JOHN McDOUALL STUART SOCIETY INC.
Founded 25th July 1964, to perpetuate his name and achievements.
Newsletter No. 149
December 2016
The Stuart Collection
The Stuart Collection is housed in the Masonic Centre, 154 North Terrace. Adelaide and comprises of
a diverse number of items, including historic, religious and reference books, folios, booklets, a field
pocket book, journals, oil paintings, sketches, watercolours, posters, documents, certificates, invitations,
stamps, newspaper articles, maps and plans, artefacts, photographs and a small amount of textiles.
In November 2013, our Society Secretary, Dean Harris
reported on the successful application for a Community
Heritage Grant jointly funded and supported by the
National Library of Australia, the Department of the
Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts; the National
Archives of Australia; the National Film and Sound
Archive and the National Museum of Australia for
$4,000. This was the first of three Community Heritage
Grants received from these organisation over the next 3
years. The first was used to pay for a Significance
Assessment of the Stuart Collection.
Stephen King’s sunglasses in good condition.
The assessment was carried out by Professional
Historian, Geoff Spiers, in January 2014. A large
number of items were identified to be of “high
significance” and “significance” within the collection.
Geoff also identified the collection to be of local, state
and national significance.
This assessment, once completed was a fundamental
building block for future funding. At a Committee
meeting held in February 2014 it was resolved that the
next step would be to obtain further grant funding for
the undertaking of a Preservation Needs Assessment. A
second application for a Community Heritage Grant for
$4.400 was successful.
John Billiatt’s snuff Box in good condition
A Preservation Needs Assessment survey was
conducted by Anne Dineen, Senior Preventive
Conservator from Artlab Australia, in April 2015, with
the assistance of Dean Harris, This assessment
identified that the majority of items in the collection
appeared to be in good condition.
Anne’s first of three key recommendations was for the
remedial conservation of a number of highly significant
and significant items. A third application submitted for
further funding under the Community Heritage Grants
Scheme in April 2015 for $12,280 was successful.
Various personal items belonging to John Billiatt in
good condition.
2.
JOHN McDOUALL STUART SOCIETY INC.
G’day from the President
Founded 25th July 1964, to perpetuate his name and
achievements.
The Society is concerned that the present generation of
young people in Australia is largely unaware of the stories
of a whole swag of inland explorers who pieced together
the jigsaw puzzle of Australia’s vast interior. You may
recall being taught ‘Australian history’ at primary school,
and in particular about Stuart, Sturt, Eyre, Flinders and so
on. These stories were formerly in the Australian
Curriculum, but the new Curriculum gives only a passing
reference to explorers.
Patron: Dr Andrew Thomas, AO.
Committee
President: Rick Moore. Tel: (08) 8338 4342
Email: [email protected]
Vice President: John Lyon. Tel: (08) 8389 3143
Email: [email protected]
Secretary: Dean Harris. Tel: (08) 8377 1375
Email: [email protected]
Treasurer: Michael Gibson. Mobile: 0402 808 153
Email: [email protected]
Members: Margaret Blacker, Michael
Gibson, Rosemary McKay and Murray Olsson.
Newsletter Editor: Margaret Blacker.
Tel: (08) 83816993 Email:
[email protected]
Society Postal Address:
56 Repton Road, SOMERTON PARK SA 5044.
Website: http://johnmcdouallstuart.org.com
Keep up to date with society news and items
of interest by visiting us on facebook.
Assisted by Murray Olsson, Society vice president John
Lyon, a former school principal, has developed a learning
theme called Explorer’s Day. Its role is to expose teachers
& students to the history of Australian exploration. An
Explorers Day would provide teachers with colourful
topics to encourage young people’s interest in looking at
the shaping of this country and influences on our culture.
Obviously, it will use J Mc D Stuart as a central character.
Likely to be nominated as April 22 nd (the day Stuart
reached the centre of the continent, and, significantly, a
‘free day’ in schools’ calendars), we hope schools will use
our
suggestions
and
aids.
If
you
visit
http://johnmcdouallstuart.org.au/for-teachers, you can see
some of our suggestions.
However, we are directly asking for your help in
promoting Explorers Day. Do you or your family have any
school contact at Year 5 level where you might be able to
promote or assist our endeavours? If so, please contact
John on 8389 1343 or at [email protected].
Meanwhile, work at the Collection continues, with the
This edition is proudly produced by the John McDouall provenance of artefacts being digitised into the MOSAIC
record keeping program we have purchased. Use of this
Stuart Society Inc.
program takes the collection to the national museum
standard. While a slow process initially, it is worthwhile to
Printed by Cove Printing, Somerton Park.
record provenance so that authenticity and accuracy of
items is firmly established.
In this edition:
Page
The Stuart Collection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 & 3
G’day from the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Restoratin Works for John McDouall Stuart
Statue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Largest night Parrot Population Uncovered . .5
The Marree man (Stuart’s Giant) . . . . . . . . . . 6 - 7
Society News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The Play – Journal – John McDouall Stuart. . 9
In Memory of Lucy and John Stuart (Jock)
Thring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
In Memory if Consie Schinckel (nee Thring)
and husband John. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
My sincere thanks to all those who have contributed to
this issue – especially Society members Rick Moore,
Dean Harris, Peter Bowyer, Mike Gibson, Bob
Schinckel and Tim Moore. Also Jim Thring and Hahn
Nguyen, Project Officer, Capital Projects Management.
Adelaide City Council.
Artlab, the state’s premier preservation and conservation
organisation, has completed work on some important
Stuart Collection items. Funded by a grant from the
National Library, an original of Hardman’s edition of
Stuart’s Journals has been conserved, as has the South
Australian Parliamentary Papers of Stuart’s expeditions;
two sketches by Stephen King; three invitations to
reunions of the Companions, and a miniature
portrait/ambrotype of Billiatt and his family Coat of Arms.
It has been some time since I reported on the progress of
‘Sketching with Stuart’. This is the title of the publication
of Stephen King’s sketches we are working on. I realise
this project has taken some while, but as we are a body of
volunteers and are assisted by professionals giving their
time pro bono, matters can take longer than may be
considered normal. Suffice to say we have content
completed, with design and layout in the final stages. Now
it’s on to the actual printing phase – I’ll keep you posted!
Cheers
Rick Moore
The Stuart Collection
3.
A total of 6 items were chosen for remedial conservation:
1. First edition of Stuarts Journals (including folded map) – Edited by Hardman (1864). The conservation treatment
of the book and map included the removal of the map from the book and treatment before encapsulating in a
separate folder for long term use. The covers and leather spine of the book were repaired. Multiple mould affected
lining papers were discarded and many of the other damaged pages were treated. The toal cost for the treatment
performed was $6,908.
Before
Before
After
2. The Stephen King reunion invitations dated 1905 and 1906 and a single page of the invitation ‘Toasts’ (3 items).
The surfaces were cleaned and torn folds reinforced and a base was constructed for support at a total cost of $440.
3. Two sketches ‘A visit from Natives’ and ‘The knocked up horse’ by Stephen King. The 2 sketches were removed
from the mounted and timber framed moulding, cleaned and any tears repaired. The sketches were placed
seperately in window mats. Conservation treatment cost was $2,123.
Before
Before
After
4. Case bound book in half leather and cloth with maps and correspondence relating to Stuart’s Explorations 1858,
1860, 1860-61 , 1861-2. Conservation treatment cost was $1,727.
5. Cased photograph/ambrotype of J.W. Billiatt. The broken hinge was repaired and the photograph cleaned as was
the brass mount and retouched with gold wax sealant.
6. Billiatt Family Coat of Arms on Translucent paper. The folded document was humidified, flattened and
encapsulated in Mylar. Total cost for these last 2 items was $682.
Before
After
After
The second key recommendation was to address the high ultraviolet radiation levels within the display cabinets. A
special UV film has been attached to the cabinets glass panes to protect items from the effects of UV radiation.
The third key recommendation was to carry out training on the digital collections management system ‘Collections
Mosaic Database’. The mosaic software was purchased by the Society and Mike Gibson has undertaken training to
transfer information from the current manual record system onto the new database.
4.
Restoration Works for John McDouall Stuart Statue.
Restoration work is currently being undertaken on the John McDouall Stuart statue in Victoria
Square/Tarndanyangga, Adelaide. Hahn Nguyen, Project Officer, Capital Project Management,
Adelaide City Council reported to President Rick Moore that the current works on the John McDouall
Stuart statue are progressing well and hopefully will be completed by early December. Providing there
is no further cracking and with regular maintenance, it is anticipated no further major treatment will
be required for at least 10 years.
The treatment methods and applications currently
undertaken aim to restore the statue back to a good condition
and include:







Overall hand cleaning using reverse osmosis
water to ensure no damage to the materials
Poulticing of areas with sulphation
Stabilizing any areas of active corrosion
Protective coating to be applied and buffed
Removal of soiling, organic growth and
contaminants
Raking and repointing of masonry joints in the
pedestal and base with traditional lime mortar
Applying coatings to minimise biological growth
Re-gilding of lettering
Before
Before
Photo top left: Application of overall poultice to reduce
staining and black sulphation crust.
In regards to progress, the removal of sulphation stains
and crusts, general cleaning of stonework has recently
been completed with work on the pedestal and base,
repointing and regilding to take place over the next few
weeks
Before
Hanh Nguyen
Project Officer
Before
Capital Project
Management
After
After
Photos Wednesday,
and information
courtesy Hahn
Project
16 November
2016 atNguyen,
11:45 am
Date:
Officer, Capital Projects Management.
The current works on the John McDougall Stuart
Before
After
Largest Night Parrot Population Uncovered.
5.
Australian Wildlife Conservancy scientists, led by John Young, have discovered a Night Parrot
population at the Diamantina National Park, (Diamantina), Queensland. This discovery represents a
major expansion of the population and distribution for one of Australia’s rarest birds. In a previous
article in newsletter no. 147, March 2016, it was reported that it was also John Young who found what
he believed might be two pairs and a nest with three nestlings of the ground-dwelling Night Parrot in
South-western Queensland in May 2013 at Brighton Downs.
Further sightings by Dr Steve Murphy in the same
area were announced in July 2015. On the same day
Bush Heritage Australia announced a fund raising
campaign to secure donations needed to buy a 56,000
hectare block of pastoral land surrounding this
population of Night Parrots.
Bush Heritage Australia has now established the
56,000 hectare Pullen Pullen Reserve which covers
the secret location. The population size is estimated
at between 30 and 100 individuals.
The recent discovery at the Diamantina National
Park of a further population of the Night Parrot
population was confirmed at seven locations
including:



Diamantina National Park
3 nests (with birds observed in the vicinity
of each nest)
1 sighting of a pair drinking
3 records of birds calling (heard by 2
observers)
Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and the
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS)
have joined forces to respond rapidly to the discovery
by putting in place an Intensive Response Plan:


A Restricted Access Area has been declared
by QPWS, which prohibits unauthorised
access east of the main road in the
Diamantina National park.
AWC and QPWS have mobilised additional
resources to jointly deliver dedicated onground
management
of
Diamantina
including, feral cat control and removal of old
cattle fences.
One of the first images of the Night parrot, taken by John
Young in 2013
A program of further surveys and research, led in the
field by AWC scientist including John Young, will
generate additional information on the size and
distribution of the night Parrot population.
Source: Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
Email: [email protected]
Night Parrot eggs found in a nest of spinifex Diamantina National Park
6.
The Marree Man (Stuart’s Giant).
The world’s second largest modern geoglyph was discovered almost two decades ago, on June 26. 1998,
by a Central Air Service Pilot. Two faxes were alleged to have been sent anonymously to Shane Anderson
at the William Creek Hotel, and the media. William Creek is located some 200kms north-west of Marree.
Shane said he received a fax in the days following the discovery detailing the location of the geoglyph, but
believed it was a joke and ignored it. In a fax sent to the media by those believed to have created the
artwork, named it Stuart’s Giant after explorer John McDouall Stuart. Shortly after its discovery,
journalists were reporting that the drawing was of a giant Aboriginal man. Stuart’s Giant has since
become known as the Marree Man. The following article was published in The Advertiser in July 1998.
Copy of the original article in The Advertiser July 1998.
The Marree Man (Stuart’s Giant).
7.
Location: Marree, South Australia and located just outside the
Woomera Prohibited Area - an Australian Weapons Testing Facility.
Latitude:
29°31'40.39"S
Longitude:
137°28'7.98"E
Length:
2,616 metres
Width:
2,106 metres
Total Site Area:
5.5+ Square Kilometres
Trench Depth:
Up to 20 cm / ploughed soil
The Anthropomorphic (human-like)
Geoglyph of a naked Aboriginal hunter
holding a throwing stick.
The Marree Man (Stuart’s Giant) is the most recently discovered anthropomorphic geoglyph (a large design or motif
generally larger than 4 metres, produced on the ground). It is located 36 km west of the township of Marree in central
South Australia. It is generally considered to be a fairly accurate representation of an Aboriginal hunter holding a
woomera and spear, not a club as originally reported. It is believed to have been created by a 4WD and plough,
coordinated by GPS navigational aids.
As with almost all other geoglyphs it is surrounded by mystery and almost two decades after its discovery nobody seems
to know for certain who made it or why. It is generally agreed the original drawing was the work of a very skilled artist
who designed it to fit onto an existing plateau. Some people believe it was a farewell gift from U.S. forces who had been
based at Woomera, 280km southwest of Marree. Others believe it was a Northern Territory artist Bardius Goldberg,
who lived in Alice Springs who created the Marree Man. Mr Goldberg, who passed away in 2002, had reportedly told
a friend he’d been paid $10,000 to create the Marree Man.
Allegedly a sealed bottle was discovered near the site containing a note stating that the figure was Stuart's Giant along
with a small American flag and a reference to the Branch Davidian Cult. Other finds near the area linked the geoglyph
to a publicity stunt for the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. The reality is that even though the creation of the Marree
Man is a recent event, it is already surrounded in confusion, theorising and misrepresented information. The appearance
of the figure also caused significant controversy when local politicians and aboriginal leaders who condemned the
artwork as landscape graffiti, environmental vandalism and even the desecration of sacred land. The site was closed by
the South Australian Government after legal action was taken in late July1998 following action taken by Native Title
Claimants. But as of 2010, flights were still allowed over the site as Native Title falls under Federal Government
jurisdiction.
In August 2016, work was carried out by Phil
Turner, using a grader assisted by a GPS to
redefine the geoglyph. Phil and Maz Turner owners
of the Marree Hotel, and William Creek Hotel
owner Trevor Wright together funded the
restoration with the blessing of the Arabana
Aboriginal Corporation. Although recent efforts
may lack the skill of the original artwork it still will
be well worth seeing if you missed the original
Marree Man.
Society News
8.
New Member
THE JOHN McDOUALL STUART SOCIETY
We extend a warm welcome to:
Liam McDonnell. Springfield, Illinois. USA.
We trust that you will enjoy a long and rewarding
association with the JMDS Society.
2016 Membership Subscription.
Members are reminded that the John McDouall
Stuart Society’s financial year for 2017 commence
on January 1, and membership subscription is $30
annually.
If you are in doubt about your current membership
status please contact Michael Gibson (Treasurer).
Mobile: 0401 808 153
Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: 37 Rugby Street, Kingswood SA
5062
CORDIALLY INVITES
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS TO ATTEND THE
2017 JOHN McDOUALL STUART
MEMORIAL ADDRESS
‘A Line of Unfailing Waters –
South Australia’s Mound Springs and
John McDouall Stuart.’
Presented by
Colin Harris PSM
At the
MASONIC HALL, TUSMORE
1 Fisher Street (rear Burnside City Council Offices)
Details for Electronic Banking:
Bank: Bank SA
BSB: 105-086
Account No. 330055240
Membership and renewal application forms are
available on our website:
www.johnmcdouallstuart.org.au
Sunday April 2, 2017
2.00pm.
The John McDouall Stuart Society Inc., Annual
General Meeting will be held following the
Memorial Address
Refreshments will be available.
Members are encouraged to please bring a plate of
afternoon tea to share.
Diary Dates
Sunday April 2, 2017 – Annual general Meeting
and presentation of the John McDouall Stuart
Memorial Address, Masonic Hall, Tusmore.
May 1st – 31st – Every Thursday South Australia’s
History Festival About Time. Tours of the Stuart
Collection – 10am - 4pm Masonic Centre 254 North
Terrace, Adeliade.
The President and
Committee of the JMDS
Society would like to
extend to you all
Season’s Greetings and
Best wishes for 2017
The Play – Journal – John McDouall Stuart.
9
Devised , written and performed by Danny Gillies in Adelaide , Friday 24 th June, 2016
On behalf of the John McDouall Stuart Society and Danny Gillies, President, Rick Moore welcomed
approximately 70 people attending the play, including members of the National Trust Branch in Alice
Springs who assisted Danny; interstate visitors; members of our close ally and kindred Society, the
Royal Geographical Society of South Australia; members of our Society and friends. Rick also paid
respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands Stuart travelled through and the local Kaurna People
whose land we were visiting on the night.
Rick went on to say: “Stuart, died on June 5th, 1866, and
in the intervening 150 years so very much had happened
from a European perspective that is directly attributable to
Stuart’s efforts. He doubted that Stuart would believe it
was the same country he traversed. Aeroplanes, internal
combustion engine driven vehicles, camels, donkeys and
bullocks have all used his route. Pastoralism, mining,
communication, transportation and commercialism all
depend on his route. And of course, the Northern Territory
was annexed to South Australia as a result of his journeys.”
Danny said: “the play had six scenes, including Stuart
arriving at the MacDonnell Ranges, then moving on to
Central Mount Sturt, now called Mt Stuart. This was
followed by a scene titled ‘Aboriginals at the creek’,
which covers Stuart’s impressions of the Aboriginal
people he met in Adelaide, and how colonization had
altered their way of life. Then on to the people of Central
Australia who were untainted by the white man’s hand,
and had often stood before Stuart as Kings of their Land.
This was followed by the arrival at land’s end, reaching
the sea east of Darwin on July 24, 1862. This is where
Stuart’s world fell apart, for with reaching his goal he
lapsed into depression, and severe ill health. He had a
return journey of 1900 miles to contend with.”
It is Danny’s wish to reinstate Mr Stuart as Australia's
Greatest Explorer, through giving a realistic and at times
emotional performance of his own interpretation of the
man. The only collaborator was Steven “Brownie”
Brown, who did the lights and music.
Rick Moore
In conclusion Rick said: “that the play had previously been
performed in the township of Stuart – or should I use the
modern name, Alice Springs? The inaugural performance
was in the old Stuart Town goal, but you can see that
Danny got away OK! This was the first performance of
Journal in Adelaide, and was a very timely performance,
in the sense that this play served as a sesquicentennial
memorial or mark of respect. It’s was also timely in terms
of anniversaries dates because in the same week, Danny
turned 50 years of age.”
Danny reportedly said that he believes Stuart in some ways
was forgotten and misunderstood. He reckoned the idea for
the play came to him about three years ago. When he first
performed the play, he said he wanted to bring Stuart back
from the past, to tell what he had seen and felt as he
travelled through unknown Australia 154 or 155 years ago.
Danny had trouble getting a local actor to play Stuart and
role,
just as much difficulty finding someone to produce and
direct it. So he funded the play himself, and in the end
decided to perform the role as well as direct and produce
it, and he even made the props
Danny Gillies as John McDouall Stuart.
It is Danny’s ambition to take the play up the Stuart
Highway to Katherine and Darwin, and Camooweal and
Longreach in Queensland and possibly Fife and Dysart
in Scotland.
10.
In Memory of Lucy and John Stuart (Jock) Thring.
The late Lucy and Jock Thring, together with Consie (nee Thring) and husband John Schinckel were
all loyal and active members of the John McDouall Stuart Society. The three siblings were grandnieces
and nephew of John McDouall Stuart’s Third Officer, Francis William Thring, or as they referred to
him “Old FW”, who was always a part of family discussions. Jock and his wife Margery joined the
Society in 1967 and Jock was involved in the re-enactments in 1967 of Stuart’s party leaving Carclew
(original site of James Chambers home) and in 1972 the party’s return to Adelaide. Lucy and her sister
Katherine Turner became members in 1992 and Consie and John in 1995.
Lucy McKenzie Thring – was the eldest child of Percival
(Percy) and Dove Thring, and was born 7 July 1917 at
Mount Barker. She spent the early part of her life working
on the family property at Wistow, and later caring for her
parents in Adelaide. Lucy never married, “apparently all
the eligible blokes never returned from the 2nd World
War”.
Ironically, Dad died on July 14, 2016, the day Helen, Tim,
John and myself along with some of our cousins on the
Thring side climbed Central Mount Stuart. He was aged
97 years.
Dad had three sisters the eldest being Lucy. Consie and
Kay arrived after Dad. Kay is here today to help celebrate
his life.
He attended the Wistow Primary School on horseback,
accompanied by Lucy and Consie as Kay was too young.
After completing primary school Dad attended Mt Barker
High School before finishing at St Peters College in 1938.
He excelled as a cricketer, playing in the 1st eleven as a
very good swing bowler and middle order batsman.
Glen Lea, the family farm situated in the Bugle Ranges in
the Adelaide Hills was his next chapter in life, helping his
father Percy with the workings of the property.
Unfortunately that was short lived as the 2 nd World War
was declared in 1939.
Lucy McKenzie Thring
Lucy died peacefully at home at Leabrook on July 16,
2011 aged 94 years. Her beneficiaries (1 niece and 12
nephews) felt that they would like pay a tribute to her life,
her love of the country and her horses.
Therefore the executors of Lucy’s estate, Mark Thring,
Rob Schinckel and Jim Turner approached the John
McDouall Stuart Society’s President, Rick Moore, with
their thoughts and suggested that although not specified in
her will they would be open to a proposal for a bequest. A
proposal to publish the sketches of Stephen King Jnr. was
accepted by the beneficiaries who believed the publication
would be a wonderful opportunity in providing a lasting
legacy to their dear Aunty Lucy Thring.
John Stuart (Jock) Thring
The following is a part of the eulogy presented by Jim
Thring at the funeral service of his father Jock, held on
Monday July 25, 2016:
Dad was born at the Mt Barker hospital on the 4 th of July
1919 to Percy and Dove Thring. He was christened John
Stuart but known to all as Jock. The name Stuart was given
to Dad in honour of the great explorer John McDouall
Stuart who crossed the continent from Adelaide to Darwin
in 1862 for the first time. Francis Thring, Dad’s great
uncle was 3rd in charge on that expedition.
Dad volunteered to join up in 1942 much to Percy and
Doves angst. He joined as a commando and did his
training in Victoria and Queensland before heading off to
New Guinea to fight the Japanese. He did not enjoy the
trip over as he was very off colour with seasickness.
He was there for sixteen months, then succumbed to
Malaria as many of the boys did, and came home to
recuperate at the Daw Park Hospital. He never returned
to conflict.
After the war, Dad along with Percy, decided to expand
and bought a property in 1947 near Monarto called
Preamimma. He then made the best decision of his life,
marrying mum in 1949. She certainly was Dad’s biggest
asset through the good times and the not so good times and
did a superb job bringing up five children, Mark, Jim,
Tom, Helen and John in a warm and loving home.
Mum had four of us at Preamimma, before circumstances
changed. Percy fell ill and had to move to Adelaide. Mum
and Dad moved back to Glen Lea. Helen was only a few
weeks old. That in itself must have been difficult,
particularly for Mum. A couple of years later John
arrived.
My early memories of those days were happy ones, going
with dad on the old blitz truck, supering the property. One
ton per load. Mustering his beloved merinos for crutching,
shearing, walking behind mobs of sheep on the roads to
get them home and back again.
In Memory of Lucy and John Stuart (Jock) Thring.
11.
In 1964 Dad decided to go west as they did in those days
and bought a scrub block 100km west of Esperance. Dad
named the property Stuart Downs obviously after John
McDouall Stuart. So for the next few years we made
numerous trips across the Nullabour, all the family piled
in the white Chev, on unsealed roads, taking three days to
get to Stuart Downs.
Gradually over the years the property was cleared and
merino sheep and cattle were run. Dad certainly wasn’t
wasting any time through these years, as he and Grandpa
Lodge, Mums dad, went half shares in a property known
as Pinindi at Willalooka in the upper South East. He loved
going down there with Mum, Grandpa and Nang, to go
over the property just to make sure everything was in
order. They spent many nights playing dominoes and of
course a whisky and brandy in hand. They were very
serious games as there were a few dollars at the end of it.
1974 saw Dad purchase the property Blue Hills at
Telopea Downs 50 km north-east of Bordertown, just
over the border in Victoria. He loved coming down at
shearing time, seeing eight shearers working, as it was an
eight stand shed. Then there were the countless off shears
sales we would have, and just to see dad looking over
them in the yards, obviously impressed. This gave me a
huge sense of pride and excitement. Janey and myself
with our four children, spent 38 years there, so it was also
very close to our hearts.
Dad was still in a hurry, and in 1978 purchased a property
up in the Riverina of NSW called Widgewa. Mark and
Cath went there to manage, but were only there for
eighteen months as Dad decided to sell and come back to
more reliable rainfall country.
John Stuart (Jock) Thring
Frequently he’d take us all to Unley Oval to watch his
beloved Double Blues. Unfortunately John wasn’t tall
enough to see over the crowd, so he would gather up
cigarette butts that would be dropped during the game, and
proceed to unravel them, much to Mum’s disgust.
Dad loved his billiards and spent many hours in the billiard
room, playing with us and his mates. He was a good player,
and has his name on the Adelaide Club board as doubles
champion, several times with his mate John Thwaites. He
played tennis for many years with his Adelaide Hills friends
every Saturday afternoon, followed by several beers. He
was a member of the Adelaide Bowling Club and played
regularly with his old mate Alan Darby. Dad was also a
member of South Australian Cricket Association for well
over 50 years, becoming a life member. He really enjoyed
going to watch test and state cricket and only gave up when
his knees couldn’t handle the walk from the car park to the
stands.
Westlands was purchased in 1980 near Lucindale in the
South East, where Mark and Cath lived along with John
and Cassie, who were just married. An opportunity came
up to buy the adjoining property called Long Island. The
deal went through, and so John and Cassie moved there. As children growing up, we all felt secure and safe with Dad
Other properties he purchased were Gumbowie at around. He had terrific morals, respected people for who
Willalooka, North Wattles next to Blue Hills and they were, always loyal to the family and taught us all to be
Girraween at Mundulla. I think I can speak for the rest of humble no matter what. He also had a good sense of humour
the boys that we are forever grateful that he had the and loved playing jokes on us. On one occasion he had a
foresight to expand and strategically buy properties, so party at home with a pig on a spit. I came home late that
we boys could manage under the one company. But night and found the pigs head and cricket cap on top
importantly we weren’t on top of each other and we were sleeping on my pillow. He never got ahead of himself, he
our own boss, running the properties while still was a realist at all times thand rarely let his guard down. Dad
died 10 days after his 97 birthday. What an innings.
consulting with each other.
Through this time as we all know Dad and Mum’s house
was destroyed by fire in 1987 due to rats in the ceiling
chewing through wires. Luckily, both Mum and Dad were
in town at the time. They spent the next six months living
in a caravan on site, using the garage farm shed as the
living area. In typical fashion they got on with life, and
had the house rebuilt. Sadly a lot of history was
destroyed.
He had numerous interests in his life apart from farming.
He loved his sport, playing cricket for Wistow and
Callington in his early days.
Tragically we lost our dear brother Tom with Leukaemia 7
months ago. I’m sure he will have the dominoes set up and
the Chivas Regal poured, ready for Dad when he joins him.
Jock was the dearly loved husband of Marge and father and
father in-law of Mark and Cath, Jim and Janey, Tom
(deceased) and Penny, Helen and Tim, John and Cass.
Grandfather of 17 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren.
12.
In Memory of Consie Schinckel (nee Thring) and husband John.
Constance Mary (Consie) Thring was born August 8,
1926 at Mt Barker. Consie as she was known married John
Schinckel in 1954 and together they lived on a farming
property at Kybybolite in the South-east of South Australia.
Through the 2 months of rehabilitation at Hampstead in
Adelaide mum never showed any bitterness or anger. She
remained positive and forever grateful for all those who
provided assistance, despite the fate her audacious
decision had dealt her.
Consie and John were parents to four boys Peter, Chris
Bob and Lew and grandparents to 11 grandchildren.
Her grandson Tom was to say at her funeral - One of the
things that Nonnie really valued was learning. She was
well read and interested in the world around her. Family
members would be familiar with the newspaper clippings
of stories she thought we might be interested in, complete
with annotations, which appeared semi-regularly in our
letter boxes. She never missed a chance to utilize a
“teachable moment”. Dad recalls that, as a young man,
when he asked Nonnie a question, he would frequently
Constance (Consie) Schinckel
implore her to cut to the chase and give him the one-word
answer, rather than given him the detailed explanation
Consie died on September 4, 2014 aged 88 years. The
that she preferred.
following is a part of the eulogy by her son Bob at her
funeral service on September 15.
Mum would hurry but not panic. She would get tired but not
exhausted. She would be sad but not depressed. She would
be happy but not delirious. She was not wealthy but found
richness in family and friends.
There is a saying which says “The audacious may not live
as long but the cautious do not live at all”.
Sayings by nature are generalisations. By most measures,
one would not call mum audacious, in fact she was very
cautious. By way of example, as a family we weren’t into
hugging. I learnt just recently that mum didn’t encourage us
boys to hug – she was concerned that if a teenage boy
hugged a girl, bad things might happen! Mum never rushed
into things, she thought through and considered things
carefully, very carefully. “Rash” is not a description one
would associate with mum. According to the saying mum
did not “live”. The saying does not take into account that
mum’s life was her family and friends. Bungee jumping,
skydiving, extreme adventure holidays, even overseas trips
were just not part of her formula for living. So it is with
some irony that at age 87 mum chose audacity over caution.
Some 20 years ago mum lost the hearing in one ear. In
recent years the hearing in her good ear diminished to the
point of not being able to hear telephone conversations.
Those familiar with hearing impairment understand the
isolation that comes with it. At an age when most other
activities are no longer possible, having the ability to
communicate is gold. After very careful consideration Mum
chose to have a cochlear implant. Mum understood the
risks. The Cochlear procedure was very successful. Mum
was prepared for the 12 months of training required to reap
the full benefit of the improved hearing. Unfortunately the
injury to her spine at the time or after her operation, which
may or may not have happened regardless of the operation
left her wheel chair bound.
John Philip Schinckel
John died September 10, 2016 aged 95 years and the
following is part of the eulogy by his son Lew at his
funeral service on September 23.
Mum and Dad were married for 60 years and at Dad’s
80th birthday Mum said, “Not being experienced at
husband collecting, I feel very fortunate with my first and
only choice, a steady and reliable man. He has shown to
be a good father and companion to us all, despite some
human short-comings, there is no way I would replace
him”.
Dad joined the Army with his good mate Colin Padman,
and Colin’s sister Ruth said when they enlisted together
that Dad was “enthusiastic and hoped he would win a
Victoria Cross”. She said Colin was less excited – the
only medal he wanted was a returned serviceman’s
medal!
Dad always kept a diary and had a notebook in his top
pocket. Peter checked his current one – not many entries,
but on the 18th of April (Dad’s birthday) was written, “87
today … I think!” Maybe that was what brought him
down … 87 in cricketing terms is the Aussies most feared
score…13 off the ton. A fantastic innings … 95 not out,
I reckon!