BORLINI Family

Borlini family. Borlini family.

1970-current

Written by Laurelie & Christine

In 1970 Barrie Addis, son of Arthur and Gladys Addis, (farmers living in the district of Nyabing) married Dorothy Borlini, a widow with six children from Collie in the South West. They heard there was a farm for lease about 13kms from Nyabing, so they arranged to borrow the money from a bank.  Having secured a loan they moved to the farm. 

It was a huge culture shock for Dorothy and her children having come from a town where they always had power, water and a proper toilet. It was a small cottage made of asbestos and wood and some of the walls didn’t meet.  The stove was an old Metters No 2.  The fridge worked by kerosene and they all thought it strange that flame made ice.  The toilet was up the backyard where spiders and other crawlies often made their home.

The farm consisted of about 2,800 acres (11.3 ha).  There was an engine in the shed which ran power to the house.  Over the years this old engine had a mind of its own. We had to go down at night to turn it off. Sometimes we’d turn it off and run for the house, if we didn’t hold the button long enough it would start up again.

The children, Ricki (known as Charlie), Kerry, Jo-anne, Julie and Geoffrey were settled into the Nyabing School.  This was a big boost for the school as numbers were low.  Christine didn’t go to school as she was fourteen. The children had an allowance from the mine where their father had worked which would last until each one turned 16.  This was a big help.

The kids joined all the sports and Barrie and Dot played tennis and bowls. It was a lovely place to bring up children; everybody was friendly and there was no crime and to this day there is still no crime.

To make ends meet Barrie and Dot would put the kids on the school bus and then go to Pingrup to work on the salt lakes bagging salt. In the afternoon Barrie would deliver salt to farmers and Dot would go home and do chores. Thursday was shopping day. Everyone could catch up and do shopping at the same time.

Over the years Barrie and Dot collected lots of animals, even a camel. They used to take lots of animals to the local show for the kids to see. Barrie had a big variety of poultry which he used to show. Sometimes the Kindy would bring kids out for pony rides.

After several years the couple were able to put a down-payment on the farm. The farm was low lying and had a big creek running through it. Many times it was flooded, losing sheep and fences, but it was a wonderful lifestyle all the same with plenty of space to run and play. They did eventually put up a new transportable home and now had electricity and telephone. Gradually the children all grew up and got married. 

The Borlini Family

• Christine married neighbouring farmer Neil Hobley and they are still farming in Nyabing with their two sons and their families.
• Charlie married a South African girl and bought Nyabing Garage which he later sold. They also purchased a small farm on the outskirts of Nyabing. Charlie and his wife were later divorced and he married Laurelie Peskett from Collie.  Charlie and Laurelie now own Nyabing Transport with five trucks.
• Kerry married Noel Smith and they have a trucking business in Piawanning near New Norcia.
• Jo-anne moved back to Collie and married local boy Steve Harrold. 
• Julie married Phil Emery, son of local farmers Alan and Jo Emery. 
• Geoffrey married Wagin girl Tracey Pages.

Christine and Charlie are the only ones to remain in Nyabing. About 1992 Barrie became too unwell to stay on the farm so they sold up and bought a house in Nyabing. They continued to play bowls and Barrie would go off working for others even though he really wasn’t well enough. After about ten years in Nyabing they moved to Collie and a few years later parted company. Barrie went on to marry someone else and Dot moved back into Nyabing to live.

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