Foreword
Preface
Early Settlers and Settlement
The Typical Farm House in the Early Century
World War II - What did it achieve?
The Police Department at Marrar
A Short Appreciation of Murphy Brothers
The Spirit of Marrar
Sources
About the Author
This study of the history of Marrar is in no way a complete work.
It is a history of history of Marrar and one that I hope can be expanded on
by myself and others. Without the help of quite a number of people,
this paper would not have been possible. For this reason, I wish to
thank Mr. A H Armstrong and Mr. M J Curtis for their keen interest and help,
and pay tribute to my parents, Late Mr. & Mrs. N P Murphy, for the help
and encouragement I received from them.
In 1850 tenders were called for, by the Crown, for a lease of Marrar run of 16,000 acres. Messrs. Angus, John, Ronald and George Rankin got the lease. There four brothers for some years owned the Bombowlee run at Tumut. They also owned several other runs, nut there is no record to show of the brothers having made Marrar their usual place of residence. In 1856 the Rankin brothers sold Marrar to Auber George Jones of Wagga who was a well known pastoralist and a number of the Legislative Assembly from 18th December 1882 to 7th October 1885.
A G Jones held Marrar for about two years and in 1867 sold it to Messrs. R B Wilkinson and J S Lavender who conducted a businesses of Stock and Station Agents at Wagga, Hay and Sydney. John Cox of Mangoplah, who later owned several stations in the Riverina bought Marrar un in 1873 and a few years later handed it over to his eldest son, Richard. In November 1875 Richard Cox married the eldest daughter of Lieutenant J J Moore of Baw Baw, near Goulburn, a pioneer of Canberra.
Richard Cox then came to Marrar and he and his wife lived there until the time of this death on 29th September 1891, leaving his widow and six children. He was an enterprising man and had a big area of cultivation at Marrar. He added to the area of the station by purchasing about 7,000 acres of the adjoining station Eunanyhareenyha. He took an active part in district affairs and was Chairman of Directors of the Murrumidgee Co-operative Milling Company of Wagga at the time of this death. The Late J P Cox, the last of the family to own Marrar sold his interest in it about 40 years ago.
In 1873 Mr. John Sutherland, the then Secretary for Public Works, proposed that a railway line be built from Cootamundra to the South Australian border via the Lachlan and Darling pastoral districts. But because of the agitation of Mr. Loughnan MLA, instructions were given for a survey for a railway between Junee and Narrandera in 1876.
The survey was completed by September of the same year and then Parliament asked for necessary authority for construction. This was given and a sum of 384,000 pound voted for the construction of the line. Owing to opposition of this proposed railway Wagga residents whop wanted the line to go from Wagga to Hay via Narrandera, construction by Messrs. Fishburn and Morton, the successful tenderers, did not begin till late 1879. With the use of picks and shovels, horses and drays and single furrow ploughs the job had been completed and the line opened on February 28, 1881 two months earlier than specified time for completion.
The new line brought into existence the hamlet of Old Junee and the towns of Marrar, Coolamon, Ganmain, Matong and Grong Grong. In Marrar, facilities for handling wheat bags and other freight were established at the same time. Buildings consisted of a Railway Station and platform, ganger’s residence situated on the Coolamon side of the station. The ganger’s residence has long since been demolished. Stock yards about 200 metres on the Coolamon side of the station were also set up - these have only recently been demolished because of the erection of a massive 1.3 million bushel bulk wheat terminal. Grain sheds of all steel structure were built and these were the first all steel structures built in the area. A Foods shed was built about 100 metres on the Junee side of the station - this shed is still in use as the major storage shed for clover seed, rented by Murphy Bros, a locally owned firm.
The cement structured grain silos, among the biggest in the State at the
time (capacity of 300,000 bushels) were opened in 1922. At this time
a new weighbridge was built at the eastern end of the railway yards facing
the Marrar - Temora road. This weighbridge was replaced only recently
so as to be able to cope with the large trucks carrying grain in the area
today. The Station Master's Residence near the railway crossing dates
back to 1885 when the building was the gatekeeper's house.
The Typical Farm House in the Early Century
History is not an academic exercise as some students would like to point out. So when I go into the history of Marrar, I feel that I must share some thoughts I have gained on the standard of living of the farmer earlier in the century.
Let us arrive at a farm house around 1920. We would be travelling in a horse drawn sulky most likely. The entrance from the road would be a wooden gate, slip rails or maybe just a wire gate. We would be met about 200 yards from the house by anything up to six dogs. These could consist of Blue Heelers, Greyhounds, Staghounds and a cross between the lot of them. They were all good rabbit dogs and usually earned there keep. Approaching the house, the children would all vanish inside to take up vantage points at any available windows. Visitors were rarely allowed to reach the back door. They were usually met at the back gate by the farmer's wife, and if friendly, invited into the kitchen and offered a drink from the water bag hanging on the back verandah.
If it was around midday we would be most certainly be asked to stay for dinner where we would be joined by the farmer himself. This was after he had unyoked the team, watered them and fed them chaff in the old thatch-roof stable.
The children who were not away at school would most certainly by this time be peeping around the kitchen door and after some persuasion and threats with the strap would be marshalled to the stool behind the kitchen table. Here they would cover their faces with their hands and peep out at the visitor through the gaps between their fingers. There was always a nail in the wall alongside the stove where a leather strap about two feet long would be hanging. This was sometimes refereed to as "The Doctor" or "Doctor Strap".
With the children seated the meal would be served. If the visitors were considered important enough a white starched linen table cloth would be on the table. Woe betide the kid who split a cup of tea on it…. A typical meal would be hot boiled mutton, boiled potatoes and swede turnips. If it was spring or early summer, cabbage, cauliflower or green peas would be added. Home made bread, butter or cream and also home made sauce, would be on the table. Tomatoes were unknown in 1920. Sweets to follow would be plum duff boiled in a cloth with custard or cornflower sauce on it. Tea would also be served.
The house was usually a four room weather board structure ot sometimes galvanized iron with a galvanized iron roof. The four rooms were usually two bedrooms, a lounge dinning room and a spare room. The kitchen was usually built about 10 feet back and separate from the main building. Verandah was back and front. The timber used was entirely cyprus pine which grew in abundance in the area. It has vanished now.
To move into the main part of the house would be by back or front door. All rooms would lead into a narrow hallway. Remember that a lounge room and two or three bedrooms would make up the dwelling.
Beds were mainly of wire mattress on old four post type beds, now prized antiques. Some had kapok mattresses on them but quite a few consisted of hession filled with straw or chaff. Sheets were rare but sometimes found in the visitors room. This room also had a very small table on which stood a huge crockery dish often coloured with flowers moulded into it. A large pitcher or jug holding about a gallon of water stood in the dish. A white towel and a cake of soap completed the toilet facilities. There was usually a mirror hanging on the wall. Floor coverings would be a mat of sheepskin or foxskin near the bed. Sometimes it was just a washer super or wheat bag. Bed bugs were also a problem and were not eliminated until modern chemicals came into use.
During this period the "Wagga Rug" was much in use. This consisted of a rug, made of washed super ot wheat bags sewn together in either single or double bed sizes. Some of the better ones were hand sewn and covered with some type of material. Used on top of a blanket they were most welcome on a cold night.
The lounge room or dinning room as it was sometimes called, was the housewife's pride and joy. Knitted wollenmats on the floor, a huge cedar or oak table stood in the centre of the room with the glassware with a lot of ornaments on the top.
A large open fire place stood at one end with an elaborate mantel-piece above it. This would always carry an old eight day clock which kept perfect time. No mantel-piece was complete without a fancy cloth, quite often with frilled edge patiently knitted or crocheted by the farmer's wife.
The walls were decorated with family photographs. Dad and Mum's wedding photo would take pride of place on the wall above the fireplace, uncle and aunt's wedding photos on the side wall, with Grandma and Grandpa and the children spaced around accordingly. Sometimes on a table in a corner would be a phonograph with a huge box of records. Mr. A H Armstrong remembers the old Edison phonograph with a huge funnel speaker and cylinder records. These carried no labels, but the name of the song, the singer and record company were announced on the record before the song commenced. The ambition of every home was to own a pianola, but these luxuries were few and far between.
On entering the kitchen, the huge block fuel stove with the fire glowing stood out. Placed close to one wall would be a long, white board top kitchen table with a stool for the children behind it. On the other wall would be the old glass front kitchen dresser with all the crockery in it and a chipboard underneath for storing grocery lines. One or two round kitchen chairs and a couple of wooden boxes for seats made up the rest of the kitchen furniture. The best chair in the kitchen would be offered to the visitor - this was usually one with a cushion in it. To get this chair meant an argument with a huge cat claiming possession. However after a few hisses and spits and the chair being turned upside down, the cat would leave in a huff and go and sulk under the house. Washing up was done in a round tin dish with water from the kettles. About six flat irons for ironing clothes usually stood alongside the stove.
The kitchen verandah was usually a dirt floor with two round tubs on a bench as a laundry. Portion of the verandah would be closed in with old super bags and one of the round tubs would be carried in to complete the bedroom. All the water used would be carried in a bucket from the single galvanized iron water tank on the house. There was always a bag or two near the kitchen door to wipe one's boots as lino and such material had not been invented. The kitchen floor would be kept scrubbed spotless, a job always done on hands and knees.
Any slp water was then thrown on the verandah to keep the dust down. This was much appreciated by the dogs looking for a cool spot to rest. Also on the back verandah, or in the bath-house was the old drip-save cooler. This was a four sided type of cupboard covered with hession and a tank of about two gallons of water mounted on top. Using a type of siphon process, the water would keep the hession wet and such material as milk, butter and cream could be kept fresh for some time. The four legs of the cooler always stood on old jam tins filled with water so as to keep the ants out. Hanging from the roof usually was a small perforated steel meat safe to keep meat away from the flies. One must not forget the box of wood near the kitchen door for the stove.
Finally, a wood copper set in a steel drum-like frame and clothes line,
a piece of wire between two posts and a fork stick for a prop could be found
in the yard close by the kitchen.
World War II - What did it achieve?
"After I left school my brother Frank and I were allowed to go to an occasional dance, which was usually a send-off to a young man or a number of young men going overseas to fight for their country. We always enjoyed these dances until the final dance when the band would play "now is the hour" and it was time to say farewell to the soldier. These farewells were usually very sad and often very tearful." Nell Murphy.
The bastardliness of the war - the sorrow, the heartbreak and the loss that it caused on the local scene. But men has to serve for their country and what they thought to be correct and the men from Marrar who served in the armed forces did justice to their families and the towns people. There were the casualties which caused so much sorrow, and the heroes - those who were recognised for their efforts and those who were not. Two such men who were recognised for their bravery were Edgar Thomas Mulley and Wilfred Benjamin (Bill) Pearce who were presented with the Military Medal. What follows are the citations for the awards to these men.
NX36006 L/Cpl Mulley, Egar Thomas - 2/3 PNR Battalion
Awarded MM (El Alamein)
On 31 October ’42 during operations in the area between the BLOCKHOUSE (87o73038)
and northwards to the coast at 871307 L/Cpl Mulley was in charge of a rifle
sec. While his Coy. Was proceeding from the Bn. assembly area
to the start line at about 0030 hrs. No. 14 Pl to which L/Cpl Mully’s sec.
Belonged, was ordered to attack and mop up a spamdau post, the fire from
which was causing casualties to the Bn; this was successfully effected.
During this operation L/Cpl Mulley was wounded in the right shoulder.
He continued with his sec. And rejoined his Coy. Before reporting for medical
attention. Although the R.M.O. desired to evacuate him he refused to
go, returning to his sec. And leading them in the main attack. At 1000
hrs while occupying a position in a Coy strong post he was wounded again,
but again refused to leave his section.
When the fwd positions were abandoned, L/Cpl Milley despite his wounds organised the members of his sec., assisting those wounded, and moved to the new position. During this withdrawal L/Cpl Mulley was wounded a third time, but again carried on with his duty and got his sec. Into a defensive position. Moving between his sec. weapon pits he was wounded for the fourth time this time necessitating his being carried to the R.A.P. and then being evacuated.
His conduct was bearing throughout were a magnificent example to his men, his devotion to duty and fortitude being an inspiration not only to the members of his sec., but also to the rest of the Coy.
NX 14877 Sergeant Wilfred Benjamin Pearce. Awarded MM
"Sergeant Pearce led his men throughout the operations at Finschhafen with
consistent and conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. In particular
when his battalion landed at Scarlett beach, the landing craft on which his
company was travelling stranded on a coral reef and the port ramp fell into
the deep water. A number of troops were plunged into the sea, heavily
laden and they were in danger of drowning as the following troops feel on
top of them. Seeing their plight Sgt. Pearce went to their assistance
and dragged them out of the deep hole and guided them to the beach where
they were able to rejoin their platoon. Thoughout this incident the
whole ship was under heavy machine gun fire from a few yards away.
By his calmness and complete disregard for personal safety Sgt Pearce was
directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his comrades."
Today in the town of Marrar stands a great memorial to the men and women who served for their country in the form of the Marrar War Memorial Hall. Built ten years ago, the hall embodies the spirit of the people of the district and is a credit to their efforts.
But how did the war affect the lives of the people of Marrar? What follows are the reflections of Mrs. Nell Murphy, who, as Nell Gaynor was in her late teens at the time and lived in a family of eight children on "Marrar Vale", a property about four miles south of Marrar.
"One of the greatest difficulties we experienced and perhaps most families also, was the shortage of petrol. Some people tried to overcome the shortage by using power kerosene in their cars but this was not always successful. One experience I remember very well - which was due to the petrol shortage.
We had a fortnight's mission to attend in Coolamon - not just once a day - but twice each day, 7.00am and 7.30pm. Dad (late Mr. JF Gaynor) and Frank (Gaynor, Coolamon) decided that the only way to handle the situation was to put a tarpaulin cover on a Chev truck which we owned, and after making some adjustments to the engine were able to get it to run satisfactorally on kerosene. Thus the Gaynors set off each morning and each evening at attend the mission - picking up each catholic family between Marrar Vale and Coolamon.
Thinking back now, I often wonder - did we gain what he wished us to gain or did we enjoy ourselves too much? We were not allowed to sing on the way in, but we were allowed sing as loud and hard as we liked on the homeward journey. (This was Mum's rule.) Clothing was very scarce for some time, also bed linen, towels tea towels etc. Each person was allowed so many coupons and these items were purchased with the required number of coupons. A number of food items were also rationed, namely butter, sugar and tea. Lots of other items were very scarce but were not rationed. Tobacco and cigarettes were very scarce but not rationed.
The atmosphere of the town - well some people were always very sad. Families who has someone overseas always hated picking up their mail in case they received an official looking letter which could contain bad news for them. Wives and families of farmers who went to war found it most difficult to manage because there was just no manpower about to help on the land.
As far as I can remember there was no great celebration when peace was declared - but you could well imagine that everyone was extremely happy. As each soldier arrived home from overseas he was given a great welcome home. Usually it took the form of a dance in the local hall - and people would come from miles around. They were always very happy occasions. But then of course you had the sad ones who had lost someone overseas - or the family who had not heard from their boy for some time and didn't know whether he was dead or alive." Mrs. Nell Murphy.
Mr. Noel Murphy describes how the war effected the local businesses at the time. "In 1942 the World War was well in swing and Kevin Murphy, who had been with me in the business, had gone - Bryan, Bede, Cyril and Terry (Murphy) followed into the Armed Forces and many of the local chaps from business and labour market followed also. The local barber, storekeepers, blacksmith etc. were swallowed up in this and never returned to their former jobs. The end of World War II saw a change in the local attitude and where we had a surplus of young chaps seeking farm jobs, there suddenly appeared a nil response." Mr. Noel Murphy.
And so the active, growing and vibrant Marrar of pre W.W.II described in
other sections of this paper seems to have faded into insignificance as a
result of men looking for what they regarded to be more rewarding careers.
Coming into contact with other soldiers, the young chaps from the country
towns were convinced of the possible lack of future back at the old home
town. No doubt this is the story of some many other country towns in
the area which seem to be dead except fo the Hotel and the General Store.
The Police Department at Marrar
A mounted constable was appointed to the first Police Station which was established in December 1911. The constable's name is not known. Records at the Police Department's Buildings branch show that for some time previous to 30/6/17 the Police at Marrar resided in a weather board cottage between Lime and Web streets. This building had four rooms plus a kitchen, pantry and bathroom. A detached cell was also on the property.
From 1st July 1917 to 30th June 1920 the Marrar Police Station was a building in Wise Street, rented from W H White. This particular building was of brick construction with four rooms, a kitchen and bathroom. There was also a stable on the property.
On 1st July 1920 the Police took up residence in premises in Lime Street. This house was rented from Mrs. E Fairweather. It was a weather board house having four rooms plus a bathroom, kitchen and pantry. A stable and forage room built of iron were at the rear of the property. The Government purchased the property and buildings from Mrs. Fairweather on 11th September 1928, and the house was subsequently destroyed by fire on 19th October 1930. New premises were erected on the site and were occupied from 7th January 1932. This house now belongs to the Murphy family and recently when extensions were made to the house I saw for myself the remains of the charcoaled beams of the original house. During the period that the Government building was being rebuilt the Police occupied a cottage next door. This was rented from Christopher Fairweather of Coolamon.
In 1942 the constable was withdrawn from Marrar and the patrol area amalgamated with that of Junee. Police officers known to have served here were Constable A G Trusket, M C Sullivan and J S Derrick.
One story frequently told at Marrar in relation to the Police was the frequent
confrontations between Mr. Derrick and area personality Mr. Ernie Coates.
It so happens that Ernie had a liking for his beer and as he would drive
his car in and out of town, many a trip home would find Ernie quite full.
Derrick had many times warned Ernie about the danger of driving under the
influence, but the warning only fell on deaf ears. Anyhow one day after
Ernie had his fill he explained that he had better get on the
road before Derrick checked up on him. So out to his Buick he went
and attempted to get it going, by crank of course. After a few attempts
Ernie started talking to the car, urging it on, but he did not notice Derrick
come up behind him. Ernie was getting a little sour by this stage and
calmly said to his car, "Come on Gertie, we've gotta get out of here before
that bloody Derrick catches up with us."
A Short Appreciation of Murphy Brothers
Because I wanted this work to be something of a personal view, I felt that a study of the history of Murphy Brothers Store was necessary because it means so much to me personally and it is very a important part of the town of Marrar - Murphy Bros. Is the only general store in the town. For this section, I am deeply indebted for the time and patience of Mr N. P. Murphy (the writer's father) who so kindly wrote down a great amount of what is recorded here.
"My early recollections are of taking lunch down to my father at the weighbridge where the horse teams brought the wheat into the silos and the bagged wheat stacks. Taking the lunch down was a very important job and gave a most rewarding meeting with the various teamsters on the job as well as the daily meetings of the normal staff of the weighbridge clerk and sundry wheat agents who operated at the time.
Dad was agent for the silos and we had George Vincent as agent for the wheat coming from the Scottish Australia Co. farmers of Murrulbale and Rockview, Jim Curtis as agent for Farmers and Graziers, Bill Dunn as agent for Wagga Mill and various others at various times. This continued through my school times and after leaving school I took on the silo books and had this job for several years. When Dad's life ended in 1935 I was given the job at the ripe old age of 18 years of agent in charge - Marrar silos. This annual seasonal job continued for fifteen happy years but eventually, conflict of interest between the silo job and local business obliged me to reluctantly retire from the silos. But from 1935 my activities were as general agent with various other things. I looked after Prescott’s chaff and grain interests, did a bit of insurance and in harvest time handled silo receivals. My brother Bryan was employed at Redgrave’s General Store until going into the Army in about 1940 or 1941.
In February 1942 Mr. Regrave told me that he was interested in a drapery business in Epping and asked if I would manage the store for him while he had a good look at it. I was most hesitant to take on such a seemingly major job but his confident assurance that I could handle the job and his offer of a pricely six pound per week and retain silo and chaff interests swung the pendulum. He went to Wheeler’s Drapery and a in few months advised that he had bought it and, as country stores were unsaleable, would close Marrar unless I felt like taking it on with a restricted stock.
Again I was bluffed by the seeming magnitude of the undertaking and again Mr. Redgrave spent hours and days showing me how it could be done and assuring me that I could do it. I still would have knocked it back but for the thoughts of jobs for the lads when the war finished - particularly Bryan who had spent his working years in the store - and the necessity of staying in Marrar where our blind mother knew her way around the home and had many good friends.
Anyhow I discussed it with Bryan when he got home on leave and as he was keen for an anchor for post-war we decided to be in it. I dug up the princely sum of 260 odd pounds and Bryan about about 160 and with this we bought the essential plant and the stock to kick off. I was to run it until Bryan returned but this nearly floundered in 1944 when I got a severe eye infection and had three months under treatment in Melbourne. However the Army came good with compassionate leave and Bryan was able to hold the fort.
After Army discharge Bryan took over many of the routine tasks and so I was free to scout around for business. In 1949 I was married and with Bryan having similar ideas we were looking for something additional. The opposition store came on the market and we bought it and ran the two until we organised the grocery, agency and machinery into one shop where Bryan and I operated, and the hardware in the other where out younger brother Terry handled it. This continued until Terry moved out of Marrar after Mum died in 1968.
We had been renting both buildings and eventually bought one from the Robert’s
estate and adapted it to contain our full service operation. We moved
the lot into it a couple of years ago and kept the others for storage." Mr.
N. P. Murphy.
A necessary inclusion in this paper is some comment on how the writer sees the village of Marrar now. Because I have not been a member of the community for nearly eight years, because of boarding school and my entry into Religious Life, I feel that I might be able to objectively look at the topic. What makes these people tick? What are their priorities, their fears, their loves? Marrar people are like all people in that it take hard times to bring the best out in them.
On the night of Sunday 24th November ’74 word quickly got around that Nell and Noel Murphy were involved in a bad car smash near Yass. Possible? - some thought not, some hoped not, others knew the full facts, From what I could gather, the whole area was staggered, but this attitude didn't last for long. Because I was so emotionally involved at that stage I could only realise to a small extent the concern of all the people of Marrar and it is only now that I can fully appreciate their thoughts and actions. People gathered in prayer, in work and in general organisational affairs that had to be carried out. People generally like to think that their town is a community of love, this was an example that will remain alive with me for many years to come.
Bush fires are one of the most feared occurrences in the country. A few days after Christmas ’74, a fire broke out in the Rockview area, the smoke of which could be seen for miles around. Those who watched the smoke from their headers were not sure how serious it was or could be - but after several radio announcements, all stripping in the area ceased and as many men as possible were asked to assist. While the men fought the fire, the women of the Marrar area all converged on a selected place to prepare sandwiches and drink for the men. The effort was a colossal one, all people working together towards a common goal - their own livelihood. Some days after the fire, the town met to discuss ways of helping those people who had property either damaged or wiped out in the fire.
And the people, who cannot read the 60 kmph signs at either end of the
town, scoff at the little "hick-town" they pass through on their way to the
other side of the continent. If they only knew how these people lived,
how they cared, maybe travellers could take some example and with any luck
the nation would be a better place to live.
Letters written by:
Mr. N. P. Murphy (Marrar)
Mrs. N. P. Murphy (Marrar)
Mr. A. H. Armstrong (Marrar)
Mr. M. J. Curtis (Coolamon)
Mr. A. J. Sweeting (Australian War Memorial, Canberra)
Mr. A. Dunne (NSW Police Department, Sydney)
M. L. Kingdon - Back to Coolamon Souvenir Book (1956)
HOME to The History of Marrar Page
This page last updated 24-Nov-02