peter, predeceased my grandmother, Louisa, by several years. He

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died on 25 October 1925 and is buried at Narrandera. Louisa died at Hawthorn, Melbourne in 1940 and is buried there. "My father met my mother at Whitton where her family lived also. They married at Barellan on 21 April 1924. My mother was Mary Ellen Kelly who had been born at Dubbo on 4 July 1902. Her father, Augustine Maria ("Gus") Kelly is shown as a labourer at the time. He had been born at Wagga Wagga in 1878 and lived at Whitton where he met and married Mary Ann Flora Rhodes. They were married on 10 June 1900 at Narrandera. This Rhodes family came to Whitton in 1895 from Victoria, my grandmother Rhodes having been born at Heywood near Portland in Victoria in 1878. Our mother was the third of their six children. They were 1. Charlotte ("Lotty") - Mrs William ("Bill") Borland of Yoogali and later Shepparton 2. Petronella (Pelly") of Binya and later Leeton - never married 3. Mary Ellen married Peter Parslow 4. Leo of Mooroopna, married Vera Evans of Yenda 5. Gertrude ("Sis") - Mrs Victor ("Vic") Robinson of Binya and later Leeton 6. Kevin ("Kell") of Yenda, married Gladys Lawrence of Yenda.

Augustine "Gus" Kelly

"Grandad Kelly took up land at Binya, called `Kevindale', on The Bluff side of the Cocoparra Range, to where he moved with the family in the early 1920s. He farmed there until he moved to Leeton in his later years. Grandma did not enjoy good health and was cared for by Aunty Pell, who never married. Grandma died in Griffith on 12 September 1957 at the age of 79 years, and is buried in the Griffith Cemetery. Grandad died in Leeton on 9 September 1970, aged 91 years and is buried with Grandma in a double grave. "After World War I my father went to help Uncle Charlie on his farm at The Peak, between Binya and Rankins Springs. This farm, `Cobrunga', is still occupied Mary Ann Kelly (nee Rhodes) by Uncle Charlie's son, my cousin, Owen ("Dig") Parslow and his wife, Barbara (nee Day) and their daughters. After he and Mum were married, Dad took up sharefarming in the Binya-Erigolia area. My elder sister, Dawn, was born at Yenda, on 27 January 1925, Dr Burrell attending. My only brother, Bernell ("Tige") was also born at Yenda on 8 October 1927. I was born at Barellan on 24 November 1930 at Threewyn Private Hospital, with Dr Rutherford and Nurse O'Mara in attendance. Mum had gone to stay with Aunty Sarah in Barellan and I was born while she was there. My younger sister, Sylvia, was born in Griffith, at St Luke's Private Hospital, with Dr Burrell again in attendance on 10 October 1939. At this time we were 420

living at Duman's Tank, between Erigolia and The Peak. Dad had become the caretaker of Durnan's Tank Public Watering place for the Narrandera Pastures Protection Board. As well he farmed the 300 acres around the Dam and we lived in a little `cottage' built by 'Paddy' Ryan. It was a pole house with board walls lined with hessian, papered on the inside with newspaper and flour paste. The roof was corrugated iron sheets held down by pine poles tied over the ridge-capping with fencing wire. There were no glass windows, but wooden shutters, which were propped out during the day. We had a board floor, which was a luxury compared with the earthen floors of some dwellings of the day. There was a living-room and two bedrooms. Dad later added a fourth room made of round-backs (timber off-cuts) as a bedroom for Dawn and me. We all bathed in a big round galvanised tub in front of the Peter Parslow open fire in the living-room. Mum washed outside First Car - 1928 "Chev 4" in galvanised tubs on a bench, and boiled the clothes in a copper set in a 44 gallon drum with a fire in the bottom. We used rainwater when available, but in dry seasons Dad carted water from the Dam in a Furphy, and Mum cleared it by settling the mud with ashes and charcoal. We had no electricity but used kerosene lamps. Mum wouldn't use candles, as she considered them too dangerous as a fire hazard. Sometimes these lamps would be lit in the middle of the afternoon because of the dense dust-storms that rolled in as black clouds across the plains from the west. Mum would put down the wooden shutters, which meant there would be no daylight coming in. The dust-storms were worst in the 1937 drought. I remember when the drought broke, Dad was up all night in the drenching rain with a shovel, keeping the drains clear to the Dam to ensure maximum catchment. "On our farm Dad grew wheat and oats, using a team of eight horses, which he would harness at sunrise and unharness at sunset. We had sheep, cattle, pigs and fowls. Dad killed our own meat and we had our own eggs and a milking cow, so we separated the milk for cream, from which Mum made our own butter. As we had no Saleyard Cottage - 1944 refrigerator, this was a daily routine. We had a cool-safe made of wet bags, and a 'butter-cooler' made of plaster-of-Paris. We had sufficient food during the Depression years, but money was short. My brother and I caught rabbits and sold them to the "Rabbito Cart" which called to our gate. Dad made charcoal in pits to sell for use in gas-producers which replaced petrol for fuel during the war. I can remember the swaggies calling in to the

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farms in our area. Mum would give them some tea, sugar and flour and scones if she had any. The mailman brought our bread twice weekly and Dad went to town once a month for our supplies. It took him all day to trot the horse and sulky to Erigolia or Rankins Springs and back. "We three children attended the one-teacher school at Caranya, with fourteen other local children. We rode our push-bikes the 1 1/2 miles to school. The school building is now part of the library at Rankins Springs Public School. Dad was President of the Caranya Australian Rules Football Club and President of the Caranya Tennis Club. The courts were at the bottom of our paddock. Dad played Australian Rules with Binya in his younger days. "Before going to Durnan's Tank we had lived on Street's farm near Rankins Springs and Peter Parslow - ready for work as the Impounding Officer moved in to Widgelli, near Griffith, for a short for Wade Shire Council 1944 time. We later lived at Evans' and Curphy's farms. When I was twelve we moved to Griffith and Dad and Mum bought a one acre farm, Farm 1228, Erskine Road, at West End. Dad worked for the Wade Shire Council as Herdsman and later became Impounding Officer, Burr Inspector and Forest Ranger, taking over from Earnest ("Ernie") Kurtz. It was at this time we moved to the old saleyards cottage behind the Cemetery and Mum became Poundkeeper, keeping the Poundyard records for the Council. We had no electricity there as it would have needed a special line and we were told that the cost would be prohibitive. The cottage and saleyards have now been replaced by the Driver Subdivision. "Dad was a marvellous horseman, and was Clerk of the Course at the Griffith Show for many years. We children learnt to ride horses at an early age. He was also an excellent Ballroom dancer and entered in competition dancing, being a strong supporter of the Old Time Dances held, for many years, at the CWA Hall in Banna Avenue. He was often MC at the local Balls and 'called' the Lancers, a popular square dance of that era. Dad was also a keen follower of Australian Rules Football and Rugby League in Griffith. "When they retired our parents moved to Wakaden Street to live. Dad passed away on 20 - 1944 Peter & %Ian September 1968 at the age of 70 years and is buried

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in the Griffith Cemetery. Mum passed away on 10 January 1974, aged 71 years, and is buried in the Lawn Cemetery at Griffith. "My elder sister, Dawn, was a nursing sister and married Francis ("Frank") Lawford. They moved to Bega and had one son, Glennes who lives at Merriwa. Frank passed away on 4 December 1986, aged 65 years, and is buried in the Griffith Lawn Cemetery. "My brother Bernell ("Tige") was a sharefarmer and married Mona Adams of Hillston. They had two sons, Peter (lives Leeton) and Garry (lives Caloundra Qld). Mona passed away in 1954, aged 24 years, and is buried in Griffith Cemetery. "Tige" re-married Margaret Jones of Darlington Point, they had one daughter, Dianne (Knott - lives Helidon Qld). "Tige" passed away on 11 June 1984, aged 56 years, and is buried in the Griffith Lawn Cemetery. Margaret still lives in Griffith. "My younger sister, Sylvia, was a telephonist and married Clive Clayton-Vincent. They had five daughters, Roslyn (Sydney), Beverley (Reardon - lives Canberra), Carol (Sydney), Kay and Allison (Brisbane). Sylvia later re-married - John Harris of Sydney and now lives at Kalang near Bellingen. "I was a school teacher and married Les McDonald. We had three children, Robert, Maxine (Hamilton) and Kathryn (Ginnane) all of Canberra. We had moved to Canberra in 1968 and then in 1987 to Batemans Bay. Les and I have now retired and live on a hobby-farm in the bush at Shannon View near Moruya."

Sketch showing locality of l)urnan's Tank

Entry and photos by courtesy Elma McDonald (née Parslow), Shannon View, Moruya 2537.

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KELLY "My father, James Kelly, was born at Bowning NSW on 23 October 1892. My mother, Margaret Kelly, was born 22 November 1900 at Mountrath, County Laois, in Ireland. "Before World War I Dad worked as a cane cutter in Queensland during the cane cutting season. Often he travelled by Douglas motor bike looking for work as far afield as Rockhampton. "Mum and Dad met during World War I and married at Southhampton UK in 1918. They came to Australia after the war ended. Little is known other than they disembarked in January 1919 at Sydney and the name of the ship is not known. "They travelled by train to Bowning and stayed with Dad's parents for a number of years. During that time he worked at Yenda and Beelbangera on the construction of the irrigation canals "Under the Returned Servicemen's Act of 1920 Dad, an original settler, was allocated Farm 1886 where Mum and Dad and a growing family lived in a shed until the house was built.

The Kelly Family - 1940 L to R: Standing - James, Teresa, Rita, Charlie Front - Jack, Margaret Kelly nursing baby Patsy, Joan, Doreen, James Kelly nursing Terry, Joe Courtesy Joe Kelly

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"My parents cleared the block, planted oranges, sultana grapes, prunes, apricots a real fruit salad. For extra money Dad sharefarmed and was growing peas on land owned by Mr Phellan and, I believe, a Mr Cudmore. With the extra money Dad bought a secondhand `Chev 4' lorry - 1928 model belonging to Mr McCann. This lorry was to serve him for fifteen years or so. "The purchase of this lorry changed our lives forever! Dad's passion was fishing. I remember, as a kid, driving to Findlay's Beach in a horse and sulky - setting up hand lines and springers for set lines; even then catching a swag of cod and taking a good half day to return by sulky to Farm 1886. Just think - we can now drive to Findlay's Beach in under two hours, carry a couple of 44 gallon drums with live carp bait, lose a few but still have enough! "Dad, through necessity, had to break the fishing regulations! With ten kids to feed it was important to catch plenty of fish, trap rabbits and shoot ducks. So my father had cross lines (bottles filled with sand) spaced four or five to a crossline and in between he had tracers with large hooks baited with small carp. No fishing story this - Dad once caught a 107 pound cod - he could put his head inside the fish's mouth!! "Another fish story - (the only fish he would eat was cod) - and in those days cod we did catch! Enough to cover a large verandah. He often gave away all the 'yellow belly'. "The next venture was a boat and not a `tin boat' but a boat as heavy as lead! It took four able-bodied men to load and unload it from the truck. Dad decided, in his wisdom, to convert from oars to paddle steamer design - if you can imagine two sulky wheels with wooden spokes cut back, metal blades inserted in the spokes and driven by two cranks! Pity help the passengers though - they got a shower bath whilst the 'steamer' was in motion. "Great excitement!! Mum and all the family are going on holiday to our Grandma's home at Bowning. Little did we know what unhappiness was in store. Dad was the only one at home and cooked a meal for himself and then, I believe, he walked to Griffith. He often visited a friend, Bill Couch where the bad news finally reached Dad that our house and all the contents were destroyed by fire. Back to living in a shed, while Dad built another home for £400. "Times were really hard! Prices low for the farmers' fruit! All the settlers had the same story to tell. Mum and Dad and we ten children all hopped in and worked; picking grapes, picking up prunes and picking oranges. Still, we had our mother's love, a warm bed and food on the table. "I remember wash days, always on a Monday. My job was to clean the copper till I could see my face in it. It was a copper out in the open. Mum and the girls washed all day. For our bath we had a swim in the channel - even in winter we had a cold wash. Uncle Jack on the pillon "My dear mother, born in Ireland, and our father, James Kelly, is the driver married my father at the tender age of 19 Courtesy Jack Kelly years, then travelled to far off Australia not 425

knowing what the future was to hold; to have to live in a shed twice; to have all your photographs and personal papers destroyed by fire. To raise ten children and to give us total love and affection - it's no wonder we loved and adored our mother. "In 1965, Mum with the help of her ten kids, travelled by ship to England, then onto Ireland, arriving there at the end of May. Her dream of seeing her loved ones once again came true. Mum arrived back in Australia on 3 August 1965 her dream completed. She died 12 December 1965. (Both Dad and Mum died at Auburn, a suburb of Sydney, and are buried in adjoining graves at Rookwood Cemetery). "As I write 'This is your life Maggie Kelly' I am aware of her honesty and integrity, her love for her children, her Faith, her many kind deeds. To me Maggie you are a Saint," is her son, Joe's, loving tribute.

The Kelly Family - 1984 L to R: Jack, Joan, Joe, Doreen, Teresa, Rita (obscured), Jim, Charlie, Terry, Maureen. Courtesy Rita Tomlin (née Kelly) Family of James and Margaret Kelly I.

John Joseph born 29 September 1919; married Lorna Briggs; one son. John and Lorna live at

"Kilarney", Muttama NSW. (John served with RAAF for 5 years). Chris born 1921; died 1921 aged 3 months.

Joan Mary born 24 December 1922; married George Louez; two sons and a daughter. Joan and George live at Griffith NSW.

Joseph Henry ("Mick") born 20 May 1925; married Jean Billett; one son and a daughter. "Mick" and Jean live at Griffith NSW. ("Mick" served with RAAF for 21/2 years).

Doreen Elizabeth born 19 August 1927; married Aub Farrell (dec'd); two Sons.

Teresa Margaret born 21 January 1930; married Alec Rossetto; one daughter and a son. Teresa and Alec live at Bayview, Sydney NSW.

Rita Agnes born 26 January 1932; married John Tomlin; one son and a daughter. Rita and John live at Sydney NSW.

8. 9.

James Patrick born 8 February 1933; married June Russo; a son and four daughters. Jim and June live at Sydney NSW. Michael Charles born 14 January 1937; married Eileen McGuire; two daughters. Michael and

10.

Terrence Robert born 6 December 1938; married Linda Toohey; three daughters. Terry and

11.

Patsy born 6 March 1940; died 21 September 1941, aged Ph years.

12.

Maureen Francis born 10 October 1941; married Charles McBride; two daughters and a son.

Eileen live at Sydney NSW. Linda live at Launceston Tas.

Maureen and Charles live at Newcastle NSW.

Written 26 May 1992, by Joe ("Mick") Kelly, Griffith 2680. 426

KEYS "Charlie and Lottie" Keys and children, Ian and Jean, were well known at Yenda in the 1920s and 1930s as they conducted a General & Furniture Store there until 1936 and the children went to Yenda Public School during some of those years. Charles Wesley Keys was born at Captains Flat on 25 April 1897, his father, Edward Keys, being headmaster and mother, Louisa Emily (née Howard), being part-time teacher at the school there. Edward Keys had been born at Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland on 4 February 1861 and came to Sydney on board the "Ninevah" in 1881 with an older brother, Andrew. The shipping list states they were labourers, however Edward qualified as a school teacher about 1890. Despite some Keys Family 1916 research nothing is really known about Back: Edward Jnr, Edward Sur, Emily Front: Muriel, Charles, Emily, Arthur Edward's family before and since Courtesy Ian Keys 1861. Charles enlisted at Yass on 28 May 1916 and served in France in the 56th Btn of the AIF in World War I. He was severely wounded in the leg and arm at Polygon Wood in the Ypres sector on 16 September 1917. After hospitalisation in England and some further service back in France he returned home via South Africa on 25 May and was honourably discharged on 24 November 1918. After many months convalescing in Sydney he returned to Yass but found he could not, due to the war injuries, pursue his former occupation as a carpenter. Deciding to try his luck as a soldier settler he came to Yenda in June 1922 and opened a furniture business in Main Avenue. The shop had just been built for Peter Constantine, the barber and confectioner, by A Anlezark, the builder who later resided for many years in Griffith. Charles married Charlotte ("Lottie") Sarah Grubb, a daughter of Walter Cooper Grubb and Sarah (nee Giles), at the Yass Methodist Church on 19 September 1923. Charlotte had a brother, Robert William Grubb, who had established himself as a dentist in Griffith in 1920, with a Wednesday afternoon and Sunday branch that he kept going for a year or two in Bingar Street, Yenda. "Bob" Grubb died tragically in May 1933. He probably had spoken favourably to Charles and Lottie about business prospects in the Griffith or Yenda soldier settlements and so in no small way was responsible for Charles coming to Yenda. Muriel Keys came from Yass to Yenda in 1924, initially to assist her brother Charles and Lottie in the shop when Lottie was expecting their first child. Muriel met then married Harold Braby and lived the rest of her life in Yenda and Griffith. Charles remained in the Main Avenue shop - "The Home Furnisher" - for four years and then built his own store, a concrete structure near Hotel Yenda, moving into it in June 1926. A little later he built his residence behind this concrete store. Their second child,

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Jean, was born here in November 1927. His brother, Arthur, was the contractor for these jobs. Arthur also built the Church of England and the RSL Memorial Hall in September 1926 and the brick office of the WC & IC in March 1928. By 1926, with the advent of more motor cars, Charlie installed the first petrol bowser in Yenda in front of his general store. Towards the end of 1932, Charlie had Arthur put up a brick building alongside his concrete store to provide two new shops for a chemist and a dentist. The chemist was J V Mathieson, but the dentist did not arrive, so Mrs Len Cass opened a cake shop there. However, after a few months she closed this shop and took over the boarding-house in Nurse Foster's building in Bingar Street.

Charlotte and Charlie Keys - probably on Honeymoon 1923 at Jenolan Caves Courtesy Nancy Stacy (née Braby)

In 1935, Charles built three more shops - filling up the space between his store and the Hotel. He had previously acquired the brick billiards room beside the Hotel which had been built by Clark and Jackson in 1926. The new shops were soon allocated; E R ("Percy") Shaw moved his hairdressing business from Simpson Bros old concrete store in Main Avenue into the shop nearest the Hotel, Mathieson moved into the next one and a dentist, J Cooper, took over the third but did not stay long. The shop vacated by Mathieson was used by Charles for the extension of his store as he had added grocery, drapery and mercery to his furniture business. In April 1935, Charles sold his store to 0 G Blackman and after building the last three shops, the Keys family retired to live in Lindfield about the end of that year. Mathieson, the chemist, had married about this time and he went into the Keys family residence. On 26 December 1938, 0 Blackman married Miss K Doolan - while single he had lived at the Hotel as Mathieson occupied the store residence. Early in 1938, knowing Blackman was soon to marry, Mathieson inquired for a site in Main Avenue near the "Yenda Cafe" for premises of his own. Hearing of this, Charles offered to build flats over his shops and thus provide residential quarters for his tenants. This was acceptable to Mathieson so 428

Charles returned to Yenda in May 1938 to get the work under way. By August he became ill, was sent to Griffith Hospital, then on to Sydney, where he died while undergoing a hernia operation on 10 August. Charles was only 41 years of age when he died and left his widow, Charlotte, and the two children, Ian and Jean. During his residence in Yenda, Charlie and in most cases with his wife, Lottie, took an active c* N s HER MEN and prominent part in all public and THEHo sporting affairs. He was the first President of the Australian Rules Football Club, the game that was mostly played in Yenda in the early days - later the League game got more support. He was the first Secretary of the Town Tennis Club and was really the originator of it Keys first Shop in Main Avenue, Yenda - 1923 2Courtesy Nancy Stacy (née Braby) he was actively interested in tennis until late in 1927 when the old war injury to his leg took him to Randwick Hospital for six months treatment and an operation which left him with a permanently stiff leg. As he said - "Finis Tennis"! He later took up golf, serving as President of the Yenda Golf Club for several years. He served many other organisations - the Yenda Progress Association, Yenda Theatre Improvement Fund, Boy Scouts Group, Returned Soldiers League, Parents and Citizen's Association and the Masonic Lodge. Charles took a keen interest in all the social activities of the different sporting and civic bodies he was connected with. He was always prepared and willing to help any body or organisation that worked for the improvement and betterment of the town and district. He was instrumental, in spite of strong opposition, in getting both a chemist and dentist for Yenda. Charles Keys was one of the visionaries of the Yenda business community, yet such is life that not a relic of his name remains in Yenda surrounds. Son Ian has only vague memories of Yenda as the family left at the end of 1935 when he was 11 years old, while Jean has less memories still. Ian recalls, however - "I was in the First Yenda Cub Pack, joining in 1932 when Ron Weir was the Cub Master; I went to a memorable Cub Camp for a weekend at Leeton; gained a few of the badges and carried the flag at the parade and dedication of the Cenotaph! I went to the Yenda Public School which was quite near Ian and Jean Keys behind shop at Yenda the shop for about three years and Courtesy Ian Keys can remember the names of these 429

teachers - Mabel Brown, Thelma Pearce, Mick O'Connell and the headmaster, Mr Strang. Our store was near MacDonald's garage so I befriended Roderick, Jean and John MacDonald. The police station was just over the road so I was also quite friendly with the policeman's sons, Trevor and Harley Robinson. The only time I have ever been in jail was overnight with them way back about 1936! As the McWilliams had established their winery in Yenda about the same time as my parents had started, I became very friendly with Jim McWilliam as our families visited each other fairly often. Our family also frequently visited our relatives "Bob and Dolly" Grubb in Griffith and also the Brabys on their farm at Yenda. I can recall `pitting' apricots and spreading the halves on trays to dry out. Cousin Nancy Stacy (née Braby) says - 'We Braby children loved Uncle Charlie, who was a great favourite with everyone. In spite of his war injuries (a stiff leg and an injured arm) he was always kind and considerate with a happy disposition.' "One of my most vivid memories was the day I helped Mr Mathieson, the chemist, unload, unpack and put into the shop the stock which he put on the shelves. I think this had such a lasting effect on me that I became a chemist myself eventually. I vaguely remember being attacked by a magpie nesting in a gum tree near the main canal!"

Edward Keys born lrvinestown N.I. 4 Feb 1861 died Yass 10 April 1938 married 1887 Louisa Emily Howard born Yass NSW 17 Nov 1866 died Woolwich NSW 2 July 1957 • Charles Wesley Keys born Captains Flat 25 April 1897 died Lindfield NSW 10 August 1938

Walter Cooper Grubb born NSW c.1863 died Yass 19 June 1926 married 1890 Sarah J Giles born NSW c.1865 died Yass 26 Jan 1944 • married at Yass 19 Sept 1923

•

Charlotte Sarah Grubb born Cooma Cottage, Yass 6 March 1900 died Mosman NSW 22 May 1986

Ian Howard Keys born CWA Hospital, Yenda 12 November 1924. Married Isobel Mary Boon and lives at Mount Pleasant NSW. Three children - Robyn Anne, Leonie Joy and Wesley Malcolm.

Jean born at Yenda 10 November 1927. Married Paul Cleveland Savage (dee'd). Jean lives at Mosman NSW. Two children - Paul Cleveland Jnr and Jane Louise.

Source of Yenda information - Jim Ronaldson Diaries held by the Western Riverina Community Library, Griffith.

By courtesy of Ian Keys, 20 Rose Parade, Mt Pleasant 2519.

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KINKEAD Grace Carr has a great love of animals - she has a magpie, a possum, an eagle and a kangaroo. She remembers her father (Frances Patrick Kinkead) bringing home animals such as baby hares, that he had found when cultivating. She was allowed to play with them for a few hours before he took them back to where they were found. Grace says - "We lived on Farm 1854, Lake View. It was planted with apricots, prunes and citrus. Our draught horses were Darkie and Kate. Dad used to let the horses go in the hills for the winter. Darkie was a gentle giant. I remember being put up on his back when I was small - I felt quite safe. "Dad's father had a shop at Cobar. Frank Kinkead and Myrtle (nee Jacka) This is where Dad lived with his brothers and sisters before coming here. He married Mum (Myrtle Mary Elizabeth Jacka) at Nan-andera. Mum went to Hillston School. She was brought up on 'Clare' Station at Hillston. Her parents later had a large house in Canal Street.

•

Grace "aboard" Darkie

► Standing at the back; Leo Bell Sitting: Joan Jacka (later Ross), Don Bell, Grace Kinkead (later Carr)

"Auntie Belle (wife of taxi driver Tom Bell) and Uncle Bert Jacka were close to us. My cousins, Joan Jacka, Leo and Donnie Bell and I often played together. I remember Morrie Morel and some friends made a canoe and paddled it along the canal from Jacka's to our farm at Lake View. They had to lift the canoe out at the bridges of course. 431

"Another time they made a diving suit and had Mum pushing the pump up and down to pump the air into it while the diver explored the bottom of the canal. Donnie Bell had ferrets and he used them to go rabbiting. "I went to school at our little village of Lake View. Our teachers were Mr Basham, Miss Clout and Miss Carter. 'One bashed you, one clouted you and the other one carted you away!' I rode a tiny bike to school. 'Slip' Carr made it especially for me as I was so small. Later on I had a larger bike to ride to High School. "My Mum and Dad played cards with their neighbours, Old Sam Robinson and the Colemans. Mum and Dad used to go along the canal bank to Coleman's to listen to the wireless when the test cricket was broadcast. I remember Mr Coleman called me 'Tuppence'. "McCarthy's lived over the back. There was a bloke further back than McCarthy's Jack Shims. We only saw him once a year, at prune time. He came over each year to compare his prune crop with ours. I remember he always wore a flower in his lapel. He probably only lived two miles away across the farms. "Mum and Dad both died in Griffith and are buried in the Roman Catholic portion of the Griffith Cemetery.

The Kinkead Family's Shop at Cobar

Leonard Nutlet & Annie Louise Jacka

Robert Kinkead & Mary (née McNamee)

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Frances Patrick Kinkead born Cobar 13 September 1890 died Griffith 12 June 1965

married St Thomas, Narrandera 3 February 1925

Myrtle Mary Elizabeth Jacka born 15 July 1898 died Griffith 14 December 1968

• Grace (often called Gracie) born 1928; married Frank Carr lives at Griffith NSW

Entry and photographs by courtesy Grace Carr (née Kinkead), Griffin Avenue, Griffith 2680 432

KUBANK Alf Kubank (Alfred Gustav 1887-1967) was born at Wilmington SA on 19 November 1887. He was a descendant of the Kubank families who emigrated from Brandenburg which, in the 1850s was part of Prussia but is now part of western Poland. The first arrivals in Australia were Johann Christian Kubank and his wife, Rosina and their four sons who arrived at Port Adelaide on 16 November 1853 aboard the "Herman". Johann Gottlieb Kubank and his wife Dorothea arrived aboard "La Rochelle". They both came from the village of Kossar. The families of five separate cousins still reside in West Berlin and keep in contact with the Australian family. This contact had been lost for several generations until re-established by Alf s son, Les and his wife Margitta, who was born in Prussia. Alfred Kubank descends from Christian and Rosina. He went to Alfred and Winnie Kubank school at Wilmington and when his family moved to Mannum (also in South Australia) he worked in a butcher's shop there. The following year, during vintage, he worked in one of the Barossa Valley wineries, at Angaston. In 1906 he purchased an area of virgin scrubland at Buccleuch (SA) near to that of his two brothers and the brothers worked together to establish viable farms. On February 23rd 1910, Alf married Winnie Sinclair. The couple had five children while still living on the Buccleuch property. One child died in infancy. Their sixth and last child, Dulcie, was born at Griffith NSW. In 1919 Alf decided to sell his South Australian farm and, leaving his wife and children with his brother and his wife, he set off for Queensland to look for land. Finding nothing that appealed he travelled to NSW and bought a dairy and fruit property at Yoogali. His family joined him in the June of 1920. Some time later Alf bought more land where he ran sheep and grew cereal crops. In 1925 he converted the original orchard into a rice farm and successfully helped to pioneer the rice growing industry in the MIA. Alf Kubank was keenly interested in community affairs and served the district and region on many committees and boards - some include the Shire Council 1931-46, the last twelve months as Shire President; Griffith Producers' Co-operative Company as Director; Farmers & Settlers Association and the Lands Board. While involved with the Murray 433

Valley Development League he made many inspections of the Snowy Mountains Authority. A playground park in Griffith is named in his honour. For relaxation AIf enjoyed playing lawn bowls and billiards. Winnie was a selftaught artist and painting took up many hours of her latter years. Her paintings grace the walls of each of her children's homes. The couple celebrated their golden wedding February 1960. The following year, on July 15, 1961, Winnie died, aged 74 years. She is buried in the Griffith Cemetery. Some years after her death Alf went on an overseas trip and while in England he met and married Annie Smith. The couple returned to live in Griffith. This man of vision died suddenly on his 80th birthday in 1967. Alf is buried in the Griffith Cemetery. Annie returned to England after his death and died there on 14 April 1977. Recalling his early life in South Australia, Les Kubank tells - "In South Australia, at the age of about six or seven years, I worked out on the farm all day with my father, cutting Mallee shoots using a slasher. This job was called 'shoot cutting'; another job was cracking and heaping up stones that had been pulled out by the plough. Today, driving from Pinnaroo to Murray Bridge in 1921 - On front verandah of old house - Farm 101 South Australia, around Peake Standing, L to R: Ron, Les, Alice. Douglas sitting at the front. and on near-by farms can be seen many heaps of stones. I helped build some of those heaps on our farm while still quite a small boy. "Rabbit was our common meat. A 'special' would be a chook. Kangaroo was often on our menu, especially kangaroo tail soup. As children we all made our own fun, seldom left the farm and only very occasionally visited neighbours who were miles apart. Mum made all the bread, etc; jams from melons, quandongs and so on.

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"I never wore boots or shoes regularly till I started school and then not often. A special entertainment was to listen to the gramophone at night - funny records!! "The farm where I spent my young years is still in the family. We have been back a number of times to have a look. My father's youngest sister, my Aunty Ada, who now lives in Queensland, was my special 'mate' during my very young years. When I could walk and run about we would go into the bush rabbiting - in the mallee scrub that was close to the house.

A G Kubank harvesting rice with a binder - 1926

"In 1920, when I was 9 years old, we came to Farm 101, Yoogali. (Granted originally to Robert Irvin on 13 August 1915 - 103 acres, 2 roods; annual rental £43/19/9. This farm was transferred to AG Kubank 2 July 1920)." "Up to this time I had not attended any school. My Dad used to give us our lessons in mathematics, etc and my Mother taught me how to write and spell - so when I started school it was at Yoogali Public School in 1921. My teacher was a Miss Jenkins from Yenda (she later became Mrs Jack Kelly). I moved quickly through the classes - 1st and 2nd and up to 3rd. This was mainly because I could write (a little) and knew my Arithmetic Tables, 1 to 12. "Our farm at this time was a dairy farm on which we milked about forty cows, so very early every day I was called out of bed by my Dad to get the cows in, etc. I didn't milk, but I used to take a turn at the hand-turned separator, feed poddy-calves or go and get the horses in and feed them so Dad could yoke up the team and go ploughing - using a 2furrow disc or 3-furrow Mouldboard Shearer plough.

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"At breakfast every day we took turns at gristine the wheat to make the porridge for the family. Often breakfast was after the cows were milked. After this I used to run off to school (often late). Returning home after school there were always plenty of jobs to do and we would be in trouble if we didn't hurry home as soon as school finished. Most of the jobs mentioned were my lot because I was the eldest in our family.

L to R: Alf Kubank and sons, Les, Doug and Ron

"By 1926 I was fifteen years old and Dad bought his first tractor - a Hart Parr 12.24 hp. One of my greatest thrills was to have a drive of this tractor. By this time too I had left school - there were no high schools to attend then. I worked full time on the farm cutting burrs, thistles, cleaning out ditches, etc. Our farm had about 15 acres of fruit trees oranges, prunes, pears, peaches, apricots and later, apples - so picking fruit, pruning trees was a yearly job. "Very early in the twenties, before Dad bought a new T-Model Ford utility, he would ride a push bike to Griffith for business, etc. Later in the afternoon Mum and I would go to town in the sulky to do the shopping (usually at Dave Taylor's store). Mum and Dad would return home in the sulky and I would ride the push bike behind, in the light of the hurricane lantern, which was tied to the back of the sulky. All the other members of the family remained at home. "The years from 1920 to 1930 were very exciting for me - I learned to ride a push bike, ride horses, ride a motor bike and drive a car!

Grinding the wheat

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"It was in 1929 that I bought my first motor bike - a 2'k hp B.S.A. I had a really wonderful time with this bike. I paid about £30 for it. I sold it some years later and bought a T-Model Ford utility from Mr Ellesmere at Yoogali for £13. I had to buy it on terms. (No dough!!) We all travelled far and wide in this `Lizzy'. We called it 'Rocky Ned'! "As my father was unaware of this purchase we had to 'sneak' Lizzy past the house to put her in the shed at the back. My mother later described the scene - my father, reading by the fire was startled by the noise as `Lizzy' sped past the window. He jumped up, peered out the window, exclaiming 'WHAT was THAT!!'

The Kubank Family - 1960 L to R: Back: Dulcie Williams, Ron Kubank, Les Kubank, Doug Kubank, Alice Richards Front: Alf and Winnie Kubank

"In 1936 I drove it to Melbourne and Sydney and a lot of places in between. We had some 'never to be forgotten' experiences, such as bolting out of control down Bulli Pass, the back wheel coming off between Wagga and Narrandera and so on!! The Bulli Pass incident topped the lot as far as I was concerned. We had never been down this steep road before and today I write 'by the grace of God' because had there not been a safety ramp on the hillside up which I steered `Litz' - over rocks and the lot, until she came to rest jammed on the rock face that held her. Only for this I am quite sure that there would not be a bloke around by the name of Les Kubank today!! The alternative to the safety ramp was to drive through the fence and into a very deep valley - maybe a thousand feet - (I felt sure my `wings' would not support me at that stage!!) So that's that!! No laughing matter though I can assure you! We had to camp right there and repair `Lizz' with a new low gear band in the transmission. "After that we headed for the west and arrived home safely." With the outbreak of war, two of the Kubank sons served with the Army. Ron in the R.A.E. (Royal Australian Engineers) of the A.I.F. with whom he served one thousand

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days in all - eight months in Borneo and then thirteen months in the Northern Territory. He was stationed, at various times, at Darwin, Larrimah and Adelaide River, as well as being involved in the maintenance of the then so important rail line between Katherine and Darwin. He was in Darwin during the severe bombing raids by the Japanese. He recalls standing on the front steps of the original Darwin Post Office, all that was left after the direct hit in which twenty people were killed. Recalling these times Ron says that approximately fifteen hundred people were killed in these raids - evidenced by the graves in the Adelaide River War Cemetery where all the Darwin casualties are buried. He recalled also standing on the beach, at low tide, on the morning after the first raid and personally counting at least fifty sunken vessels in the harbour. He explained also that a number of these were munitions ships and consequently many people from these were never accounted for. He then wryly remarked that, after the war, the remains of these same ships were sold to the Japanese - as scrap iron!! Across the room, Les chuckled and said "and then they sold it back to us as cars!!" The youngest of the Kubank boys, Doug, served with the Australian Military Forces at Bougainville (New Guinea) and Geraldton WA. The family of Alf and Winnie Kubank 1.

Leslie Alfred William born 20 May 1911 Buccleuch SA - lives Griffith. Married (1) Evelyn Ethel Maude Carter. Married (2) Margitta Singer. I. Roland Frederick born Germsburg Germany 2. Heinz Erhart born Germsburg Germany 3. Sigfried born Germsburg Germany 4. William Leslie born Griffith 5. Richard Samuel born Griffith

Ronald Sidney born 10 July 1913 Buccleuch SA - lives Griffith. Stewart. 1. Lorna (Swaffield) 2. Valerie (Dixon) 3. Carol (Groom)

Alice Mary horn 3 February 1915 Buccleuch SA - lives Beelbangera. Married Anhui George Richards (dec'd). 1. Elaine 2. Harold 3. Jennifer 4. Margaret

Married Mary Isobel

Eileen born 2 June 1916; died 18 June 1916 Buccleuch SA. )twins Douglas John born 2 June 1916; died 9 October 1990. Married Constance Marshall - lives 5.) Griffith. 1. Gordon 2. Geoffrey 3. Kevin 4.)

Dulcie Dorothy born 21 September 1925 Griffith - lives Cronulla NSW. Married Leslie Thomas Williams. I. Leslie 2. Colin (From Alf's second marriage to Annie Smith, there was no issue.)

Entry and photographs by courtesy of Les Kubank, Ortella Street, Griffith 2680. 438

GRIFFITH - A Jekyll and Hyde Version

by Charles Cairns Mitchell

Where is the 'beast' who planned this place? Is he "above" or "below"? I'm sure that when he got his deserts He went far "below" - I know!

It is Saturday morning in Griffith Banna Avenue is packed with cars. The women are doing the shopping While the men line up at the bars!

He must have had asbestos skin To stand this Griffith heat! And Anti-Freeze mixed with his blood 'Gainst Winter-time's cold feet!

A remarkable town is this Griffith Conceived on a far-western plain Where people were few, with little to do, For want of a little more rain.

If it isn't the heat, it's bitter cold! If it's neither those, it's dust! Oh! Many a time have I suffered the lot And cussed, and cussed, and cussed!

Thirty years ago no-one saw Griffith! 'Twos a name in a town planner's mind; And even he could not have visioned How it would leave other towns far behind.

We're a hundred miles from any place That's worth a cent to see! We're stuck out here upon this plain Oh! miserable are we!

There is no town growing like Griffith! Its growth is a marvel to see. More people keep coming and staying, And the reason's no mystery to me.

"Go west, my son," was said