Day Three – Telegraph Track to Southern Hills Station

Day Three Monday 25/09/2006
We all slept extremely well after being in bed very early & quite exciting so we were away about 8-00. Not far along we came across two more tanks 100ks from Norseman, 50ks would be a good days work with the horses so we figure this would be where they camped on trips to town.

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Drove straight past the Fraser Range road as Tim was speeding (about 20kph) so I had to stop him as the computer GPS shouted at me to go back – it was an amazing tool. Fraser Range road was no better as there had been a fire through. When it is burnt nothing existing survives, all the trees are dead but the regrowth is phenomenal, this is why there are so many trees on the road. Stopped at a rock waterhole for a look. This spot would have been amazing for droving as the Fraser Range road goes for miles, the rock hole was built up with rocks to help it hold more water. What a wonderful sight when we found the Western gate to Southern Hills, about 10-30 now & we are here, it feels like such an achievement.

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Not far inside the property we came across a hill which we climbed & added a rock as Tom would have done. In the distance we could see Mt Malcolm so it gave us a good idea of the size & location of the station. Excitement rising now as we are looking for the homestead, Don looking at the map Barry looking at the computer, Don & Barry arguing which way to go, as it turned out we got to know the roads very well & either way would have done. The Southern Hills road in was graded & like a highway & then we came across a miners camp so we were starting to get the gist of current day happenings. Not much further we could see a very large cleared area (100s acres) with the shearing shed in the distance on the hill & what looked like the statue of an enormous camel, then it ran off so we figured it wasn’t a statue after all. Turned off the highway into the homestead & here we are, first thing we noticed was prickles everywhere.

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The homestead site was very much visible, although sadly the house has burnt down. In later years they have obviously built asbestos shearing quarters up against the back veranda & they are still standing, although rather scorched from the fire. We found the blacksmiths shop but no building remains. The shearing shed has been rebuilt but they have retained many of the old features like bush timber for the fleece bays & two very old wool presses. All the yards remain & are intact, the dip could be used immediately. East of the homestead are more remains of a house but looks like it was built later, we had lunch under a tree beside an old windmill. Went for a drive South then as we had arrived from the North West & before Mt Malcolm was the mine, hundreds of thousands perhaps millions of dollars worth of machinery just sitting, it almost looks like the place is in receivership. Had a good look around but decided we would catch up with Derek Louwe tomorrow as he will be arriving from Perth to do some work at the mine. Had a bit more of a look around the station at the mills & dams but most are dry so back to homestead to find a place to set up camp.

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There seemed to be less prickles near where we had lunch so found a nice spot there at the base of the rocky outcrop, there has been a lot of work put in here trapping water. As the water runs down the rock face they have built catchments to steer the water into small dams. One spot would have been deep enough to swim in & we feel that would be the one Norah refers to in her story. Spent a lot more time poking around the house & sheds before an early night, we feel great tonight as we have made it.

Barry Dennis

Day Two – Breakaways to Telegraph Track

Day Two Sunday 24/09/2006
Very relaxing here, none of us slept that well & I froze, too cold to get up & put on more clothes so I tried to keep my coat on top of me. We will all wear more clothes to bed tonight. Left about 9-00 & stopped at a rocky outcrop before Norseman. Arrived in Norseman about 11-00 & went to Supermart to top up with supplies, two frozen loaves bread one with use by July & the other use by Sept, bar of chocolate & a kettle (naughty Barry, burnt Tim’s special kettle’s handle nearly off). Went to the Tourist centre & the woman was great value, she also told us to visit John Graham who is a great bloke & will know heaps (“you do know he is aboriginal do you?”). Had lunch in the park & asked some other people who won the footy, Adelaide were well in front when we lost reception at half time. Exciting to hear Eagles won. Went to see John Graham but he had gone to Esperance for the day, had a good chat to Lurleen his wife but she didn’t know much about Southern Hills. John’s brother Simon was in town from Esperance at the church but we missed him too. Headed out of town on the old Esperance road which took us through lots of old gold mines, stopped at the Breakaday cricket pitch which has been there since 1895.

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Next stop was the junction of Telegraph Line & old Esperance road, quite an eerie feeling as we are starting to feel as though we are going back in time. Only a few Ks along we came across a salt lake which had a very steep entrance, goodness knows how Tom & Paula got the wagon/cart through. A little further & the fallen trees started, the track wasn’t too bad but lots of small fallen trees that had to be cleared off the track before we could continue. Followed a track for 6 Ks to look at a rocky outcrop but didn’t find it so back to Telegraph Line. Found the track & also found the rocky outcrop, disturbed a big mob of camels.

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About 50ks from Norseman we came across a water tank with the remains of the structure for a roof which would be the catchment to keep the tank full. We were keen to get to Southern Hills tonight but very slow going, so decided to stick to itinerary & camped in a salt lake beside a small rocky outcrop, beaut spot. Tim radioed in but no messages. Chicken something or other tonight for dinner, Kerry you are incredible.

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Barry Dennis

Day One – Perth to Breakaways campsite

Day One Saturday 23/09/06
Tim arrived here at 10-00am already having picked Don up. I was relegated to the front seat as Don was playing with the computer. Tim has made up a program & has a little green car that moves along & shows us exactly where we are at all times. I am sure Tom would have had exactly the same thing when they were travelling around the State early in the 20th Century. By the way Tim has informed us that we are running on used oil from the fish & chip shop.
First stop was Wungong where Tom & Paula managed a farm, we are fairly sure the farm belonged to the Pustkuchens. From there we tried to travel in the direction they would have gone when they went to Southern Hills.

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All in the spirit of adventure we had not long left Wungong & Tim exclaimed we have a problem as the car is misfiring so we best stop. Don & I made lunch while Tim changed the filter & then we headed off in great style. It wasn’t long before we had the same problem again so Tim decided the filter must have been okay but now he thinks we have a fuel pump full of air. Wish I had taken a photo of Tim in the engine, bottom up & Don offering advice ”When you undid that screw fuel should have spurted out”. This stop proved very fruitful I think because whatever Tim did made the Cruiser a lot happier. Stopped in Brookton to look at the old carts & carriages as we were trying to understand the type of conveyance Tom & Paula used.

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This turned out to be the last of the mobile coverage for some days, we didn’t even find out the Semi Final footy scores until Norseman where we asked someone. Don asked for a drive but he was VERY naughty & kept going toooo fast so he was banished from the drivers seat for several days. Actually Don is beginning to be quite a problem, the Cruiser is pretty well full of gear & every time we stop he disappears for ages & arrives back with all this stuff to show the kids. We travelled through Hyden & then directly to Norseman, it is possible though they may have gone to Katanning first & then across to Salmon Gums & up to Norseman as further investigations caused us to believe the Hyden Norseman route was not opened until quite a bit later & we are unable to understand why Helen was born in Katanning. Time was getting on & Tim keen to get to a very nice breakaway he had found on a previous trip about 100ks from Norseman so not only was Don banned from driving he was also banned from getting out of the car when we stopped to look at things “naughty Don”. This philosophy worked well though because we got to the breakaway about 5-30 & found a great spot to camp.

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Tim radioed in to Perth base on HF radio to report on where we were & check for messages. All went well setting up camp & then the problems started, what do we have for dinner “The list Tim pipes up, check the list” What do you know Kerry has written a detailed list of what we should eat each night & how to cook it “UNBELIEVABLE”, we had T bone steak, sausages & vegetables (couldn’t eat all the sausages so put them in the fridge for lunch). If every day is going to be like this one we are going to have one hell of a great time.

Barry Dennis

Background – Retracing the steps of our grandparents

Southern Hills Station is 90kms east of Norseman in Western Australia.

For two years from 1919, Tom and Paula Scotland managed the property, along with three small children. They went on to have seven children, the eldest being Norah who writes here of her memories as a 6 year old.

This is a series of photos taken at Southern Hills, of a family growing up, playing with the sheep and horses, and developing loving relationships with the indigenous people.

Norah’s Memories

1917 – 1922
As far as I can I have filled in the period after Mother’s return with me to Australia after the voyage on the ill-fated “Arabia” en route to show me to Father’s family in England. I think she believed he was to be sent to France.

The post-war pre-Kulin times.
1917 – 1922 (Part of Norah’s story)
Mother lived in South Perth with me and perhaps Melita was born there. The image of Marjory King, Mother’s dear friend, who became Melita’s godmother, is strong (a forest of trousered legs, murmur of voices and passionfruit on saucers the only other impression – some socialising took place, viewed from under a table).
Melita was certainly present at Adelaide Terrace where we dwelt when Dad returned from the war. And where a splendid person visited – Uncle Will of the Royal Navy. He came into the fire-lit room to see me and the baby in our beds. He and I had already met on the banks of the Nile. Mother’s hair was done up in fine fashion. The pleased voices talked on as we fell asleep.
(Later in my life my mother-in-law, Bessie Wilkins, found the name Captain Scotland, on the passenger list of the ship she took to England to join her husband, perhaps 1918(9) which fits in with Uncle’s visit to us)
Then Wongong (Wungong near Armadale) for a time – again the presence of Marjory King. Father would have been managing the property. An enormous pear tree at the door, blackberries lining the creek that passed close by the back door; the baby wearing “crawlers”, a walk with the baby in the pram, me carrying my doll. Pausing to rest a while, Auntie Marj sat on my doll. Shrieks of remonstration from me at her appalling insensitivity. My doll was a piece of board.
Uncle Otto and Aunt Ida carried on from us when we left for “Moyallen”, which I think was near Katanning. Anyway, we were housed in a chaff shed at “Moyallen”. An area partitioned off contained a stove and a table. The beds were under the roof indeed but there were no walls, just fine nature all around. A sulky was parked in that area and a horse chumped (sic) contentedly on hay and chaff in a corner.
In the evening, Father with one or other on his knee by the fire, would sometimes in a deep mournful voice, sing us to sleep. The lullabies were – for one, a beauty which began –
” What are the wild waves sa-aying, Sister the whole da-ay long?—”
or the dramatic
” Speak to me Flora, girl of my dreams—-” which had something to do with the wasteland, snow and ice, from which “he returned weary and full of shame”, and the much loved “I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls, With vassals and serfs at my si-i-ide—”
No doubt Mother dreamed that too.
There were some fowls. Once Mother took down the rifle, walked away a bit; came a loud crack and she returned holding a large goanna by the tail, which she draped over the fence, remarking it had been eating the eggs, and when she saw it perched up a tree it was an easy target. Well, she had been a crack shot with the Narrogin Rifle Club in her single days.
We spent a Christmas there, with the most beautiful decorated tree we ever saw. Also, we stayed in the town, at least once; I went to a kindergarten. Perhaps Helen was born then, as I have an impression that Melita and I stayed with some people with a scary cow that suddenly came around the corner. Helen was the baby in the pram at “Southern Hills”, 75 miles from Norseman where next we moved. Or perhaps, awaiting the move we had gone back to Narrogin, to “Sylvania”, our sweet gentle grandmother’s home. From time to time we were there between changes of Dad’s employment, or with a dear aunt and uncle, some here, some there.

Southern Hills Station

“Southern Hills” was a sheep station. The home of the Manager was a mud building with immensely thick walls and an earth floor. Dolichus creeper grew to shelter the verandahs. The men whitewashed the walls. Father’s arms were pitted with lime burns. My remarkable Mother’s nursing training was often called on, as when Father cut his arm disembowelling a strung up sheep. He came into the house singing, gashed arm stretched out for Mother to doctor. Condy’s Crystals was the antiseptic in those days, the pink wound-washing water.
Hot salt bags for my toothache, the saddest thing to happen on Christmas Day when I did not cease crying, were in fact a great comfort, also for earache, a warm pain absorbing pillow.
We had a nursemaid named Norah, I was told from a mission where she had been taken when her parents were killed. I wonder now who killed them. She walked the baby, Helen, in the pram, Melita and I in tow, and she took me riding. One time she suddenly dismounted, went into the bush and quite soon reappeared with a fat bardie which she kindly offered to me. She ate it with relish when I refused my share.
At shearing time a cook named Charlie became lord of the kitchen. He punched bread dough in a big box, and did not like any one to enter his domain.
Sometimes the Afghan camel train came with trinkets and fabrics to sell mysterious and wonderful. The camels chewed loftily, sat down and closed their eyes, arrogantly dismissing us from their sight.
Mother was called to the stables to administer first aid to an aboriginal stockman who had been kicked by a horse. He sat on a box in the stable yard, eyes shut and head raised in patient suffering. I was immensely sad at the sight of the large crescent wound on his forehead. I think he was Norah’s boyfriend, or probably husband. Mother surely did need Norah.

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One bright morning Melita vanished. All turned out to search the bush, calling and calling her name for a time long enough for anxiety, and then the small child strolled out of the bush.
We had a mountain devil for a pet, kept tied to a post by string near an ants’ nest where he thrived until he broke his tether and left.

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Our beloved Grossmama came to stay. She would have come by horse and wagon from Norseman. There was no other way except horseback. We played “ladies”, and she told us then we must rub geranium petals on our cheeks to make them pink. After a while it turned purple.
Aborigines sat down a yard or two from the verandah. I found my chair and sat on the verandah regarding them. We looked at each in a soft brown silence, they looked at me and I looked at them, until gentle as a zephyr moves, they went to camp.
Mother could not find her little silver scissors. We went to ask at the camp because she thought they might have taken the scissors. Only the ashes from their fire remained – they had disappeared as shadows do.

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A journey to Norseman by wagon took several days and nights, beds under the wagon for Mother and children, the men slept in the open. According to an old snapshot there were several riders, one an Aborigine.

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Mother sat in style, sunshade up, amidst the provisions (loaves and fishes!). We stayed at the Norseman Hotel. In the morning a group of Aborigines sat a short distance from the hotel. Mother said they wanted to speak to her. She did not sit on the hard brown earth of the town in silent communion with them, and they did not stir. O, my brown friends.
(No, she swept me off to the dentist. I disapproved her hauteur).
Back we journeyed to “Southern Hills”. During one period of 12 months that we were there Mother said she did not see another white woman.
Within walking distance of the house was a fine rock pool, to which we proceeded with Father in stately fashion, bather clad and towels over shoulders for the swim. But one day a drowned sheep floated in the pool, and I think that was that.

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Some time on, we landed at “Carnegie”, residence then of the Graham family, whether he leased, owned or managed the property, Uncle Will that is, someone will know. Aunt Thekla must have been made of hospitality, Mother and her 3 (or 4?), she with 5 children of her own, including some naughty boys who would be whipped with the “zambuk” (the thick leather thong that hung behind the kitchen door, no doubt a relic of the South African war) SHE said, and Uncle Will would never do anything to make them behave, she said.
I went to Geeralying School with the Grahams, Willie drove. He had a wounded eye from a cricket ball. Some of the children at school brought beetroot sandwiches for their lunch, which made most of the bread red. The fine young teacher was Corralyn Fyfe, who boarded with Aunt Ida. Our paths crossed in later years, when she was most kind and helpful to me, a would-be student. (Her brother’s daughter lives not far from Melita and Max)
It seems the reason we were at “Carnegie” might have been that Dad was away arranging the purchase of the Kulin farm and the building of the house. Occasionally came guests in the evening. In bed I heard the piano and the singing so beautiful I did not want to go to sleep. Over the years I stayed with Aunt Ida and Uncle Otto, and some of this time I went to school with Miss Fyfe and I loved every moment, the fruit, the warm fire and lamplight and the dear aunt and uncle, no less my cousins.
The next memory I have is approaching at dusk the house that Father built, which came to be called “Jesmond”, 20 miles from Kulin town. Of the years we spent there I have recalled much and written of it, which may be changed by anyone who remembers more than I do.

Norah Wilkins, nee Scotland