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Neil MacCallum (1841–1913)

Neil MacCallum, n.d.

Neil MacCallum, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 15 January 1914

Towards the end of last year another famous Riverina pioneer passed away—Neil MacCallum, of Murrulebale, Junee, one who had done much to make Riverina renowned for its sheep and wool, and one who had played too a leading part in laying the foundations of wheatgrowing in that part of New South Wales.

Born in the highlands of Scotland seventy-three years ago, he had a hardy boyhood, and later went to sea as an apprentice, but the land held more charm for him, and eventually he settled in Australia. In the later sixties he took up the management of North Junee Station, then owned by Messrs. Hepburn, Leonard and Robertson. About 1875 the property was sold, and Messrs. Hepburn and Leonard purchased Bynya, Mr. Robertson having died, and appointed Mr. Neil MacCallum as manager. As soon as he had made improvements, overcome many obstacles, pulled through droughts, and when the seasons became assured he induced his owners to start a stud flock of Merinos, with rams from Groongal. This they did, and Mr. MacCallum made a great success of the venture.

Bynya was sold in 1884. Mr. W. Leonard joined Mr. MacCallum in leasing Tumbleton, near Wallendbeen, but the stud flock on the place, purchased by Mr. Leonard in Tasmania, were sold to the Tubbo Estate Company, and Mr. MacCallum was made manager of Tubbo. In 1893 he resigned and took charge of Murrulebale, where he built up another great success by changing a light cutting flock to one of the best finewool stud flocks in New South Wales.

When Mr. MacCallum took charge of Murrulebale, farming in the district was only in its infancy, but by persistency and pluck even in the face of failure, he went a very long way towards showing what could really be done in the way of wheat-growing by the earnest farmer.

The district has lost an earnest worker and generous friend. He assisted whole-heartedly in everything rational, social or charitable, and be was kind, earnest, and generous to a fault. Work was his greatest pleasure in life.

Original publication

Citation details

'MacCallum, Neil (1841–1913)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/maccallum-neil-625/text626, accessed 28 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Neil MacCallum, n.d.

Neil MacCallum, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 15 January 1914

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1841
Scotland

Death

15 December, 1913 (aged ~ 72)
New South Wales, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

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