Johns River

1914 - 1960: Johns River Grows

1840-1940

Hard Work for Man and Beast Together

‘Recollections from Brian Fletcher - Extracts from ‘Fletcher family History 2003/04’

The area near the tin bridge (Salvation Bridge) was in about 1860 set aside for a village and a crossing proposed across Stewarts River where in later years the bullock teams would swim across and yoked on the Northern bank. Later thousands of logs came down from Middle Brother to be loaded onto punts and boats for transport to the sea.

The bullock teams passed next to Dad’s house at Passionfruit Creek through the property to the ridge leading to the mountain.

Subsequently, about 1936, this road was purchased by Dad when a new road was formed about where the present road to Middle Brother is.

The original easement through the farm had stumps, logs, bush, blackberry etc., and eroded gullies where the iron tyred bullock wagons had many different tracks. A boggy crossing over the creek was a great problem for these bullockies.’

As children we would watch the teams go by, starting at about daylight. Maybe 6-7 teams of anything up to 24 bullocks each – two trucks behind each. Water bags, dogs, big strong men with big whips.

Photo 1932 – Stan Kidd’s team Esther Bradley (Kidd) collection

The whips were used mainly for noise – “CRACK” would get the leader’s attention. “Whoo We back”, “Get Over”, “Gee Back” together with a few other orders were then issued. A prod with the whip handle, about 5 feet (1.5m) long. Strong nuggety bullocks on the wheel, sometimes stags, and lively heads up fellers as leaders.

Have a look at the stumps up on Middle Brother and let your mind’s eye see what these bullockies achieved. No roads and they only got paid when the log was on the wharf.