James Kelly

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Biography

Reflections on James Andrew KELLY by his daughters Margaret and Maureen Feb 2011:

'James Andrew KELLY served all his working life as a successful wheat and sheep farmer in the Mallee area of Victoria, Australia. He was an identity in the Watchupga-Woomelang-Birchip district over many years. Jim made a lasting contribution to the district when he served on the Birchip Shire Council for 24 years. He became a councillor in August 1952 and retired from it in August 1976. He served as the Shire President from 1957-58 to 1966-67 and in 1971-72. Jim worked tirelessly in the interests of his constituents and for the overall good of the shire. Jim served on numerous civic committees. He was a good sportsman and family man and he immensely enjoyed travelling around Australia - especially by caravan.

Jim was born on 28 August 1908 at Woomelang, Victoria, to James Andrew Kelly and Honora Alice Quirk. He was their first of five children, followed by Winnie Mollie, Frank and Jack.

Jim started primary school at Watchupga in 1914 and, when that school closed in 1915 due to World War I, he went to the Woomelang State Primary School. Later he went to St. Patrick's College, Ballarat. His father had a stroke in 1923 and, though Jim was only 15 years of age - with only a few months of secondary schooling - he came home to run the farm.

At his 90th birthday party, held in the Community Centre, Woomelang, Jim recalled how, after his father died, good-meaning neighbours gave him unsolicited farming advice. He recounted how he listened respectfully and then made up his own mind on the best way for him to proceed with the farming.

Jim played many different sports - he enjoyed cricket, football, swimming and tennis and, later in life, he took up bowls. He enjoyed the art of bowling very much and mastered it to a significant degree, winning tournaments - both with his team and individually - on several occasions. Such was his love for tennis that he built, in his farmyard, a concrete court and fenced it around to teach his children how to play. It became a great social outlet as others came to play on Sundays and during school holidays.

Jim and his dear wife, Mary Agnes DORAN, were married on 22 September, 1937 at Watchupga. They settled in their new home on the farm opposite Jim's mother's home at Watchupga, where they reared their four children, Margaret, Pat, Bill and Maureen. Their children in turn went to the Watchupga State School till around Grade 8, as it was in those days, and then on to secondary schools - the girls to the convent at St.Arnaud and Bill to St. Patrick's College, Ballarat.

Jim's family life, his church and his catholic faith were always integral parts of his life. Along with his wife, Jim brought up his children to be loyal and committed practising catholics, with the love of God uppermost in their lives. Sunday Mass was attended regularly and the rosary was prayed each evening. He worked with other church members to convince the parish priest that a new church needed to be built at Watchupga and it was. I believe not a cent was owing on the day of the official opening on ( Bill would you check the date on the foundation stone of the church please?)

Jim lived to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of his marriage to his wife, Mary, before they retired to Woomelang Retirement Units that are situated right beside his beloved bowling green. They also celebrated 60 years of marriage at his daughter Pat's residence in Watchem.

At the age of 92 years, on 21 October 2000^[1], Jim died in Wirrim Lodge, Birchip, and he was laid to rest in the Woomelang Cemetery after his funeral Mass at Watchupga'.

Sources

1. ↑ Death: Jim's death notice was published in the Herald-Sun (Melbourne) on 23 October 2000 according to the Ryerson Index at https://ryersonindex.org

Jim's birth is registered at the Victorian Registry of BDM reg no 23733/1908 at https://my.rio.bdm.vic.gov.au.

His marriage is registered at the Victorian Registry of BDM reg no 10366/1937 at https://my.rio.bdm.vic.gov.au.

He was buried at the Woomelang Cemetery, Victoria, Australia.