TAROOM TALES Yarns from Back in the Day

Ep5 Part 2 of conversations with Laurie Pointing covers events and characters from the 7 years he worked on a host of cattle stations in Taroom, arriving as a 15-year-old before leaving to join the police force as a 21-year-old. In the 1954 floods Laurie witnessed the tragic drowning of a stockman friend, shortly after living through the destruction of Broadmere homestead by fire. Bob McCorry, the other stockman present at the time, had a secret of his own which was discovered and kept quiet by the local Police Sergeant Jim Johnson. Laurie’s good mate Jack Clarris is remembered as a legendary horseman, and the tale of Jack’s near-death accident as a 16-year-old is discussed. Bobby Dunbar, Bill Scantlebury, Charlie Gassman, and many other characters of that remarkable time are mentioned. Following further research and details provided by listeners, some more details are revealed from stories told in Part 1, such as the death of George Marcel, a cook at the Leichhardt Hotel Taroom who was killed in a brawl with a stockman at the New Year’s Eve dance in December 1951. Other guests contributing to this episode are Vaughn Becker, Lex Smith and Mick Ratz.Laurie is 88 years old at the time of publishing (Nov 2024) and resides with family in Townsville. He has remained friends with all those he knew during his time in Taroom, and he keeps in touch regularly.  Laurie has written numerous poems and has published 7 books, including his own memoirs from childhood, and his police career, as well as the biography of Jack Clarris.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glenhaughton Ringers - Nugget Roser, Bronc Bradshaw and Lex Smith, return to their favourite mustering camp after more than 60 years at the Amphitheatre Tin Hut, Taroom. Reunited at the Ringers and Cooks Reunion 2023, the three old mates talk about the days of catching scrubbers, and some of the many near misses they survived. Cattle management on the 900-square-mile station was a lot different to how things are done today. Everyday the young stockmen risked life and limb doing what they loved in the beautiful Central Queensland bush… and they wouldn’t have it any other way. These were the days of hard-working and hard-riding stockman, of wild cattle, packhorses and mustering camps. It was a simple but satisfying life, and those good times will never be forgotten by the ones who lived them. Join Nugget, Bronc, and Lex as they take a trip down memory lane, reliving the thrills and spills on Glenhaughton Station, way back in the day.. CREDITS VIDEO: Leesa BongersPHOTOGRAPHY: Leesa Bongers | Kate Bradshaw | Tracey MutchARCHIVE IMAGES: Lex Smith | John Bronc Bradshaw | Noel Nugget Roser | Jennifer Bradshaw | Judy Gook | Christy Curtis | Jack Haaijer | Isabel Penny | Cyril Close | Glenda Gassman | Allan Swain | Christopher McConnel | Carmen Palmer USA SOUND RECORDINGS: Leesa BongersSOUND EFFECTS:Freesound.orgSmall Aircraft Overhead: Aeroplane kilnsea wetlands Yorkshire wildlife trust by Sonic-ranger -- https://freesound.org/s/220024/--License: Attribution 4.0Morning Birds Crickets Rd 3 - Leesa BongersBirds tree Tilly walking morning Rd4 - Leesa BongersCows Mooing: 401636 Mystikum Cows-mooing-mono-4824.wav cows_mooing_mono_4824.wav by Mystikuum -- https://freesound.org/s/401636/Gunshot: Gunshot Sound identify weapon by jjcunning--https://freesound.org/s/578189/--License: Creative Commons 0Horse Whinny: Horse Whinny, Close, A.wav by InspectorJ -- https://freesound.org/s/419231/--License: Attribution 4.0Bull Bellow: ANMLFarm_Kuh-Bulle-Agressiv 05_IOKA_NONE_Hofefeld.wav by JakobGille -- https://freesound.org/s/610784/Landrover: 332501_rambler52_pickup_ford_62_driveup1Car Door Slam: 450225_kyles_truck-pickup-door-open-close-real-nice-slamMUSIC:Steven O'Brien Music Tracks: CC-BY www.steven-obrien.netFamily Reunion - Steven O'BrienComical Theme - Steven O'BrienHappy Days - Steven O'BrienHappy Stories - Steven O'BrienFight to the Death - Steven O'BrienLazy Day - Steven O'BrienMorning Stroll - Steven O'BrienBen Sound Music Tracks: CC-BY www.Bensound.comA New Beginning - Ben Sound (Licence code: 6LHG8B50K66SC5Q1Country Boy - Ben SoundGraphics: by Leesa Bongers using CANVAGLOSSARY:Ringer = Australian StockmanHead Stockman = Foreman of the Ringers, reports to Station ManagerCamp Cook = Bush cook, prepares meals for stockmen in mustering camps on open firesCowboy = General hand at homestead, gardening, milking cows, handymanScrubber = Wild cattle, unbrandedCleanskin = unbranded cattleMickey = young cleanskin bullBullock = older castrated male cattleCow = female cattleHeifer = young female cattleCalf = young cattleWeaner = young cattle, of age to be removed from cow/heiferKnee-Strung = method of controlling wild cattle, cutting tendon at knee in front leg of cattle to keep them with the mob when musteringCollar-Rope = method of controlling untamed horses, tying a rope from back leg to neck to hold foot up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1957, Lex Smith, his younger brother Trevor, and his mates from Ipswich embarked on a journey to Taroom, seeking a new life in the bush. This journey marked the beginning of a rich tapestry of stories and memories. Lex shares tales of the welcoming locals, colourful characters, and the enduring spirit of the times. Listen to his captivating recollections in Episode 1 (Part 1) as he reminisces about the old days, encapsulating the essence of Taroom's history and the endearing community spirit. Stay tuned for Part 2 as his narrative unfolds further. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.