Son of Frederick Kimberley and Ethel
Clive Ivan Simshauser – second son of Fred and his wife Ethel – was born at Barraba on 2 March 1923. He attended Tareela Public School for his primary education and then Tamworth High School from 1936 – 1938, after which time Clive was employed at “Campo Santo”, working with stock and farming.
In 1942 Clive enlisted in the army but in 1945 was discharged and once again was employed at “Campo” where he remained for about six months.
On 22 June 1946, he married Ada Mary Johnson (k/a Kitty). Kitty worked for Mrs Burdekin at “Plumthorpe Station” as a housemaid, under the supervision of Miss Showers, an English lady. Kitty was taught how to do all household chores ‘the right way’ says Clive
Early in their married life Clive and Kitty resided in the “Old Tareela” house, while for a period of three years, Clive grew wheat, under contract, at “Pembury” – next door to “Campo Santo”.
In a letter from Bernice Carter (husband David, grandson of George Capel) of
“Pembury” Barraba, she recalls fond memories of Clive and Kitty.
‘Clive came to “Old Tareela” when he married Kitty Johnson. I think it was their first home, and many a visit David and I made to Clive and Kitty, after we were married. We lived on “Campo” too, and were not too far from them.’
In 1953, Clive moved with his wife Kitty and three small boys to “Wairoa” Narrabri. Ham and Helen Morton (nee Leitch) had been killed in an air crash in 1952 – en route to England to attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Suddenly a manager was required for their property “Wairoa”, and Clive took up the challenge and managed “Wairoa” for 17 years. “Wairoa”, a sizeable, well-renowned property of 3,500 acres on the Namoi River, eight miles to the east of Narrabri, was involved in the irrigation of crops, fat lamb and vealer production, and wheat growing.
After Graham and Robert Morton – sons of Ham and Helen – became of age and acquired “Wairoa”, Clive and his family moved to Narrabri, and from here for a period of about one year Clive managed the Croakers family property at Edgeroi – “Belbowrie”.
Kitty, as well as Clive, always became involved with Narrabri community activities, especially those associated with horses and school activities. Among these interests were the Pony Club, P.A. & H. Assoc., Rodeo, Jockey Club and Picnic Race Club. Incidentally, Clive, together with John Haire and Clyde Fox and numerous other Narrabri identities, was instrumental in the re-formation of the Narrabri Picnic Race Club after a lapse of 25 years.
Kitty was secretary of Narrabri Pony Club for several years during the time their children rode at the Pony Club. She (or was it Clive?) also was president of “Tarriaro” Public School P.& C. Association for several years while the children attended school at “Tarriaro” during their primary education.
In October 1970, Clive moved to Narromine where he took up the position as Manager at “Buddah Station”, where he remained for 12 years in all. During this time he was at “Jemalong Station” for a period of two years (1976/77) – also owned by the British Tobacco Company.
‘”Jemalong” was a great experience, 27,000 acres plus a lease of 6,000 acres of forest, except that we had too many floods on the Lachlan River and there were too many gates.’
In January 1978, Clive was transferred back to “Buddah”. He continued here as Manager until his retirement in 1984, when he moved with Kitty to live in Narromine. Kitty died just two years later in June 1986.
Clive and Kitty had a family of four children – John, Robert, Philip and Jenny, and seven grandchildren.
Clive now lives in Narromine, enjoying life as a gentleman.
Children of Clive and Kitty
1. John
After leaving Narrabri High School in 1963, John was employed at “Wairoa” until 1968 when he was called up for his two-year period of compulsory National Service training. During his service he was sent to New Guinea – Poppondetta in 1969 and Wewak in 1970.
After being discharged in September 1970, he was employed at “Combadello” Moree for a period of six months, “North Nowley” where he stayed for three years, and a farm near Brisbane for one year. In August 1978 he married Elizabeth Anne Adams (k/a Beth) – his first marriage to Wendy Norman had broken up several years previously.
John and Beth moved to “Buddah” Narromine, where John was Stock Manager for nearly 10 years, until he took up his present position as Property Manager for Lyn Holcombe, Burren Junction. He lives at “Castlebar” with his wife Beth and seven year old son, Benjamin. John has continued a special interest in Narrabri Pony Club as a camp instructor. Since leaving school he has only missed one year – 1969, when he was in National Service Training.
2. Robert
On leaving school at Narrabri, Robert was employed in farm work in the south of the state, and then with his uncle, Gordon Simshauser, at “Kelvin Grove” Wee Waa. From there, Robert developed and conducted a business in Wee Waa as a cotton-picker mechanic.
Robert suffered a stroke at a very early age and now lives in the Narromine/Dubbo district. Robert has two children, Tania (18) and Andrew (16), who live with their mother Gaye in Dubbo.
3. Philip
On completing his education, first at “Tarriaro” Public School and then Narrabri High School, Philip was apprenticed at Logan Timbers Co. Narrabri, as a cabinet maker.
In September 1974, he married Dennise Yandell, daughter of Viv and Pat Yandall, Narrabri.
Philip and Denise have two children – Lisa (b. 1976) and Glen (b. 1978), both attending Narrabri High School.
Philip is now self-employed as a builder, while Dennise conducts her own ladies’ fashion boutique in Narrabri.
4. Janette Maree (k/a Jenny)
Jenny was educated at “Tarriaro”, Narrabri Primary and Narrabri High, and after her parents moved to Narromine, the Narromine High School.
In 1973, Jenny joined the Commonwealth Bank at Narromine. In 1980 she transferred to the Mudgee Branch where she met co-employee Peter John Collie, whom she later married at St. Augustine’s Church, Narromine.
Jenny and Peter have two children – Louise Maree, born at Mudgee 1983 and Michael Peter, born at Bathurst 1985.
Jenny and Peter have enjoyed time at Mudgee, Bathurst, Albury and Dubbo since their marriage. Peter is currently Deputy Regional Manager with the Commonwealth Bank in the Western Country Zone centred at Dubbo.
During her childhood, Jenny, along with her parents and brothers, was an enthusiastic member of the Narrabri Pony Club. ‘I loved them!’ says Jenny. For a girl who was born with a “split” in her heart, and at 15 years of age underwent heart surgery, Jenny continues to enjoy an active life.