Richard Fiddes FULLERTON
Born 13 July 1877 in Marykirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland [28]
Son of tenant farmer Robert FULLERTON and Betsy MILNE [28]
He was one of at least eight children with elder siblings Robert and Eliza and younger William, Cecilia, Stewart, George and Mabel [20]
In 1881 he was living with his parents and siblings at Boat of Craigo in Logie Pert, Angus, Scotland [20]
Ten years later, in 1891, they were living on Old Water Bridge Road in Montrose, Angus, Scotland [20]
In 1911 he was the proprietor of a nursing home in Marylebone, London, England [450]
Married "Winifred" Kate Winifred TERRELL on 7 December 1904 at the Parish Church in Martock, Somerset, England [450]
They had two sons born in England - Richard Bryant (known as Byrant) in 1904 and Roderick Stuart (known as Stuart) in 1907 [21]
Along with his wife and two sons departed from London, England on the steamship Orsova on 15 October 1909 [203]
After a voyage of just over a month they arrived on the Orsova in Fremantle, Western Australia on 18 November 1909 [338]
Farmer at Baker's Hill near Northam 1909-1911 [120: 14-Oct-1937] [152]
He had sheep on the property in Baker's Hill, as he sold 26 lambs through Elder, Shenton & Co Ltd in early 1911 [120: 4-Feb-1911]
By July 1911 he had abandoned his Homestead Lease 13532/74, which adjoined the Baker's Hill townsite [81: 23-Jul-1911]
The Land Board approved his application to take up the 1,000 acre Victoria Location 4742 in Perenjori on 13 July 1911 [39: 15-Jul-1911]
He was the first farmer to permanently settle at Perenjori and when he arrived the entire district was virgin bush [120: 7-Feb-1929]
Farmer of Quandongs Farm in Perenjori 1911-1942 [6] [19] [152]
Began with 2,000 acres of land but within a few years took up another 3,808 acres, of which 3,000 was forest country [152]
His farm adjoined the Perenjori townsite [86: 7-Sep-1918]
Initially the nearest railway siding was at Carnamah and his postal address was Carnamah until 1914 [6]
Began with about £3,000 of his own money and further money borrowed from the Agricultural Bank and the W.A. Bank [152]
Took no Industries Assistance Board help as he preferred to deal with the bank who let him sell his produce to whom he chose [152]
For his first season he grew 30 acres of wheat crop, however it didn't come to very much on account of it being a bad season [152]
In 1912 he had to cart all his materials the 40 miles from Carnamah to his farm [152]
He and HESFORD Bros were the two biggest farmers in Perenjori in 1913 with about 300 acres of crop each [31: 4-Jul-1913]
Grew 820 acres of wheat crop in 1915 which on yielded 16 bushels per acre, with 100 acre crop yielding 27 bushels per acre [152]
By 1916 he had cleared 1,000 acres of his farm and had ring-fenced three sides of it [152]
His water supply was from a dam and two wells, one of which gave good water and the other water only suitable for stock [152]
The dam, which he made himself, was 800 cubic yards in size and was held water about seven feet deep [152]
By 1916 their house on the farm had an iron roof, external iron walls, and lined walls throughout on the inside [152]
He also had an open 40 by 22 foot machinery shed by 1916, but didn't have a machinery shed [152]
In 1916 he had a Rumley tractor and 16 working horses, three cows, two calves and only five of his sheep left [152]
Grew 740 acres of wheat crop in 1916 and in late November expected an average yield of 15 bushels per acre [152]
He estimated that it cost him 25/- per acre to put in and take off his crop using his tractor in 1916 [152]
Compared to horses his tractor was cheaper per acre, allowed a longer working day and could do more acres per day [152]
Initially carted his wheat in bags to the railway siding on a wagon, which would cut six inches into the ground with the weight [152]
In 1916 he carted his wheat to the railway siding in Perenjori with his tractor which didn't sink into the ground at all [152]
Kept poultry, pigs and sheep for their own use, and in 1916 paid between £2/10/- and £2/5/- per week in wages to workmen [152]
He said "...the men that I have are good men and I know them. Some days they work from daylight till dark as work presses" [152]
Gave evidence to the Royal Commission on the Agricultural Industries of Western Australia in Perenjori on 25 November 1916 [152]
He believed farming machinery was too expensive because it was imported and then had duties imposed on it [152]
His suggestion was that the duty be removed and that ultimately farming machinery should be manufactured in Australia [152]
It was his opinion that a farmer should have at least 3,000 acres of land [152]
He stated that "If I had known what I know now I certainly would not have come out to Australia to farm" [152]
Nevertheless he believed he could make a success of farming, especially if farmers could get cash for their produce [152]
Practically and ethically he strongly disagreed with wheat being pooled and the farmers not getting paid until much later [152]
His main problem was he had to practically pay cash for everything yet he had to wait to get paid for his wheat [152]
He also stated that it would be beneficial if farmers could get breeding ewes on extended terms, to make a start with sheep [152]
In 1912 and 1913 he and his wife also had a home at 308 Mandurah Road in South Fremantle [50]
Dressed as a Stockman he attended the Plain & Fancy Dress Ball in Three Springs on Easter Monday 24 March 1913 [9:4-Apr-1913]
Served on the Perenjori-Morawa Road Board - was Chairman in 1917 [10: 20-Apr-1917]
By 1918 he had cleared most of his farm and was cropping and running sheep [86: 7-Sep-1918]
He was described as "one of the most progressive settlers in the district" with his farm having "the makings of a valuable property" [86]
Member of the Perenjori Agricultural Society - was President in 1918 and Vice President in 1935 [86: 5-Oct-1918] [120: 17-Oct-1935]
His horse Beauty was a beauty and won 1st for Two Year Old at the 2nd Annual Agricultural Show in Perenjori in 1918 [86: 5-Oct-1918]
He had the telephone connected to his farmhouse by 1926 - was telephone number Perenjori-3 [60]
In 1926 he was still using the Rumley oil tractor he owned ten years earlier in 1916 [81: 26-Sep-1926]
His testimony about the tractor, including small repair bills and economical fuel consumption, was used in newspaper adverts [81]
He was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the Victoria Magisterial District in 1927 [5: 14-Aug-1936] [86: 26-Mar-1927]
In 1929 he had 840 acres of his farm cropped in Merredin and Nabawa wheats, 640 acres of which was on fallowed land [39: 17-Jun-1929]
His land was "quite clean" and his crops weren't troubled by any types of wheat diseases [39: 17-Jun-1929]
In 1929 he was building up a nice herd of pure Jersey cattle in addition to running sheep [39: 17-Jun-1929]
A stay order on the foreclosing of his financial estate was issued under the Farmers Debt Adjustment Act in early 1931 [225: 11-Feb-1931]
Celebrated his daughter "Mabe" Mabel's 21st birthday with about 50 guests at their home in Perenjori on 5 August 1932 [5: 12-Aug-1932]
It was reported as "a most enjoyable evening" of games, singing and dancing which went on until 3 a.m. [5: 12-Aug-1932]
Patron of the Perenjori Football Club in 1933 and 1934 [39: 19-Apr-1933, 4-Apr-1934]
Became a member of the Carnamah Masonic Lodge No.150 W.A.C. on 8 June 1934 [96]
Foundation President of the Perenjori Golf Club 1929-1935 [39: 24-Apr-1934, 29-Mar-1935] [468: 22-Jun-1929]
His wife Kate passed away at the age of 57 years on 20 September 1935 and was buried at the Perenjori Cemetery [83]
Acting Coroner of the inquest into the death of Perenjori farmer Raymond J. F. FENNELL in Perenjori on 10 August 1936 [5: 14-Aug-1936]
Father of Bryant, Stuart and Mabel [39: 24-Sep-1935]
Died 26 October 1942; buried at Perenjori Cemetery in Perenjori, Western Australia (Plot 39) [83]
From The Western Mail newspaper, Thursday 7 February 1929:
The Beginning of Perenjori - Pioneers Still Farming
"Faith in the district is shown by the first pioneer, Mr. R. F. Fullerton, remaining there to this day. He arrived there in 1911, when it was all bush, and there was no settler within many miles. For a few month he eked out a lonely existence, until he was followed by Messrs. T. and M. Farrell, W. Forrest, W. Beatty, Hesford Bros., T. Keogh, W. Payne, and D. Smith. Mr. Fullerton took up a selection timbered with York and salmon gum, and a sprinkling of sandplain. His first crop was 12 acres, which did not justify harvesting. His stock consisted of a pair of horses, which he had brought at Carnamah, and a few sheep which he bought at Mullewa - a flock he increased later to 3,000. Eventually he increased his holding to 2,000 acres, clearing at the rate of 200 acres a year. He had compensation for his unsatisfactory results in [the drought of] 1914 by securing an average in the following year of 27 bushels from a 200-ac22-re paddock, with an all-round average of 23 bushels for the farm. His latest crop turned out about 15 bushels, through his Nabawa [wheat] went 22 bushels. He is carrying a few hundred merino sheep, and his clip averages 8lb. per head. A feature of the farm is the substantial shed and yard accommodation."
From The Perenjori Pioneer newspaper, Saturday 5 October 1935:
Obituary
"The late Mrs R. F. Fullerton was one of the pioneer women of the Perenjori District with her husband early in 1911. During that time she had always taken a leading part in all social and other activities in the district. She was always a benefactor to anyone in need of help and a reliable Church worker. She was the foundation president of the C.W.A. and took a keen interest in that organisation. It was her kindly disposition and sweet personality that made her the outstanding figure in the women of the district. She leaves two sons, one daughter and several grandchildren."
From The Western Mail newspaper, Thursday 14 October 1937:
Perenjori's First Settler - Mr Fullerton's Work for the District
"The proprietor of Quondongs Estate, Perenjori, is that well-known citizen Mr R. F. Fullerton. Born at Montrose, a small town near theborder of Forfarshire and Kincardineshire (East Scotland), Mr Fullerton came to Western Australia at the age of 32 years. Twenety-five years ago, after two and a half years' farming experience at Baker's Hill, he went to Perenjori - the first settler in the district. He cleared 14 acres of virgin country for his first crop, which would have yielded a fair average had no stray cattle eaten the lot to the ground. Undeterred, he gradually cleared more country, and the following year had a fair harvest. He had the foresight when clearing and planning his property to allow for a two-chain belt of timber, which encircles every paddock on the property. This, besides providing shade for his stock, guards against the possible danger of soil erosion, and, as a path runs through the centre of it, provides easy access for machinery to any paddock. For 16 years a member of the Perenjori-Morawa Road Board, and for three years chairman, Mr Fullerton has found time to devote some of his energy and wisdom to the betterment of the district. When the Perenjori Golf Club was formed, he was made president, and he donated the use of his paddocks for the nine-hole course, on which golf was played for three years."
From The Northern Producer and Morawa & District Advertiser, Friday 6 November 1942:
Perenjori Resident's Death
"It is with sincere regret that we chronicle the death of Mr R. F. Fullerton, an old and very highly esteemed resident of the Perenjori district. Following a fairly long illness, he passed away at The Mount Hospital, Perth. The remains were brought back to Perenjori, where the funeral took place last Friday. The only member of his family able to be present was his daughter, Mrs Morris. The pall-bearers were Messrs J. Dix, T. Keogh, H. W. England, S. J. Maurice, H. Pope and A. P. Tucker. Members of the Masonic Lodge present paid the final honour to a departed brother."
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Richard Fiddes Fullerton' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 25 April 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/richard-fiddes-fullerton [reference list] |
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