Norman McNeil Fry (new version)

Norman Fry

To those that might read and enjoy this story it must be recognized that the facts that we have used here to build this story probably represent just a fraction of what the Fry’s actually undertook in terms of personal and community activities in their reasonably short stay at Tenindewa. This has all been researched and collated some 100 years after the event, so to speak.
Norman Fry and his wife Marjorie have become somewhat the iconic settlers of Tenindewa. Norman was born in 1874 in Victoria and Marjorie in 1881 in Geraldton.
As mentioned, Norman was a Victorian but after attending school and growing up in the “Valley” (The Western Districts of Victoria) worked on various sheep stations throughout that state. In 1897 he came to Western Australia where he taught in the “State System” for four years. He taught at both the Leederville School in Perth and at Toodyay some 100 kilometers east of Perth
In 1903 Norman married Marjorie Hanlon in Geraldton following which they managed Kockatea Station owned by Copley Bros. in the Mullewa district for a further eight years. They then purchased their own property at Tenindewa, which they named “Kaburnie” and ran it for the next twelve years. In 1919 Norman’s father died and they then returned to the Victoria Valley with their children Adelia, Peter, Horace, Charles and Edith.
Marjorie was the daughter of Mr. James (Jas) and Elizabeth Raynor Hanlon (nee Penny) 

1903
29th of December

Geraldton Express

On Tuesday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Douglas Smith, M.A., officiating, Miss Marge Hanlon was united in marriage with Mr. Norman Fry, of *Cockatea (sic) Station. The bride was given away by her father Mr. James Hanlon, the bridesmaid being Miss Doree Adams, whilst Mr. Hubert Hanlon, brother of the bride, acted in the capacity of the best man. At the Church a choral service was held, and Mendelson’s “Wedding March” was played by Mr. Howard Evans who officiated at the organ. At the conclusion of the bridal party assembled at the residence of the bride’s parents, where cake and wine were partaken of to the accompaniment of the usual toasts, congratulations and good wishes indulged in on these occasions. the happy couple, who left the same evening for their new home at *Cockatea (sic) Station, take with them the best wishes of their many friends for their future happiness and prosperity.

* Kockatea Station 

The property at Tenindewa was sold to a district “legend” Alexander Petroff who became the focus of the district’s most intriguing mysteries in which he simply, disappeared, leaving a pregnant wife, children and the farm, never to be seen or heard of again. By way of explanation, it was feasible, given he was in fact a refugee from the turmoil of the Russian Revolution, and given the speculation that existed amongst residents and relatives, is he involuntarily capitulated to politically inspired foul play? Further, there was also evidence that he was closely related to Nicholas (Romanov) the second who was the last Czar of Russia and who himself, in the end, perished along with his entire family at the hands of the Bolsheviks.

This following story about the Fry’s, however, tells of a short but action packed and energetic cameo contribution to the then fledgling community of Tenindewa
As to why Norman and Marjorie (the Fry’s) became “iconic settlers” can be determined from the short story written by Doreen Lindsey about the first settlers and the early development of the Tenindewa township and district generally. In her story “To Sow the Barley” she outlines just a little of their lives in this humble outpost. She writes of the fact that they (the Frys’) were not only some of the earliest settlers but indeed the first people in the area to own a car. They had a successful racehorse named “Tenindewa” that on one occasion won the Yalgoo Cup to which a gold watch was presented. This watch still exists and keeps good time. It is in the hands of a Mr. Norman Keilar of Melbourne (April 2015) who is the Grandson of Norman and Marjorie Fry. Interestingly Alex Petroff, at the time of the farm transfer, purchased this horse “Tenindewa” so maybe that may have had something to do with his absconding? It (the horse) might have run out of puff after “Yalgoo”?

Something that has not run out of steam to this day and not dissimilar to the “watch” is a Rushton Proctor Steam Engine that Fry purchased in 1906. This machine was built in 1904 and purchased by Fry and hauled to Tenindewa in 1906 from Geraldton and fantastically and remarkably is still operating and in as new condition. It is currently owned and displayed regularly by the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It was used for cutting chaff and the like at Tenindewa before it was on-sold to Petroff and then to the O’Brien Family and eventually after many years of idleness was acquired by a team of steam enthusiasts, transported to Toodyay, and rebuilt under the watchful eye and artful hands of a Mr. Peter Dymond. It can be seen in operation at various shows but especially at the Royal Show in Claremont at the Showgrounds there.

Tom O’Brien at the old steam engine. Taken by David Meadowcroft c. 1970. The O’Briens were the last of the three owners of this machine before it became redundant.

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Racing was obviously very important as on “Kabernie” they (the Fry’s) had a racecourse built on the property but what set them apart was the “stately home” which again according to Doreen’s book “featured verandahs all round with grape vines flourishing”. Also, it had “position” so to speak. It was not only located in a reasonably picturesque little paddock, but it was clearly visible from the Railway Station, the main road and the village itself. That classic bungalow house stood until about 1980. It became known colloquially as the “Big House”. Again, note Doreen’s comment in respect to Christmas Tree events at Tenindewa in those years; “Some of these occasions were also held in Fry’s big house over the line” (The house was completed in May 1914 and the contractor/builder was Mr. Bert Crothers)

Generosity of spirit flows strongly in this story as it was reported in the Geraldton Guardian on the 21^st of September 1916 that the Frys hosted the “Mullewa and Tenindewa Farmers Association Annual Picnic”
“There were horse races for the farmers that fancied their horse could gallop and there were some interesting finishes”. “Plenty of fruit and sweets were distributed amongst the kiddies and a tank of boiling water was available all day (It’s a thirsty place). Mrs. Stokes and Mrs. Fry and many others helped to make the thing a success”.
Being a Victorian it is not surprising Norman featured in other sporting pursuits evidenced by the Guardian report of March 1912. The Tenindewa cricket team triumphed over Mullewa at Tenindewa but sadly on that occasion he was run out for a duck. In later life, in Hamilton Victoria, he participated in Lawn Bowls well into his 90s.
It is known that Norman and Marjorie were strong Christians and of the Presbyterian faith which is evidenced by the baptismal records of second son Horace. He was christened by the Rev. W. Floyd Shannon B.A. in Geraldton on the 1^st of September 1909. In fact Horace revisited Tenindewa in 1988 and was shown around by the late Keith Butler whose family would have lived just 350 meters east of the Fry’s in those early times.

It must be acknowledged at this juncture that Horace’s daughter (and thus Norman’s granddaughter), Wilma Preston of Port Fairy in Victoria has been of massive assistance in the compilation of this material.

The Fry’s Christianity, Community Spirit and a vision for the future was demonstrated most overtly when the first school at Tenindewa opened on the 31^st of March 1913 in a building donated by the Fry’s. In some ways this is not so surprising given Norman’s initial educational based vocation.
The building was one room some 20 feet (6 meters) by 12 feet (3.2 meters), which had an iron roof, a new jarrah floor with hessian walls and was situated just across the paddock at the corner of the main Mount Magnet to Geraldton Road and the Menang Road
One acre of land was included with this building on the understanding that the Education Department would be responsible for the costs of the survey and land transfer fees. (All donated by Fry)
The first teacher was Miss Eva Stafford who was eldest daughter of another of the pioneer settlers.

Norman Fry became an inaugural member of the Mullewa Road Board and indeed the second Chairman of the Mullewa Road Board after Mr. D Warren. Norman served the Board from and including 1911 until 1914 with the last two as Chairman. During his tenure as Chairman a decree was pronounced that “Road Board meetings were to be always called on the night of the full moon so that any members who rode to the meetings could see their way home.” Norman would have to have ridden some 11 miles home (20 kilometers) after meetings. No doubt he presided over far more important issues than that but “the decree” is a subtle reminder of logistics to be considered in that age that we have for many years have forgotten and now take for granted as a non-issue.

Norman also spent a further 21 years in local government after his return to Victoria on the Mt Rouse Shire. Included in that was another (4 year) term as President.

After returning to Victoria, Norman then purchased his brother John’s farm “Springbank” but sold it after a few months. In April 1920 they purchased a property at Penthurst which they named “Kaburnie” after his farm in The West. After a life associated with agricultural and pastoral pursuits Norman and Marjorie retired to Hamilton 1947.  Marjorie passed away in 1956. Norman was blessed with a long life, cheerfully coping with blindness in his later years, passing away just 3 days short of 99 years. (1974)

As an example of his agricultural prowess, the following was reported in the Sunday Times in WA on the 9^th of October 1910. (Quoted exactly as written, in the style of the day)

“Mr. Fry presents another example of what can be done by hard work and perseverance. With capital of less than one hundred pounds ($200), he selected 619 (248 hectares) acres of land at “Woolya”, (as Tenindewa was called then) 55 miles (80 Kilometers) from Geraldton; a little over two years ago and immediately proceeded to work to get the quickest possible return. His family consisted of five, himself and wife three children, and there was no time to be lost.

The country was typical of the wheat-lands, consisting of light sandy loam, timbered with salmon gum, gimlet and jam, and ringbarking was engaged at once, this work being varied by the building of a two roomed iron house and the preparation of a homestead garden.

Helped by the Agricultural Bank, his position last season, 18 months after starting, was that he had all his land fenced with six and a half mile (11 kilometers) of good 6-wire fencing, 200 acres (80 hectares) cleared and cropped, and 240 acres (96 hectares) ringbarked. From the 200 acres (80 hectares) he stripped 184 acres (72 hectares) for an average of 20 bushels (1.33 tonne per hectare) and the remaining 16 acres (6.6 hectares) for a return of 20 tonnes of hay.

This season there are some 300 acres (120 hectares) under crop, all looking well, and a further area ringbarked and cleared ready for the coming season.

He has bought all the machinery he requires, some of which is fully paid for, and the whole is well housed in substantial sheds.”

Surprisingly the above report raised the shackles of “Our Own Correspondent” and a mini civil war erupts in the local press???

June 16th 1911

Tenindewa Talk (From our own Correspondent)

Seeding operations are just completed, and a fall of rain would be very welcome as the season has been unusually dry up to the present. In fact, we have only had two inches of rain (50 mm) in the last 9 months, and some settlers are compelled to cart water. The early sown crops are looking nice, although the season, slow in starting, favors a late sown crop. It is the experience of the writer, extending over 13* years, that the season slow in starting usually continues favorably, rains falling when most needed, namely in the months of September and October, although no sowing should be attempted after the 24th of May (the date mentioned by Mr. Norman Fry at the last Producers Conference) and particularly after heavy rain. Some three years ago this gentleman cropped 80 acres (32 hectares). The 20 sown in the dry state cut one ton per acre the balance sown after heavy rain, cut only 6 hundredweight per acre…..a difference of 14 hundredweight.
[20 cwt (Hundredweight) to the ton]
It’s a great pity what great disappointment and misery may be indirectly caused by giving misleading and highly colored statements to persons who, they well know, will have them printed, about what can be done with little capital on the land. Of course, it is a cheap advertisement for the person supplying the information. The pressman knows no better, and being anxious for news of that kind, is imposed upon. I read an account quoted by Mr. Catton Grasby in the “Western Mail” of what a settler did here at Tenindewa with 100 pounds ($200.00). Mr. Grasby either had his leg pulled or he was imposed upon, because the par was absolutely incorrect in details and rottenly misleading in general. I consider, as an experienced battling settler, that such persons should be dealt with by the law. Common manly principals do not always prevail. Success is often due to unusually good luck, and the efforts of genuine settlers are frequently belittled by comparisons.

And this civil war heats up?

June 23rd 1911

Tenindewa Talk (To the Editor)
A Remonstrance

Sir, During the last few weeks several editions of scurrilous and vindictive diatribe, have appeared in the columns of the “Express” under the heading of the “Tenindewa Talk”. Sometimes by “Our Own Correspondent” and at other times under a nom-de-plume, which ostensibly represent one and the same person. I would suggest that in future your correspondent subscribe himself as “the Skunk” as it seems impossible for him to detail the items of interest without pouring out a volume of his slimly spleen over one or other of his neighbors, one who has great progress at his calling, than he himself has. He evidently imagines that the high road to success and fame lies in backbiting his neighbors and endeavoring to injure them in the eyes of the public through them, i.e. the medium of your columns. No doubt it is gratifying to the author to see his drivel come out in print, and at the same time it does no harm, as anyone who knows the parties concerned can readily detect the germ of envy lurking between every line of his invective harangue. In your issue of June, the 16th he refers to some information that was published in the “Western Mail” by Mr. Catton Grasbey, of what a settler did here at Tenindewa with a 100 pounds ($200.00) Agricultural advance, and he describes the information as being “absolutely incorrect in detail and rottenly misleading in general”. Well Mr. Editor, I supplied that information to Mr. Grasbey and, I am the settler referred to, and further I vouch for the accuracy of that information. I challenge your correspondent to reveal his identity or to show any details of that statement that was incorrect or misleading. If he will, for an instant, remove those blinkers of jealousy and hate from his stilled senses, he will readily see that after all, I did nothing wonderful, but merely exercised a little foresight, energy and intellect–three faculties your correspondent has never been endowed—Yours etc.
Norman Fry “Kaburnie”

AND, Our Own Correspondent has the LAST WORD…….

July 3rd 1911

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

Since last writing, we have had 50 points of rain (12.5 mm) which of course was very welcome as many crops were feeling the effects of the dry weather, while others never looked better at this time of the year, notably those of Messes Dunkin, Valentine and Critch Brothers., whose crop is about 18 inches (46 cms) high. Messes Tullock and Oldham, some new settlers have a nice field of 150 acres (60 hectares) under wheat. These settlers had the good fortune to strike fresh water on their holding at 17 feet (5 meters). It was located by the mysterious divining rod. It would be a great boon to settlers if more proved water existed, as this difficulty has been a great drawback to the district.
The local Progress Association is doing good work. Through their efforts Tenindewa is to have a telephone, a special grant for roads has been obtained, and a townsite is to be surveyed as soon as soon as a site is decided upon. This body has been asked to choose from three suggested by the Lands Department. One is a quagmire the other is a sand-drift and the third is proposal to resume a splendid piece of land for this purpose. The owner, I believe in a public spirit is not opposed to the resumption, and the taking of the fencing, and a bit of clearing, and a small iron house, at the owner’s valuation. The Government would not be asked for more than 30 pounds ($60.00), an amount two town blocks would realize, because Tenindewa will be a distributing center of some importance with 120.000 acres (30,000 hectares) of good agricultural land and being the junction of 5 main roads.
It is sincerely to be hoped that Mr. H J Stafford, a local settler, will decide to stand as a candidate in the interests of the people’s party at the coming elections. The average farmer is a worker and should vote with the Labour Party every time. And should the Labour Party be asked to form Ministry after the elections, Mr. Stafford’s 38 years railway experience would go a long way in making him a first-class Minister for Railways. Reforms are badly needed in this department. For instance, hundreds of ‘cords’ of firewood lay around this center, while at least one hundred empties [rail trucks] pass weekly to Geraldton, which is a town threatened with a firewood famine. It’s not the freight that prevents settlers from selling wood at a profit, but silly, unreasonable loading regulations to the disadvantage of all concerned.
In my last notes I referred to a “par” in the Western Mail merely to illustrate a point of public concern, because I honestly think the bright side of the settler’s lot is too often held up as an example, while the ordinary state of affairs is hardly mentioned. I stated facts which still remain [facts] and I defy Mr. Fry to substantiate his insinuations that they were made use of for any other than a good purpose. There was no occasion for him to trot out a lot of meaningless secondhand rubbish in his efforts to live up to his reputation at my expense. Even if the par I referred to was true it was still misleading. This season he got his clearing done at 12 shilling and sixpence per acre ($3.00 per hectare) Now anybody in a position to judge knows clearing to be worth 30 shillings per acre ($7.50 per hectare) in Tenindewa. The Agricultural Bank allows one pound per acre as a rule ($5.00 per hectare), but one settler was only allowed 13 shillings and 4 pence per acre ($3.50 per hectare). It is impossible to get work done at trustees’ valuation without sweating labour, and that accounts for so many contactors failing. I know there are instances of farmers doing remarkably well with little capital, but they had good plant and of course can get unlimited credit. It was possible a year or two ago, on account of a glut in the labour market to sweat the workers and show a fair profit on an Agricultural Bank loan, but it is not a desirable basis of success. Mr. Fry does not miss the opportunity to boast that he has been richly endowed by nature. Intellect is a gift, and he should not dispose others who have been less fortunate in this direction, but [they] perhaps have some good points he himself does not possess. He should also remember that the year he did so well [was] the year rainfall was 9 inches above average (250mm) and average is about twelve and a half inches (350 mm). Now had it been 9 inches below [average] it would have taken a lot of energy, intellect and foresight to balance the difference. While the former two are gifts, more or less, the last, I think is acquired and it is this is the very one that Mr. Fry fails in because only last year he shipped wheat to Europe, and it netted 2 shillings and 10 pence per bag while local buyers were offering 1 shilling per bushel. So, he cannot claim credit for special ability in this direction.

June 29th, 1911

Tenindewa Talk (From our own Correspondent)

The usual monthly meeting of the Tenindewa Progress Association was held on Sunday week at Wollya Wells;
Present: Messes H. J. Stafford (in the chair) Oldham, Critch, Dunkin, Valentine, Stafford (2) and the secretary.

Mr. Oldham proposed, and Mr. Critch seconded, that Mr. Norman Fry become a member. Carried
Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed.
Outward correspondence read, which included a letter from The Member advising [a] successful result of application for road grant.
From Postal Department re. Telephone and from District Surveyor re. townsite.
The meeting was informed, in an off-handed manner, that the Geraldton Road Board wished information, concerning the 100 pound ($200.00) special grant.
Mr. Stokes proposed, and Mr. Fry seconded that the Geraldton Road Board be asked to supervise the outlay immediately.
Mr. Stokes moved that the money be expended upon certain works for which it was not asked. No seconder.
Mr. Fry moved as an amendment that the 100 pounds ($200.00) be spent on the salt bush flat between his house and the Government Well. Seconded Mr. Valentine and carried.
The Secretary, at this stage explained for Mr. Fry’s information, as he had not been a member of the Association before that day, that the money was asked for a particular purpose and granted and should be spent accordingly. The money was applied for to open a road leading to twenty thousand acres (8,094 hectares) of surveyed land, and as it passed a fenced property the Act compelled the fencing of the road, and if the money was spent on any other work without the sanction of Minister for Works there would be trouble and it would not be in the “Transvaal”. However, the amendment succeeded, and the meeting formed into an Inspection Committee to inspect the water track and report. Messes Critch, Stokes and J Stafford withdrew as a protest.
A townsite was next dealt with. A Sand-drift of Crown lands two miles from the siding was considered out of the question
Mr. Stokes moved that the Government be asked to resume North-East corner of Lot two for a site. No Seconder
He then moved an amendment that the townsite be surveyed on Reserve 145 as close as possible to the siding. Seconded by Mr. C Stafford and carried.
The Secretary was instructed to write to the member re. the level crossing for Messes Oldham and Tullock; to Postal Department re. the early erection of telephone apparatus; and to the Lands and Railway Departments re. letters unanswered.
The meeting was then declared closed.
A muster of the Tenindewa Dreadnoughts Football team was held on Sunday last, when a scratch match with nine men a side was played. Captain Gee’s team beat captain Buck’s team by eleven goals to five. Among the spectators was fair sprinkling of young ladies which no doubt accounts for the absence of bad language.
I fail to see why a friendly game of football on a Sunday in a centre where there is no place of worship should be looked upon as a sin. I think if no greater sin was committed there would be a fair assemblage in the happy hunting grounds later on.
Something like an inch of rain fell here this week and, there is every appearance of more approaching. The farmers smile for the time-being will stand the acid test, as a good season will give them what they are entitled too.
Almost everyone was touched by the sad news that Mr. Harold Woodley was accidently killed in a boxing tournament last week. Harold was well known, and he was also well liked by everyone who came in contact with him during the two years he worked here. People who patronize prize fights and tournaments are to blame as much as the promoters as it is a class of sport that should be condemned. There does not seem much sportsmanship in going to see two trained men knocking one another about, when there is no reason why they shouldn’t be the best of friends, It’s against common sense and, if its not against the law, it is not so bad in the case of two settlers, for instance, who have a real grievance and have heart enough to meet each other and settle things by rough and tumble, and after the bout (and as a rule they never hurt each other) they get along on the best of terms. A fight of this kind has a logical commencement and often a logical result.
Mr. Sid Hosken seems to be a new brand of politician and should be given a trial. It is time a sample of his class was on the market. In my opinion it is desirable that there should be a third party. As things are now it’s quite evident some of the members, or even all of them are mere voting machines and support or oppose a measure according to the dictates of their leaders.
Farmers will very soon be asked to pay their laborer’s a higher rate of wages and be compelled to work regulated hours. Farmers should welcome these changes, because a better stamp of men will follow the farm work, and it will not be so difficult to obtain suitable men as has been the case hitherto.
1911 rainfall measured at Kaburnie (Fry’s Farm)
Jan..7.6 Feb..0.0 Mar..0.0 April..23 May..16.8 June..38.1 July..45.3 Aug..16.3 Sept..6.9 Oct..5 Nov..0.0 Dec..0.0
Total 138.3mm or 533 points

17th July 1911

Tenindewa Notes (Geraldton Express)

The usual monthly meeting of the Tenindewa Progress Association was held on Sunday week at Wollya Wells :
Present: Messrs. H. J. Stafford (in the chair), Oldham, Critch, Dunkin, Valentine, Stafford (2) and the secretary.
Mr. Oldham proposed, and Mr. Critch seconded, that Mr. Norman Fry become a member. Carried
Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed.
Outward correspondence read, which included a letter from the Member advising successful result of application of road grant.
From Postal Department re. Telephone
From District Surveyor re. Townsite.
The meeting was informed in an off-hand manner, that the Geraldton Roads Board wished information concerning the 100 pound special grant.
Mr. Stokes moved and Mr. Fry seconded that the Geraldton Roads Board be asked to supervise the outlay immediately. Carried.
Mr. Stokes moved that the money be expended upon certain works for which it was asked. No seconder.
Mr. Fry moved an amendment that the 100 pound be spent on the saltbush flat between his house and the Government Well. Seconded by Mr. Valentine and carried.
The Secretary, at this stage explained for Mr. Fry’s information, as he had not been a member of the association before that day, that the money was asked for a particular purpose and granted and should be spent accordingly. The money was applied for to open a road leading to twenty thousand acres of surveyed land, and as it passed through fenced property the Act compelled the fencing of the road, and if the money was spent on any other work without the sanction of the Minister for Works there would be trouble and it wouldn’t be in the Transvaal.
However, the amendment succeeded, and the meeting formed an Inspection Committee to inspect the water track and report. Messrs. Critch, Stokes and T Stafford withdrew as a protest.
The Townsite was next dealt with. A sand-drift of Crown lands, two miles from the siding was considered out of the question. [for a townsite]
Mr. Stokes moved that the Government be asked to resume North-East corner of lot 2 for a townsite. No seconder. He then moved an amendment that the Townsite be surveyed on Reserve 113 as close to the siding as possible. Seconded Mr. Stafford and carried.
The Secretary was instructed to write to the member re. the level crossing for Messrs. Oldham and Tullock: to Postal Department re. early erection of telephone apparatus: and to the Lands and Railway Departments re. letters unanswered.
The meeting was then declared closed.

August 16th, 1911

Tenindewa Talk (From our own Correspondent)

The following is a copy of the minutes of the Tenindewa Progress Association monthly meeting, supplied and signed by the secretary of that body, held on Sunday evening , the 5th instant.
Present–Mr. H. J. Stafford (chairman), Messrs. Critch, Meadowcroft, Dunkin, Valentine, Stafford, Fry, Oldham, Tulloch, Hackett, Eves and the secretary.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Inward and outward correspondence was read.
After discussion it was decided to erect a 8ft X 10ft (2.5 meters by 3 meters) iron room for a telephone office, and 9 pounds ($18.00) was collected at the meeting to cover the costs.
Moved by Mr. Dunkin and seconded by Mr. Oldham that the Postal Department be informed.
Carried
Moved Mr. Fry and seconded Mr. Oldham that the Railway Department be written to asking them to run a return passenger train from Mullewa to Geraldton on Saturdays.
Carried.
The Secretary was instructed to the Mullewa Progress Association asking for their cooperation on the matter.
Moved by Mr. Stokes and seconded by Mr. J Stafford that the lands Department be asked to set aside 40 acres (17 hectares) on reserve 945 as a recreation reserve. Carried.
Moved by Mr. Fry that the following resolution be forwarded to the Minister for Works:– That this Association views with no small amount of anxiety and concern the delay that is taking place with regard to the formation of the Mullewa Road Board and respectfully suggests that you [the Minister] will use your personal efforts towards having the Board put in working order without further delay.
Carried
Moved Mr. Valentine and seconded by Mr. Oldham that a copy of the minutes be forwarded to the local paper for publication. [see article preceding] Carried.
There is a movement at foot to start a rifle club, as there are a large number of “shooters” here, who are at present members of the Eradu Club, and consequently have to go over 20 miles (32 kilometers) to practice.
The “Tenindewa Dreadnoughts,” the local footballers are training somewhat, in anticipation of the forthcoming match with the Geraldton Shop Assistance on the 23rd instant.
Quite a stir was caused amongst “Jimmy Grants” * working hereabouts by a letter appearing in your columns on Friday last, signed “Ex-Victorian” casting a reflection on immigrants, English in particular. Some of the immigrants I have spoken to expressed themselves in language quite unfit for publication, and if Mr. “Ex-Victorian” ever makes his appearance in this locality I would advise him to conceal his identity. (* note the rhyming slang)
Wild Turkeys are very plentiful and are unusually quiet. Being protected during the mating season. In fact it is quite a common sight to see wild turkeys and settler’s [turkeys] feeding together.
A kangaroo drive, as suggested by a settler, has not yet materialized bit I think if the mover was again to bring the proposal to the surface , something would eventuate, seeing such a great interest is taken in rifle shooting here, and what would be a better pastime [be displayed] in the shape of guerilla warfare, than say a party of the Tenindewa Royal Standback Rifles, with H.J. Stafford in command, surrounding and ambushing a mob of grey kangaroos out on our back sandplain some fine Sunday afternoon.

August 19th, 1911

Tenindewa notes (From our own Correspondent)

Rain, rain every day, water lying everywhere, and the crops looking splendid. It is a real feast for the eyes to see the nice green fields of wheat. Some crops are just coming into ear and the hay crop is assured. A real good wheat and hay crop would be the best thing to ease the money market. With a bumper harvest there would be plenty of work in the agricultural areas for the immigrants. Work has been almost at a standstill during the last year or so.
The Railway Department are hard at work here making way for the coming wheat harvest. They are lengthening the siding, also the ramp and generally making things better. One of the important matters they are overlooking, and that is the provision for loading and unloading sheep. A number of settlers have sheep and no doubt before long they will all have them. The only convenience for loading sheep at present is an old broken-down sheep race. A cheap yard could be easily made and a great boon. It is hoped the Railway Department will please note this and the writer contends that the Geraldton Chamber of Commerce should pay some attention to such matters at sidings and at places outside of Geraldton because it is the out-country that will make Geraldton.
A new State School is wanted here badly. The present one is rather rough and in a very flat position hence very wet. In a rising district like this the Education Department could not go far wrong by erecting a small school. I understand a site has been selected in the reserve in the townsite
(Obviously there must have been a school of some sort before the one made available by Norman Fry in 1913?)

March 12th, 1912

Tenindewa Vs Mullewa

The above clubs meet in a return match at Tenindewa on the 10th inst. Mullewa winning by 54 runs. Both teams were well represented. A most enjoyable day’s outing, and an interesting game resulted. The following scores were:-

Tenindewa

Oldham b Thompson 6
Chas. Meadowcroft b Thompson 4
Fry run out 0
Clarence Meadowcroft c Willock b Thompson 9
Tulluck (capt) b Thompson 1
Plummer not out 10
Critch c Willock b Thompson 3
Stokes b Willock 0
O’Byrne b Willock 5
Smith b Willock 1
Davis c and b Willock 1
Sundries 8
Total 48

Mullewa Notes (From an occasional Correspondent)
A speech at the opening of a Mullewa Town Hall. (Not the current one as it was opened in 1936)
September 20th, 1912

Mr. Norman Fry, who also spoke, said, he had been asked, to say a few words on behalf of the residents of Tenindewa, and he felt honored in being one of the first to address them in their new hall. The building was a credit to all concerned and one of which he thought they might well feel proud. The occasion, he said, marked an era in the progress and prosperity of the district. They had only to look round the town to see evidence of the progress and development which was taking place. Most conspicuous amongst these were the new hotel, Mr. Molster’s store, the new police station and quarters, and last but not least the hall in which they were then assembled. Going a little further, they saw the country around them being converted from a wilderness of scrub into *smiling cornfields promising a bountiful harvest. Mr. Fry stated that it was 12 years ago since he first landed in the Mullewa district. At that time, no one with the exception of a Mr. Smith had done anything in the way of cultivation, the district being considered unsuitable for farming purposes. He experimented with 5 acres at Kockatea Station in 1901 and being encouraged by the results he gradually increased the area and he thought he could justly take the credit of being the first to demonstrate that payable crops could be produced. At any rate, he was the first to sell locally grown chaff. In 1901 there were 5 acres under crop in the district. To-day there were 5000 acres in addition to 3000 acres under fallow. People were only just beginning to realize the capabilities of the district as a farming center, but he felt sure that it would always hold its own with even some of the most favored locality in the Victoria District.

^*In the verbiage of the day and most likely coming from old English, corn meant wheat.

January 4th, 1913

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

Another year just started Mr. Editor, and I believe in the number 13. I predict a bumper season for 1913. I am not going on sun spots or those kind of things but just on a guess which is nearly as comforting.
Harvest is nearly over in the district, except in a few cases where delay has been caused by machinery breakages, and this being a very bad season for stripping, too moist and not enough drying wind. Averages are small for wheat yields. I think about 9 or 10 bushels [.6 to .7 of a tonne per hectare] will be the average. All over great preparations are being made for a big cropping this year, and fallow and large areas are the order of the day. Who will be the first farmer to have 1000 acres in for one season. I think a prize should be offered by the Agricultural Association. Quantity of wheat is what most farmers are after. Quality of putting it in is all right, but does it pay to spend time on it? I think not in this area. A dry farmer here who wrote and spoke on this subject not long since, put the whole of his past seasons crop in with a spring tooth cultivator, and as far as I can see, he fared as well as any. Our district is a light soil even in the York Gum country.
Complaints still come from farmers of short weights and shortage in bags from buyers. Why don’t the farmers insist on the buyers taking delivery at the sidings. They have the matter in their own hands. I recollect a case of thirty-three bags of wheat being sent to Geraldton and the farmer lost six and a half bushels in weight, and when he complained they said, “oh that was the railways weights”. I’ll bet if it was six and a half bushels over what it should have been, they [the merchant] would not have taken the weights.
When is the government going to help farmers by exporting their wheat, making manure, and importing bags. At present it is the opinion of some farmers, that it is no good growing wheat or hay under the present conditions, as they have to content against dear manure, with uncertain delivery, dear bags, and slow delivery, and a small price for wheat, and loses in numbers of bags and weight.
The State school is almost an accomplished fact now here, and operations will commence this month. I understand Miss. Eva Stafford’ late of teaching at Geraldton High School, has been offered the position of teacher. She was a prominent pupil of Mr. Grogan’s who was headmaster of the State School Geraldton, and she then went through a course at the Methodist Ladies College, Claremont. The school is badly wanted and a good deal of thanks for obtaining same are due to Mr. N Fry.
Christmas passed off quietly, with a good many grafting, taking off crops.
The 300 yards Government dam near Messrs. Valentine and Dunkin’s place, is nearly completed, the contractor being Mr. J. Saunders, and he is making a good job of it.
I wonder who is responsible for Wollya Reserve. Horses and other stock are running regularly on it, and a man and his family and a team of horses, have been camped there for months. The Mullewa Roads Board should wake up and see this.
Old Wollya well wants putting in order as the dry spell is here and farmers still want stock water. Stacks of wheat are allowed to lie too long in the siding here before the Railway Department shifts them. This poor tired department keeps up a long Christmas, and no lengthened siding has yet been provided although it has been promised.

July 8th, 1913

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

The crops around this district are looking remarkably well, and some large areas are in this season, and with a good harvest, and the prospect of a good price, the farmers should overtake the bad seasons. Mr. Fry has sown 600 acres under wheat this year, and others have from 400 acres [160 hectares] down to 100 acres [40 hectares], a much larger area than any former year. Alpha and Bunyip are the favorite varieties this year; most are shy of Federation. I think we could have more rain than around Geraldton, and there are some nice pools in the Kockatea Creek, and the dams are half full. The rain has been mostly of a good soaking nature.
The State School [on Frys’s farm] is progressing well and has 13 scholars on the roll. It will soon be time to have a fair building put up to accommodate them. A [new] block has been reserved in the Tenindewa Townsite for school purposes.
The Mullewa Roads Board are apparently not a very happy family, and I am told that the debates at the last meeting were of a loud nature. The writer was talking to a cockie, and asked him if he went to the Roads Board meetings. He replied: “I had no occasion. I could hear them from the Railway Station.” They must have been having some fun. Kangaroos are very plentiful round here and are very fond of having a game in the wheat plots. They are very hard to get with the rifle, there being so much scrub, and as the settlers have a few sheep, they do not care to have to have dogs running through the paddocks. I would suggest a few real good kangaroo drives. It would be great sport, and would give them a great scare, and would effectually stop their attention to crops.

March 5th, 1914

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

All the farmers around here are finishing harvest and trucking wheat, and most are satisfied. Some came out well whilst others have some arrears to wipe off, but it cannot be expected that one fair year will clean up two bad years. Most are again plowing so as to make the coming year a winning one. Mr. Norman Fry is commencing to build a nice new residence, and I understand Mr. Bert Crothers, of Geraldton, has the contract. This building shows that farmers will do well here if given a chance and have anything like success.

April 25th, 1914

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

The farmers around here are as busy as the little bee, and hence ploughing is well advanced, and some have commenced to seed already, too partly I think from last season’s experience. The early crops caught the disease and the later ones escaped. Altogether 30.000 bags [2,500 tonne] of grain went from this siding this year and taking everything into consideration the railway treated us well. With a few good seasons this place is sure to become very popular for wheat production. Mr. Fry’s new residence is nearing completion and the contractor Mr. Bert Crothers, is making a very nice job of it. It is pleasant to see these nice homesteads going up, and it and it is a good sign and plainly proves that the farmer will win through all right, notwithstanding bad seasons.

28th 1914

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

Things are very lively with the cocky round here; he is trying to be in a lot of places at the one time. Talk about a busy man; well, he is one. He wants to finish plowing, seeding, vote for members of the Legislative Council, vote for the Roads Board members and between the lot he has to hustle. In the council elections things seemed evenly divided between the farmer and the Labour man. Now-a-days people won’t vote what is best for the country, but you can hear them say which side can we get the most from. Speaking of elections this Government does the business cheaply. Fancy giving a man one pound ($2.00) to stay in crib from 8 am to 7 pm as a presiding officer. Now the Federal Government do things in style, and they give for the same service 2 pounds ($4.00) to the presiding officer, and 15 shillings ($1.50) to the poll clerk. Why the difference between Federal and State?
The Road Board nominations are due on Saturday next, and the polling takes place on the following Saturday. An election of Roads Boards members is one of the funniest things out. Ballot papers are issued before the nominations are declared, hence the man who gets about early has a lot of votes in before nominations even close. The Murchison Road Board are very liberal this time, and are allowing settlers to vote, who have never had to pay any rates so far, and who are not liable for one, two or three years yet, as the case may be. If this is in accord with the Act, then it is different to the way the Geraldton Board acts. They will not let ratepayers vote who have not paid up their current rates. Another thing, fancy holding an election in the West Ward of Mullewa District and having no polling place. How’s that for strong? We certainly have two postal officers in out of the way localities. The whole election for members of the Mullewa District Roads Board next Saturday, in my opinion, will be informal and could be upset.
We had a shower of rain the other night, the first since last winter. The ground was wet about an inch under the surface. It came on during the night, and you don’t know Mr. Editor what pleasant music it is to hear rain falling. It was not quite enough to start the early sown wheat. Many farmers are sowing their early sown wheat late this season, they have found it a mistake to sow too early.
Mr. N. Fry’s new residence of seven rooms is now completed and tenanted. It is a very pretty building, so some must be getting on the right side of the ledger.
My word Mullewa is a stony place, and Arbor Day there is no joke. I saw a labourer with sweat on his brow, digging a hole about a cubic yard. I asked him who was to be buried and he said: “Me I think if I stick at this game.” He added I have tried all tools, most explosives, and now must try some more powder. Fancy taking a day over a cubic yard hole to plant a tree in, to shade the future generations or perhaps the hungry goats in dry weather.

Extract from To Sow the Barley (See page 15)

March 2nd, 1915

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)
A real live hurricane visited Tenindewa on Thursday night last. (25th February 1915)
Things began to get very lively about 9.00 PM and up to 11,00 PM we had just as full and exciting time as anyone would wish and some very close calls to a funeral occurred. However, they say all’s well that ends well and this is so far as life is concerned. The wind must have reached 80 miles an hour [130 kilometer per hour] and every building I know of must have suffered.
To commence with, Mr. Fry’s new residence suffered by the loss of a few sheets of iron and his late residence, a fairly large iron building was blown to the ground.
Mr. Sid Green, the railway ganger [“ganger” denotes the man in charge of the railway gang] suffered too. A large York gum fell right across his house, on the portion that the Post Office is kept in, crushing it flat to the ground. They were all in an adjoining room and they lost no time in vacating it and passed up the rest of the night in the railway Goods Shed. The telephone room at the same place is now standing wrong end up.
Mr. Stokes had to strain all his muscles to hang onto his house all night.
Mr. Tom Shaw had a very trying time too and had just managed to get his wife, who had just fainted, from the house when it turned over. (see note at bottom of page)
Messrs. Palmer and Johnson suffered by the loss of [roofing] iron etc. Fortunately Mr. Palmer had plenty of assistance so they managed to hold their roof together. Mr. Johnson and his family had to pass the night under his dray and it rained inches [an inch is 25mm] during that time, but all the outhouses were destroyed.
Brenkley Bros. house turned partly over and is uninhabitable.
Mr. Stafford lost all of his outhouses and found some of his iron; some he thinks is down Mingenew way and he is not looking for it. A few sheets of iron came off his residence also. All the settlers suffered to a considerable extent, but a few I have not heard from. The creek is running a banker and the ground is soft.
Hundreds of York gum trees and other have blown down and in some places, acres of trees have been levelled to the ground. It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good and in this case I have heard of a man just closing for 100 acres [40 hectare] clearing contract and 1/2 his stuff has been blown over. Anyhow we are not anxious for another blow. It is the worst I have ever seen.\

August 10th, 1915

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

Rain, rain rain, almost every day for over two months, and still no appearance of casing. I suppose it is right to growl, last year not enough, this year too much. We could well do with a few of weeks of dry weather, as most of the crops are showing the effects of too much rain. Still, they are remarkably good looking, and some very forward and fine crops are about. Mr. Fry has some nice Fairbank, and a small paddock of Mr. Fry’s, near the siding, looks well. There is a very large area in this season. I will quote you the figures which are only approximately correct:
Mr. Keeffe 700 acres, Mr. Hunter 700 acres, Mr. Couper 500 acres, Mr. Fry 600 acres, Mr. Stokes 300 acres, Mr. Loughan 100, Mr. Rumble 250, Mr. Meadowcroft 300, Mr. Oldam 300, Mr. Critch 130, Mr. McGuinness 300, Mr. Troy 150, Mr, Gruen 300, Mr. Malone 200, Mr. Stafford 325, L. Stafford 30, Messes Valentine and Dunkin 600, Messes Palmer and Mullivan 100, Mr. Cromlin 130, Mr. Johnson 150, Mr. Curtis 200, Brinkley brothers 300, Mr. Cirboy 200, Messes Brooks, Clarke, Jose and Brand out on the Greenough river all have good crops in, and looking well. All of the above cart to Tenindewa and Indarra, the total area under wheat being about 7000 acres, which is the highest of any season yet. Some very fair vegetable gardens are also doing well, and a few are trying maize in a small way, but I’m afraid it has been put in too early.

August 20th, 1915

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

The beautiful sunshiny days we are now having after the continuous wet weather will gladden the hearts of farmers. Ever since the beginning of the year the weather has all that could be desired. The rainfall since the growing season commenced is as follows; – May 225 points [56mm] June 355 pts [88 mm] July 313 pts [78mm] August 128 pts [32mm] to date. The rainfall for the year to date is 16 inches [400 mm]. We have had no frosts so far this winter…and vegetation of every description has made marvelous growth. The wildflowers are very numerous and beautiful. The individual blooms beat anything I have seen foe size and excellence, and I think we have a greater variety than I have ever noticed previously. Of stock feed we have an abundance. The crops are making great headway. many of them are already higher than the fences. Mr. J J Keeffe has commenced hay cutting and Messes Hunter, Fry, Valentine and Dunkin will shortly follow his example. I notice the wild radish has made its appearance in several fields

August 27th, 1915

Local and General (Geraldton Express)

Our harvest prospects–Judging by a sample of this season’s wheat yield (now on show at this office) which came to hand a day or two ago from the farm of Mr. L. J. Critch, of Tenindewa, there is every reason to predict that this particular part of the wheat growing area of the Victoria district will reap the full benefit of the magnificent rainfall experienced this season. The sample in question is sell stooled, and about 4ft 6ins [1.4 metres] in height, carrying plump heads of about 5inchs [125 mm] long, and was grown from seed crossbred 73. Most of the crops in and around Tenindewa, we are given to understand, give promise of a record yield. At the Geraldton Agricultural Show for 1913, first and second prizes for the best two sheaves were obtained from Mr. L. J. Critch and Mr. N. Fry respectively, from samples grown at Tenindewa.

September 7th, 1915

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

The weather is finer, and things are growing well. A few farmers are already cutting hay, and they anticipate a two ton [per acre] yield. It is a record early time for hay in this district [and] Messrs. Keeffe, Hunter and Fry are cutting. The wheat that has done the best for hay is Fairbank. It is a very vigorous and quick grower, and is a half-sister to that good yielder Bunyip
I wonder why the wheat supplied from Geraldton to farmers was not graded. I note Commissioner Sutton lays great stress on graded seed. That supplied from Northam was graded. I suppose anything was good enough for the Victoria District cocky, and there was plenty of wild radish, mustard, etc. in the wheat supplied. One farmer cleaned 5 bags of rubbish out of 40 bags supplies and the funny thing is the graded wheat was supplied to the newest settlers, and [at] that, very late

Note: 1914 was a wipeout drought for much of Australia including Tenindewa. The wheat referred to was seed railed in for seed for the 1915 season.

March 25th March 1916

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

Farmers in almost all cases have finished stripping, and wheat carting, so the wheat scheme should have a very large heap of money in hand in their wheat stacks. The farmers are anxious for a divi [sic] from the I.A.B. who own most farmers. I do not think there will be a large quantity of wheat grown this coming season. Most farmers are very dissatisfied at the treatment of the Board, and their methods of dealing with correspondence is absolutely the worst I have seen or heard of. [Board of the I.A.B.] Fancy three acknowledgements for interim receipts received by the one man in three separate envelopes and three stamps all the same postdate. This means two envelopes and two stamps wasted beside time etc. in a well-regulated office such a thing should not be possible.
Mr. Norman Fry has just returned from a trip East where he has been spending a six-week holiday. He is looking very well and enjoyed himself and no doubt has brought some new farming ideas back with him from the wise men of the East.

Note: “divi” above will be short for dividend.

September 21st, 1916

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

Beautifully hot weather, a day that could make a thirst, and the Farmers Association of Mullewa and Tenindewa opened up at Tenindewa for their annual picnic. Fully a hundred people attended from far and wide, and all appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves with the good things of the earth. There were horse races for the farmer who fancied his horse could gallop, and some interesting finishes were witnessed. Then there was the Married Ladies’ race, which was well worth going miles to see. The pace and finished style of these married athletes would take some beating. They did not exhibit any frill but settled down early in the race to get to the winning post quickly. One poor competitor tried to roll to the winning post, but as the double gees were about, this state was not considered as a means of progress. Then came the Single Ladies race. This was interesting and there was plenty of style in this event with a fair bit of dash of speed. The young men each had their favorite. Then came the kiddies. They were a good lot and enjoyed themselves immensely and the competitions were very keen. Plenty of fruit and sweets were distributed amongst the kiddies, and a tank of boiling water was available all day (it’s a thirsty place).
Messrs. Stokes and Fry and many others helped make the thing a success. I was forgetting there was a good dance at the local school which finished in the early hours of the morning.
Crops are only middling. We have had a month’s hot weather and last week was between 90 and 100 degrees daily (34 to 38 degrees Celsius) with inland winds. There has been plenty of appearances of rain, but it did not fall here. Some crops are burning up and their chances are hopeless. The late crops are suffering the most. A good many will have fair hay crops, but i think the weather is too dry to fill the wheat. A number of farmers will commence hay cutting in a few days. Shearing is just starting with most, and a few have cut out.

March 23rd, 1917

Tenindewa Notes (From our Correspondent)
Midlands Advertiser

Rabbits are very plentiful just now around here and promise to run a hard double with the ring neck parrot the friend (?) of the farmer [sic]. A large dingo was caught recently by Mr. Norman Fry, one of our settlers in the district. The same dingo is accredited with getting away with 40 to 50 sheep from one selection alone.

June 2nd, 1917

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

Things farming have been very brisk this way, and there is a very large area under wheat again, and almost all have finished seeding operations. We have had a great number of frosts this month, with ice on the troughs outside and some farming people predicting a bad season. Since the frosts we have had light rains, and some of the crops are up and looking well. Mr. Fry’s crop is the most forward seen so far. It is Fairbank.

December 13th, 1917

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

We are having splendid harvesting weather, and all the farmers are busy collecting the golden grain. The yields are not very satisfactory owning to too much wet weather during the growing period and a dry finish. Still the bags are filling and there will be a lot of wheat from this district.
(Jan .5 Feb, 1.0 Mar, 80 April 8, May 34, June 124, July 100, Aug 68, Sept 61, Oct 22, Nov 0, Dec 13) Total 512 mm
The Co-operative is going ahead, and the building will be erected in a week or two on a nice piece of land on a site right alongside the railway Goods Shed. The land was kindly given by Mr. N Fry.
The Society has had a good start but lost a number of their customers owning to the delays of the railways in forwarding goods, some of which took a fortnight to come from Perth and then allowed to lay at Mullewa for days and [dashing the expectation of] people waiting for those goods. This unnecessary delay by the railways is losing the society customers and the railway department freight which I thought Commissioner Short wanted. If the railway department would look after the freight they have they would not have to increase fright rates so much. They want shaking up a bit. The postal authorities in their wisdom have cut Tenindewa out of the mail and now we can only send mail to Geraldton on Mondays and Wednesdays because they will have to pay more than sweating wages. The last post mistress received the large sum of eight pounds per annum ($16.00) and had to meet the mail five days a week and do the same thing to sent mail away. The letters posted numbered 500 per week besides papers etc. We will not receive a Geraldton paper now from Tuesday to Saturday. The settlers have petitioned the Federal Authorities.
The General Meeting of the Co-operative Society was held last Sunday to elect five directors. The following were elected: Messes Valentine, Woods, Stafford, Johnson and Curtis. Mr. N Fry was elected secretary.

July 30th, 1918

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

We are having nice weather around here, and the farmers are all smiling. They are people of moods, but they are so used to getting little that they smile good and often at the good gift of a nice season. All the crops are looking well, but the feed is backward.
A fairly large number of farmers intend attending the cold storage meeting on August 9th. They recognize that cool storage and canning works at Geraldton will very soon get them their motor car, whereas growing wheat only, under present conditions is enough to give them a wooden suit.
The farmers are beginning to co-operate, and on Saturday night opened their Co-operative Store with a general rally of all the settlers. Some songs and dancing, card games and such like kept them all busy until the small hours of Sunday morning. It was a really enjoyable time, and the building which is 20 feet [6 metres] by 30 foot [9 metres] was well filled. The main interest of the gathering was to raise funds for the Red Cross to help our boys in France. We had a popular girl competition as the main attraction, and two of our farmers pretty daughters entered for this. Miss N Fry and Miss K Palmer, and the supporters of both were very busy, and at the finish Miss Fry won by a small majority. This part of the programme realized about 22 pounds [$44.00]
Both girls worked very hard and deserve the greatest credit. They are both very popular. Then came the ugly man’s competition, for which Messes. J Ring and N. Fry entered. Mr. Ring won by a fair margin, and he really deserved the title and one on good merit. They both worked hard for victory. It was good fun all through and there was not the least friction. The total result will be almost 40 pounds [$80.00], a fair amount which was raised by the lady in charge of the refreshment stall (a very important part of the show) Mrs. G. Valentine, of Pine Grove.
Mr. Alex Rumble, the hon secretary, deserves great credit for the hard work he put into the show, things generally running as smoothly as a well-oiled engine when the engine wishes to run well. All concerned deserve great credit, and it is hoped the store will be used again.
The Road Board are insisting on farmers replacing wire gates across roads by iron or wooden gates 14 feet [3 meters] wide and have given farmers very short notice to do so under, the threat of removing [the old], at the farmers expense. This Board seems to do things without first considering the cost. A gate like they require costs two pound 10 shillings at the lowest [$5.00] and I think they could easily been left in abeyance until after the war.

Below is the Coop building referred to
When this photo was taken it was part of Peets Transport business in Mullewa acting as the “mail room”.
Previous to that it was the “Old Hall” and located east of the Store. In that location it also acted as the Post Office and Exchange for a time. But originally, at the time of its initial construction and at the time of the above article it was in Fry’s paddock south of the siding and just south of the Geraldton-Mullewa highway.

July 29th, 1919

Tenindewa Notes (From our own Correspondent)

Everything in the garden, as far as our crops are concerned is lovely. With rain every week, and a little sunshine, things look very nice. The Kockatea Creek has been running a good while, and for a few days was very hard to cross safely. One or two residents narrowly escaped being washed down. Some settlers had to go miles around and over the railway bridge to get to the post office and siding. Stock are looking well and lambs are to be seen in some paddocks.
Mr. Fry has just returned from Victoria, where they are also having plenty of rain.
Our new state schoolteacher appears to be getting on well with the children. They like going to school–a good sign, I think.

November 25th, 1919.
Geraldton Express

Tenindewa Notes (From an occasional Correspondent)

On November 1st the residents of Tenindewa assembled in the Co-operative Hall and organized a social function to be farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Fry and family, who have disposed of their farming property here and are about to leave for Victoria, where they intend to take up their residence. The weather was rather stormy, and as a result many who would have been present were debarred owing to rain and darkness. Even as it was the hall was comfortably filled and dancing, alternating with a few vocal events was kept up until the early hours of the morning.
During the evening light refreshments were supplied and at the interval in the dancing several speakers representing the Cooperative Co. and the local branch of the Farmers and Settlers Association, took the opportunity of wishing Mr. Fry and his family a safe voyage and heaps of good luck and happiness in their new home.
Miss Valentine, on behalf of the young ladies of the district, presented Miss Norma Fry, who conducted the local Post Office for the last two years, with a very pretty ladies’ handbag as a great token of the esteem in when she was held and Miss Fry suitably thanked the doners in a happy speech, which by the way was her maiden effort.
Some of the speakers referred in no uncertain terms to the good work Mr. Fry had done in the many public positions that he had occupied here, and to the fact that they were losing one of the pioneers of the district. Mr. Fry deserved credit for bringing the first stump jump plough to the district, and reaper and binder, and making the first locally grown chaff as early as 1903.
Mr. Fry thanked those present, as well as the speakers, for the opportunity they had afforded him and his family of personally saying farewell to their many friends and well-wishers and the speakers for the kind things that they had said during the evening. He assured them that Tenindewa and its people would always occupy a warm spot in their hearts and if fate should ever lead their steps westward in the future, Tenindewa would be the first port of call.
On Saturday the 15th last, as the family of “Kaburnie” were scanning the papers and making preparations for retiring for the night, the house was stormed by a band of youths and lasses, mostly from Devils Creek, who took possession. Mr. O’Brien acted as spokesman, that owing to the boisterous weather they were unable to be present at the previous gathering and they were not going to be deprived of an opportunity of saying farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Fry and family. Therefore, they invited the family and the company to the hall, which was specially arranged, and dancing and song were the order of the evening.
Mr. Valentine. on behalf of the company, presented Mrs. Fry with a very pretty cameo broach, and wished her and her family good health and a happy and prosperous future. Mr. Fry responded on her behalf and thanked those present for the pleasant surprise they had given and for the verbal and tangible of good wishes etc. and he assured them that Mrs. Fry would always treasure their gift. The gathering broke up in the early hours of the morning after singing “they are jolly good fellows” and “Auld Lang Syne”.
Mr. Fry and family left or Geraldton by Friday’s train where they will stay for eight or ten days, prior to leaving for Perth. They will leave the State by the “Wandilla” on December the 13th 1919

November 25th, 1919

 Tenindewa Notes (Farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Fry)

Geraldton Guardian (From an Occasional Correspondent) 

December 2nd, 1919

Tenindewa Notes (From an occasional Correspondent)
Geraldton Guardian

The hum of harvesters is heard on all sides, but the weather is not ideal for stripping, two thunderstorms in a week, and cloudy skies, make the ears tough. [to strip]
Would that the rain had fallen in September, and then the crops would have looked very different. As it is they promise but a few bags to the acre. The best-looking crops are at Indarra–Mr. Troy’s and Mr. Maloney’s. Many of the farmers have cut a lot of their crops for hay. Last year upwards of 14,000 bags left Tenindewa [1170 tonne], but this year their looks like a big falling off.
Mr. Bob Oldham cut fine hay crops, while Mr. Stafford was not far behind. Mr. H. W. Johnson and Mr. A. Benoit each cut a beautiful sample.
The emus and kangaroos have damaged the crops badly, the former especially, going about in twenties and thirties. The Mullewa Road Board generously intimates that we can kill emus, but what is wanted is a premium on their heads. What a chance for Geraldton sportsmen to run up and help us reduce the number.
Many of the farmers have gone in for sheep, for it is recognized that wheat farming alone cannot pay. There are also many who cannot, for want of water and the prohibitive price of fencing wire.
Some farmers who launched out largely in pigs, in view of the bacon factory, have given them up, or are doing so, for despite the high prices paid for pork, the distances from the market, and the price of wheat leave a small margin for profit. Then again if one has pigs one has to stye them and feed [them], for if they run loose, they invade the neighbors’ paddock and eat the lambs and poultry.
Now we have a postmaster it is hoped that a more frequent mail service will be obtained. It is annoying to have to wait until Wednesday to read Saturday’s Guardian. However, I believe the Stations have only to apply for a more frequent service to get it.
Things are much brighter here than they used to be for there are more young folks, and dances are constantly being held in the Agricultural Hall. These dances give the lasses and lads an enjoyable time, and enable the elders to foregather and compare notes, all tending to relieve the monotony of the bush.
Mr. Norman Fry and family have left us, en route for Victoria. Petroff Bros. two returned soldiers have taken the farm “Kaburnie” and are a pleasant acquisition to the neighborhood.

Comments

1. April 10, 2015 Susan Cameron; Norman Fry was my great grandfather. ironically, I now live on a farm at Penthurst, not far from ‘Kaburnie’.
2. April 16, 2015 Norman Keilar; Love this whole thing am proud to be connected to such a great family
3. March 12, 2016 Janet Fry; Charles Fry was my father who passed away in 1984, I am looking for any photos or stories that might be out there you can contact me via email on janet_f64@bigpond.com.au thanks

1. April 4, 2016 Emma Fry; Such a fascinating and amazing story. Love that part of Kaburnie is still a part of the Fry farming family. My kids love going to work with their dad and we love sharing this history with them.
2. January 3, 2023 Tanya; Am looking for information on James Jordan Fry, my great grandfather. He also came from Victoria and worked around Northampton/Geraldton. Any info would be welcomed.