Thomas Patrick Joseph Kelly
1927 - 2001
Thomas Patrick Joseph Kelly was born in Brisbane on March 3, 1927, and at the ripe old age of three minutes was nicknamed "Mick". The eldest of five children, Tom lived with his family in a tent at Dalveen during the Depression years, attending the local school before heading back to Brisbane to study at the Marist Brothers College, Rosalie. World War II brought the Kellys to Toowoomba, where Tom finished his schooling at St Mary's College. Following graduation, he volunteered as an air raid warden for the duration of the war, then took a job with the Forestry Department in Millmerran. Several members of Tom's family (including the grandfather who had bestowed the moniker of "Mick") had worked as psychiatric nurses during their careers, and it was to this occupation he was soon drawn. Tom attained his nursing certificate from the Toowoomba Mental Hospital before travelling to Sydney to gain experience and qualify in 1954 as a double certificate nurse. Psychiatric nursing took Tom to many places in Queensland and it was at Mossman Hall in Charters Towers that he was appointed principal nurse. In 1955, Tom married Joyce Blair and the couple became parents to five children -- Gayle, Carmel, Michael, Pamela and Dianne. The Kelly household became quite an extended family when Joyce's kin also moved in, and Tom worked hard during these years to provide a comfortable home for his brood.
As well as often holding down two jobs to help ends meet, Tom became active in community endeavours. He led the fundraising activities to enable a Catholic church to be built in what was then the new suburb of Inala, and was always an enthusiastic supporter of his children's pursuits. This sense of civic duty inspired Tom to become involved in the Lions club, and he served on several of its branches throughout Queensland. Following his retirement to Toowoomba, Tom's participation in Lions club activities increased and he was elected president of the Wilsonton club in 1985. Christened the "Mint Man" for his tremendous success in supplying Lions mints to local business establishments, his fellow club members respected Tom for his good advice, friendship, and humour. The Lions club awarded Tom life membership in 1997. Besides selling Lions Christmas cakes, Tom kept himself busy with his volunteer work for the Blood Bank, playing the organ and card games with his friends.
He maintained a lifelong interest in the passions of his youth - motorbikes and playing the drums - and enjoyed spending time with children and grandchildren. Although a quiet man "Mick" Kelly's involvement in the community spoke volumes, and his efforts were greatly appreciated.
Oakey district pays final tribute to pioneering son
Ernest William (Tyson) KUHL
1910 - 1993
Ernest William (Tyson) Kuhl, the second son of the late Loui and Annie Kuhl, one of the old pioneering German families brought to Australia to help settle the Highfields area, was buried at the Oakey cemetery last month after a service at St Paul's Lutheran Church.
The funeral was one of the largest in Oakey for many years and was indicative of the high regard in which Tyson and his family was held. Tyson was born on August 27, 1910 at Silverleigh and as a boy lived on his parents' farm, attended Silverleigh State School, and was baptised and confirmed at Greenwood Lutheran Church. On February 15, 1936, he married Elsie May Mason, daughter of well-known Rosalie Plains farmers Julius and Rachel Mason. They lived on a farm at Greenwood for seven years and during that time their children --Max, Viv, Lynette, Glennis and Delmae -- were born. The family moved to a farm at Devon Park in 1943 but remained members of the Greenwood Lutheran congregation. In 1955 this farm was sold and the Oakey soft drink factory purchased.
After five years at the factory, Tyson retired to a house in Beale Street, Oakey. He continued to do work in and around Oakey for another 10 years. A devout Lutheran, he and his wife joined St Paul's congregation. Tyson devoted a great deal of time of and effort on the church maintenance committee and served as joint auditor. In his younger days he enjoyed tennis and with family help he built a court at his Devon Park home. This became the mecca for many social games with family and. friends. Tyson was a self-taught musician who enjoyed old-time music. At social evenings around the family piano he played the steel guitar, mouth organ or button accordion. In later years his grandchildren and great-grandchildren also enjoyed his music. For more than 20 years he enjoyed his music and cards as a member of the Oakey Senior Citizens Club where his accordion music was always in demand. He also served as club president for several years. His love of travelling with his family when young continued into retirement and he and Elsie travelled around Australia, through the Centre and to Tasmania, New Guinea and New Zealand. Tyson saw himself as head of his family and accepted his responsibilities seriously. He regarded marriage and family as one of mutual help and expected his wife and family to follow his lead and work towards the success of his endeavours. When Tyson was diagnosed with cancer, Elsie devoted herself to his care, particularly over the final stages. His wife and five children were with him in his final hours.
Tyson was 83 years of age at his death on November 15. He is survived by wife Elsie, sons Max and Viv, daughters Lynette Noller, Glennis O'Bryan and Delmae Materne, 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grand- children.
Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 21 December 1993
JOE KLUCK
Joe highly regarded in Lockyer farming circles
Flagstone Creek farmer
Born: July22, 1918
Died: January 28, 2002
Joe Kluck was a farmer at Flagstone Creek, a member of the well-known Kluck farming clan, and highly regarded local of the Lockyer Valley district. Born in Toowoomba, Joseph Francis was the elder of two sons of Frank and May Kluck (nee Haugh). Joe started school as a first-day pupil of the Carpendale School near Helidon; a school which the men of the district had worked for to cater for the number of small children in the area. He later attended the Helidon Convent, and spent his final year of education at Downlands College in Toowoomba, which was then only in its second year of operation. Joe worked hard at school, and at Downlands topped the class in nearly every one of his subjects. Following school, Joe worked on both his father's and his grandfather's farms, as well as spending some months chipping bananas at Brown's Creek on the Sunshine Coast.
At the age of 20, he was able to scrape together the money to buy his own 240-acre farm at Flagstone Creek, and he began life as a dairy farmer. Joe planned to enlist for active duty in the army early in 1942, but the attack on Pearl harbour in 1941 saw him become a soldier earlier than anticipated. Leaving his farm in the capable hands of a trusted neighbour, Joe headed off to serve in both Australia and Morotai, returning home to Flagstone Creek in 1946. He maintained an involvement with the RSL throughout his lifetime, and took great satisfaction in commemorative occasions.
Joe married Rene Scanlan in 1949, a young girl he had met at a local dance. The couple shared nine children, and a continued love of dancing during their 53 years together. Initially, they chose to dairy, while farming potatoes and other small crops, but gave away the dairy farming 30 years ago to concentrate on vegetable farming. Around this same time, the Kluck's purchased a 30-acre block of land at Carpendale, which had a better water supply. Joe worked hard as a farmer until the time of his death early this year, but also found time to pursue community interests. He was active in the P and C Association of his children's school, and was involved with both the Vegetable Growers Association and the hall committee. He was also a respected member of the St Joseph's Church community, and enjoyed playing cards with friends. Joe Kluck died in Toowoomba aged 83. He is survived by his wife Rene, his nine children, and 15 grandchildren.
Published in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba, 27 February 2002.
Duo respected for rural, community work
Frank Keenan
Born: December 6, 1917.
Died: May 11, 2002.
Mary Keenan
Born: February 26, 1920.
Died: May 9, 2002.
"Tom" and "Frank" were married for nearly 58 years, and died within only two days of each other. They were both actively involved with community endeavours and all aspects of rural life; a hard-working and highly respected couple in many areas of Queensland. Mary Thomasina Keenan, better known as Tom, was born in Charters Towers, the elder daughter of Dick and Jane Eather. Her earlier years were spent at "Bibil", and later at the family property "Sylvania" near Hughenden.
Tom attended school at St Anne's Church of England Grammar School in Townsville, before returning to work on the property with her only sister Pat.
Francis John Keenan, or Frank, was one of two children born to Alfred and Zillah. Aged only seven when his mother died, Frank, along with his sister Ida, moved to "Strathgarve", near Dalveen, to live with relatives. His early schooling was at Turner's Creek, prior to completing his education at the Slade School in Warwick, where he was a keen sportsman. Frank's first job was jackerooing on "Sylvania", the family property of his future wife.
Frank returned to "Strathgarve" for a short time before enlisting for service when World War II broke out. Serving in Cyprus and New Guinea during his tour of duty, Frank was a member of both the llth Light Horse Brigade, and the 7th Division Cavalry. Frank and Tonm married in Brisbane in 1944, before Frank was discharged from the Army in May 1945. Together they shared the duties of running "Strathgarve".
Their three daughters, Zilla, Sylvia, and Katharine commenced their education at the Dalveen State School, where Tom took an active interest in the girls' extra curricula activities and sporting pursuits at the school, while also caring for her husband's aunt and her widowed sister. Frank developed a particular interest in pasture improvement at "Strathgarve", and while his methods by today's standards were primitive, he raised sale pigs and fat lambs. Both Frank and Tom enjoyed tennis during these years, with Frank also showing a keen interest in cricket and clay target shooting. Community involvement played a big part in their lives, with Tom beginning a long and happy association with the CWA. Frank became actively involved in the United Graziers Association, serving as chairman, branch delegate, and member, with this involvement continuing throughout his active life in the pastoral industry both at Warwick and Muttaburra.
A constant worry in the wool industry during these times was the threat from dingoes, and he subsequently began a long involvement with the Dingo Syndicate. In 1960, the family moved to "Bibil", near Muttaburra, where they lived for 21 years. Tom continued her interest in the grazing industry, working alongside Frank through rough times and drought. As a result, she became an integral part of their survival through these years, and with Frank's ability to turn his hand to any task, they made a formidable team.
As a typical bushman, Frank always appreciated the great diversity of bush life, in particular birds, and at "Bibil", his great love of "gibber collecting" grew. The gidyea pebble flats gave him many hours of pleasure, and he and Tom shared a mutual love of the bush, particularly hiking the hills in the Muttaburra area.
Continued community involvement ensured the pair touched the lives of many people, through groups such as the Landsborough Flock Ewe Show Society, Oakley Picnic Race Club, Anglican Church, the National Party, Hospital Auxiliary, CWA, and United Graziers Association. Life membership to many of these bodies was bestowed upon them both. "Bibil", which had been in the family since 1908, was sold in 1981, when Frank's ill health required a move to Longreach. The next three years saw Tom take on a carer role for Frank, while still pursuing community interests.
She enjoyed craft activities spending time with her grandchildren, and delivering Meals on Wheels, and both she and Frank were both involved in establishing the Stockman's Hall of Fame.
Frank and Tom moved to Toowoomba in 1984, where they purchased a house with a shed big enough for Frank's woodworking and stone collection. Between Frank's restoration of furniture, and honing of his gibber collection, and Tom's increasing interest in craft, they found the time to travel throughout New Zealand and Australia. The pair also attended numerous McGregor Summer Schools, TAFE and U3A sessions, which gave great impetus to their recreational endeavours. Tom extended her repertoire with silversmithing, woodcarving, calligraphy, flower arranging, and games of Scrabble.
Tom believed strongly in using her skills to help others.
Her baking talents helped many charities and fund-raising groups, including the Royal Flying Doctors, Friends of the Empire, Toowoomba Hospice, Torchbearers, National Party, and the CWA.
During these years, Frank maintained his involvement with Probus and Legacy, and took pleasure from commemorative events such as Anzac Day and 7th Division Cavalry reunions. Tom and Frank's final years were spent in Glenfield Grange, where in typical style, Tom became an active and vocal resident. She also cared for Frank almost full-time, but still managed to develop a supportive association with the Toowoomba Hospice.
Tom and Frank died in May, and are survived by three daughters, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Published in “The Chronicle”, Toowoomba, 11th June 2002.
A true son of the land
Born: November 14, 1922
Died: April 19, 2002
Alan Kummerow was a true son of the land; one of the first farmers to pioneer irrigation farming in the Bongeen area, near Pittsworth.
The name "Alan" means cheerful and harmonious, and he was remembered at his large funeral not only as a successful corn grower but as a man who lived up to his name. Born in Pittsworth, Alan William was one of seven children born to Fred and Minnie Kummerow. He attended the Linthorpe school until 1932, and following his family's move to Bongeen, finished his education at the old Norwin school.
Alan frequently rode a horse or travelled in a sulky to get to school, but the black soil roads were often so wet he couldn't make it at all. In 1942, Alan enlisted into the army as a soldier, and was sent to the battlefields of Milne Bay in the Pacific. He served with the 25th Battalion AIF for 294 days, returning home to Australia after contracting malaria.
Alan came home to work on the family farm, and in his spare time enjoyed honing his skills as a tennis player and cricketer. All of this activity was thirsty work, and the opportunity to partake of a beer or two with his younger brother was often relished. In later years, Alan went into partnership with an older brother, purchasing properties they maintained for more than 40 years.
In January 1950, Alan relinquished his bachelor lifestyle by marrying Lydia Volker. The pair settled at "Kurilda', Bongeen, and had four children, Gary, Sandra, Maree, and Narelle. Lydia died in 1964. Alan continued to live at "Kurilda", where he decided to branch into irrigation farming. This process allowed him to produce excellent crops in the subsequent years, with a specialty in corn. Alan's corn crops were of such a high standard, he was able to contract them to Kelloggs. He was regarded by fellow businessmen as "one of the old school", whose word could always be trusted in transactions. In April 1969, Alan married Wilga Josephine Brook (nee Trousdell), a widow with two children, Gregory, and Kathryn. The pair spent the next 22 years at "Kurilda", taking the opportunity, whenever possible, to travel within Australia and overseas. Alan often recounted the tale of how they camped on the streets of London overnight before the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. A new lifestyle was born in 1991 with the couple's move into grazing cattle.
Purchasing a hillside property they named "Taronga", Alan and Wilga built a new home and developed the property as a Gelbvieh Stud and then a feedlot.
Success in prime beef competitions inevitably followed, with Alan a loyal supporter of both the Toowoomba Ag Show and Farmfest. He was also a familiar face at the many local shows across the Darling Downs. Alan's efforts as a long-time grain grower turned cattleman were highly respected by those he met in the industry. The Supreme Champion at Dalby Beef Galore 2001 was from the Taronga Feedlot, as was a pen of three head which were champions at the Brisbane Exhibition that same year. At Oakey in April this year, there were eight head exhibited, from which the Reserve Champion was chosen. "Taronga" kept Alan busy, but with his boundless energy, he was always looking to do more. Even when his health failed three years ago, Alan maintained his interest in the property, working to the best of his ability. Alan Kummerow died in April, aged 79. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Wilga, his six children, and 15 grandchildren.
Published in "The Chronicle," Toowoomba, 13 June 2002.
Ray respected for farming, community work
Born: July 8, 1918
Died: April 14, 2002
Ray Kummerow was a well-known face around the Pittsworth district. A farmer of long-standing in the area, he was held in high regard for his community endeavours and his active involvement in the armed forces during World War II.
Born in Pittsworth, Raymond Alfred was the fourth child of seven children to Fred and Hermina (nee Pannach) Kummerow. He was raised on a property at Linthorpe, and when the family moved to Bongeen, Ray felt he would now be living in the middle of nowhere. For him it was the end of the world -- an attitude which didn't take long to be reversed. Ray was quick to enlist when troops were required for the war in the Pacific, having a strong desire to serve his country.
He was posted to Darwin to grow food for the troops, and initially was disheartened at being so far from the frontlines. His enthusiasm and talent did not go unnoticed however, and Ray was quickly promoted to Company Quartermaster. While he was away at war, Ray received a letter from his mother telling him that the family property, "Bonwin" was up for sale. Reluctant that this should occur in his absence, Ray decided to purchase the property, buying all 640 acres for five pounds and 12 shillings an acre. Returning home after the war, Ray embarked upon his life's passion of farming. In January 1948, he married his childhood sweetheart, Val Ziesemer, and the pair had three sons, Peter, Murray, and David, and a daughter, Kaye. The farm went from strength to strength, with Ray diversifying from winter into summer crops, and putting down a bore for irrigation in 1970. The cropping trend in farming soon started to become quite popular in the region, but progress was thwarted by the problem of grain storage. Ray was one of many farmers who became instrumental in the success of the Graingrowers Association, being a representative on the district council and State council bodies, as well as district branches for many years. Such involvement helped the development of storage facilities to house the thriving grain-growing industry in the area.
Community involvement was important to Ray, and as well as his activity in the grain industry, he took the time to serve for 14 years on the board of the Concordia College Council. In 1981, Ray branched into cotton growing, and enjoyed success with some prize crops of cotton in the irrigated section of the Toowoomba Royal Show. Like all endeavours he took on, Ray threw himself into this new venture wholeheartedly. He attended many of the Australian Cotton Conferences and went on all of the crop tours.
Ray was passionate about the sport of fishing. While he enjoyed fixing and building farm equipment, it was the annual trip to Fraser Island with his fishing buddies that he loved above everything else. Before barges ran to Fraser Island, Ray would fly to the island with his mates, and then travel around on a tractor with a few seats rigged up on it. No doubt his later trips in a four-wheel drive were far more comfortable.
Apart from Fraser Island, Ray also had the opportunity to travel to the Mediterranean, New Zealand, London, and other parts of Australia. In 1995, he travelled to Townsville on the Troop Train for the 50th anniversary celebrations of World War II. When failing health limited Ray's ability to work on his tractor, he started to do the farm's bookkeeping on a computer, an activity he pursued until his death. Ray Kummerow died aged 83, the oldest living resident in the area at the time, and is survived by his wife, four children, and eight grandchildren.
Published in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba, 6th June 2002.
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