JOHN MUNDELL

Grazier

 

 John MUNDELL (1827-1911), Grazier, Cattle Dealer, the son of George Mundell and Sarah Mundell née LITTLE, was born at Walls, Middlebie, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland on Saturday 3rd March 1827 (Event data added from IGI-WEB. On the occasion of his second marriage, he recorded his birhplace as Gateside House, Dumfries, Scotland. Another possible place of birth is Ladywells, Middlebie.) and was baptised at Walls, Middlebie, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland on Monday 2nd April 1827 (Event data added from IGI-WEB). He married Margaret Dalziel at Whitecastles, Parish of Hutton, Dumfriesshire, Scotland on Friday 11th December 1863 (The marriage was preceded by the publishment of banns according to the Presbyterian tradition.), the marriage producing four children: Jessie Jane Cruickshank (1864-1939), John (1865-1945), James (1868-1958) and George (1871-1956). He married for a second time to Elizabeth McElroy at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on Thursday 15th November 1894.  He died (cause of death: Bronchitis; heart failure) at Station Street, Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia on Thursday 29th June 1911 (James Mundel, son, of "Lilyvale" near Taroom, Queensland, provide the deceased's details.) and was buried at Bungaban Station, Taroom, Queensland, Australia on Wednesday 5th July 1911.

Personal History:

2. Compiled from several sources by Bill Abigail.

A SHORT HISTORY of " BUNGABAN"

 

1854                "Bungaban"was leased to Mr. Charles Bell and was managed by a Mr. Morgan who was later the founder of the Mt. Morgan copper mine._

1858                J_McArthur became part owner.

1864                Occupied by W. M Long

1868                Owned by the Bank of New South Wales and managed by Mr. Smith. 60,000 sheep were shorn there in September of that year.

1874                Leased to Mr. Charles Bell for the second time.

1878                Sold to Mr. John Mundell .

1952                Sold to W.C3. Webster.

 

JOHN MUNDELL and his family arrived in Australia from Scotland in 1867. In 1872 he bought "Callide" but sold it in 1877. They left Gladstone the following year by bullock dray for "Bungaban". The journey took 6 months to complete as they had to clear a track as they came. At that time "Bungaban" consisted of 190 square miles, divided into 5 blocks stocked with sheep. (See map). The buying price was 4189.6.10. Sheep (wethers 5/– and lambs 4/– ) and stores bought at the same time cost a further 407.6.10. The sale of some Shorthorn bulls at Rockhampton helped finance the purchase. John Mundell (Snr) and his wife Margaret had three sons, John, James & George, and a daughter, Jessie. The family because prominent in the public life of Taroom arid served with credit on many committees. The family also endured the usual hardships of rural life. It is recorded that one year 500 fat cows were sent to new South Wales for sale and returned only an average of 7 shillings and 6 pence per head (75c)_ In the 1902 drought nearly 7,000 head of cattle died leaving 1,123 to be mustered when the drought broke. Last century most of the work on "Bungaban" consisted of mustering and yardbuilding. Later came fencing and shed building. There is mention in the diaries of "the blacks" reroofing the sheds with bark. Wheat was also grown to provide feed for the horses. The first mail ( which is thought to have been privately financed) to the district came via "Bungaban" from Gayndah. Even when the mail came vii Condamine, it still called at "Bungaban" for many years.

 

John Mundell (Snr) born 23.1827, died at Indooroopilly, Brisbane 29.6.1911. His wife Margaret Dalziel Mundell, born 8.5.1829 died at "Bungaban", 10.5.1893 John Mundell (Jnr) is buried at "Bungaban". He died 5.02.1945 aged 80 years.

 

JOHN & MARGARET MUNDELL

 

JOHN                                        JAMES                                    GEORGE

        1865–1945                                 1868–1958                                   1870– 1956

m 1v18ud Broadbent                    m Florence Smith                               m fdable Smith

 

Phyllis                 Winifred                  Dudley John Eileen Jean           Mervyn Gordon Ronald

                                                                                                      Margaret Theodore Mavis

Bungaban & Redmarley              Bungaban. Redmarley, Lilyvale.         Bungaban, Redmarley,

                                                Cooaga, Dalziel                               Wadjie, Quandong,

                                                                                                      Pellham, ShinglehM

                                                                                                      Bottle Tree Ranges.

 

The Mundell Brothers bought "Redmarley" at Condamine in 1898. They were able to walk their stock between the places, mainly through country they owned.

 

SHEPHERDS

 In the early days when "Bungaban" was stocked with sheep, most of the shepherds were Chinese . Many of them were murdered by natives. There are records of one such death at Upper Bungaban in 1849.

 

HOMESTEAD

The "Bungaban" homestead, built from slabs cut on the property, was at first covered by a shingle roof, and later by galvanised iron. The walls contained a number of rifle holes to be used in case of attack by natives, as did most of the dwellings built in those days. (See photos). One of the early roads ram from Taroom across the Auburn Range to Burnett's Inn (now Gayndah). "Bungaban" lies halfway from Taroom to the Auburn Range so it was an important stopping place along this route. By 1902 the main road used in wet weather firm Taraom to Dalby was via "Bungaban" and the Auburn. It is reported that an hotel was located at "Bungaban", and while no offcial reports have been found it is highly likely. Hotels with a "2 gallon licence" gave rest and refreshment to man and beast at approximately a day's travel.

 

BUSHRANGERS At one time the Kennig brothers were camped on a part of "Bungaban" with a large mob of horse.. James Mundell went to ask them to pay agistment to which they agreed. They gave the Mundells a cheque drawn on a Rockhampton Bank, but when it was presented the account had been closed and transferred elsewhere! The cheque is now among the famaily's memorabilia.

 

GRAVES

Near the "Bungaban" house there are two unknown graves; one believed to be a shepherd's, and the other that of a small boy who was killed by a fall of rock while playing.

1859 A son born to Mr. & Mrs. McArthur

1893 Margaret Dalziel Mundell

1911 John Mundell

1945 John Mundell

 

UNCLAIMED LETTERS

1863 D.R Williams, "Bungaban"

1865 Dennis Abraham "Bungaban"

 

BAPTISMS

1864 Joseph Batham, son of Joseph & Catherine. Shepherd

1864 William George Young, son of John & Elizabeth. Stockman.

 

Bibliography

"Pioneers of the Taroom & Wandoan District", Gwen Fox

David Mundell, "Nelgai", Condamine

Mardie Sands, "Avalon", Wandoan

Lyn Hartnic, "Bungaban", Wandoan

 

3. Bungaban Sawmill – bar Mrs P. Gordon – formerly Mrs Frank Cook.

 

"...Mr. John Hafner shifted the sawmill out to Bungaban – ... his window sold the sawmill in 1934, and a company – the Taroom Lumber Co. with Frank Cook the chief partner was formed

 

Taroom Lumber Company worked at Bungaban, with a steam engine on the corner water-hole, about 2 miles from Bungaban Station homestead. With a staff of S to 8 men according to timber orders, the mill continued to work, cutting timber for many homes in Taroom, Wandoan and districts. John Mohr's residence (opposite Leichhardt Hotel Taroom) was the first large one.

 

There was often 2 or 3 families at the mill and leisure time was spent swimming or wrestling. In wet weather poker for matches or playing the gramophone. Bungaban stockmen used to join in on Sundays.

 

In 1941 the mill trucks were directed into the C.C.C. to help the war effort – and the men joined the services. Frank was directed into the C.C.C. also and the mill trucks worked on the Condamine airodrome and the Colomboola gas bomb dump. After the war was over, the pine being cut out at Bungaban ... the steam engine was moved into Taroom town, and sited near the river."

 

4. Extract from an article by F. E. Lord in The Graziers Review dated 16/2/1926 (This information was provided by Mrs. Mardie Sands)

 

Mr. Lord's father was bookkeeper and storekeeper on Bungaban in the 1860's, and later was at Cockatoo.

 

"The blacks of course were as numerous and dangerous on Bungaban as elsewhere at that time, but I do not remember hearing of them perpetrating any special outrages.

 

In the last 'seventies the late Mr. John Mundell, senior, became the owner of Bungaban, and his sons are the present owners. The eldest son, Mr. John Mundell and his wife, reside there generally. The old slab homestead, is associated, in the writer's earliest years, with pleasant and exciting memories.

 

In those days Bungaban was noted for its grapes, and the hospitable soul of that grand old lady, Mrs. Mundell, senior, not being satisfied with the family and employees enjoying them In the season, she must have my father drive over from Cockatoo, (a distant of some 20 miles with his wife and nursemaid and little family of children) to enjoy them also. This generous but thrifty Scotch soul also made wine in the season, which was kept in the cool cement floored pantry, the odour of which being all that fell to the visiting children.

 

The exciting memories are of the morning start for home, or perhaps on the way down country - Bungaban was always the end of the first day's stage - of the shining buggy and prancing horses, my father in the driver's seat, reins in hand, his young horseman holding valiantly to their heads, at the risk of his life it seemed, until the shout from my father, "out of the way Jacob," sent him aside with one bound, and the horses ahead with another. After a turn round the hillside, they would allow themselves to be driven back to the starting place to receive the first portion of the family; but it generally took several turns round the hill before the family were all safely in. And the Mundell young menfolk became expert in getting them in. It must have been a sight for a cinematograph to have seen them standing ready to meet the trap when the horses pranced back with it, a child dangling, with its face towards the, approaching buggy, from each pair of extended hands ready to be "heaved" in the moment the horses were pulled up. My father always drove spirited horses, but they seemed to keep this special performance for Bungaban."

 

5 .Extracts from Pioneers of the Taroom and Wandoan District

 

p•55)

When Bungaban was owned by the Bank of New South Wales the manager was Mr. Smith. While he was there, in 1868, 60,000 sheep were shorn in                                                                                                                          September. Most of the shepherds were Chinese, and the natives in the area were still troublesome. They had killed a shepherd at Mutiny Point in     1867 – the name is still used – and they also stole sheep, a common occurrence on many properties. Near –the Bungaban house there are two                                                    unknown graves, one believed to be a shepherds, the other that of a small boy who was killed by a fall of rock while playing. The homestead, built from slabs out on the property, was at first covered by a shingle                                                                  roof, and later by galvanised iron. The walls contain a number of rifle holes to be used in case of attack by natives, as did most of                                          the dwellings built in the early days.

 

Charles Bell was the lessee of Bungaban for the second time in 1874 and in 1878 he sold out to John Mundell, who had arrived from Scotland                                                 with his family in 1807. John Mundell first went as manager to Prairie station, near Gladstone. In 1872 he bought Callide, but sold it in 1877, and the Mundells left Gladstone the following year by bullock dray for                                                                     Bungaban. The journey took six months, for the travellers had to oldar a track as they came. At that time Bungaban consisted of 190 square miles divided into five blocks, stocked with sheep. John Mundell sen.,                                                                     and his sons, John and James, became prominent in the public life of Taroom, and served with credit on many committees.                                                                                                              

 

p.67)

Amore "local" bushranger was Cracow Jack, who was arrested while fetching a drink at a waterhole in the Springsure district. More       recently than this the Mundells received a "dud" cheque from the Kenniffs, who were described in a radio article this year as Queensland's

Kelly family. They camped on part of Bungaban for some time with a large mob of horses, so James Mundell went to see them about paying agistment, and the Kenniffs were quite agreeable. They gave Mr.Mundell a cheque drawn on a Rockhampton Bank, but when they presented it the                       Mundells learned that the account had been transferred elsewhere. It is now among the family souvenirs.

 

p.77)

In 1876 the Taroom racecourse was mentioned in the "Gazetteer" which also noted an unusual feature – it was a "left–handed" course – and still is, being the only one in Queensland* The town and country residents came from near and far to watch their favourites run. Well                                 known owners during the early years were Mr.Jerrard, the Scott brothers, J.Mundell and the Royds brothers., By 1898 the grandstand had been built, an asset to the course, and several "race days" were held each year.

 

p.97)

Through the years horse sports have retained their popularity, and the names of these prize-winners at the 1910 Taroom Show will recall       some successful exhibitors and competitors of nearly fifty years ago. "The Queenslander" issued on 4th June 1910 published pictures from

the Show, with the following details:

                                                                                                                                                               Four-in-hand Turnout: H.Scott 1st; A.R.Scott 2nd.

                                                                                                                                                               Sully Horse: W.J.Ashton, 1st.

                                                                                                                                                               Lightweight Hack: Mrs..J.Mundell (owner), 1st.

                                                                                                                                                               Hack: Mrs.J.Mundell (owner); Miss Campbell (rider).

Heavyweight Hack: Miss L.Broadbent (owner).                                                                                          

 

p.108)

The first town land sale was held on 22nd March 1913, with John Mundell and Paddy Meagher apparently the first buyers.

 

p.113)

On the social side a great variety of interests is reflected by the popularity of many different clubs and organisations, some only recently established. The Juandah Cricket Club is an old one, captained by John Mundell for many years in many matches against Taroom. The old club still functions and the president is Mr.M.Weldon.

 

P.121)    Honour Roll (1914–1918 War)

 

Mundell D.

 

p.148)

In January 1892, when the chairman was Mr.George Langhorne, a young man who was to play a prominent part in the local government     of the area for many years to come was elected to the Board. He was Mr.John Mundell, then only twenty–six years of age, who retired                                                        in 1943 after over fifty years of service to the district.

 

p•149)

The Taroom Shire Council of 1902, the first to be known as such, was; A.E.Devine (chairman), G. C.Langhorne, John Mundell, W.J.Ashton,   A.R.Scott, W.R.King, W.N.Ascough, C.Ryder, J.P.Mohr.                                                                 It is unfortunate that little or no records exists of intervening councils since that date. Mr.W.J.Ashton was chairman of the council               at the time of the First World War and on his death in 1918 was suceeded by Mr.John Mundell, who had been deputy–chairman for some                                            years previously. While it is not possible to state the term of           each member, nor to include a comprehensive list, the following men are aanonst those who served on the Council of the Shire of Taroom   during the period from 1902 till the Second World War: Robert L. Scott, James Mundell, G.B.Rigby, T.H.Alexander, C.Knack, J.E.N.Bell,                                 A.K.Cullen, James Williams, W.J.Hiokey, C.E.Barkla, J.R.Knack,           G. R. Rigby.

 

p.151 & 152)

In 1943, Mr–John Mundell who had been chairman continuously since 1918, retired from the council. Less than two years laters, on 28th   February 1945, John Mundell died in the Taroom Hospital. His obituary, which appears in the "Chinchilla News", is reproduced here                                                                                                                   in its entirety:

 

"On Wednesday, 28th February, quite a shock was caused, not only to Wandoan and surrounding districts, but also to many far distant parts of the State, when it was learned that Mr.John Mundell, one of the districts pioneers, had passed away in the Taroom Hospital that morning, after being admitted the previous day.

 

"The deceased, who was well-known over a great portion of Queensland, was born at Dumfries, Scotland, on 8th October 1865, and at the age of two years arrived in Australia after a ninety-nine days' voyage in the sailing ship 'Young Australia ..

 

"Following their arrival in Brisbane, the family proceeded to Gladstone, where the late Mr.Mundell's father was employed on 'Prairie Station" for a time, after which the 'Callide' (now Biloela), was purchased in 1872. After selling this property, 'Bungaban Station' in the Wandoan district was purchased on 8th August 1878. Since that time deceased had resided permanently at 'Bungaban' and became a prominent grazier in the pastoral industry.

 

"The late Mr. Mundell held a very prominent place in the public life of the district for very many years. He was first elected as a member of the Taroom Shire Council on 18th January 1892, under the chairmanship of Mr. G.C.Lamhorne. After being deputy chairman for some years, he was elected chairman following the death of Mr. W.J.Ashton, and this position he held for nearly twenty-five years, until his retirement on let May 1943, when he was succeeded by the present occupant of the position, Mr. B.C.Clark. The death of Mr.Mundell removes the sole surviving member of the council to which he was elected first fifty-three years ago.

 

"Following his retirement, he received from the Governor of Queensland, Sir Leslie Wilson, a letter of gratitude containing his very warm and grateful thanks for all he had done for his district of Wandoan and also for Queensland.

 

"The late Mr.Mundell was well known in his younger days 'on the sporting fields. He participated in football in Brisbane and elsewhere, but it was on the cricket fields of Brisbane, Toowoomba, Roma, Miles, and Chinchilla, as well as local oentres, that he became so well known. For an unbroken period of thirty–two years he was captain of Juandah and Wandoan teams.

 

"During his period of sixty-five years on 'Bungaban', many hardships were encountered as can be gauged from the facts that in years gone by 500 fat cows, sent to New South Wales for sale, returned an average of 7/6d per head. Then, in the devasting drought of 1902, nearly 7,000 cattle died as, when the drought finally broke, only 1,123 head were mustered out of a total of 8,000.

 

"The late Mr.Mundell proved a worthy patriot in the times of war, and in both the last war and the present confliot, he was a very free donor. Some years ago, he was one of the prime movers in the formation of the Wandoan branch of the Patriotic Fund, of Queensland, and ever since its inception had held the position of president.

 

'His interment took place at Bungaban Stations (where his parents are buried), and was fairly largely attended. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs.Cooper Brisbane) and Mrs. Stanway (Bundaberg), as well as two brothers, Messrs.George Mundell (Red Marley), Condamine, and James Mundell (Dalziel) Wandoan.

 

"The passing of deceased removes from the Wandoan district a very striking personality, who, from the time of his entrance to the district sixty-five years ago, had always been an ardent worker and supporter of all interests for the district's good, and, the local community mourns the loss of one of its greatest citizens in the late Mr.John Mundell, of 'Bungaban.

 

p.164)

Despite the advances made in agriculture, the Taroom Shire remains primarily a beef cattle-raising area. "Rallies", Herefords, and Poll Herefords predominate among the local hards,and Shorthorns come next in popularity. Much of the shire, particularly the northern and western portionsi will probably always remain best suited for cattle-raising. In these parts, difficult terrain, combined with a serious dingo threat, would make successful sheep raising a hazardous and expensive undertaking. The whole of the shire lies outside the dingo barrier fence. The quality of the beef cattle of the area is among the best in Queensland... Mr.J.D.Mundell conducts a Hereford stud at *Lilyvale" near Taroom while at "Carrabah", the property of the Langhorne family for many years, Shorthorn herd bulls are bred.

 

p.117)

The roads at that time (and for many years afterwards) were in a very bad state, and it is not surprising that a number of people hesitated to bury one of the new "motors". However, there were quite a few adventurous ones, including Andrew Adam, Bill William of Spring Creek, James Woodside from Guluguba, and John Mundell from Bungaban. Characteristically, Mr.Adam let some of the aboriginals from the settlement have a trial run in his car (some of the: natives had at first been rather wary of the coaches without horses). Bill William was the pioneer owner in the Spring Creek area, and surprised many who said held never get a car out there. James Woodside's oar was a Ford, the most popular of the "tin lizzys", while John Mundell's Cadillac was the aristocrat of the group.

 

 

 

 

 

Places and Items of Interest:

PREVIOUS PRIMARY ADDRESS [saved 24 Sep 2001]

(Known to be current from 1863)

Craighouse

Stends

PARISH OF TUNDERGARTEN DFS

SCOTLAND

 

 

PREVIOUS PRIMARY ADDRESS [saved 24 Sep 2001]

(Known to be current from 1894)

"Bungaban"

MILES QLD 4415

AUSTRALIA

 

Reference Material:

1. His life started in Dumfriesshire in Scotland, before he emigrated to Australia.  During his life in Australia, he resided at "The Callide", near Gladstone, QLD, "Bungaban Station", near Taroom, QLD, and at Indooroopilly, a suburcb of Brisbane, QLD.

 

2. Article, publication and date unknown.

Redmarley Celebrates 100 Years

By Narissa Hamiton

 

One hundred years of Shorthorn history will be celebrated at Redmarley, Condamine this year, with celebrations culminating in a Centenary Sale to be held in September.

 

Redmarley was purchased in 1893 by John Mundell and later transferred to his sons, John (Jnr.), James and George about the same time of year that the Centenary is planned for.

 

The Mundell family's associations with Shorthorns stems further than the hundred years though, with cattle run on family properties before the purchase of Redmarley.

 

John Mundell and his wife Margaret and two children, John and Jessie, travelled to Australia from Dumfriesshire, Scotland in 1867. They settled at Prairie Station, west of Gladstone, where John (Snr.) had a managers position. It is probable that this appointment had been arranged in Scotland before they came out, and indeed was probably the reason for coming to Australia in the first place.

 

Prairie Station lay between the end of the mountain range running between Callide Creek and Kroombit Creek, and the creeks themselves. It consisted of two parcels, Coreen and Coriack

 

Area

31 square miles for Coreen
60 sqaure miles for Coriack

Original tenderer

Henry Cox Corfield

Date of tender

March 1854

Transfers

1858 to A. A.H. Brown.

 

1861 to Henry Augustus Allan, John Rendell Street and H. Norton

 

Callide Station

 

In 1871, John and his brother-in-law John Daziel purchased "Callide" at Biloela, where they began increasing their own Shorthorn herd. Callide consisted of two leases - Winterbourne and Thalberg. THALBERG lay between the western portion of the Callide Range and Callide Creek. WINTERBOURNE was bordered on the north by the eastern portion of Callide Range, on the south and east by Dawes Range, and on the went by the mountain range running between Callide Creek and Kroombit Creek.

Area

23 square miles for Winterbourbe
23 square miles for Thalberg

Original Tenderer

Alfred Henry Brown and Arthur Brown

Date of tender

March 1854

Date of lease

1st April 1858

Transfers

1861 to S. Gordon

 

1864 to J. Peter & Co.

 

1871 to John Swan (9th October)

 

1871 to John Mundell and John Dalziel

 

1874 to John Mundell (12th June)

 

1877 to Thomas Cadell (20th August)

 

After John Dalziel's death in 1872, John Mundell secured "Callide". The life in the Callide was recounted in an article "When the Callide and Kroombit Were Cattle Stations" by Kingsley Temple in 1933.

 

"More than 3/4 of a century ago, in the wilderness that was the Callide Valley, a handful of speculative pioneers each acquired large acreages of land and launched into tentative efforts at sheep raising, eventually discarded in favour of cattle. Among these was a Mr. Mundell, who constructed his homestead on the country which came to be known as Callide Station, many miles from the nearest neighbour, and eighty miles from the nearest town, Gladstone, which dates from about 1846. Some years later, Thomas Cadell purchased the lease of the next available land to the Callide station, and the Kroombit Station came into being."

 

"The old Callide Station homestead was then deserted, and gradually fell to ruin. Today only a few rotted posts, several bottle tree, and the remnants of a fire place testify to its sometime existence. The bottle tree, however, are sufficient monuments in themselves. Carved on their surfaces are countless figures and letters, representing the initials of the engravers, and the dates of their existence, some of which, barely decipherable, establish records of men who lived in those far off mid-Victorian days."

 

"Just below runs a modern highway, cambered and graded as far as the eye can see, while just above the ruins is a now disused rutted and rugged old road which was one of the first used in the valley, the Gladstine Road, relentless and indomitable in its progress, scorning treacherous gully, boulder and steep hill alike. It seems almost impossible to the spectator of today that such a road was ever trafficable. Still living is a retired stockman who was employed on the Callide Station in 1874 in his professional capacity - Mr. Ned Wallace. he lives today not ten miles from the scene of those early labours, and in a residence that possesses an even more romantic history than the old station itself."

 

"In the 1850's land was first taken up by the head of the Kroombit Creek by a Mr. Cadell. This area was the home of a rather savage tribe of aboriginals who killed one of the shepherds minding the sheep. News of the murder was taken to Banana, which at the time was the nearest settlement and quite a thriving town. Sgt. Douglas of the Banana Police organised a posse and set of to find the killers. The tribe was found and herded into a horse shaped gully and shot. The place is now called Doudlas Springs."

 

Bungaban Station

 

He began making enquiries about purchasing a further property and in 1878 secured Bungaban Station, a large holding north east of Wondoan. The transition to the station was not easy as indicated in a letter sent to Margaret, dated 10th May 1878.

 

"My Dear Margaret,

I have taken delivery of the stores, it came to much more than we thought. 300 of the weaners and weathers dead since I bought the place. That is a great loss fortunately the ewes is all right. I will be a £130 one hundred and thirty pound short of payment and I will have to go to Brisbane to rate some whare. I hope that the Rockhampton bull is sold..."

 

The final price paid for Bungaban Station was £4189/10/6.

 

The highs and lows of the property and general hardships of station life in the late 1800s can be traced by examining detailed records made in the Station's large Herd Record book, and in John's personal diaries. Some 7700 Shorthorn cattle were run on Bungaban in 1898 but, after the fierce drought in 1902, only 1145 cattle were pastured, the loss of which was felt for some time.

 

A newspaper clipping shows the successful sale of two bullocks, one of which had broken away when four years old and had become lost in the scrub and prickly pear country.  He was 'out' for two years and had not been seen for 12 months. It was known that for nine months he had no water, but lived on the pear and scrub. The bullock was captured two weeks before the sale and realised £41 at auction, a record for a fat bullock at Toowoomba yards.

 

Redmarley

 

The newly acquired "Redmarley" covered some 30,000 acres of open river flats and was used to fatten cattle. Apart from some wallaby fences there were no paddocks and no controlled breeding. Instead unwanted breeding females were spayed.

 

In 1908 some of Redmarley was resumed by the Government and "Arubial" was settled by the Morgan family.

 

Brothers John and James managed Bungban and George stayed at Redmarley. George was married to Mabel in 1893 and they had six children (4 sons - Mervyn, Ronald, Gordon and Theo, and 2 daughters - Rita and Mavis).

 

Property and family hardship continued into the early years of the twentieth century. With the two World Wars, the Depression and the invasion of Prickly Pear. The initial income of the properties was used in the control of the Pear.

 

Ronald Mundell, after completing school at Southport, went in to the University of Queensland to study Entomology. He was involved with a research team  studying insect control of Prickly Pear in Central America and with the importation of the Cactoblatis insect, which cleared the land of Prickly Pear.

 

George Mundell sold Bungaban Station in 1952.

 

After George's death in 1955, Redmarley was divided between the grandsons Gordon (Theo's son) , David and Paul (Mervyn's sons). Theo then managed Redmarley with his wife Beth and son Gordon, and founded the Redmarley Shorthorn Stud.

 

The Mundell family is strong in the Condamine district with many members of the family, including David, Gordon, Paul and Mark (Paul's son) operating properties.

 

Nelgai

 

David Mundell inherited the 2000 acre portion of Redmarley which is now part of Nelgai. After his marriage in 1972, David and Priscilla settled at Nelgai and with some gentle persuasion by Gordon and Goff Morgan, started to produce commercial Shorthorns. Their children, Sarah (19 yes), Lucinda (17). John (15) and Andrew (13) are now the fifth generation to "roam about on the land".

 

The cattle crash of the early seventies provided an ideal opportunity to increase stock numbers, buying in cheap quality cattle as several Shorthorn studs and properties dispersed. One hundred and fourteen cattle from Welltown Station, Goundiwindi were purchased plus 35 from Bohemia Downs. In 1984, Nelgai was increased in size to approximatcly 4000 acres (1670 ha), when David's brother, Paul's section was bought in exchange for David's land across the river.

 

Modern Shorthorns

 

The present-day herd comprises 354 Shorthorns, with 135 cows, 118 calves and 42 recently joined heifers. Bulls used include genetics from Redmarley, The Grove, Arubial, Marellan and Moombi. Cattle are selected for their frame, soundness and structure, fertility. femininity and pelvic size, and lack of waste. David cites a good calving percentage and is very impressed with the Shorthorn.

 

"A very manageable and kind breed, combined with being top producers", he said.

 

Steers are grown and sent either to Miles saleyards or direct to Kilcoy and Warwick. Several lots have gone to nearby Lilyvale Feedlot, adequately filling the required specifications for live shipment to Japan. There are likely to be many more Nelgai Shorthorn steers reach Japan, as feedlot orders for Shorthorns continue to increase. Another advantage of having Lilyvale feedlot close by is the provision of a ready market for Nelgai's 500 acres of cropped oats, wheat and barley.

 

Grazing oats are also grown and when seasonal conditions allow, store steers are brought in. Several carcase and pen of steers awards have been won over the last decade and David has been very pleased Nelgai steers' performance.

The Mundell's have also run a small cross breeding program using a Murray Grey bull over Shorthorn females. Over the last three years they have sold 80-90 crossbred heifers steers, but have found no difference in demand between them and purebred Shorthorn.

 

"We have .seen no real gain in terms of prices by crossbreeding and in our operation, it's not really worth it. In the last drought I had to open all the

gates and let the cattle find feed where they could on the place, and really don't want the worry of which top heifer will produce a crossbred" commented David.

 

Redmarley Shorthorn Stud

 

The Redrnarlcy Shorthorn Stud ix run oft the homestead portion of the original property, where the original homestead and the rallied Meathottsc still stands. Commercial Shorthorn bulls were bred at Redmarley until the nine first stud cows were bought in 1959 at the Coonong Dispersal Sale, Wagga.

 

Sale top price of 900 guineas was paid for Martha Mayqueen. The Mayqueen descendants remain one of the top cow families of Redmarley. Another select group of stud females were purchased in 1960 from tile Brunett stud at "Gozo" Yetman. Poll Shorthorns were then introduced and bred from 1972. In 1977 top females were added from GR Lee and Sons. Prospect Stud Dispersal at Jondaryan. Not only was the top priced female purchased. but the stud grooms employed to work at Redmarley.

 

Stud Grooms Credited

 

Gordon credits, stud grooms, Harry and Rachael O'Donahue with putting Redmarley Stud Shorthorns on the map. "Their first year showing (1978) they came home from Brisbane Royal with Senior and Grand Champion Bull (Redlnarley Wonder), Reserve Senior Champion Bull (R. Supreme) and Reserve Senior Champion Cow (R. Mulberry)."

 

In 1982 they showed and sold Redmarley Challenger 2nd for a Queensland record price of $15 000 in a privale sale to McLean Bros., Blackall. After breeding Challenger, Theo Mundell was able to witness this achievement shortly before his death.

 

In 1983. the O'Donahues' prepared and showed Redmarley Jason, from Martha Mayqueen 24th, who became the top priced bull at Dubbo National,selling for $12000.

 

Over the years, Redmarley sires have included Prongorong Neville. Lee Independence, Adair Laird, Yamburgan Corker 53rd, Wyaranta Neutral and Belmore Blotch 16th, and more recently, Wyararna Pepper and Pa Do American Avenue. Wyaranta Neutral and Pa Do American Avenue were bought in partnership with The Grove.

 

Pa Do American Avenue has been Redmarley's latest success story. He was bought after a conversation with Goff Morgan at a local working bee prompted a quick trip to The States, to source the best bull for their requirements. American Avenue arrived in Australia in March 1990 and hasn't looked back since. His first calf arrived with the birth of First Avenue, 4:20pm 7th Jan. 1991, a day Gordon remembers well. Many calves have now hit the ground by this top sire and Redmarley's Centenary Celebration will feature the sale of his first progeny.

 

USA Genetics Blend Well

 

Gordon and Goff are very pleased with the way Pa Do genetics have blended with their own, adding muscle, smooth coats, frame and trimming where needed. A further dash of Pa Do blood is now being added through Pa Do Bronco Billy, whose first calves are due March 1993. Billed as 'the opportunity of the century', a buyers choice of two ET calves by Bronco Billy from American Avenue females, will also be offered at the Sale.

 

Another milestone on the road to Redmarley's second century has just occurred with the birth of four calves all by renown US sire, Rodeo Drive from selected Pa Do females. They were imported its frozen embryos in partnership with The Grove and Pa Do. Oklahoma. Buyers Choice of these calves will be offered at the Sale.

 

Redmarley bulls are sought after throughout Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern NS W and have been sold to all mainland States, except WA. One of the best repeat buyers would have to be Rod Turnbull of Ebor who currently has 27 Redmarley bulls running the cold, wet hills of his property. "Redmarley bulls adjust very well to the change in climate, they are good all rounders and produce the type of cattle I want" said Rod. Another Redmarley bull has gone to the Qld DPI Tropical Research Station at Rockhampton. and by all reports is doing very well.

 

Gordon has always been a prominent member of The Shorthorn Society and has served its Queensland President for the past few years.

 

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Prepared by Bob Dalrymple, PO Box 122, Dapto, NSW Australia 2350

eMail: bob@relativelyyours.com