Obituaries Australia

A pioneer of pasture improvement and property development in the Lower South East of South Australia who died early this year was Mr. Thomas Johnston Goode, of Wangolina Station, Kingston. He was aged 69 years and had spent the whole of his life in the Kingston district, playing a leading part in the great progress of this important centre.

Mr. Goode was the second son of the late Edward and Alison Ross Goode, of Barooka Station, near Kingston, and was educated at the Wangolina and Kingston schools before going on to Prince Alfred College, Adelaide. He returned to Barooka for experience under his father with his brothers, Edward and Alick and remained there for five years after his marriage in 1915 to Elizabeth Phoebe Hosking.

In 1920 Mr. Goode purchased Conmurra and in 1923 acquired from the late T. S. Ryder Wangolina Station, which he developed into one of the finest sheep properties in the Lower South East. He exploited the idea of clearing wattles and replacing with sown pastures, and was one of the first landowners in the district to topdress with superphosphate. He also played a prominent part in experiments with copper and cobalt as trace elements to counteract coast disease and bred up a flock of Merino sheep of high commercial value.

Mr. Goode was a great lover of a good horse and he rode at many local shows. His early activities included breeding remounts for the Indian army, and he very reluctantly replaced his Clydesdales with tractors for farm work.

For a record period of 21 years, from 1932 to 1953, Mr. Goode was chairman of the Lacepede Council. He set a fine example of service, particularly during the war years, when although living ten miles out of town he continued to preside over numerous committees whilst at the same time working his property short-handed with two of his sons serving in the R.A.A.F. He was elected chairman of the hospital board on its inauguration in 1947, and today the Kingston Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, built on land he donated, is one tribute to his zeal. He will also be remembered by many landowners, especially the soldier settlers, with whom he shared his skill and knowledge as a most successful pastoralist.

Mr. Goode is survived by his widow and their four children, Edward, Clifton, Roger, and Alison.