Helen Archibald

https://www.sconeadvocate.com.au/story/3276843/charm-of-country-living/

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Helen Archibald shares a bit of history on what life has been like living in the Upper Hunter throughout the decades and why she has enjoyed being a part of, and giving to, such a great country community.

Acknowledgement:

‘The Scone Advocate’ and in particular journalist Caitlin Andrews who did so much to capture the ‘essential spirit’ of the Upper Hunter (Scone) and it’s foundation-stone personalities of real character on which every community is built’. Thank you Caitlin!

This encomium should be viewed in conjunction with other ‘posts’ on this website blog such as the following links:

On Australia Day 2020 Helen Archibald was awarded the Hunter McLoughlin Memorial Citizenship Award at a ceremony hosted by the Upper Hunter Shire Council. This is the most prestigious annual decoration made by the UHSC (formerly the Scone Shire Council)

See also: https://www.sconeadvocate.com.au/story/6598600/local-legends-celebrated-on-australia-day/?cs=1533&fbclid=IwAR1IsXKAdAl0O0MdiUkSdmLNn37nBflD8STXHC829FQdoK49VBeuacYO4Ds#slide=1

https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/payne-family-of-waverley/

Royal Hub-capping

Helen Archibald has been a good neighbour to Sarah and I for about 20 years. We have cemented a true friendship although we have both known one another for much longer. Amongst many other ‘unwritten and unrecorded’ facts are that Helen combined with me (and others) to secure a National Australian Award (OAM) for an eminent local medical practitioner.

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Payne Family of ‘Waverley’

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/tom-payne-tribute/ 

It was the perfect epitaph! Sydney Morning Herald, January 8-9, 2022:

PAYNE, F.T. (Tom)

Played his last chukka on 29/12/2021 then rode Zulu off into the sunset.

Survived by Aud, Steve, Suse and Bear and families.

This could have been a very long tribute. I’ve tried to capture some past reminisces without having known all the protagonists. I already prepared an accolade to one family member Helen Archibald based on an excellent article written by journalist Caitlin Andrews then with the ‘Scone Advocate’.

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Tom Payne with Scone Race Club Committee Hilton Cope and the author at the final race meeting at White Park Race Course in October 1993. The photograph was taken at the foot of the old Judge’s Tower; now demolished. This is Tom in typical pose. Do you notice the hat? Racing wasn’t highest on his personal list of ‘essential ceremonials’ but he greatly enjoyed it just the same. Polo was his favourite pageant followed by Bushman’s Carnivals and Rodeos. Tom’s famous ‘Tower’ was only about 200 metres behind the Race Club Judge’s Tower; if you can imagine it? See below!

Tom’s brief foray into thoroughbred racing was promulgated by his good friend ‘Bim’ Thompson from Widden; also a transient migratory visitor to Terrigal to whence Tom and Audrey eventually retired. The filly they raced together was called ‘Waltz’ being by Minor Portion out of Lady Pirouette; I think? She won a few country races; always fun but not then very lucrative.

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Australia on Horseback at Sydney Olympic Games 2000

Featured Image: The Scone Advocate front page Thursday, September 21, 2000

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/sydney-olympic-games-opening-ceremony-2000/

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/spring-valley-heritage-horse-ride-2000/

Lynda Watson, Tim Cone and Jilly Henderson relaxing back in Scone after taking part in the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony last Friday night (15^th September 2000). Other local riders included Susan St Clair, Ray Davis and 78-year-old Bob Gunning.

They were told to keep thee mouths shut but now they’re telling all.

Tim Cone, Jilly Henderson and Lynda Watson were three of 120 riders who performed with their Stock Horses in the spectacular welcome to the Olympic Opening Ceremony last Friday (15/09/2000).

Listen: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/newcastle/programs/drive/scone-stockhorse-rider-olympic-games/12666356

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Acknowledgement: ‘Horses and Bullocks Important in Pioneering Upper Hunter’, Scone Advocate, 2 October 1962 and Letter to the Editor, Scone Advocate, 12 October 1962.

Reprinted in ‘Mac Bridge; The Man and his Recollections’ by Heather Ashford and Margaret Ashford-Macdougall 1983, Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society, 1983 Bi-Centennial Publication No. 2

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Prickly Pear growing in Scone District July 1933

Methods of control were many and varied, some intuitive and inventive. Mr Bakewell of St Aubins designed a special bullock-drawn ‘Pear Crusher’. It wasn’t until the introduction of Cactoblastis moths from Argentina in 1925 that real progress was achieved. Prior to that Australia was losing ground to the pear at the rate of one million acres annually.

Horse and Bullock Teams and Teamsters

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J T Vigers’ Royal Mail Coach, Scone to Belltrees; before 1914

Acknowledgement: ‘Horses and Bullocks Important in Pioneering Upper Hunter’, Scone Advocate, 2 October 1962 and Letter to the Editor, Scone Advocate, 12 October 1962.

Reprinted in ‘Mac Bridge; The Man and his Recollections’ by Heather Ashford and Margaret Ashford-Macdougall 1983, Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society, 1983 Bi-Centennial Publication No. 2

Acknowledgement: ‘Horses and Bullocks Important in Pioneering Upper Hunter’, Scone Advocate, 2 October 1962 and Letter to the Editor, Scone Advocate, 12 October 1962.

Reprinted in ‘Mac Bridge; The Man and his Recollections’ by Heather Ashford and Margaret Ashford-Macdougall 1983, Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society, 1983 Bi-Centennial Publication No. 2

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Mrs Wilfred (‘Barlow’) Farram and daughter Barbara (child in white cap), later Mrs Colin McRae

Others not known

At the time of writing Mrs Colin McRae is still going strong; well into the 10^th decade of her life.

Horse and Bullock Teams and Teamsters

Acknowledgement: ‘Horses and Bullocks Important in Pioneering Upper Hunter’, Scone Advocate, 2 October 1962 and Letter to the Editor, Scone Advocate, 12 October 1962.

Reprinted in ‘Mac Bridge; The Man and his Recollections’ by Heather Ashford and Margaret Ashford-Macdougall 1983, Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society, 1983 Bi-Centennial Publication No. 2

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Pierce (or George) Budden with Bullock Team at Rossington’s Blacksmith Shop near Gundy School c.1913

Horse and Bullock Teams and Teamsters

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Bullock Team in Liverpool Street, Scone, between Guernsey Street and the Railway Line, early 1900s. Arthur (‘Advocate’) Smith is standing near the dray.

Acknowledgement: ‘Horses and Bullocks Important in Pioneering Upper Hunter’, Scone Advocate, 2 October 1962 and Letter to the Editor, Scone Advocate, 12 October 1962.

Reprinted in ‘Mac Bridge; The Man and his Recollections’ by Heather Ashford and Margaret Ashford-Macdougall 1983, Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society, 1983 Bi-Centennial Publication No. 2

Horse and Bullock Teams and Teamsters

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Charles Challis’ Horse Team near Scone Railway Station early 1900s

Acknowledgement: ‘Horses and Bullocks Important in Pioneering Upper Hunter’, Scone Advocate, 2 October 1962 and Letter to the Editor, Scone Advocate, 12 October 1962.

Reprinted in ‘Mac Bridge; The Man and his Recollections’ by Heather Ashford and Margaret Ashford-Macdougall 1983, Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society, 1983 Bi-Centennial Publication No. 2

Horse and Bullock Teams and Teamsters

Acknowledgement: ‘Horses and Bullocks Important in Pioneering Upper Hunter’, Scone Advocate, 2 October 1962 and Letter to the Editor, Scone Advocate, 12 October 1962.

Reprinted in ‘Mac Bridge; The Man and his Recollections’ by Heather Ashford and Margaret Ashford-Macdougall 1983, Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society, 1983 Bi-Centennial Publication No. 2

The Way We Were XXXX

Featured Image: Horse Team drawing J B Leard’s Wool near ‘Kars Springs’ c. 1910

A descendent John Leard later became head of Australian National Industries (ANI).

My good mate in the ‘Belmore’ Geoff Palmer remembers attending primary school in Bunnan with John Leard. ‘Very smart bloke’ was Geoff’s summation.