Larter family. Larter family. Larter family. Larter family. Larter family.
1910 –
Written by Lorna Larter from earlier recounting of Fred Larter and recollections from Jean Gray.
Walter, or Wally as he became known, grew up in England near London, arriving in Australia by boat in 1910 at the age of 20. After disembarking at Albany they caught the train to Broomehill where he worked for a brief period before moving to Borden. There he worked for O’Meehan’s, a well known family, at the foothills of the Stirling Ranges, gaining valuable experience in farming particularly skills in horsemanship.
Many young migrants, on arriving in Australia, worked on properties before taking up land as the Australian climate and conditions were vastly different to that of their homeland. They were also able to save a little money.
Later, with two partners, he took up land approximately 18 miles (29 km) north of Nyabing and south of Bahr’s Farm, near Merilup. War broke out in 1914. Both partners enlisted. Sadly neither returned.
Wally’s next move was to Nyabing, half way to Pingrup, near the Chinocup siding. Wally married Dora Dewar of Midland in 1919. Previously Dora had visited, staying with a neighbouring family – no “living together” back then prior to marriage. They lived in a small mud brick home. Life on the land was harsh especially for the women folk. However they both worked very hard establishing themselves.
Dora was an accomplished pianist and music teacher, later introducing the family to music. Because of the many farm chores and lack of time and interest this fell through. In later years Fred regretted the lost opportunity. Dora adapted to country life becoming a great asset, milking cows, attending pigs and poultry as well as bringing up the family and all the house hold duties. All with no amenities. When needed she would go with Wally after tea fencing with the light from a hurricane lantern with the children having been put to bed.
Dora and family coped with the many hardships associated with farm life of the times; flies, mice, snakes (dugites), water shortages and poor lighting. Dora was also a keen gardener. Again lack of time and water were problems. They both became involved in community affairs.
Wally and Dora raised a family of four; two sons, Arnold and Fred, and two daughters, Jean and Daphne, who were all born on the farm assisted by a midwife. All were educated at the small one teacher school of Chinocup. No one went on to secondary school. The older children began by walking to school. Later they drove a horse and sulky. As the horse bolted on several occasions push bikes were bought.
Other families attending the Chinocup school were Blundy’s, Quartermaine’s and Reeves, then later Trenordon’s. The entire school and teacher would walk to the Reeves home annually to hear the ANZAC Day broadcast.
Being only eight or nine children at the school, games and sport were limited. Other small schools in the surrounding districts were North Kuringup, Boongadoo, Warnaminup and Nyabing (slightly larger) where the annual interschool sports were held. End of year school concerts sometimes took place during the afternoon at the schools or combining with Nyabing at the town hall.
War broke out in 1939. Arnold enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force. Fred was declared medically unfit and man powered, running the farm with his father and sisters. They also had an Italian P.O.W. The war years were hard with food, clothing and petrol rationing (gas producers were installed). Being farmers they had a plentiful supply of meat, butter, milk and eggs. Clothing was a problem with little available and only a few coupons. People resorted to making dresses from mosquito netting (no coupons required) which were limp when washed.
Prior to the war a weather board asbestos house was built several paddocks distant from the former homestead. A big improvement. On returning from the war Arnold opened a garage in Nyabing with his fiancée Ida Fitton of Moulyinning. Ida was doing the book work etc. commuting daily from the farm (still no “living together”). Once married they bought a weatherboard house in Nyabing which was previously the Atkinson family home. A few years later they returned to the farm building a weatherboard asbestos home.
Arnold played the saxophone (self taught) and with Ida, a very good pianist, formed a band with Arthur Reeves the drummer. Wally sometimes played the violin or accordion. They travelled round the district playing for dances accompanied by Fred, Jean and Daphne. The family were all keen dancers.
Wally was also a keen sports person who encouraged his family to play. Arnold and Fred shared his interest in cricket playing somewhere most weekends in summer. There were several small cricket clubs in the district. Other sports Fred took up were tennis, golf and bowls. Jean also became a keen sports woman enjoying golf and bowls.
Wally, Arnold and Fred formed a partnership of W.A Larter and Sons. Wally developed a special interest in sheep breeding, taking prizes in shows for his sheep and fleeces. They were recognised for having the millionth bale in the Albany Wool Store.
The Millionth Bale of Wool through Albany
by FH & AW Larter
Arnold was always the mechanic while Fred mainly did the machinery work but all helping where needed. This set up worked well.
Fred married Lorna Addis of Nyabing and built an asbestos home. The three houses formed a triangle with the sheds centrally situated. Now they were employing a married couple and another workman – so there was always several men for meals and lunches.
Jean married Charlie Gray, a Kukerin farmer. Apart from short holidays she had never left the farm. Jean recalls spending the day before her wedding picking mallee roots. Jean became a widow in 2006 and now lives in a retirement unit in Kukerin town.
Daphne also remained at home until marrying Rob Bishop, a Lake Grace farmer and stud sheep breeder. Daphne lost her husband in 1976 and still lives on the farm at Lake Grace. Each couple raised two children – Arnold and Ida had two sons, Evan and Kerry. Fred and Lorna had two daughters, June and Dale. These children all attended Nyabing Primary School. Jean and Charlie had two sons and Daphne and Rob had a son and a daughter.
Dedication and hard work gradually paid off. Big improvements were made ie. large dams, bigger sheds, better machinery and vehicles. Living conditions also improved. An adequate water supply and lighting; a 240 volt plant replacing the 32 volt. Sheep and cropping became the main sources of income from 8000 acres (3,240 ha).
Wally and Dora retired to Perth in the late in 1950’s. Wally continued indulging his passion for dancing. In 1960, following a brief illness, Wally passed away. Dora lived alone until she could no longer cope. She then moved to Katanning residing at Bethshan before going to permanent care at the hospital. She passed away in 1971.
In 1971 Arnold and Ida moved to Katanning to further their son’s education. Arnold now commuted daily to the farm. He had a pilots license and owned a Cessna. Both Ida and Arnold passed away in 2000.
Fred and Lorna relocated to Katanning in 1969 when their eldest daughter June was of high school age. For a further five years the brothers travelled together before selling out to Grantley and Heather Smith. Arnold and Ida retired to Perth.
Fred, Lorna, Ida & Arnold Larter in 1992
at the rededication of the RSL Park, Nyabing
Fred and Lorna remained in Katanning having bought a small property at Nookanellup in the Broomehill Shire. At Nookanellup, Fred did some cropping but specialised in breeding fat lambs, frequently topping the market. Due to ill health in 1989, Fred sold the property but continued living in Katanning. Fred and Lorna attended functions in Nyabing whenever possible. Fred lost his battle for life in 2010. Lorna still lives in their home in Katanning and is always interested in the activities of Nyabing.
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