BUNGEY Ralph

"Early settlers to Gnowangrup were Mr & Mrs Ralph Bungey and their three sons aged 6, 4, and 16 months, who, with a friend, George Brown-Eakins, came from Berkshire, England on the S.S. *Otway *in March 1911.

The former took up 2000 acres of virgin country twenty five miles south of Gnowangerup. The farm was named "Highdenup," originating from Highclose and Denford, being the names of Mr. & Mrs. Bungey's homes in England combined. This was common in the district.

George Brown-Eakins took up 600 acres adjoining and named it “Shooters Hill." Mr. Bungey, being a míller by trade, knew little or nothing about farming so he and George got a positions on Mr. Donaldson's farm at Tammin, George as teamster and Ralph doing odd jobs, for three months, to gain experience. Mrs. Bungey and the three boys stayed in Subiaco.

The menfolk then went on their farms. The material for the Highdenup home was carted from Cranbrook by George Wellstead with his wagon and twelve horses. No reins, just shouted orders and the team obeyed, like bullock teams.

They then built the four roomed weatherboard and corrugated iron house.

When it was completed Mrs. Bungey and the family arrived by train from Perth to Broomehill, which was the nearest rail service in those days. Broomehill was the main centre as Gnowangerup did not have a rail service. Store, etc., were brought by horse transportation to Gnowangerup.

The trip from Highdenup to Broomehill and back took three days with stopovers at Eugenup and D3 where water was available.

It was hard work as all clearing was done by manual labour using an axe. The Agricultural Bank would advance the money so most people were reliant on the bank.

Knowing nothing of the conditions they awoke one morning to find two of their four horses dead. They learnt later from a neighbour, Walter McLennan, that they had eaten box poison.

Visitors were very few in those days. Mr. Clugston, a Methodist minister would call, probably once a month and hold a service in their home on Sunday aftemoon. He came in a horse and sulky.

Jack Harris, the mailman, came in later years, doing the round trip from Gnowangerup, delivering and collecting mail. He and his daughter, Maude, lived on the outskirts of Gnowangerup.

He drove a two horse coach with a collapsable hood and always had a third horse as a spare following behind. He stayed Sunday night at Highdenup and sometimes the Bungey children would get a lift with him to school at Glenísla, seven miles away. They would then come back to Madgetup with the Stone children and walk the three miles from there to home.

In January 1913, Ralph and Mrs. Bungey had their fourth child, a daughter. Mrs. Bungey went to Albany by train to the nursing home run by Nurse Brown with Dr. Blackburn being the doctor in charge.

Mother and baby came home on the first train to Borden and from therethere to home travelled eight miles home in the wagon.

Most eatables were produced on the farm - vegetables, meat, milk, bread and eggs - while other commodities were bought in bulk. Sugar was bought in 70 lb bags and tea, 56 lbs in a wooden chest. Jam, Nestles milk and currents came in wooden boxes.

There was no electricity or running water, and kerosene lamps and candles were their only source of lighting. As they only had 3000 gallons of rain water, it had to be used sparingly. In summer time water was carted from the dam to wash and bathe in.

A three furrow mould plough, a spring type cultivator and drill was used to seed the crop. It was harvested with a stripper which just collected the heads. These were put through the winnower, a contraption turned by hand that separated the corn from the husks.

The farm is still in the Bungey family(1993). Noel Bungey and his son, Garry, live on the property. Neil is a grandson of the first Mr. & Mrs. Bungey.

George Brown-Eakins was killed in Gnowangerup before the 1920's. He was buried in the Katanning Cemetery. He was trying to board the train as it passed through the main street. The train would slow down to let passengers to board and alight but George misjudged the speed and was swung backwards, hitting his head on the cattle pit'.

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:                 Article:      ‘Gnowangerup The Town My Story’ Published 1993By Pearl Marshall

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024