South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1881 - 1889), Saturday 17 November 1883, page 22

During the last few days the weather has been very threatening, and a few light showers have fallen occasionally, which will vastly assist in developing the infant grain into as near a state of perfection as possible The wheat crops in this and the neighboring hundreds are promising, and the farmers hope in a short time to be busy gathering in a good harvest.— Wokurna is, comparatively speaking, a new district, and has a well-defined boundary, as there is a forest of the graceful mallee on each side of, save the north-western corner, where Spencer's Gulf breaks the monotony of the scene. This being what one may call one of the backwoods of South Australia, and being sparsely and only lately inhabited, it is not surprising that the quantity of land under crop is rather small ; but judging from the rapidity with which the scrubrollers are crashing down the mallee, in five years hence that much-abused tree will be scarce. Farming in the mallee forest is a relief from the monotonous style usually adopted on the plain land, and the work is more interesting than where the smart click-clack of the stump jumping implements and the crash of the scrub-roller is not heard. Snakes and scorpions abound here, and some exciting contests have recently occurred between them and the invaders of their haunts. The grass that is to be seen from the south-eastern portion of this hundred, through Wiltunga, over an area of eight or ten miles, is a grand sight. The average height is about 3 feet, and in many places it is 4 feet 6 inches high. If a fire were to break out in this grass during the summer months it would be disastrous to the settlers. It is therefore the duty of every person in this neighborhood to be very careful of fire.— A great want in the south-eastern portion of this hundred is a post-office, as many settlers have to got inland seven miles for their mail; and what makes matters worse is that the incoming mail does not arrive till 6 or 7 p.m.— The road between the hundreds of Wokurna and Barunga also wants grabbing badly. For the convenience of the settlers thoee interested in the said road should at once set to work determinedly and agitate till their petition is granted. Several times I have heard that steps have been taken for the purpose of getting the road grubbed, but they have been very short steps.— At present this hundred is completely isolated as regards water conservation. It behoves our representatives to throw a cursory glance this way.

Wallaroo Times (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1882 - 1888), Wednesday 11 February 1885, page 3

February 3, 1885.

Wokurna is a scrub hundred, and has only been occupied by farmers during the last three or four years, and it has a well defined boundary of the graceful mallee. Save the north-western point, where the shimmering water of Spencer's Gulf relieves the mallee wearied eye. A traveller standing an the summit of the sheoak, crowned Hummocks some ten years ago and gazing westwards on the expansive tract of arid and sombre mallee lands reaching to the marine of the saline waters of Spencer's Gulf, would incredulously smile at the idea of this, then considered, useless country, being inhabited by farmers and cultivated to such an extent by them within such a short space of time. Since the birth of the stump-jumper quite a resolution has taken place in scrub lands and quickly are the primitive forests disappearing ; and the native lairs of timid Emus, and noble Kangaroos are now smiling homes of persevering "cockatoos". A considerable area has been rolled down this year, and many are now busily engaged clearing round some for firing this month, sa good burn is the saving of an immense amount of work. Two or three large fires have been raging in this and adjoining Hundreds during the week. Mr. Flann had a number of posts and some fencing burned, the firebreaking out from a neighbour's burning timbers.

A Government reservoir has been incurs of excavation here for some time, and the contractor is now approaching completion of same.

The plan of a township has been laid out within half a mile of said reservoir. The roads here, save the mark, are not suggestive of furious driving ; they are a rapid succession of precipitous Sandhills in the painful climbing of which whip and jarring epithets usurp the place of speed. Probably some action will be taken this year for the improvement of same. Wheat carting over such roads is a farce yet, nevertheless, many a weather beaten yeteran is now carting water on these roads from Mundoora, some 18 or 20 miles, and the Mundoora dam, I am informed, will be pumped out in to or three weeks. The Beetaloo water scheme is very often the topic of the day in this and some of the neighbouring hundreds.

Mr WaddIe, at Barunga Gap, is now going down properly, 10 feet each day, and expects to average same.

The crops did not yield according to appearances. Some very low returns here through late sowing. There were bowerer many good averages.

Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954), Monday 5 February 1945, page 3

Old Times At Wokurna—Mr. Whittaker's Happy Memories

WRITING from Barrett's road, Mitcham, Mr. W. R, Whittaker, formerly of Wokurna, near Port Broughton, wrote me to say that he received a copy of "The Recorder" containing references to my visit to the last named place, nearly 40 years ago, to report the maiden speech of the late Mr. T. G. Simpson then an aspiring candidate for parliamentary honors. It was at a social after the meeting that I first met Mr. and Mrs. Whittaker and the members of their large family.

My old friend in his letter mentions that I made a mistake in giving the number as 16—It should have been 15. Of these, 13 survive. One son was killed in the last war and another met his death through an accident on the farm. His eldest son is now 60, and he often jocularly introduces him as his brother until somebody corrects him. Two sons joined the forces for this war, also 15 direct grandsons, of whom, he is pleased to say, he has lost only one, while four grandsons by marriage are serving overseas.

Bill adds that my notes brought back to him memories of old Wokurna days, the happiest period of his life. He has never forgotten the kindness extended to him by Pirie people, and asks to be remembered to his many friends here. Veterans of Pirie Rifle Club will remember that he was formerly a regular attendant at the annual matches. Another representative of Port Broughton Club was Mr R. Storr.

COMMUNAL EFFORT ENDED IN CONFLICT

AT the social referred to Mr. Simpson received an invitation to attend the opening of a public hall at Wokurna on the morrow. He accepted, deeming that his presence might have a beneficial influence on his candidature, and persuaded me to accompany him.

The crowd that afternoon was certainly most representative of the district, among those present being Messrs. Allchurch, G. E Pattingale, Whittaker, C. Dolling, W. J. Dalby, J. Barclay, Collins, D. Gray, H. M. Peel, T. Barker, R. E. Mildren, F. W. Andrews, E. P. McNally, T. Byrth, W. Wall, M. Purling, J. Parkinson, L. Johnson, Sparrow, C. C. Andrews, H. Gray, E. Mildren, and Dr. Brady.

Mr. W. Attenborough (chairman of the building committee) presided, and he was supported by the following representatives of that body:— Messrs. H. Dolling, J. Harris, J. and O. Flowers. J. Winnen, and S. Copping (secretary). The hall was declared open by Mr. K. W. Duncan, M.P., who described that addition to the district facilities as a monument of self-help, and paid a tribute to the great assistance rendered by Mr. Jim Barclay, who had laid the foundation stone of the building.

Twelve other speakers followed, and the theme of their addresses was that the consummation of this movement to provide a communal gathering place was characterised by the spirit of the biblical injunction that men should "dwell together in unity." The hall would be at the disposal of all classes and creeds, and district residents had amicably agreed to the arrangement of a roster which would meet with the desires and requirements of each sec-tion of the community. In fact, so each speaker proudly proclaimed Wokurna that day was setting a noble example of brotherly love which the whole world would do well to emulate.

NOT ALL "PEACE AND GOODWILL"

TWO or three years later Mr. (now Sir) Henry Barwell rang up one evening to say that he was going to Port Broughton and invited me to accompany him. I was unable to accept as I had an appointment elsewhere. But I enquired what was the reason for his visiting that district, where litigation was hardly to be expected. "Well," he answered, "there is a place down there named Wokurna, where is situated a public hall." Before he went any farther I remarked: "Surely there has been no trouble about that, for I was at the opening, when it was declared it would be the home of peace and goodwill." "That may have been so," was the reply, "but it has lately become a scene of strife, and my information is that at the last meeting of those running the hall a fight between two of the disputants finished on the floor!"

And that was that.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 28 September 1944, page 2

Mr. Joseph Harris, who died at his residence, Wokurna, recently at the age of 84, was a well known pioneer farmer of the district. He was born at Willaston in 1860 and went to Wokurna as a young man. When Wokurna was opened up for settlement, Mr. Harris selected a block of 144 acres. He later added to his holding till he owned 1,500 acres, which he worked until his death. Last season he worked a 10-ft. harvester and reaped 1,500 bogs. He also seeded 240 acres this year with a horse team and combine. Mr. Harris represented Wokurna ward when it was at tached to the Red Hill Council and later when it was attached to the Pt. Broughton District Council. He n;arried Miss Elizabeth Boaden, of Wallaroo Mines, in 1890, who died over two years ago. Five sons and five daughters survive: — Messrs. R G. (Adelaide), P. G. (Barunga), E. V. (Bute), Reg (Barunga North), Dave (Wokurna), Mrs. J. G. Commons (Bute), Miss M. F. Harris (women police, Port Pirie), Mesdames E. L. Noble (Balaklava), L-. W. Campbell (Streaky Bay) and E. G. Riley (Clarence Park).

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Thursday 24 July 1952, page 4

MANY people know Mr. John Ireland, a pioneer settler at Wokurna, where at 89 he still lives on the old farm and works his garden. Forty years ago he raced Juggler King, Juggler Queen and Ireland Queen, and his granddaughter, whom I met in town, said he would like to know if anybody racing horses in those days is still on the same holding. His son, W. J. Ireland, of Pooraka, trained and rode his father's thoroughbreds. Juggler Queen won a lot of races round the north and north-east; including the Clare Handicap in January, 1913, when she beat the great Green Seal by six lengths.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Saturday 27 October 1934, page 21

Mr. James Flowers, who met with an accident which caused his death, was one of the old pioneers of Barunga and Wokuma, districts. He was born at Kensington (SA) 81 years ago, and with his parents went to live at Mount Barker. At the age of 18 he went north and started farming at Barunga and later at Wokurna. On April 24, 1889. he married Miss M. Goodlad at St. Paul's Church. Adelaide, the REV. John W. Owens officiating. He took bis bride to Wokurna, where they farmed successfully until a few years ago, when they retired and lived in Port Broughton. He leaves a widow and one son Mr. Reginald James Flowers, and one daughter, Mrs. W. Tancock, both of Wokurna.

Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954), Tuesday 3 December 1940, page 2

Mrs. E. M. Cocks Was Former Piriean

After a month's illness Mrs. Elizabeth May Cocks died in Snowtown Hospital at the age of 63 years. She left a husband, four sons, and three daughters.

Mrs. Cocks was well known through the Western Areas, where she had spent 37 years with her husband and family. Born at Caltowie in 1877, she was a daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Hards.

The Hards family came to Pirie when she was a young girl, and she spent many years here. She was married to Mr. Thomas Cocks, a Smelters worker, in St. Paul's Church of England. Mr. Cocks' health declined temporarily, and he decided to go farming.

In 1903—37 years ago—he and his wife and couple of young children went to Wokurna, on the south side of Port Broughton, where Mr. Cocks worked for Mr. H. A. Dolling. He spent nearly 10 years there and then went on the farm of Mr. Dolling's father.

Mrs. Cocks was an ardent worker in the little Methodist Church at Wokurna, and her hands were never idle when activity was needed in church and other social functions. By her unselfish actions she gained the esteem of the whole district.

The members of the family which mourns a good mother are:—Mesdames J. Turner (Greenock), R. Whitelaw (Pirie), and A. Ireland (Percyton), Messrs. L. R. (Wokurna), A. W. K. (Percyton), A. G. H. and H. T. Cocks (Wokurna). There are 26 grandchildren.

Interred In Pirie

The remains were interred in Pirie Cemetery yesterday afternoon. Rev. A. E. Vogt conducted the service at the graveside. Pallbearers were Messrs. J. Madden (Pirie) and H. A, Dolling, P. W. Hewett, and C. H. Pointon (Wokurna).

Floral tributes were sent by the following:—

Dad, Herb, Lizzie and grandchildren, son Len and Thelma, Jack Collins, Evelyn and Jackie Collins, and Elsie Krieg, Mrs. H. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Blieschke and Lois, Mr. and Mrs. C. Allen, Will and Annie and family, Olva and Ronald, Ruby, Jack, and Kathleen Madden, Mr. and Mrs. L. Monaghan, Thelma and Jim, Mrs. Sly, Pirie branch of Old-Age and Invalid Pensioners' As sociation, Ken, Ivy and Betty, Edith and Em Hobbs and family.

Alf and Melba and family, Snowtown Hospital staff, Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood, Mrs. A. Fisher, sen., Mrs. Ryan, Charlie, Arthur, and Roma, Bert and Gladys and family, Dorry and Alb and family.

Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), Friday 8 October 1909, page 10

Mr. Francis Paul Starrs.

A correspondent writes :—An old and respected resident of Wokurna died on September 9, at Wokurna. Arriving in South Australia in 1840, Mr. Starrs was in his 70th year as a colonist. Of a retiring, unassuming manner, yet his love of romance, optimistic, and adventurous spirit was (with many others) evidenced by his "doing Bendigo " in its early days, and touring Gympie and other gcldhelds with varied success.

His chief occupation, however, was farming (with a taste for a smart breed of horses) in various localities adjacent to, and north of, Adelaide. Leaving Virginia in 1872, he settled in the then popular agricultural areas at Mundoora, where he resided for ten years. The last 26 years of his life were spent in Wokurna, where he achieved fair success since the introduction of fertilisers, ending his years in comparative comfort. The chief characteristics of the deceased were optimism, a simple trust and frankness of manner, honesty, and an utter absence of objectionable cuteness in matters monetary. Possessed of a powerful imagination, he has been known to recount an original story — impromptu — almost night after night, to rising generations for many years, interesting reminiscences of the early days of South Australia, &c. A great reader, he has entertained many by his varied stock of information. With a family of 13, to the seven who are living he was, as to his faithful wife, the light of their lives.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 6 June 1929, page 44

Mr. John Henry Winen, who died at Port Broughton recently, was 74, and until his retirement eight years ago he was a farmer at Wokurna. Mr. Winen was born at Barrippa, near Camborne, Cornwall, and in his youth he worked in the tin mines of Cornwall. He married Miss Elizabeth Eva, of Pendleton, Manchester, in 1874. In 1876 he and his wife embarked in the Lady Joslin, on her last voyage to Australia. They arrived at Port Adelaide in November the same year. He worked on a farm for Mr. Robert Heaslip, near Gladstone, and later for Mr. William Cornish, at Brinkworth. In 1884, with his wife and family, he returned to England and visited his old home. Fifteen months later he came back and took up land at Wokurna, near Port Broughton. A widow, four sons, and five daughters survive— Mesdames E. Arbon (Port Broughton), E. J. Huxtafole (Adelaide), Edgar Arbon (Kybunga), and C. Richards (Wokurna), Miss A Winen (Port Broughton), Messrs. W. H. Winen Naturi), S. J. and E. Winen (Wokurna), and E. C. Winen (Wudinna).

Mr. John Winen photo

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 23 February 1939, page 55

DEAR ELEANOR BARBOUR, We were greatly interested in your article on the wonderful centenary gathering of the Kelly clan. It would be of interest even to strangers, but was par ticularly so to us, as we know many of them, and are privi leged to number several in that gathering as personal friends. It has been suggested that I should accept your invitation to readers to give the record of other large pioneer families by giving a few facts of my husband's family; descendants of Thomas V. Cornish, whose roll call could I trace it, might exceed that of the Kelly family. Among the passengers of the ship Brightman, that landed at Port Ade laide on December 17, 1840, were Mr. and Mr. Thomas Vivian Cornish and their young family, the eldest child. Benjamin, being then 15 years of age. Their family increased to 10 children — seven sons and three daughters. The daughters eventually became Mes dames Hannaford, Redman and Finlayson — all honored names in South Australian pioneering. These 10 children gave their parents 75 grand children. Most of them in turn be came grandparents and many are great-grandparents. If each of those 75 had 75 grandchildren, the total of the grandchildren alone would be 5,625. But we do not do things like that nowadays, nor am I in a position to give actual numbers of the whole, but will confine my record to the first tenth, that of Benjamin, the eldest son, the wife of whose youngest son. another Benjamin, I have the honor to be. Another Pioneer Family On July 29, 1848, Benjamin married Sabina Hooper, a daughter of another large family of pioneers. She proved to be a true and worthy helpmate. They, too, had 10 children, but this time seven daughters and three sons. One of the writers to these pages gave a brief outline of the life and death of the eldest of these seven daughters, Mrs. Hannah Sharpe, a few months ago, when she passed away at the age of 89 years. All of the 10 children were happily married and got well on the way to the 75 by giving their parents 60 grandchildren; most of whom are married and many are themselves grandparents. I can account for 380 members in this branch. There are probably several more. Some of the other nine branches of this family tree may be equally fruitful, though some are much less. Perhaps some of the Gumeracha or Stansbury cousins will like to work out the whole. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Cornish had their first home in Pirle street, Adelaide, but later lived at Cudlee Creek, Curramul ka. Payneham, Middleton, Kulpara. Maitland, and finally at Maylands, where their long and useful lives were ended. Wherever they lived their home was noted for its hospitality and wide Christian influence. Only this week we have had a visitor from Eyre Peninsula, whom we had not seen for 40 years — a dear friend over 80 years of age. Looking at the photo of our father on the wall he told us he often fancied he could see that beautiful face and hear his words, and added, 'No other man has ever exerted such an influence for good over me as he did; he had a wonderful way with young men.' I thought this a beau tiful testimony to one who has now been at rest for more than 40 years, and one I can echo from my own ex perience. After his death, his bio grapher wrote of him, 'Mr. Cornish will be much missed at the many places where he used to preach and at Second Advent meetings, where he was always a welcome and acceptable speaker. But in private conversation and personal dealing he had few equals. He was full of love of Christ and His truth, and never was he so happy as when speaking of his much loved Lord. In the omnibus, or tram car, in the railway carriage or on board the steam boat, he rarely missed an opportunity to say a word for his Master. Many and many a stranger, through hearing him on these occa sions, sought for further converse, and became warm friends. He wrote much, in private letters and to the press.' The Lea Family But I must tell you that I, too. am a descendant of even earlier pioneers. My mother's parents, George and Caroline Lea, and their little family arrived from Birmingham in 1838 or '39. My grandfather bought two allot ments of land in the then popular suburb— village they called it— of Thebarton. The cottage he built still stands, and there my mother was born in 1843. I have not been able to trace the date of that purchase, but I have the receipt of a later transaction, dated March 25, 1840 — 'being a memoran dum of agreement between John Bowden, the South Australian Com pany's dairyman, and joiner, of the one part, and George Lea, carpenter and joiner, of Thebarton, near Ade laide, S.A., of the other part. 220 ft. x 117 ft.' This was in Bowden. I presume the suburb derives its name from this John Bowden. My grandfather did not make use of this land, and when later the rush was made to the Vic torian gold diggings, he, like nearly all the men of our young colony, caught the gold fever, and was away so long that someone evidently thought he would not be returning, and built a hotel on the site. My father, John Lander, was not quite such an early colonist as those others, but arrived when a lad of 14 with his parents, James Garrard and Hannah Lander, in 1854. Honored Colonists The descendants of the Lea and Lander families, if added together, do not equal those of Thomas Vivian Cor nish, nor have any of them attained great wealth or fame; but they have all proved good, steady-working colonists, and, as you mentioned, Elea nor Barbour, that Mr. Stan Kelly amused you all when he said 'The re cords of William Kelly's early days were hard to trace, as he had evidently been so law-abiding that his dealings with the Government had been few.' Neither do we find the names of these pioneers 'in those pages in the Archives among those whose deeds were recorded in full.' But if we could read the records in some of the colony's early churches, Sunday schools, and temperance societies, we should probably find many of the names engraved, but better still trea sured in the hearts of friends and neighbors. Nearly all of these various families strove to attain that 'good name' which the Good Book tells us 'is more to be desired than great riches.' I usually sign my name with, a modest C, but because I bear the full name, both maiden and married of that dear old pioneer, my grand mother, I will give my full signature that unites these pioneers.

—CAROLINE WHITMORE LEA CORNISH, 'Whitmore,' Wokurna. (Thank you for the first answer to the request for stories of pioneering families. I had one of the Kelly family to see me today, and told him to watch, for this week's 'Chronicle.'— E.B.).

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Wednesday 16 June 1909, page 8

METHODIST CHURCH OPENED.