HOUSE Dudley Keith

Dudley Keith House was born on 9th November, 1901 at Midland Junction, was married at Telyarup Homestead to Amy Margaret Oliphant Timms on 17th October, 1928 and died at "Privett" on August 10th, 1970.

He grew up in the Katanning district and was educated at Hale School. He was Captain of School 1918-19 and was a member of the winning "Head of the River" crew in 1919.

After leaving school he worked at “Privett" for a while then went north as a jackaroo on Mr. Balston's station, Hamelin Pool. After about two years he came south and worked at the Ford Motor Works in Fremantle. This experience was invaluable with regards to farm machinery in later years.
 

DUDLEY KEITH HOUSE                #1
 

He returned to "Privett" and worked under his father until he was married in 1928.

The wedding took place at “Telyarup” on the verandah by the Presbyterian minister from Broomehill.

The couple then went to live on “Wallacup” which belonged to Keith's stepmother Keith managed this property for the first five years of married life.

Keith made a good job of managing this property as in those five years, crop yields improved considerably and wool clips were also well up.

Their sheep also sold well in the local market (Katanning).

Keith and Amy moved over to “Privett" in 1934.

Amy recalls: “Keith soon became involved in the affairs of the district.

He first served on the Hospital Board and the Road Board at an early stage.

The Red Cross was another organisation which claimed his attention. In fact that was where he made his first public speech that I remember.

   "PRIVETT" HOUSE  1930            #2
 

 "PRIVETT" HOUSE  1930            #3
 

He was grabbed by Mrs. Stan Dolley and more or less hauled onto the stage to thank everyone for their support and donations. The speech was a very fair effort for a first attempt.

As the War had started, the Red Cross was operating everywhere. More and more the chaps were enlisting and going off to camp and then overseas. The usual send off by the district was held in the town hall with best wishes and silent prayers that they would return to take up their normal lives, being offered.

There were many gaps when they did eventually return home.

When Colin Heppell enlisted, Keith thought he would have another go and was very put out when told he was of more value doing what he was rather, than enlisting. Singapore fell and a lot of Australians were captured or killed, Colin Heppell being one of those captured.

Many anxious weeks were spent until news came through of their capture and of prisoner of war camp locations.

Life went on and the feelings of frustration grew as one felt and wanted to do more than one's usual round of home and farm chores. Red Cross and district matters seemed to be such a small thing when war was raging elsewhere.

More and More of the young chaps were going overseas to different war zones. The older men and women were filling the gaps to the best of their abilities.

1942 was not a good year for any of us, as a family. I lost my father and my youngest son, Lindsay, died of meningitis. Everything was in short supply and rationed. Farmers were asked to keep up supplies of grain as far as possible.

Tractors, trucks and what cars were still being used, were running with gas producers fitted as this helped to reduce the consumption of fuel.
 

KEITH HOUSE INSPECTING SOME OF HIS PRIZE RAMS                #4
 

In 1943 Keith was kept busy as Vice Chairman of the Road Board. There were various meetings and conferences of different Boards and organisations to attend.

I believe it was at this time that we persuaded Tom Wellard to stand for the East Ward. He was duly elected and became involved with the affairs of the district for many years.

War went on in all the different areas and news was pretty grim, but eventually the tide turned, and when peace was finally declared, it seemed hardly possible that our chaps were coming home.

Plans were under way for land settlement with schemes being brought forward to settle some of the chaps on the land. The shortage of food in the world made this scheme seem vital. Big leases were sold to provide farms for two or three returned soldiers.

Keith was asked if he would serve on the selection committee as he knew the circumstances and history of most of the applicants. He also knew the country and the farms that were being divided up.

I had my say here and asked that the acreage given to the chaps be such that they could make an easier go of it than the first war veterans in the Denmark and Pallinup settlements, who were only given a miserable five hundred acres of land. Many of these men worked under ghastly conditions and suffered much hardship. There is always a lot of red tape and unnecessary delay when a project is government run. However, at this time, we were fortunate to have Mr. A.F. Watts as our standing member of parliament. Digby Leach was Commissioner of Main Roads at the time.

The regional councils did a lot of ground work in collecting information and suggestions from many different organisations in many districts.

Reg Austin's name must be mentioned here as one of the first to do work in this district in this area. The Gnowangerup Roads Board was fortunate to have Bill Cuneo as Secretary and the appointment of Colin Cameron in charge of the War Service Land Settlement areas of Jerramungup, Gairdner River and Corackerup was another boon for Gnowangerup.

I believe Bill Cuneo and Tom Wellard had the best end of the stick at this time, exploring and fishing whilst meeting people in the field, whilst Keith had to handle all the public relations side of the venture, interviewing people and making decisions. The Great Southern Regional Council was well to the fore with suggestions of transport, road, rail, power, water and communications.

It was hoped that the huge area south of Wagin and east to Ravensthorpe would help make Albany a thriving port once again. It seems a pity that this did not happen and little by little Albany has been deprived of its national place in the scheme of the area.

In passing, there is one particular "softening up” camp that I remember. Dignitaries were invited to participate in fishing trips at times. This way they could see for themselves at close quarters, the need for different facilities so that when the subject came up in the departments they headed, the “softening up" camp was their experience.

“Privett" entertained Mrs. Leach, while Digby (The Commissioner for Main Roads) went to Bremer Bay, fishing. Mrs. Leach and I went to Broomehill to watch polo matches a couple of times and very dusty trips they were, too. It did not seem very long after that the bitumen was extended (Who knows......?)

The camps were enjoyed by all and were held for many years. Keith was very grateful to all members who gave their loyal support to those camps. Albert Frantom's meals and yarns were something to remember.

In 1953 Keith's health began to fail and Dr. Hanrahan advised him to give up all his public duties. It was at about this time that Glen Garnett told us of land being thrown open for selection. We applied for this and were lucky to be successful. This property is now "Barloo." The land was taken up in son Fred‘s

name as we assumed that son Tony would take over “Privett.” As it happened, Tony took up medicine and his son Keith now runs “Privett."

Keith went back into Road Board work and was soon involved with Regional Councils, Great Southern Regional Board, Albany Harbour Board, Library Board, Progress Association and anything else that would advance and develop our state and district.]

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References:                 Article:      Research by Merilyn Stewart

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024