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Frank Mack (1851–1926)

Frank Mack, n.d.

Frank Mack, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 June 1926

The death of Mr. Frank Mack, which occurred at his home, Narramine Station, Narromine, N.S.W., on 21st May, will be deeply regretted by all with whom he came in contact during a long and particularly useful life. The third son of the late Joseph Gardner Mack, one of the pioneer pastoralists of Victoria, he was born at Berrybank, Lismore, V., in 1851. On completing his education he spent about two years in the office of the old Geelong firm of Dennys, Lascelles, Austin and Co., and began his pastoral career under his brother, Austin Mack, at The Prairie, near The Terricks, northern Victoria.

In the early 70's Mr. Mack bought Murgha Station, Deniliquin, N.S.W., and in 1884 Narramine, the latter in conjunction with the late Sidney Austin. The partnership was dissolved in 1906, when Mr. Mack retained Narramine as his share, and Mr. Austin took over Cobbora Station.

Narramine Station was first used as a sheep-raising proposition, and a Merino stud bred of pure Wanganella blood was established on the property. This obtained a high reputation throughout Queensland and the west of New South Wales under Mr. Mack's care. The increasing demands of agriculture, however, led to the stud being transferred to Weemabah, about 16 miles down the Macquarie, where it is now owned by Mr. George Mack, a son. The suitability of the Narromine land for wheat growing caused Mr. Mack to commence cultivation on an extensive scale in the nineties, and quite a considerable proportion of the property has been under the plough ever since. He was the pioneer of wheatgrowing in that part of the State, and to his initiative the district largely owes its prosperity.

Mr. Mack was closely associated with all local public movements, being prominently connected with the Narromine and Dubbo P. and A. Societies, the Macquarie Picnic Race Club, and the Narromine Polo Club, of which he was the founder. He was also an active member of the Pastoralists' Union of New South Wales during the stormy period of its early life. As a mark of the esteem in which he was held by residents of the Narromine district a presentation was made to him a few years back at one of the largest gatherings ever held in that part of the country. He was then made a life member of every public body in the district.

In 1873 he married Catherine, daughter of the late George Carmichael, of Retreat, Casterton, Vic. She died many years ago. He leaves two sons, F. Murgha Mack, who has been with his father at Narramine, and George, of Weemabah. There are also two daughters, Mrs. Darvall Kater, of Mumblebone, and Mrs. E. . S. N. Binnie, of Woodlands, Narromine. He was a real good man all round, popular, respected and admired for his sterling qualities. His passing will be a sad loss to friends and his home district.

Original publication

Citation details

'Mack, Frank (1851–1926)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/mack-frank-632/text633, accessed 30 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Frank Mack, n.d.

Frank Mack, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 June 1926