Monday, 14 April 2014

INTRODUCTION and FEATURE ARTICLE dated 1941





Caretaker's dwelling at Dolo Tank 1928

Let me live in a house by the side of the road
where the race of men go by -
The men who are good and the men who are bad
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat
Or hurl the cynic's ban:
Let me live in a house by the side of the road,
And be a friend to man.
 (Poet: Sam Walter Foss)

                                                          INTRODUCTION

What follows is a selection of newspaper articles printed about Frank Olerhead who was born in May of 1855 at the New Bendigo gold diggings, now the town of St. Arnaud, Victoria Australia. Frank's father Robert and mother Caroline went from dig to dig in Victoria's famous "Golden Triangle" and with a continuing growing family they eventually settled in nearby Inglewood (Vic). Robert, who grew up in Bromborough on the Wirril peninsula near Liverpool and Chester was baptised with the surname Hollerhead, which later became Ollerhead on his marriage certificate, to finally become Olerhead either in the Unites States where he resided for several years, or on his arrival in the Australian colonies. All his descendants in Australia have the surname Olerhead.
Oral history relates that Frank, who was in conflict with his mother, left home never to be heard of again by family members. We now know he first moved to Melbourne and later, in 1881, to outback New South Wales where he died at Broken Hill in 1942. The last decades of this life were passed as caretaker of Dolo Tank, a government watering trough situated on the Wincannia- Broken Hill road. There he became so well known that newspapers across the nation wrote of his kindness. Perhaps he was, as one of his friends stated after his death, "one of the grandest men of the outback."
 
All newspaper articles have been retrieved from the electronic archive of the National Library of Australia and here republished for interest in family history and without any financial gain.

Wool Team at Dolo Tank 1938. source:State Records NSW

                                                                     ***


Keen Interest In World
Affairs At 90  
Sidelights in the life of
MR. F. OLERHEAD
Was Host At Dolo Tank


Source:Keen Interest In World. (1941, January 8). Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), p. 1 Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48391524

 KNOWN throughout the whole of the West Darling district, and particularly to travellers along the Wilcannia Road. Mr. Frank Olerhead ls still in excellent health and taking a keen Interest in world affairs in spite of his 90 odd years. He does not know his exact age
When a reporter from "The Barrier Miner" Called on him at 512 Argent Street yesterday. Mr. Olerhead told something of the early days, but was more keen to discuss the war and world affairs.  
Mr. Olerhead has his own wireless set and does not miss one news broadcast or comment on the overseas position. He thinks that the end of the war will see some big changes in the methods of living.
"People nowadays have not got the same Christian spirit they had when I was in the bush. There seems to be more churches and less Christianity and civilisation," Mr. Olerhead said.
Mr. Olerhead first came to this district in 1881, when he arrived in Wilcannia with some travelling sheep. He had joined them in Victoria when the adventure of the outback called him.
He was the first white child born at St. Arnaud (Victoria), where his parents had settled when they were attracted to Australia from America. They originally came from England.
On his arrival at Wilcannia Mr. Olerhead gave up his job as shepherd and took up a position minding horses for tank-sinkers. For this he received £2 a week and his keep.
                                      FOOLISH BUSHMEN
"From then until I left the bush I always had something to do with horses," Mr. Olerhead said. He re- called that in those days Wilcannia had five or six hotels, but it was only a short time before there were about 16. "Bushmen were foolish. They would spend long periods in the bush then go into the township and spend it all on drink," the old bushman said.
Rabbiting was one of the money making businesses of the day, and hundreds of people arrived in Wilcannia to seek a fortune from catching rabbits. Some made it.
"But the bush is different now. In those days there was up to a hundred
men working on stations which carry, only about five or six men now, and wool was being sold for only about 8d. I remember hearing Peter Waite, say once that it cost only 2/6 a week to keep a man in food on the stations because of the large supplies of bulk foodstuffs."
"There was always accommodation for people travelling through and always a feed for them, but there is not the same spirit now." Mr. Olerhead added. He said that at Yancannia there was a shed kept only for travelling bushmen. They could always have a rest, a meal and probably some work. Other stations also provided such places.
                                        HOST AT DOLO
Mr. Olerhead has tried his hand at practically all classes of bushcraft. He was boundary rider at Mount Murchison Station for some time. At the end of the last war he decided to go into an "active retirement." He gave up station work and took up the position of caretaker at the Dolo Government tank, which is 86 miles from Wilcannia. He was there for nearly 20 years and probably became even more widely known, particularly to travellers on the Wilcannia coach.
Never a traveller passed by the tank that "Old Frank," as he was affectionately known, did not stop and give a cup of tea and some cake.
"I have received a thousand fold everything I gave away. We are on this earth to do acts of kindness," Mr. Olerhead said.
His white cockatoo, which is almost as well known in the district as Mr. Olerhead himself, is now more than 70 years of age. It still talks and still has all the appearances of a young bird.




Sunday, 13 April 2014

Frank's death August 2, 1942 at Broken Hill NSW


                                     OLD WESTERNER'S DEATH

 "OLD WESTERNER'S DEATH." Western Grazier (Wilcannia, NSW) 7 Aug 1942 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139559918

An old and well known Westerner passed away on Sunday last. He had been in the district since 1881. It was Mr. Frank Olerhead. The late Mr. Olerhead was born at St. Arnaud in Victoria, and claimed to have been the first white child born In the centre of rather early day gold mining. The late Mr. Olerhead worked as a lad as a milk deliverer in Melbourne chiefly in the Collingwood area. It was in 1891 that he arrived in Wilcannia. Soon after he was at work on Momba Station and White cliffs. His Jobs included gardening, horse driving, looking after horse teams, including the old mail coach teams, carting water, wood and mine timber, the latter at White Cliffs in the days of the opal boom. Mostly he had a horse and cart. He was an excellent man with horses, and a hard worker. In 1881 his years were beginning to tell, and in that year he became care taker at Dolo Tank. He remained there for eighteen years and was well known to travellers between Wilcannia and Broken Hill. He was always ready with a cup of ten, which he himself relished to drink No. I. In 1936 his age got the better of him and he went into Broken Hill to reside with Mr. and Mrs. O. R.Cameron very old friends, who regarded deceased as one of the grandest men of the out back. In politics the late Mr. Olerhead was a supporter of the Labor Party, and was always a member of the AWU. He worked on a few stations in his time Including Yacannia He had no relatives an was never married.
                                                             ***

                                          Host Of Dolo Tank Dead

"Host Of Dolo Tank Dead." Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW) 3 Aug 1942 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48395138

"Old Frank of Dolo Tank" died early yesterday morning at the home of Mr. O. R. Cameron, 512 Argent Street. Aged 99 years. Mr. Frank Olerhead retired only about six years ago. He was known throughout the Western District for the cup of tea which he gave travellers calling at Dolo Tank.  
Mr. Olerhead was born in Victoria; but went to Wilcannia in 1881 and became an identity in the district. He was also at White Cliffs for some years, and was a prominent unionist. He was caretaker of Dolo Tank for many years. So far as is known he has no living relatives.
The funeral took place today, leaving Mr. O. R. Cameron's residence, 512 Argent Street, at ll a.m. for the Church of England portion of the Cemetery. The Rev. White officiated at the graveside. Bearers were: J.Cameron junr, H. Reece, J. Blight, F. Cantwell, R. McMannus, and R. Carey. Tom J. Mallon was in charge of the funeral arrangements.
                                                                          ***
"Family Notices." Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill, NSW) 3 Aug 1943 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143782159

OLERHEAD— Remembrance of Frank, died August 3. 1942. — Ever remembered by Ethel, Frank and Frankie.
                                                          ***

"Family Notices." Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill, NSW) 2Aug1947
<http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141125338>.

OLERHEAD— In memory of Frank who passed away August 2, 1942. Always remembered. —Inserted by Mr. and Mrs. O. R. Cameron and Family.

                                                                        ***

                              Notes by K. Olerhead aprile 2014:

The Cameron family placed “In memory” announcements for Frank for many successive years after his death in the Broken Hill press.
                                                                        ***
A newspaper obituary clipping from the Melbourne Sun daily newspaper published in 1942 came into my possession sometime around 2002/03. The one line obituary reads:
OLERHEAD Frank, 512 Agent St., Broken Hill; 99 years”
This would not seem to be a death notice by grieving relatives and could well have been inserted by friends from Broken Hill who knew that Frank had siblings living in Melbourne and elsewhere in the state of Victoria.

Broken Hill Christmas Party 1938


OLDEST AT XMAS
PARTY WAS 87
Treat For Nearly 300 pensioners


Source:"OLDEST AT XMAS PARTY WAS 87." Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW ) 1 Dec 1938: 3 Edition: HOME EDITION. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47988497


CHRISTMAS is still 24 days away, but the children of yesterday celebrated it with enthusiasm today when the Old Age and Invalid Pensioners celebrated, in the New Masonic Hall the fifth anniversary of the founding of the local branch; The oldest "child" present was Mrs. McClure, who is 87 years of age, and the oldest "boy" to answer the age call was Mr. Frank Olerhead, aged 82. …......
During the party, banquet the Mayor made presentations to the oldest "boy" and the oldest "girl" and congratulated them on their, achievements.


Frank's friend Herbert Davey takes his life at the Tank 1929


DEATH AT DOLO TANK

"DEATH AT DOLO TANK." Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW) 7 Nov 1929: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46580592
 
Inspector Gibson was advised from Wilcannia this afternoon that Mr Herbert Davey, a man between 40 and 50 years of age died suddenly to-day at Dolo Tank 90 miles from Broken Hill. He instructed Sergeant Sewell, of Wilcannia to investigate the matter, and report it to the coroner at Wilcannia. So far as can be ascertained death was due to natural causes. A brother of the dead man Mr. Harold Davey, who works on the Proprietary mine, was informed of the death. Mr. F. J. Potter has gone out to bring the body to Broken Hill.

                                                        ***

DEATH AT DOLO TANK
INQUEST AT WILCANNIA TO-DAY


"DEATH AT DOLO TANK." Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW) 8 Nov 1929: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46565007

Mr. Herbert Davie, who was found dead in a bough shed at Dolo Tank on the Broken Hill-Wilcannia road,yesterday, was 49 years of age. He had been at the tank since last March in the company of Mr. Frank Olerhead. When Sergeant Sewell, of Wilcannia, received notice of the death he went to the spot. It is understood that an inquest was opened and that evidence of identification was given. Later the body was taken to Wilcannia by Mr. F. J. Potter, where it was examined by a doctor. Mr. Potter then brought the body in to Broken Hill, reaching the city at 4 O'clock this morning. The funeral will take place to-morrow at 2 p.m., leaving the residence of the deceased's brother, Mr. Harold Davie, 162 Chapple-lane for the Presbyterian Cemetery. The inquest into the death is being continued at Wilcannia today. Letters left by the deceased will be tendered, and it is stated that these will enable the coroner to determine the cause of death.

                                            ***
 
                        STRYCHNINE POISONING



Saturday, 12 April 2014

Back to Broken Hill Jubilee 1933


                      INVITED TO COME BACK

Source: "INVITED TO COME BACK." Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW) 7 Aug 1933 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48439692

New List From
Organiser


Officials at the Town Hall are still being kept busy writing out invitation cards for the "Back to Broken Hill" Jubilee, addressing envelopes and placing the jubilee stickers on them !
Applications continue to pour in and| each day a large batch is sent by mail to all parts of tho Commonwealth. A charge of 1p per invitation is being made at the Town Hall to defray the costs of postage !
The following are more names of those to whom invitations have been sent...

Mr. Frank Olerhead, Dolo Tank, Wilcannia road.


Crushed by a Barrel of Beer 1902


                 Crushed by a Barrel of Beer.


Source: Crashed by a Barrel of Beer. (1902, October 14). Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), page 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44318425


WHITE CLIFFS, Tuesday.
Frank Ollerhead met with a serious mishap while conveying two casks of beer in a spring cart from teams loaded for the Workingman's Club. Ollerhead had gone to meet the teams coming from Broken Hill, and he put the two casks in his cart, starting back for White Cliffs at night. The cart capsized on the journey in a steep gutter and one of the casks fell on Ollerhead, breaking his shoulder and bruising him badly generally. Being alone, three miles from assistance, Ollerhead had to walk in great pain to Bambriek's farm, which he reached with difficulty in an exhausted condition about 3 o'clock in the morning. He aroused Mr. Bambriek, who brought him to the Cliffs for treatment.

Mr. Eustice recalls kindly Frank Olerhead at Dolo Government tank in the years 1917/18


"OUT AMONG the PEOPLE."
Column by Vox


Source: The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) 3 Jan 1941
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74460383


    . I have had a note from W. Eustice (17 Newbon street. New Prospect), who from 1917 to 1919 drove the motor mail for Morrison brothers from Broken Hill to Wilcannia — the first term of motors when horse coaches ceased to run...
    Mr. Eustice recalls kindly Frank Olerhead at Dolo Government tank, 36 miles on the Broken Hill side of Wllcannia. “No matter what time of the day or night passengers reached there, Frank was always waiting for them with a cup of tea and a niece of home-made cake,” he tells me. “When I was In Broken Hill last September. I located him at 512 Argent street, and to me he did not look much different from when I last saw him at Dolo tank 21 years previously. He told me he was 86 years old. When I referred to his kindness to everybody at the tank, he said. 'What's the use of being on this earth unless you can always show kindness and goodwill to everyone'?”