Alice Mary MORTON / RUDDUCK
Born 31 October 1872 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [P363]
Daughter of David Murray MORTON and Ellen Elizabeth MAGUIRE [15] [293: 10-Jul-1903]
Married Samuel Burton RUDDUCK on 8 June 1903 in the Melbourne suburb of Saint Kilda [P363]
Resided with her husband and children in South Perth 1904-1912 and then on Koobabbie Farm in Coorow 1912-1948 [P363]
She oversaw the development and management of the farm from 1914 to 1924 while her husband was unwell [4: 9-Aug-1952]
Addressed those present at the Christmas Tree held in Coorow on Saturday 17 December 1921 [10: 6-Jan-1922]
Performed the Opening Ceremony of the Coorow Agricultural Hall in Coorow on Thursday 1 February 1923 [9: 23-Feb-1923]
Presented the gifts at the Linen Tea for soon-to-be-married Mary R. MORCOMBE in Waddy Forest on 7 August 1930 [39: 18-Aug-1930]
She and her husband visited the Eastern States of Australia in February 1932 [4: 6-Feb-1932]
Judged the Fancy Work and Needlework sections of the Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show on 7 September 1933 [5: 15-Sep-1933]
With her husband departed from Fremantle on the motor-ship Manunda on 25 January 1934 for a holiday in Melbourne [81: 28-Jan-1934]
They also returned to Western Australian on the Manunda, arriving back in Fremantle on 6 March 1934 [39: 7-Mar-1934]
One of the three costume judges at the Children's Fancy Dress Ball held in Coorow on Saturday 6 July 1935 [5: 12-Jul-1935]
Judged the Fancy Work section of the Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Shows in Coorow in 1935 and 1936 [5: 13-Sep-1935, 11-Sep-1936]
In addition to Fancy Work she also judged the Needlework portion of the Educational section at the 1936 Show [5: 11-Sep-1936]
Judged the Fancywork section of the Three Springs Agricultural Show in Three Springs on Thursday 19 September 1935 [5: 27-Sep-1935]
Exhibited in the Cut Flower section of the 1935 Three Springs Agricultural Show, winning a 1st prize for a Mantle Vase of Flowers [5]
Sent a floral tribute for the grave of Miss "May" Mary L. LANG at the Winchester Cemetery on 26 November 1935 [5: 29-Nov-1935]
Exhibited ion the Flower, Confectionary and Farm Produce sections of the Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show in 1936 [5]
Won 1st prize for Lady's Hand Bouquet and 2nd prizes for Madeira Cake and White Hen Eggs [5: 11-Sep-1936]
Judged the Fancy Work section at the Three Springs Agricultural Show in Three Springs on Thursday 12 September 1936 [5: 25-Sep-1936]
Along with her husband spent an extended holiday visiting friends and relatives in Victoria in early 1937 [5: 19-Mar-1937]
They returned to Western Australia on the steamship Duntroon and arrived home to Koobabbie on 16 March 1937 [5: 19-Mar-1937]
Attended the Surprise Linen Tea for Miss Mary E. GREENWOOD at Maryland Farm in Waddy Forest on 22 July 1937 [5: 23-Jul-1937]
Judged the Children's Needlework and won 1st prize for Lemons at the Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show in 1937 [5: 10-Sep-1937]
Sent a wreath for the funeral of Coorow stationmaster William C. Cox at the Karrakatta Cemetery on 4 November 1937 [5: 12-Nov-1937]
Obtained the top price of 7½ guineas for a Corriedale ram she sold at the annual Stud Stock Sale in Carnamah in 1940 [39: 24-Sep-1940]
Won 1st prize for Cabbage and 1st and 2nd for Lemons exhibitions at the Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show in 1945 [5: 21-Sep-1945]
Sent a floral tribute to the funeral of Mrs Mary L. GRONOW of Waddy Forest at Winchester Cemetery in 1945 [5: 24-Aug-1945]
Also sent flowers for the funeral of Waddy Forest farmer Price W. HUNT at the Winchester Cemetery in 1946 [5: 20-Sep-1946]
Member of Coorow-Waddy Forest branch of the Country Women's Association 1946-1948 [5: 3-May-1946, 21-Apr-1949]
Her Lemons and Oranges both won 1st prize at the 9th annual Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show in Coorow in 1946 [5: 11-Oct-1946]
Speaker at the farewell afternoon tea for Mrs Ethel D. FOWLER of Waddy Forest, who was moving to Perth, in 1947 [5: 9-May-1947]
Judged the Needlework section at the 10th annual Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show at Coorow on 4 September 1947 [5: 12-Sep-1947]
She also exhibited in the Vegetable section, again winning two 1st prizes for her home-grown Lemons and Oranges [5]
After a holiday down south she and her husband returned to Waddy Forest by car on 28 February 1948 [5: 5-Mar-1948]
Exhibited and won prizes across multiple sections of the Coorow Waddy Agricultural Show in 1948 [5: 23-Sep-1948]
Awarded 1st prize for a female Rhode Island Red in the Poultry section and 2nd prize for Marmalade in Preserves [5]
In the Flower section she received two 2nd prizes for Lady's Spray and Lady's Bouquet [5]
She bettered her previous efforts in the Vegetable section, winning 1st prize for Oranges and both 1st and 2nd for Lemons [5]
The members of the Coorow-Waddy branch of the C.W.A. bid her farewell at the Christmas Party on 1 December 1948 [5: 21-Apr-1949]
Along with her husband left Koobabbie and Coorow and retired to 26 Ridge Street, South Perth in late 1948 [P17]
Prior to their departure they were presented with a solid silver salver from the residents of the Coorow district [4: 5-Feb-1949]
She and her husband donated £50 towards the Silver Chain Hostel in Three Springs in 1949 [5: 19-May-1949]
Resided in South Perth until her death in 1952 [2]
Mother of Arnold and Muriel [P363]
Died 29 June 1952; buried at the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth, Western Australia (Roman Catholic, Lawn 1, A024) [2]
From The Geraldton Guardian and Express newspaper, Saturday 23 August 1930:
Coorow-Waddy Notes
"The district abounds in gardens, but only where a good supply of water has been available has there been much success. Koobabbie, the property of Mr S.B. Rudduck, is noted among other things for its beautiful roses."
From The North Midland Times newspaper, Thursday 24 February 1949:
Farewell Presentation to Mr & Mrs S. B. Rudduck
"The close of last year marked the departure from Coorow of two of the earliest settlers of the district in Mr and Mrs S. B. Rudduck of Koobabbie, a widely known property on which they had resided for the past thirty six years, and during that period they had improved the property to a particularly high degree of production, more especially in fat lambs and fat cattle. Although Mr Rudduck was the victim of a physical disability which necessitated confinement to his bed for a long time, his courage was responsible for the overcoming of the difficulties, and with the assistance of Mrs Rudduck he was able to conduct the affairs of his property with the utmost degree of efficiency.
Prior to the departure of Mr and Mrs Rudduck many district residents expressed a desire to arrange a public farewell, but on account of the disability of Mr Rudduck this was deemed to be impractical, and therefore a gift in the form of a suitably inscribed solid salver was procured and presented to the departing residents of Koobabbie. The gift was engraved as follows:- 'Presented to Mr and Mrs S.B. Rudduck as a token of esteem from the residents of the Coorow, Waddy Forest and Marchagee districts.' On behalf of those residents the presentation was made by the President of the Coorow-Waddy Forest Agricultural Society (Mr V. W. Broun), who visited Koobabbie in company with the Secretary of the Society (Mr J. L. Adams) and personally expressed regret at the departure of Mr and Mrs Rudduck and extended to them best wishes for the future.
Since arriving at his new home in South Perth in company with his wife, Mr Rudduck has written as follows to the secretary of the Coorow-Waddy Forest Agricultural Society:- 'Please convey to the residents of the district our very great appreciation and thanks for the goodwill as expressed in the presentation made to Mrs Rudduck and myself by Messrs Broun and Adams. During our long residence in Coorow we at all times endeavoured to be good neighbours and this spirit has always been reciprocated to the fullest extent, which fact tempers the regret we feel at leaving the district and its people. Our memories of 'Koobabbie' and the work accomplished on that property, together with the goodwill of our neighbours and friends represent the happiest period of our lives.'"
From The West Australian newspaper, Tuesday 1 July 1952:
Deaths
"RUDDUCK: On June 29, at her home, 26 Ridge-street, South Perth, Alice Mary, beloved wife of S. B. Rudduck, loved mother of Arnold and Muriel. Privately interred at Karrakatta on June 30."
From The Irwin Index newspaper, Saturday 9 August 1952:
Old Coorow Identity - Late Mrs S. B. Rudduck - Early Rural Pioneer
"Following a somewhat brief illness, the death occurred peacefully in Perth late in June last of Mrs S. B. Rudduck, whose remains were interred privately at her own request, the deceased lady being survived by her husband, one son in Mr S. A. Rudduck, of 'Koobabbie', Waddy Forest, and one daughter in Mrs M. E. Roberts, of 'Barragunda', Georgina.
The late Mrs Rudduck was very widely known and highly respected in the North Midlands, having resided in Coorow with her husband from late in 1912 until they left about three years ago to live in retirement in Perth, and with her death yet another of the northern district rural pioneers has passed, for during her long residence she was truly a part of Coorow, and more especially a part of 'Koobabbie'. This property, which is one of the show farms of Western Australia, was selected before survey in 1906 and six years late the late Mrs Rudduck and her family joined Mr Rudduck to live in a tent pending the construction of the first house on 'Koobabbie'. Then followed the planning and development of the farm, and just how complete that work was carried through is evidenced today by the beautiful belts of shade trees dividing the property. In all this work the deceased lady played her part, and that part became a leading role when from 1914 to 1924 her husband was completely bedridden. Mrs Rudduck then became manager of the farm as well as manager of the home, but backed always by sound advice from her husband's sick bed. In those days 'Koobabbie' boasted a very fine flock of Merino sheep, and the classing of the wool clip was yet another job expertly executed by Mrs Rudduck.
Both Mr and Mrs Rudduck were always well informed on all agricultural subjects, and any new settlers arriving in the district in the early twenties eagerly sought their advice, which was always freely given. The late Mrs Rudduck was a woman of many parts. At the district show she could speak as an authority on all sections, being equally interested in needlework, children's work, livestock or any ring event, and wherever she moved she commanded the utmost respect by her quiet charm and dignity."
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Alice Mary Morton / Rudduck' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 26 April 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/alice-mary-morton [reference list] |
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