JOHN JARDINE Curry Flat

JOHN JARDINE, a son of William Jardine, will have his name indissolubly associated with Nimmitabel so long as that village exists. For many years he has been managing the Curry Flat Estate, which formerly belonged to his father, and has devoted himself with conspicuous success to sheep and cattle breeding. He has been a large and successful exhibitor at local shows, in the advancement of which he has always taken an active interest. It is largely due to his interest and support that the Nimmitabel Pastoral and Agricultural Association has had such a successful history. All movements that made for the good or progress of Nimmitabel have always been able to rely upon his unstinted assistance. He has, however, not restricted his activities to the village in the immediate neighbourhood of his holdings, but has interested himself over a wider sphere, as evidenced by his holding the office of President of Manaro Shire for eight years. In his younger days, Mr. Jardine associated himself with sport, representing Nimmitabel at both football and cricket.

Transcribed by Pattrick Mould in 2003, from the book "Back to Cooma' Celebrations" page 80

"John Jardine is gone," Such was the sad news that passed from one to another in the late hours of Tuesday night last, 18^th February 1930, and in a very short time a gloom had settled over Nimmitabel such as had never before been occasioned by any death.

Soon people of all classes were hastening towards Curry Flat Station, whilst others were ringing on the telephone, anxious to express sympathy with the sorrowing wife and children and to show respect for a man who was dearly loved by all.

Only a short while ago, Mr. Jardine underwent a serious operation in Sydney, and although the best of medical skill was procured and everything possible was done, it was to no avail.

He then returned to Curry Flat Station which he always loved so well, where with Christian Fortitude although suffering intense pain, he awaited the end.

The funeral left his late homestead on Thursday 20^th inst. at 1pm. for the Nimmitabel cemetery where he was laid to rest in the Presbyterian Portion alongside other members of the Jardine Family.

And what a funeral it was. In the writers experience of over 50 years on the Monaro, he has not seen anything to equal it, which clearly testifies to the respect in which John Jardine was held. On passing through the town of Nimmitabel, the hearse was preceded by his oldest employee Mr. Chas. James, mounted on Mr. Jardine’s favourite old hackney.

Masonic Lodge in full mourning regalia . After them came members of Bombala, Delegate and Bega Lodges, followed by members of Monaro Lodge (Cooma), of which deceased was one of the oldest members. Following the hearse marched the whole of the children from the Nimmitabel Convent and Public Schools.

81 motor cars all heavily loaded, followed by numerous buggies, sulkies, horsemen and pedestrians formed a sad cortege considerably over a mile in length.

The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. J.N. McGee. Presbyterian Minister of Cooma, who also delivered a very touching address on the life of the deceased.

Bro. W.E. Bannister, Very Worshipful District Inspector of Workings and Past Master of Monaro Lodge, conducted the Masonic funeral service, the attending brethren, who had earlier participated in a Lodge of Sorrow, held in the Nimmitabel Temple, joining in the responses.

After the grave was filled, the mound was heaped feet deep with lovely wreathes, which had taken one car alone to carry them.

Thus was laid to rest the mortal remains of John Jardine, White Man and Gentleman, amongst the flowers he had so well loved, when in life.

Around the graveside were friends from Sydney, Bega, Berridale, Dalgety, Delegate, Bemboka, Cooma, Adaminaby and Bungarby, and during the address of the Rev. McGee the writer noticed the tears coursing down the cheeks of several hardened men of the world, men who had probably scares shed a tear since childhood, but who were now mourning the loss of a good man and a good friend.

A touching scene was the coffin being borne by four of his old employees, bowed down with grief at the loss of a good and noble master.

Mr. John Jardine was born at Berridale 68 years ago and was the third son of the late Mr. William Jardine, one of the pioneers of Monaro.

He came as a baby to Nimmitabel, with his parents and has been a resident of the Nimmitabel district ever since.

In his younger days he was a very keen athlete, excelling in football and cricket, and was one of the cricket team that played against a visiting English Eleven at Kameruka, Candelo many years ago.

For many years he had been a tower of strength to the Nimmitabel Football Club, when it boasted the finest team on Monaro, his captaincy play and enthusiasm being the great factor of its success.

As a grazier he had been very successful, and ultimately acquired Curry Flat, Ryedale and Springfield Stations.

and sheep where noted for their quality, and realized big prices in the sale yards, besides being noted prize winners in various country shows.

The late Mr. Jardine had a big heart, and proved a sincere friend to many, particularly in need be it big or little

He was always regarded as the Uncrowned King of Nimmitabel, and few men in the State had done as much for a country town and district as he did in various ways.

He was one of the first Councillors appointed towards the close of 1906 by the Crown to administer the affairs of the Monaro Shire, and was also a member of the first elected Monaro Shire Council. He was Shire President for many years. He was never defeated, and only retired from office when compelled to by failing health.

He was the oldest Honorary Magistrate for Nimmitabel and one of the oldest in the State

He was the founder of the Nimmitabel Agricultural and Pastoral Association its President for over twenty years, and when he retired was elected Patron for life.

He was also President of the School of arts, The Freezing Works, the Parents and Citizens Association the Band, the Doctors Movement, the local branch. Graziers Association, Cricket and Football Club, Railway League, and of all Patriotic movements.

Elder of the Presbyterian Church, Member of the Executive of the Snowy River Route March and many other Associations to numerous to mention.

He took a keen interest in the School life of the town and each year gave valuable gold medals to both the Convent and the Public Schools for competitions. He assisted The West Scholarships Scheme by the personal donation of One Hundred pounds and was also active in the foundation of the Snowy River Digger’s Scholarship under that Scheme.

It can safely be said that no one with a just cause appealed to him in vain as he was ever ready to help, and during his lifetime must have given away a fortune to charity.

Brother Angus and family; Brother Jim and family; Brother Robert and family; Members St. Andrew’s Women’s Guild, Cooma; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. Ltd. Monaro Shire Council; Returned Soldiers League, Cooma; Lodge Monaro, 1164 U.G.L; Employees at Curry Flat and Ryedale; Nimmitabel Public School Children; Nimmitabel Convent School Children; P and A Assosiation; Mrs. Soloman and family; D. Breen; Greta; All at Boolaroo; Frank and Annie; Mr. & Mrs. H.H. Mawson; Mr. & Mrs Jos. Green; Mr. & Mrs Tony Cheney; Mr. & Mrs Alf James; Mr.& Mrs Barnes; Mr. & Mrs. Pillev; Mr. & Mrs Wm. James; Mr. & Mrs Draper; Mr. & Mrs Rory McDonald; Mr. & Mrs Owers, Mr. & Mrs P. Reed; Mr. & Mrs Jenkins; Mr. & Mrs Baker; Mr. & Mrs G. Clarke; Mr. & Mrs G. Hain; Mr. & Mrs S. Miners; Mr. & Mrs Jas. James Snr; Mr. & Mrs O.E. Silk; Mr. & Mrs J.H. Rolfe; Mr. & Mrs A.B. Silk; Mr. & Mrs. Sid Caldwell; Mr. & Mrs C. Adams; Mr. &. Mrs Cyril O’Hare; Mr. & Mrs . Cotterill; Mr. & Mrs P. Bracks; Mr. & Mrs G. True; Mr. & Mrs H. Taylor; The O’Neill Family; Mrs. C O’Reilly; Mrs Thistleton; The Tindall family; The Ward family; Vera Joan and Harry Soloman; Annie and George; All at Brrokfield; Mrs. Mindie; John Evans; Percy Scullin and G.FD. Cochran.

The deceased leaves a widow (Formerly Miss. Annie McDonald, of Nimmitabel), two sons, Reginald and William, and three daughters Mrs. G. Taylor, Cooma, Mabel and Mollie, to mourn their loss, one daughter Myra, having predeceased her father and to them goes out the sympathy of the whole district in their sad bereavement.

VALE JOHN JARDINE

Transcribed and submitted by Betty Raffaele, 2003 raffbet@acr.net.au

A last tribute to a staunch and loyal friend was paid by a large and representative concourse of people who gathered to follow the remains of Mr. John Jardine to their last resting place in Nimmitabel Cemetery at 3pm on Thursday afternoon.

It is estimated that over five hundred people attended the funeral and the cortege formed one of the largest ever seen in the district

The procession set out from the old homestead, at Curry Flat, at 2.30pm headed by Mr. Jardine’s favourite black charger, and followed the private road through the estate so carefully and proudly managed by the late owner until the very eve of his death. Passing the new homestead under construction at Ryedale, according to plans in which were incorporated Mr. Jardine’s own ideas of home comfort and convenience, the long line of cars made it’s way to Nimmitabel, where it was joined by the assembled members of Cooma, Bombala, Delegate, Bega and Nimmitabel Masonic Lodges, and by pupils of the Public School and St. Joseph’s Convent, in whose welfare the deceased had during his lifetime taken such a keen and generous interest.

At the graveside the scene was most impressive, and one could not but be impressed by the fact that all hearts beat in unison to the note of the mourning which prevadeed the whole assembly; for all had suffered the loss of a friend and advisor. His friendship was universal as it was true, he knew no class distinctions, and everyone of those assembled, irrespective of class or creed, old or young, rich and poor, had felt the touch of his hand of friendship.

The warmest corner of his heart was perhaps kept for the children who will be the heavy losers by his death.

For many years he has been president of the P.& C. Association, and has generously donated to the funds of the local schools. When the West Scholarship Scheme was launched, he promptly forwarded a cheque for 100 pounds. Similarly he has helped all progressive movements in the District. He will be particularly missed by the Nimmitabel P.& A. Association of which he was a life member, and at whose Annual Shows he was a regular and enthusiastic exhibitor.

In his graveside address Rev. J. N. McGee eulogised the sterling qualities of the deceased and emphasised his broad minded sympathy, his high ideals, his sense of justice and his patience in suffering.

The Masonic Service was read by Bro. Bannister, of Cooma, and floral tributes carried in procession by the school children, where heaped high on the grave where he will lie side by side with the remains of his own predeceased children.

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