Obituaries Australia

Charles Bull, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 16 September 1954

The death of Mr. Charles Wagner Lanyon Bull, of Gala Vale, Jerilderie, N.S.W., last month, removed from Riverina one of its most popular and highly esteemed pastoral identities. The late Mr. Bull was born at Camperdown, Vic., 77 years ago, and received his education at the Ballarat Grammar School. His father, the late T. W. Bull, arrived in South Australia from England over a century ago, and after some years on the gold diggings, at Ballarat, Vic., settled on the land, first at Camperdown, Vic., and later on a property known as Prairie Park, on the Yanko Creek, near Jerilderie, N.S.W. After receiving his early grazing experience on his father's property, Mr. Charles Bull took up land for himself 50 years ago, when he settled in the Argoon district, north of Jerilderie. He named his holding Gala Vale, and some years later purchased 17,000 acres of Yamma Station, which he called Gala Vale East. On these two properties he established Merino studs which soon commanded a ready sale, and regular clientele in New South Wales. 

Apart from pastoral activities, Mr. Bull took an active interest in everything connected with the Riverina area. He was for many years a director of the local hospital board and was an enthusiastic worker for the old show society and district charities. For many years he conducted an annual gymkhana at Gala Vale to assist patriotic purposes, this event becoming one of the most eagerly anticipated functions of the year in Jerilderie. His keenest sporting interests were cricket and local picnic race meetings, for which he bred thoroughbreds that always did him credit. About 50 years ago he married Miss Hannah Pearce, of Pine Grove, Argoon, N.S.W., who now survives him, as well as a family of one son, Mr. Stanley Bull, and three daughters, Gladys, Mrs. H. S. Black, of Booborowie, S.A., and the Misses Dulce and Dorothy Bull. Two other daughters, Edith and Mabel, predeceased him.