Tenindewa Notes
1940 onwards
Mullewa Mail Saturday
24th February 1940
Mrs. H. J. Stafford
The news of the death of Mrs. Stafford, wife of Mr. H. J. Stafford, of Tenindewa, which occurred in Perth on Friday morning of last week will be received with very great regret by a wide circle of close friends.
Mrs. Stafford, who had not been in good health for some time, went with her husband several weeks ago to stay in Perth. A few days prior to her death news was received that she was seriously ill, and yesterday the information came that she had passed away.
She was held in the highest esteem by a large number of friends and is survived by her husband, one son (Mr. C. J. Stafford of Tenindewa), and four daughters –Matron Stafford (Narrogin) and Mrs. Dunkin, Mrs. Griffiths and Mrs. Hamilton. (all of Tenindewa)
March 1st, 1940
Tenindewa Notes
The Township is quiet at present owing to a number of residents being away on a well-earned holiday.
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The heartfelt sympathy of the district is extended to Mr. H. J. Stafford of Tenindewa in the sad loss of his wife. Mrs. Stafford played a big part in the social life of the early days of the district and made a large circle of friends both at Tenindewa and Geraldton.
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CBH Ltd are roofing the bulkhead at the siding, and when complete will be quite impressive
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The remaining young folk, who have either not yet taken the opportunity to take holidays or have returned endeavor to amuse themselves by holding dances at Mr. Groom’s home. [Formally Fry’s house]
June 7th, 1940
Tenindewa Notes
It is with great regret that we report the death of Mrs. E Johnson, wife of Mr. H. W. Johnson of Bindu. Mrs. Johnson underwent an operation recently, but slowly faded away, her death taking place at Geraldton this morning. The Johnson’s were among the earliest settlers to take up land in the Tenindewa district., where they reared their family. Mrs. Johnson was well and favorably known for her hospitality and kind gestures.
The countryside it beginning to look green once again and it is the hope of everyone that the which threatens will result in a good soaking rain so badly needed.
The local tennis club will play a Mullewa team at Mullewa on Sunday next and an enjoyable day’s tennis is anticipated.
June 1942
Holidaying in Tenindewa is Mr. H. J Stafford who is visiting members of his family, looks the picture of health in spite of his 77 years and seems as young as ever. Mr. Stafford retired from active farming pursuits in this district three years ago and has retired to his little orchard property in the hills near Mundaring.
Dave Bell paid a brief visit to see his parents, prior to him being drafted with the armed forces in the defense of Australia.
Other members of the forces on leave are Private Dick Dunkin, who is helping his dad with the seeding operation and Corporal Robbie Weir, who is doing some good work down Eradu way. Did someone say the wedding bells were being polished up?
Many fond farewells and good wishes have been extended to Mr. and Mrs. George Elliott, who having retired and are taking up residence in or close to Perth, so are near to the family. Mr. Elliott was the local Australian Bank inspector who was well and favorably received by all. The district regrets having to part with such genial people. (Their many friends in the Mullewa district also extend very best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Elliott.)
Geraldton Guardian and Express
Old Tenindewa Identity
Late Mrs. Eves F. A. Eves (Thursday 8th May 1947)
The ever-thinning band of early pioneers of the northern districts was still further depleted with the death at the Mullewa District Hospital on Saturday last of Mrs Francis Agnus Eves, wife of Mr. S. Eves of Ilma Station.
The deceased lady had been in ill health for some years, but despite this fact her death came as a painful shock to the members of her family and to her wide circle of friends and acquaintances scattered throughout the State.
The late Mrs Eves was born on the Greenough in the home of her parents (The late Mr. and Mrs J Gilmore) near the old Golden Sheaf Hotel. Her father was for a number of years in the employ of the late Mr. John Maley at the old Greenough Flour Mill and the deceased retained vivid memories of the Greenough in its heyday. Forty Five years ago she married Mr. Eves who was then engaged in the Western Australian Government Railways. She resided at various centres in the northern areas before making he home at Tenindewa, and recalled with pride her association with a banquet tendered at Nabewa to the then Premier (Mr. Frank Wilson), Mr. M. F Troy and others distinguished in the parliamentary life of the State on the occasion of the opening of the railway running through the Chapman Valley. Immediately following her arrival at Tenindewa the late Mrs. Eves entered wholeheartedly into the embryo community life of the district. Although denied the opportunity of what would be termed today an adequate education, her services were ever in demand by the early settlers to assist in the transaction of business affairs and she conducted the first Post Office at the siding.
Water was then, as now, a pressing problem. The early settlers, in carving farms out of virgin country, had been vouchsafed [sic] little opportunity of making provision for water supplies, and their needs were drawn from the condenser at Geraldton and railed to Tenindewa. Orders for water were accepted by the late Mrs. Eves who supervised its delivery to the settlers. She was charged with the ordering of railway trucks for the farmers and in the transaction of innumerable business details for members of the small but ever growing community.
In 1917 Mr. Eves moved to “Ilma” Station which is situated twenty-two miles [38 kilometers] south of Tenindewa and till almost the time of her death the deceased lady closely associated herself with the conduct of the property. She continued to take a live interest in the social life of the community and was prominently associated with the conduct of entertainments in the Railway Goods Shed for the purpose of raising funds for the building of the Tenindewa Hall. Despite her own family responsibilities, the late Mrs. Eves found time to bring happiness into the lives of the children of the district and was the organiser of Christmas Trees fetes [sic] held at Tenindewa for a number of years, whilst she assisted with the conduct of functions which resulted in the establishment of a school in the district.
She was ever a friend to those in need and many residents retain the happiest recollections of her ministrations in times of illness or misfortune. She is survived by a husband and two daughters (Mesdames M. Kember, of Geraldton and I. Lauder, of Perth) and two sons (Messrs. George of Ilma Station and Cecil Eves, of Bluff Point)
The funeral took place in the Anglican portion of the Utakarra Cemetery on Monday last, the prayers at the graveside being recited by the Rev. K. B. Halley.
Old Identity Passes
Greenough Sun
September 29th, 1949
One of the earliest settlers in the Tenindewa District, the late Mr. G. B. Valentine, passed away in Perth Hospital on March 12th at the age of 82.
The deceased had been in failing health for some time but had been able follow his usual pursuits until he had a seizure on the evening of his birthday, September the 7th. He was taken to hospital but lapsed into a coma from which he did not regain consciousness. His funeral took place at Karrakatta cemetery and was attended by a number of relatives and friends and the most of the latter being old Mullewa identities.
The pall bearers were Hon. C. H. Simpson, MLC, Messrs. R.G. Storey, C.J. Keeffe, R. Dunkin. J. McNamara and J. McCarthey.
The chief mourners were. Mr. and Mrs. Tansley (with whom the deceased had been living) Mrs. Cadman (niece) and R. J. Latto (nephew). Amongst others present who had been closely associated with Mr. Valentine in the pioneer days was Mr. H .J. Stafford late of Tenindewa.
Amongst the floral tributes were Wreaths from the Mullewa Masonic Lodge and the R.A.O.D. with both of which the deceased had been prominently associated.
Mr. Valentine came originally from Victoria bat had engaged in mining activities in various parts of W.A. prior to taking up land near Tenindewa about 40 years ago. [1909]
He was a progressive farmer, and a keen supporter of district activities, and had a wide circle of friends. He was one of the original Vice Presidents of the Agricultural Society and his trophy for the sheep section inspired keen competition for some years. His retirement from farming activities some fifteen years ago owing to failing health severed a link with his early associations, but his cheery good humour and his well-developed fund of human sympathy will cause his memory to be cherished by his many friends amongst the older residents.
Greenough Sun
Correspondence (from a reader)
(To the Editor)
1948
Sir,—I think is it the usual practice for newspapers to retain copies, and I believe a full issue of several dailies can be seen in many of our public libraries. I can just imagine what interesting reading these papers must contain, and I would like to relate what I thought I read in extremely old copies of the “Greenough Sun,” as in years to come we will probably find a complete record of events that took place in years that have been left far behind, for instance, your local poet by putting events forward told us what happened at the Wongoondy Hall “Way Back in ’48.” In years to come some of us will remember events that made ’48 a very memorable year. Records will show that the rainfall was the lowest on record. It was the year that grasshoppers swarmed over the countryside like an invading army, devouring all in their path, leaving the land like a desert. It will be recorded that 1948 was followed by the best on record, grass grew everywhere, farmers coming in town with grass growing out of their boots. It will be recorded that the whole district was once more laid bare, but by another invader in the form of the worst fire the district ever experienced. Request after request was made to the Road Board to prepare, but when the telephone bell rang at one of their fully attended meetings advising that an engine had started a fire between Tenindewa and Ardingly with the heat at 110 and a strong north wind driving the fire south, the Board suddenly realized their plight and their responsibility. Acting as one man they mounted the old Board truck and with the only firefighting outfit which, by the way, was an old stirrup pump and four gallons of water in a leaky kerosene tin, they were cheered as they drove down the main street, over Cream’s Hill, took the main road at Star Thistle corner, and into a fire, which hell itself would have very little on, and as it subsequently proved, to their death, because the burnt out chassis of the truck was found on the Ardingly Road, the metal parts of the pump and the kerosene tin, but no trace of one single member of the Board, and although thousands of charred remains of the stock that perished were examined only one skeleton was found that may have proved to be a member, but on closer ex-amination proved to be the be the burnt out carcass of an ancient billygoat. Records show that the heat was intense, shallow wells boiled dry, while the iron telegraph poles, and windmill stands became red hot and went down flat with the over-head weight. Settlers went in a body towards the boundary of the Mingenew Road Board District when the fire was met by the Mingenew District Bush Fire Brigade and their splendid firefighting equipment. The efficiency of the above can be gauged as the records show that the fire was put out along the whole front without the loss of one single acre of grass or crop in their district. So impressed were the ratepayers of the Mullewa district that the new Beard was elected on the definite understanding that a public meeting would be called when a fire fighting brigade would be ap-pointed, and the Board would raise a loan to purchase a mod-ern fire-fighting outfit, and not being dependent on the the single stirrup pump and the one single kerosene tin for water, even if it did not leak. Just then the dog started barking and the red streaks in the early morning sky giving promise of another good harvesting day was the greeting from a fairly good night’s rest. Yours, etc ,
“DREAMER.”
The following is not the poem referred to in the above……but it’s an example perhaps?
The Old Wungundi Hall – Keith Lethbridge, Halls Creek WA
I was earning my pay On a glorious day While the blue Leschenaultia flowered
A wandering star In a commonwealth car On the payroll of honest John Howard
Not a cloud in the sky As the paddocks rolled by And the world was in my palm
As I headed outback On the Mullewa Track To the big Bundy Bunna farm
By a dry water course A broken down horse Rolled back an inquisitive eye
As a flock of galahs Wheeled lazily past In the brilliant asia sky
I dropped back my speed In response to a need To answer natures call
And with no more in mind I pulled up behind The old Wungundi Hall
My business was done In the shimmering sun And the body felt well satisfied
Then, as I was hopin’ The back door was open So I went for a gander inside
It was one of those halls With concrete brick walls Not fancy, just sturdy and plain
In need of repair With grey dust in the air Like a paddock parched for rain
And there in the corner With swallow nests on her A concord piano was strewn
Dry wood, rusty iron And just about cryin’ For someone to strike up a tune
So I lifted the lid But just as I did A swallow brushed past me brow
I felt a bit daunted Perhaps it was haunted But too late to chicken out now
I found an old chair In the kitchen out there And struck up a tentative chord
A little off key but It satisfied me So into the action I roared
Liberache I’m not But the further I got The more I felt right at home
In Wungundi Hall With its history and all That tune drew a life of its own
And in next to no time I was Art Rubenstein With a smidgeon of Elton John
And behind me I swear Ghosts danced through the air But I just kept tinkling on
Then up came the light On a wonderful sight Of farmers in Sunday attire
Young blokes from the town Were waltzing around With girls of their hearts desire
I picked up the tone Of a sweet saxophone Then a drummer leapt into the fray
And right through the chorus The crowd cheered for us In a warm but ghostly way
They shouted encore So I kept playing more And the minutes went hurrying past
But me fingers were slowing And I couldn’t keep going So I stopped for a breather at last
And wouldn’t you know That ended the show For the moment I turned around
In the dust laden air The floorboards were bare With never a ghost to be found
And try as I might To get the spell right And the ghost dancers back on the floor
I could never repeat That magical feat They had vanished forever more
With no heart to play I called it a day And trudged to the open door
But before steppin’ down Turned sadly around And bowed to an empty floor
And later outside I felt a strange pride And walked about ten feet tall
To think I had played In a ghost serenade At the old Wungundi hall
Greenough Sun (Thursday 14th April 1949)
April 1949
Tenindewa Notes
The second draw of the local Tennis Club’s handicap tournament was played on Sunday the 10 of April. Play was well up to standard and players were very keen. Following are the results of the days matches.
Men’s Singles
T. Foster defeated K. Butler
5-6, 6-1, 6-2
D. Heelan defeated G. Rumble
6-4, 6-1
L. Starling defeated F. Butler
6-4, 6-4
Men’s Doubles
A. Cream and D. Brenkley defeated P. Butler and J. Brenkley
6-5, 1-6, 6-3
E. Hearne and W. Cox defeated D. Heelan and F. Butler
6-4, 2-6, 10-8
Mixed Doubles
Mr. and Mrs. Oldham defeated W. Weir and Mrs. G. Rumble
6-5, 6-3
Mr. and Mrs. Oldham defeated Mr. and Mrs. Hayes
3-7, 7-5, 6-5
E. Hearne and Mrs. Foster defeated J. Brenkley and Miss Gloria Butler
6-0, 6-5
Girls Júnior Singles
Miss. Kitty. O’Brien defeated Miss Doreen Butler
6-1, 4-6, 6-2
Boy’s Junior Singles
(Final)
K. Butler defeated D. Brenkley
6-3, 6-5
Congratulations to our local cricketer who seems to have the habit of carrying his bat lately.
Mr. and Mrs. R. Weir and family are expected home this week after spending a short holiday in the City.
With the coming Easter tournaments in Geraldton, local entrants are hard at practice. Although their efforts have been in vain in previous years we wish them every success this season.
November 9th, 1950
Geraldton Sun
Tenindewa Pars
Our local Hall was the scene of a happy gathering recently when all our folk got together and gave a send off to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hayes, who have been farming in this district for 20 years. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes will be greatly missed by our Tennis Club as they were both very enthusiastic members of the club for a number of years. Mr. Hayes was also a keen supporter of our Progress Association. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes had to give up farming on account of ill health, and they are now living at Safety Bay.
Some of the farmers are at it again. Saw some harvesters and tractors getting busy this week.
Weir Bros. recently took delivery of a new Lanz tractor.
Mr. Bill Cox and Miss Gloria Butler went to Perth on Wednesday’s Diesel to meet a young man named Paul St. John who has been on a trip to England. Believe Paul is an old resident of Tenindewa
Greenough Sun
Thursday 16 November 1950,
Tenindewa Pars
(By Our Correspondent)
A very successful dance was hold in the Hall last Monday night in aid of the children’s Xmas Tree. The dance was organized very capably by Mrs. Dick Dunkin and with her willing helpers the Hall was nicely decorated. A very large crowd attended some travelling quite a few miles. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Cox and Gloria Butler returned last weekend by car after spending a few days’ vacation in the City. They were accompanied by Mr. Paul St. John who spent a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Butler before returning to Yuna.
Our local Fire Brigade showed its prompt action last week, when Mr. Butler and his boys attended a fire down the line near Mr. Oldham’s property. They were quickly on the scene only to find out it was the Railway employees burning off.
June 7th, 1951
Geraldton Sun
Tenindewa Pars
The siding is now getting back to normal again after the severe storm of New Years Eve. Most of the storm damage has been repaired and the debris removed.
A very enjoyable evening was spent last Sunday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Rumble, in aid of the candidature of the Tenindewa Queen (Miss. Kitty O’Brien). The time was passed in games and other activities and the evening was brought to a close with a delightful supper. many thanks to this popular couple (George and Roma) for their untiring work in the presentation of this successful evening.
Mrs. Heelan is now holidaying with her daughter, Mrs. Tom Foster of Tenindewa.
The friends of Mr. J. O’Brien of Kojarina, will be sorry to learn of his illness and many friends of this district join in wishing him a speedy recovery.
Congratulations to Miss Sheila Moore of Indarra who will celebrate her coming of age on Sunday next.
