Fate seemed to be hard on Liz in those first years. In

Fate seemed to be hard on Liz in those first years. In February, 1987, she
borrowed David's car. She parked it at Enoggera Railway Station to go to
work in the city. She worked for Rushden Realty in the city, a good job. When
she returned after her day's work the car was gone. A few days later it was
found at Inala. It had been used for a bank robbery. Not much damage had
been done to it.
March 5th. 1987was the day she signed for the house, and on the same day
we sold the piano we'd given her years before for $1100, so she had money
to buy a fridge and TV. We took delivery of the house a month later. Again
yours truly moving furniture, or should I say involved this time. We paid a
van to remove us from Marion's to the house. What a day. We worked well
into the night.
Did I ever mention those three cats they had? The story goes, thatthegirls
gave Elizabeth one for her birthday. The girls acquired one each. Those cats
scratched, bit and pooed everywhere. Getting them to Bub's was terrible.
They broke out of the bags and went mad in the car. So came the day we
moved them from Cecile Street to Keperra. Again they were biting and
scratching and were hard to catch, as they smelt a rat that they were to be
bagged again.
Within a few days we were all settled in, so they again had a roof over their
heads. The girls were not very impressed with the house, as they'd lived in
a very nice brick home all their lives, and a cottage was a come down. Of
course they were not interested in how Liz was to pay for it. I went home a
week later, very pleased that they were all settled into a nice cottage, close to
the train and supermarket.
It lasted for about a year, and then the girls moved out to live with other
young people. Liz lived there until she felt lonely, so on 22/4/89, she moved
to Cairns where her friend Chris lived. She got a very good job at the
Rainforest Resort. She was involved in the furbishing and the opening, so it
was a great challenge. One drawback - she had to drive a long way up that
hill to Karanda. Very hard on her car. Norman had given her a nice Corona
a few months before she went up. It was hard on us all to part with her,
knowing she'd be so far away. But she was mature and she was sure she'd
be happy - which she is.
Melissa rented the house and stayed for awhile. She had others living
with her there. She moved out and we let it out at $150.00 per week
unfurnished. Now when I say unfurnished, I mean a shamosile. The boys
came to the rescue and came with utilities and took all the furniture home to
Condamine. Melissa brought the personal goods over to the garage of my
unit. I will continue the Waddell saga later as the events happened.
By 27/4/89
we'd tried to sell' Arabella'.
We'd had it on the market
- no
sale - then we tried auction - still no sale. So we all geared ourselves to carry
Page58
My Life Has Meandered Likea River
on. As we were restless, and Stuart Tremaine was leading a very uncertain
day to day existence as Manager, we got back to work and began to plan our
year's programme. John was out branding and sending weaners in, head
down and bum up, when a stranger came to the yards and began to talk.
Before leaving he asked John if we'd sell. "Yes," said John. "$9.00 an acre with
no ifs and buts. You either want it or you don't as we've got to get on with
the job," So Mr. Billinger asked for the offer - again we were all on tender
hooks.
On 11/5/89, they took the final step, so a sale was pending. No one was
excited, as a sale is never a sale until the contract is signed. Rain held up the
documents, as the Billingers were on the road with sheep.
22/5/89, and 'Arabella' was sold. I was pleased. The others were sorry,
as it meant a lot of organisation, as we had no intentions of selling our
breeders. We found agistment at 'Golden Grove' -Robinsons at Glenmorgan,
and moved the cattle there. What a big job. We were only two or three short
in the muster, and the new owners were happy to leave them there to be sold
when convenient.
Stuart went to live in Charleville, and we settled down, invested the
money and relaxed, with Norman whingingnow and then and me saying my
Thanksgivingprayer. After the sale was over and the money earning interest
we all settled down to a life of less work and worry. David was busy and
content putting his new management into line.
8/5/89 was my birthday. Barb asked us over for lunch, and to my
surprise when we arrived, we found she had about twenty of my close
friends there to wish me a happy birthday. I did enjoy that, and we all had
a wonderful day together. Seventy years may be a long way to look forward
to, but I feel it's not all that long to look back as all my memories are so vivid.
I crossed my gullies as I came to them, and bore my cross when I was asked
to suffer loss, and revelled in the happiness.
All the while the Five Little Australians, my grandchildren, were growing
from babies to little boys (& girl). I wish I could recall all the funny stories
they've related to me. One was from Tegan at the age of four. She said to me
one day, "Nanna, I love you, but you really are bossy."
Guy is a very fussy little fellow. David and John had called for morning
tea. After they'd gone, he walked into the kitchen and said, "Look at the mess
~anna, and they've just walked away and left it but not to worry I'll clean
It up." And he did.
-
My day began as usual on 11/5/89. Norman and John had gone to
Toowoomba and I was home alone. I got up when Norman left and milked
'Roanie', our dear old milker who belongs to Nathan. I did a few chores then
settled in to have a nice quiet day, as Norman is never one to come home
early.
Page59
My First Seventy Years
I did my tapestry as usual, then began a nice big crossword puzzle (to
these I am addicted). So the morning was gone before I realised it. At12.30
p.m., I got up and made a sandwich and cuppa and continued to work on the
crossword. I felt tired I must admit, but not any signs or symptoms. First I
thought indigestion, so I went and got a Quickeze. This didn't have any
effect. I felt there was a brick on my chest, so I got up and walked around the
garden, thinking that I'd been sitting down too long and a walk would be
what I needed. Then my left arm became numb and the perspiration was
pouring out of me allover. I took one look at my hand and the finger nails
were blue. Of course I knew what I was in for. I rang Maree and couldn't get
her. Then I rang Tricha Henry, my dear neighbour, and as luck would have
it, Anne Maree her daughter, a newly trained nurse was there. I let her do the
worrying from there on. She alerted the doctor, put me into her car and off
to Miles. I'd mention here that we were low flying, as it didn't take long.
What a wonderful crew we have to care for us, both doctors and hospital
staff. They wheeled me in and there were two doctors, Matron, Betty Rush
and Jenny Jenkins, two very skillful sisters and my close friends. So who was
I to worry with all that attention. Thinks I, "If I die I've got everything being
done that can be done," so I relaxed. I don't remember much from there on,
but I will admit I continuously prayed that all would be OK.
Trish eventually found David on the roof of the building they were doing
at the rodeo ground. He too flew low and was soon with me. Maree and Barb
too were soon there, so all in all I had pushed the red button. I was OK, very
tired and very comfortable and was now thanking God, no more sweat, no
vomiting and very relaxed.
Norman and John arrived home by dark. Then it was their turn to panic.
My main concern was that I was finding it hard to remember much after
Trisha and Anne Maree came. I recovered very quickly, and was warned by
the medical and nursing team to see that it didn't happen again. A few years
later I'm well and don't want it to happen again.
a good one. You know, I really didn't expect him to relish the idea, a man
who'd fought drought and hardgoing for his whole life to prosper, and then
for me to be going off into a completely different direction was a no! no! The
boys wondered if I should be going to the Sou th or North Coast to invest. I'd
given all these alternatives a lot of thought, and really decided that I'd always
loved the Brisbane River and life could be easy there. One has to remember
when you reach the age of seventy years, that doctors and hospitals become
a necessity, as well as shops, banks etc.. etc..
By 16th October 1990, Norman had decided it was a good idea, and that
I'd best get down to Brisbane and get started on unit hunting. So off I went.
I stayed with my sister Bub, and we got on to many agents. Each day we
looked and I could find nothing. Eventually I found one that I thought could
be OK. I made an offer of $109,000.00.
After doing this I was not happy. Bertha decided we should go and talk
to the body corporate of the block of units, so firstly we spoke to a Mrs. Anne
Young who owned a sixth floor unit. It was magnificent. She in turn called
Miss Olive Ashcroft, the Secretary of the Body Corporate, who was very nice
and helpful. She said, "would you like to look at one I bought at auction last
week." "Oh, thankyou, we would." So off we went and inspected the three
bedroom unit she had just purchased. It was a beautiful unit, although very
run down and in need of a lot of money spent on it. I was quick to ask, "and
will your unit be for sale?" She said, "yes, later it will go on the market." Says
I without even asking the price, "Could I have the offer?" So we discussed it
at length and she decided she would sell. I quickly rang our accountant, Ken
Shaw, who'd been doing our business for thirty years, and he came out at 9
a.m. the following morning. Overnight I'd rung Norman and the boys, who
all agreed that if I liked it, to buy it. When Ken had a look he said, "Joyce, sign
up for it right now. You may never get another chance to buy such a beautiful
spot and view of the River, and a nice comfortable unit."
So concluded episode one of another life drama. Specialists etc. etc.
continued, and not one of them ever really told me what happened, except
that things like 'such' are happening every day to hundreds of people, so join
the club. My family have been very supportive and take good care of me.
By 11 a.m. next day, Norman and the boys were down. They drove up,
took one look and said, "Joyce, buy it right now." So by the afternoon, Ken,
Norman and the boys had my name on the dotted line. It took one month for
settlement and delivery. I had my unit and still had my money, as Norman
paid for it as well as furnishing it. He was happy to do that and like us all,
he thinks it's good and an excellent investment.
On my return from hospital, my sister Bertha came out to take care of the
household as well as me. I did appreciate her being with me, as company is
very important when one more or less is suffering from a great fear that 'it',
whatever it was, may happen again. Sounds strange now but frightening at
the time.
To 1991,Ihad two very good offers for it. Even though I say it myself after
looking at ever so many units all over Brisbame, one such as this does not
come up for sale. It was only that Miss Ashcroft needed the three bedrooms,
that we were lucky to get in on the ground floor. Weuse it as often as possible,
and I try to share with my family if they wish to use it.
After settling down, life became normal again. I decided that I would not
reinvest my share of 'Arabella' into land, as I'd always dreamed of an easier
way of life. I mentioned to Norman my thoughts, and his reaction was not
Enough about this home away from home on the River. The settlement
was made on 30/11/89. Anything I can do, Norman can do better. On the
23/4/90 I was at the unit and he told me that he and John had been to Roma
Page60
My Life Has Meandered Likea River
My First SeventyYears
Page61
to look at a property. I just thought that was a nice day's outing for them, and
thought nothing more of it. I came home in due course and the next day
Norman announced that they were off to Roma for the auction of 'Taloona'.
So Joh has gone free to be tried at the Magistrate's pleasure. I don't think
anything will ever come of it. As Joh says, "It'll be alright, you'll see." Poor
old fellow, he did so much for Queensland and this is his final reward.
It was 9,408 acres, 72 km east of Roma, 57 km of bitumen; good brigalow
country with a creek. By nightfall Norman had added another jewel to his
crown. He'd gone SO/SOwith John and bought it. So once again there was
the shifting and settling in. Nathan rang me and said, "Nanna did you hear
my father bought a new property? And there's a fishing hole for each of us.
One for Guy, Willie and me and there's big fish in them." To date we have
not caught any of these big fish.
As this part of my life story comes to a close, a last comment on our family.
Norman 76, Joyce 72 and both in very good health. My brother Milton in the
late stages of a terminal illness. Two sisters Iris and Beryl deceased. The
remaining seven hale and hearty. My family of three all well established.
Elizabeth in Cairns, John on 'Barramornie' and David on 'Ramona'. Melissa
and Elouise both with good jobs in Brisbane and five grandchildren at the
Condamine State School.
There was a long drag to get to the end of the tunnel, bu t 1990 arrived and
things began to fall into line. Norman and I proudly admit we are now the
'poor relations' after all those years. But we were so proud to see the boys
now solely in command of their own future. God bless and keep them
walking the way their father taught them and expecting them to follow. As
for me, I brought them up to do a good day's work for a good day's pay, to
be honest, and respect their fellow man. I only hope they will bring their
children up on the same lines and enjoy them as we have enjoyed our family.
The change in everyone's life style seems to be a suitable point for me to
end my life's story to date. 20.10.91 and may we all go into the next stages as
happily as the first 70 odd years.
17/6/91 saw Nathan load two ponies on the Toyota for mustering at
'Taloona'. At nine years old he was a very fine little horseman. He took
'Cheeky' and 'Flash', and was able to work with the men for the week's
mustering. Norman and I took Guy and Luke out for two days. One has to
keep children well and truly in touch with life on the land as it's an inbred
profession and must be encouraged.
I seem to have omitted my two grandaughters, Melissa and Eloise. They
have both been a great joy to us all. We've enjoyed watching them grow into
womanhood. During their tender years they have spent many holidays with
us. At one time they attended the Condamine school for two months. Life
hasn't been easy for them, yet they've made a very worthwhile life for
themselves and both have very good jobs in Brisbane. They are a credit to us
all and we love them for it.
All the children now have ponies, saddles and bridles and can all ride at
the pony club.
October 1991. It's the worst drought throughout Queensland that white
man has ever known. Fortunately, we had a little extra rain that has carried
us on. We also have two fair paddocks of wheat. One listens to the radio and
reads the papers, and the story becomes more exagerated and desperate
every day. They say we're in a drastic recession. I don't know, as crowds at
functions are bigger than ever, supermarkets in the cities are crowded as I've
never seen them before.
Joh Bjelke Petersen has been committed for perjury. The jury were locked
in for five nights and still could not come to any decision regarding a verdict.
Page62
My Life HasMeanderedLiki:a River
My First Seventy Years
Page 63
I was bornin a slab house on Coolootai Station, then owned by Charles
Codrington, on 17th Nov. 1889. My father was Herbert William Reeves son
of Charles Herbert Reeves and Julia Reeves (nee Hart), of Clapham, London
and County Cork, Dublin (respectively).
During the winter months, my occupation was wallaby and kangaroo
shooting, and with George Mitchell and Frank Prendergast (my life long
mates), we spent very happy winters in the bush. Sometimes there was little
to eat, and a poor camp and bed for winter, but nevertheless we were happy,
and would probably earn up to thirty shillings or thirty five shillings per
week with skins and scalps, which was ten to fifteen shillings above station
or other work. It was considered as something above the average in money,
and we estimated that we would soon be making towards being millionaires.
My mother was Clara Ellen Hussey, daughter of James and Rosannah
Hussey of Queenstown, County Cork, Ireland and County Wexford, Ireland
(respectively). From the age of birth to four years of age I was just an ordinary
child, healthy and playful.
Over the years from the early 80's to about 1914, shooting was a big
industry, and many families lived on the proceeds of shooting for skins and
scalps. In my day there would be at least thirty shooters in and around
Coolatai scrubs, some of a permanent nature shooting all year around.
Between four years and five years, I started school in a slab building
loaned by Coolootai Station. My first teacher was Bruce Webster. Up to the
age of twelve years, I was justa normal mischievous boy, with faults no better
and no worse than boys of my age. From twelve years to fourteen years, I
realized that school was for my own benefit, and to make the best of it which
Idid, learning a great lot during my final years at school. My last teacher was
Arthur John Stevens, who taught in the first new Government School. It was
built near the present tennis courts on Coolatai school grounds in 1900, in the
village of Coolatai (spelling altered from Coolootai to Coolatai) to distinguish from Station and Village for postal purposes.
The rifles used were the .32 and .38 calibre 1892 model Winchester rifles.
A round of ammunition would cost about 1/4d. or less a shot, powder cost
2/3d./lb., lead 3d./lb., and primers 2/3d. for a box of 250.
My Life History
by Herbert
W. Reeves
Leaving school at the age of fourteen, I went to Gournama Station, where
I was employed by Mrs. Richard Capel as kitchen boy and knock about, at a
wage of five shillings per week for seven days.
Working on Gournama till July 1907,1was promoted from kitchen boy to
general station hand, with a rise in pay from five shillings to seven shillings
and six, twelve shillings and six, and then to the full stockmans pay of one
pound per week.
During these years under the supervision of Mr. Richard Capel, I learnt
all classes of station work, handling stock, lamb-marking and all work
connected with stock. This learning carried me through successfully when
employed by other stations, which in this case was Coolootai Station for the
late Thomas Walker.
After 1914 the wallaby died out, mainly due to the coming of the fox,
imported from England as pets. After going wild and breeding rapidly, they
soon became a menace to all wildlife on the ground, such as quail, plain
turkeys, brolgas (nature companion), scrub turkeys, pigeons, curlews, plover
and wild duck etc.
These birds nesting on the ground were easy prey for the fox, who ate eggs
and young birds alike. They killed young wallabies when they left their
mother's pouch and did much other destruction to young animals and bird
life, to the point where it is now is coming to a time when a lot of animals and
birds will be extinct in Australia.
In Feb. of 1913 came a turn in my outlook on life. W.H. Moore of
'Glendon', Coolatai, offered to lease to me a well boring plant, consisting of
an 8 h.p. Steam Fowler Traction Engine, No.2 Southern Cross Well Driller,
5" tyre table top wagon, small lorry top wagon and all tools for the purpose
of boring for water. I accepted the offer, having previously had eighteen
months on a Keystone driller with Walsh Bros. (Jack & Dan) around Inverell.
I was confident enough to make a start. This plant when hooked together,
~as of considerable length. When travelling an off-beaten track in the bush,
It required some skill in handling, but after five years with it we were pretty
skilful. A lot of work was needed during travelling. Water was hard to get,
there only being dams and a few wells in this district before bores came in.
Leaving Gournama in 1907, I, with Victor Maidens, went to Merriwa
Station, Boggabilla, then owned by RF. Evans, to learn to shear. On 1st
August, 1907, I completed my apprenticeship at this shed, shearing up to
eighty sheep. I then was able to be classed as a shearer, and over the next
seven years I did a lot of shearing for contractors (Federal Sheep Shearing
Co., J.N. Young & Co.) around Gunnedah and other districts. I also shore for
most settlers around the Coolatai district, and was shearing machine expert
and engine driver on Coolootai Stataion for twenty five years.
Boring in the Warialda and Woolatai districts started in 1909, when a
Contractor from Manilla, Charles Saunders, under contract from W. Capel of
'Fairford' and Richard Capel of 'Gournama' came to the district to sink four
bores, and started at 'Fairford' house.
Page 64
My FirstSeventy Years
My Life Has Meandered Like a River
Wood was plentiful, but still had to be cut with an axe. On a site whi!e
boring, water may have to be carted several miles.
Page 65
Boring at Coolatai commenced in 1910 and has been going on up till the
present.
In my boring life of forty eight years, the number of bores put down by me
is unknown, as records of all have not been kept unfortunately, but some
hundreds have been sunk and running into many thousand feet.
In my boring life I have owned four complete plants, and I was very
reluctant to give up my work on account of age coming on. It was my living
while rearing my family, and for years after they had grown up and had
plants of their own, and other means of earning a good living for themselves.
Boring, like everything else has its ups and downs, but nevertheless I liked
my plant and my work and was always happy to be among the people I
worked for. My motto was: 'Always leave a man, in a way that I was never
frightened to ask for another job.'
My father worked with me for a long length of time, as did Chris Cox and
many others, who were able to carry on as expert drillers and water
specialists. The name 'Reeves' has been well known in water supply for over
fifty years in Warialda, Coolatai and Yetman districts.
Modes of Transport during my life time.
My first transport was my feet, walking where ever I had to go. To my
Grandmother Hussey at Agincourt for holidays it was eight miles, and in
1902 I walked to Warialda, a distance of twenty miles. I went there to get my
first mechanical transport from the Railway, a push bike from Anthony
Hordern & Sons, which cost £10 and 2/6 freight.
No telephone communication was then at Coolatai, and as I started to
walk in the morning my mother did not worry much, as she thought I would
soon tire and return home, but this did not happen. I kept walking and
running until Iarrived at 'Melrose' Warialda at dark. Mypoormother. How
she must have been worried, with no means of finding out whether I arrived
alright and was not lost.
The bike I used till 1911, after which I had three of them, using them for
shearing and getting about on. I also bought a sulky in 1909 and used it
considerably.
In 1911 I purchased my first motor cycle, a 31/2 h.p. Triumph, second
hand from Frank KiIlkenny, an agent at Inverell for £45. I sold the Triumph
to Clarrie Hungerford, a school teacher at Coolatai in 1913, for £25. I then
purchased a 31/2 H.P. Speedwell Rover from Bennett and Wood at InvereII
for£86new. I sold the Rover to Edmund Reeves in 1914 for £50, and after my
marriage purchased a 6-7 h.p. Speedwell Abington twin cylinder, for £107
from Bennett and Wood of Inverell in 1915. I sold it to Jack Clark of Glen
Garry for £65 in 1917.
Page66
My Life Has Meandered Like a River
A buggy and pair of ponies were used to 1923, when I purchased my first
car, an Overland Tourer for £360. I sold the Overland to Geoffrey Reeves in
1926, and purchased a 1926 model Buick Tourer for £440. I sold the Buick to
Mick KeIIett in 1951 for £150 and purchased a Vanguard Tourer from J.A.
McGregors agency for £1250, later seIIing the Vanguard in 1954 for £450,
when I purchased a Holden Sedan. It was a 1954 model for £1100, and this
car I still hold. (4/10/1963).
Side lights through life
When a boy, I spent weekends and days off with my brother Edmund,
catching kangaroo rats with a dog and tomahawk. We would cut them out
oflogs after being logged by the dog. We sold the scalps (ears) at 2d. per scalp.
We also snared possums in twine snares set on a pole and leaned up against
the trees. These we sold at3/6and4/ 6 per dozen (now is not protected about
£6 per doz.)
I bought my first rifle, a second hand Bayard cal .22 pea-rifle and belt for
cartridges from Jack Lawson of Warialda for the sum of 10/-. The next rifle
I had, which caused a bit of strife between my father and me, was a new 1892
model fuII magazine .32 calibre Winchester Rifle. I bought this one from
Anthony Hordern & Sons Sydney at the price of £2-17/6 (now worth £60 if
you could buy one new). Second hand ones are in the shop windows at £30
and £40. This rifle, my people thoughttoo dangerous forme to have, but later
allowed me to have it. With this rifle which was very accurate, I shot a great
many wallabies and kangaroos, and soon earned my £2-17/6 back again.
Another money raiser for us was climbing trees for possums and cutting
them out of the hollows with a tomahawk.
From boyhood up to the time I went to work on Gournama in 1903, horses
were not in my line as I never had one to ride, but from 1903 I did a lot of horse
work on Gournama and Coolootai Stations. I was never much of a rough
rider, although I could ride if I was forced to stay. I owned several good
buggy and saddle ponies and horses for years.
I was station mechanic on Coolootai for a number of years, doing all
windmiII and engine maintenance, as well as maintenance of electric light
plant. For twenty five years I did the shearing experting and engine driving
for the late Thomas Walker, and was a driver on Coolootai Stations first
motor lorry, a 'Garford'. I also shore there for a number of years and shore
the first shearing in the new shed built by Rogers and Smith in November,
1908. The expert was Bill Morris. The machines were a crude Moffat-Virtue.
Twelve stands were used in the shed, and twenty thousand sheep were
shorn.
My father and mother left the employ of Walker Trustees on Coolootai
Station in 1902 and shifted to the new home in the viIIage of Coolatai. My
boyhood mates were Edmund, George and Albert Mitchell, and Frank
My First Seventy Years
Page67
.....
Prendergast. From working age at fourteen, George and I lead practically the
same life, shearing, shooting and working right up to the time of our
marriages in 1914 and 1915, which then altered our lives.
As a boy of ten to fourteen, my school holidays were spent at Agincourt
with my Grandfather and Grandmother Hussey, where Frank Prendergast
was reared and lived. Frank has been a lifelong mate and a brother. To get
to Agincourt I would walk the eight miles with no boots on my feet, but
carrying them. In the 1902 drought as boys, we gathered bullocks horns from
the hundreds of Coolootai cattle which perished in the drought, roaming the
bush and creeks. We found the dead cattle, collected the horns, and got 9d.
a pair for them.
In Dec. 1913, I first met my wife-to-be, Elvira Bertha Weir, daughter of Joe
and Sarah Weir of Tenterfield. We met at Coolootai Station, where she was
employed as domestic to Mrs. Thos. Walker. A happy courtship followed for
twelve months, and the happiest day of our lives was when we were married
in the Church of England at Coolatai at 3.30 p.m. on the 9th Dec. 1914. The
ceremony was performed by the Rev. Jobson of Warialda. Our bridesmaid
was my sister, Myrtle Reeves, and our best man was my life long mate, Frank
Prendergast. Our groomsman was Harry Slatter, a taxi driver of Warialda.
Our honeymoon was spent in Sydney. Our address was Occidental
Hotel, Wynard Square. Returning home via Tenterfield, we set up home at
Coolatai and built our present home in 1916. The carpenter was George
Irwin.
For the next forty nine years, we reared our family of five boys and four
girls, all of whom we are proud of. We looked forward to when they grew
up and were married, coming home with their children and being with us.
And now after losing my dear wife and their mother, all I have to look
forward to is the knowledge that we were a loving and devoted family, and
that dear Mum cannot be replaced. I also know that I have the love and
comfort of my family, who leave no stone unturned to see that I want for
nothing and watch over me. My life from now on will be a very sad and
lonely one, but in time I will rest with my Darling to watch over her and be
near her. God Bless Her.
Our Grandchildren never learnt to call us Grandfather and Grandmother,
and we were happy to think that they always called us Father and Mama.
They always looked forward to going home to Mama and Father, and at
Christmas, Mama and Father got more presents from them than anyone else.
My life has been an open book, and as no human being is perfect, I have
my faults and failures. But I have tried to live a respectable, and above all a
clean life, and when my time comes, I will die hopefully without an enemy,
and a clear conscience that I have had the respect of mankind, as I respected
my fellow beings.
Page68
My Life Has Meandered Like a River
HERBERT MILTON WEIR REEVES
I was born at Melrose, 17Crane St, Warialda, on 17/5/1915. I the oldest of nine
children, five boys and four girls, of Herbert and Bertha Reeves of Coolatai.
I was reared with my brothers and sisters in the one home, now owned by Don.
I went to school from 1920 to the end of 1929 at Coolatai. I left school and went
with my father carting wood and water with a horse and spring cart, and fuing a
Buffalo Pitts traction engine, that was used for a boring plant
In our young days we made our own enjoyment, playing tennis and cricket and
swimming in the creek.
In the 1930's I did any type of work that could be got. I looked forward each year
to shed work, wool rolling at Coolootai station for ten shearers.
During the depression years, Dad had a sawmill at Coolatai at which I worked.
This is when the wagon and bullocks came into being for logs, and to shift the boring
plant from place to place.
I worked for the Yallaroi Shire Council carting gravel during 1940-1949.
I purchased a new Southern Cross boring plant, and went back to boring until
1980, when I retired.
During my time with the Yallaroi Council in 1944,I purchased a home in Stephen
Street, from Don Smith of Coffs Harbour.
On 30th. September 1944, Dorothy and I were married in old C. ofE. Church by
the lateRev. WilliamJ. Powell. It was his last marriage ceremony before being called
to rest. Six Stephen St., has been our home all our married life.
Dorothy and I had two children, Michael and Yvonne. Now we have five
grandchildren, Warren Williams, Alicia Williams, Gmham Reeves, Stephen Reeves
and Jennifer Reeves.
Ijoined the rifle shooting atCoolatai in 1938, then after the war Ijoined Warialda
Rifle Club, combined with Rocky Dam Rifle Club. Our club is known as WarialdaRocky Dam Rifle Club, and is very active, using theWarialdaRange. I have also held
every office in the Warialda Club.
I was given, by our Warialda Rifle Club members some years ago, Life
Membership.
I joined Masonic Lodge, Warialda in October 1952 and became Master in 1967.
Dad joined in 1955.
Bros. Michael Reeve was initiated in 1967. Thus, Warialda had Father, Son and
Grandson all active members for three years.
I joined the M.U.I.O.O.F. in 1944. I took office and passed through the chairs.
I held district office for the term of three years of the Groyder district, and was
My First Seventy Years
Page69
fmandal secretary of Loyal British Queen Lodge M.U.I.O.O.F. for twenty five years.
In 1981 Coolatai sporting bodies honoured Dorothy and I with life membership.
Bullocks: We started with eight young ones, of which we swapped Bill Sails three
young ones for three old ones, Saddler, Rattler and Dart. We were able to break in
the young ones, having Saddler in the nearside lead, Dart near side in the pole, Rattler
near side anywere.
We built the team up to fourteen after Bonny died of three day sickness. Cherry
fell over a bank at Fishers Dam and I had the remaining fourteen:Bounce and Roudy
Gilbert and Nipper
Rattler and Poilet
Saddler and Chip
Tobby and Redman
Barry and Betty
Pole
Dart and Boxer
-
Ashford on 31st December, 1955, and we had our rust three children
- Peter
1957,
Genevieve, 1959 and Alison, 1961.
In 1963,just a few months after Coolatai got its new school, we moved to Kerrs
Creek, twenty two miles northof Orange. I taught there for three years and our fourth
child, Margaret, was born in 1963. Peter was moving up through the grades and we
needed to think about getting closer to a high school. I have always found my
inspectors very helpful, and he suggested I apply for Springside.
We moved to Springside, eight miles south of Orange in 1966. We spent seven
years in this delightful old school, during which time Peter and Genevieve started at
the Canabolas High School. Springside closed in 1972 and I applied for and was
appointed to Canabolas Public School. It was during my term at Springside that I was
granted List I status.
I taught at Canabolas, four miles S.W. of Orange for eleven years half the time
with an assistant and half on my own. I would probably be remembered there as the
teacher with his own cow. I had to keep her tethered and thus we kept the grounds
and nearby roadside mowed. During our time here, all children completed their
-
DOUGLAS WEIR REEVES
in Inverell - the 7th. child in a family of nine.
Born 13.10.30
I lived happily at
Coolatai and attended Coolatai Provisional School. My teachers were Messrs.
Crittenden, Braid and Spencer. During a visit by the school inspector, Mr. Fairburn,
it was suggested that I should go to High School. I wasn't in the least impressed with
this idea. However in January 1943, I started in IA at Inverell High School. I stayed
for five years and gained my Leaving Certificate. Mother and Father did a wonderful
job being able to keep me there, and must surely have been short of cash themselves.
To begin, I remember by board was £1-2-6 and I got 2/6 pocket money.
In February, 1948 I started work in the Commonwealth Bank in Inverell. I
enjoyed this, and while working had my first holiday in Sydney, and with Beryl, had
our first plane flight from Goondiwindi to Brisbane on route toCondamine. I enjoyed
working in Inverell as the work was varied, but in October 1950, I was transferred
to Kings Cross Branch where I found doing the same job (namely posting entries in
ledgers) very uninteresting.
I applied for a Teachers College Scholarship, which after interviews and a
medical I received. In February, 1951, I began a two year course at Bathurst Teachers
College. Back to the country which I have always loved. After two very enjoyable
years ofliving on campus with one hundred and thirty five other students, I graduated
with a teachers certificate and returned to my home, which I have always loved, to
await my first appointment. Coolatai School had lost the use of the residence where
teachers had always lived, and I was approached by theP&C to see if! would consider
teaching there. It had always been my ambition, since High School was suggested,
to teach in my own old school, so with some apprehension I agreed, and four days
Page 70
before school started, I received a telegram appointing me to Coolatai. I entered the
N.S.W. Teaching Service on 27th. January, 1953 and began at Coolatai on 3rd.
February 1953.
I spent ten years teaching at Coolatai and being taughtby my pupils. During this
time I purchased my flTStcar, a 1953 Holden Special, married Margaret Fleming of
My Life Has Meandered Like a River
Higher School Certificates
-Alison
and Margaret
attending
Orange High. Peter went
on to University in Armidale; Genevieve to Armidale Teachers College; Alison to
Tech. in Orange and Sydney and Margaret, after a year at school in Wisconsin,
U.S.A., joined the N.S.W. Police Force.
The children's education finished, and we were now able to move where I could
gain promotion
- having
earned List 2 at Canabolas.
In 1984 we moved toPilliga- lOOkmwest of Narrabri, and I was Principal - now
getting more pay for less work, but so much more responsibility. There were some
rather tough children, and the school was 113aboriginal children, but with two
marvellous assistants and a great inspector, managed to keep my sanity
- even
if one
mother thought otherwise. We spent four years in Pilliga, and have many great
friends there. During our stay in Pilliga I took some more long service leave - having
previously taken someto tourNew Zealand. This time we travelled to Europe. There
were two reasons, the rust being Alison's wedding in London, and secondly, the choir
I was a member of in Orange, went to compete in an Eisteddford in Llangollen,
Wales. Before the Eisteddford we did a tour of the Continent with three bus loads
of choir men and supporters from Orange. After Alison's wedding, which brought
our family togetherin London, Peggy and I toured Wales, Scotland and England. On
Ourreturn flight we spent three days in Bangkok, Thailand. The whole trip was such
a wonderful experience for us.
In 1988, our Bicentennial Year, we moved to Bendemeer, 40km north of
Tamworth. I had wonderful assistants here and taught my favourite year 2/3 class.
My First Seventy Years
Page71
Peggy could now take up old time/new vogue dancing which she had wanted to do
for years. Each week we drove to Tamworth for lessons, and each weekend to dance
at one of the clubs.
On 13/10/90,Peggy and the children organised a surprise 60th. birthday for me.
They kept it a surprise and I still can't think how they managed to do so. It was such
a wonderful night, having all my surviving brothers and sisters (Iris and Beryl having
passed away earlier), my own four children and their spouses and our flfStgrandchild
Jack, plus friends from Pilliga.Orange,Coolatai,Bendameer/Tamworthand Narrabri.
It was an event I shall never forget.
I retired at the end of 1990 - officially it was January 26th 1991 - making my
teaching days just one day short of thirty eight years. We purchased forty hectares
with a brick home, thirteen kilometres westofMailla on the Nomoi River. We have
begun a Murray Grey Stud - merely as a hobby. Our stud is "Iatalooc", and we have
a stud cow, heifer and a calf. Our first calf is "lataloocJack" in honour of the arrival
of our flIst grandchild, Jack White. Our sire at the moment is "Glenrockie
Overdraft". We have other heifers that we have reared as paddies. We couldn't
decide what to call our property, so Peter suggested that when they were little they
visited their grandparents at "Moombaleen" & "Shiralee", sojoin the two and call it
"Moombalee", meaning welcome and "Lee" being a corrupted spelling of lea for
land.
All of our children have been fortunate to live in a time of travel and have thus
travelled the world. Peter, married to Kylie, lives in Perth and works as an area
manager for B.P.. Alison married DavidWhiteofStretham, London, and has one son
Jack Joseph. Alison works in the fashion trade and has her home in Mortlake,
Sydney. Margaret married Michael Amyotte of Wisconsin, U.S.A., and is a
Policewoman in Sydney. They have a home in Vaucluse, Sydney. Genevieve is a
teacher in Orange and lives in Bathurst - even though she has bought a house in
Orange. Her friend, David Robertson, is from New Zealand.
I still possess an overcoat given to me by Joyce and Norman when I passed the
Leaving Certificate. The coat cost, I think, £3.0.0, which I am sure at that time was
a big expense when they were struggling with droughts on "Trigamon".
As boys, one of our greatest joys was to put Nelson in the cart and head for
"Trigamon" as often as holidays would permit. If it wasn't by horse and cart,
someone would drop us atthe boundary and we'd walk through the scrubto the house.
Another method of getting there wasby mail toWallangraand then mail to Trigamon.
It was such fun, as Norman always involved us in whatever was going on at the time.
How important Beryl and I felt when we actually were responsible for picking up,
sweeping and wool rolling during one shearing. I guess we were really pests but it
was "like a breath of fresh air" to be there.
Peggy and I love our hobbies of cattle raising, gardening and old time/new vogue
dancing, and enjoy the friends we have made - knowing there is no more "pulling up
traps" and moving. We look forward to years of retirement in the country on
"Moombalee".
,.
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My Life Has Meandered Like a River
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