Son of Frederick Kimberley and Ethel
Maurice, a “depression” baby, he says, was born at Barraba on 2 June 1932, the eighth and youngest child of Fred and Ethel, the same age as the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
He was educated at “Plumthorpe” Public School and later at the Tamworth High School, during which time he boarded at the Presbyterian Boys’ Hostel.
It was during his time at Tamworth High that the family moved to “Willeroi”, so on completion of his Intermediate Certificate year, Maurice commenced work on “Willeroi”.
At 20 years of age, Maurice had completed a twelve months woolclassing course at Grazcos (wool rehandling firm), Newcastle, and once again he returned to the family farm – “Willeroi”.
On 28 January 1957, Maurice married Winifred Laird at St. Xavier’s Church, Narrabri. Winifred was the second child of a family of six children of William Leslie Laird and his wife Dora K. (k/a Molly) of “Roslyn”, Maules Creek, Boggabri. At the time of her marriage Winifred was teaching at Narrabri West Public School.
Maurice and Winifred continued to live at “Willeroi” for six years after their marriage, during which time three of their children were born – Michael, Jane and Tony.
In February 1962, “Montague” (five miles to the west of Narrabri) was purchased. In July of the same year Maurice and his family moved to their new home and have lived there ever since.
“Montague”, a mixed farming block of 1300 acres, was bought from Arthur Duncan (since deceased). Various smaller blocks have been added to form the area as it is today, including a Namoi River frontage. While maintaining management of “Willeroi” in conjunction with “Montague”, Maurice continued to expand his farming and grazing interests of sheep, wheat and cattle.
In 1976 he entered the stock and station agency of Cramsie McRae. In 1976 Maurice took the opportunity to fulfill a life-time ambition of becoming a stock and station agent. With partner Ken Pierce, under the banner Cramsie & McRae, operations commenced in a small office adjoining the Club House Hotel. On 1 May 1978, a franchising arrangement was formed with Dalgety – trading as Cramsie McRae Dalgety – in larger premises in Maitland Street, where the business is conducted today.
Maurice has continued his land interest of sheep, wheat and cattle at “Montague” and further afield.
Of interest to Maurice has been sport, especially rugby league, tennis and cricket. He is an avid cricket fan, as we all know. In his youth he played cricket in Narrabri, as well as representing Maules Creek in district matches. The family recalls hearing of Maurice’s excellence as a batsman when, on one occasion whilst playing on No. 1 oval at Narrabri with a tally of 93, he hit the ball well over the creek bridge. However, it must have gone to his head (as the saying goes), as he was caught out on the next ball.
Rodeo, show-ring, horse racing and trotting events have always had a special place in Maurice’s life. He was president of Narrabri Rodeo Club for a period of five years during the late 1960’s. Together with Wilf Bell, John Olivier and Sid Campbell, Maurice was one of the founding members of the Narrabri Showground Trust (retiring in July 1984 after a period of 10 years). Maurice now shares small interests in horse racing.
Maurice and Winifred have a family of eight children, all born at Narrabri – Michael, Jane, Anthony, Margo, Sally, Scott, Julie and Jonathon.
Children of Maurice and Winifred Simshauser
- Michael
Michael was born in 1958, and educated at Narrabri and “Woodlawn” College, Lismore.
After leaving school, Michael worked on “Montague”. He now lives at Wee Waa and is engaged in farming interests – cotton and wheat – at “Burrenda” Burren Junction and “The Myalls” Pilliga.
In 1980 Michael married Cheryl Baguley of Narrabri and they have three children – Matthew (b. 1986), Thomas (b. 1989) and Ellen (b. 1991).
- Jane Kenrick
Jane was born in 1959, and attended school at Narrabri and St. Ursula’s College, Armidale. After school Jane completed a business course at Metropolitan Business College, Sydney and then nursing training at Tamworth Base Hospital, followed by employment at Royal North Shore, Walgett, Sutherland and other Sydney hospitals.
In 1986 Jane married Mark Wilson, a Qantas pilot, and they live at Killara, Sydney. They have one child, Cameron Mark (b. 21 December 1990).
- Anthony (k/a Tony)
Tony was born in 1961. He attended “Woodlawn” College, Lismore, and for one year was apprenticed in Sydney as a diamond setter.
He returned to Narrabri – had six months droving with Peter Simshauser – and then spent four years in the Northern Territory, including two years at “Mt. Sanford Station” – an outstation of “Victoria River Downs”, 640 km south of Katherine (seven hours).
On his return to the Narrabri district Tony lived at “Willowdale” Boggabri for eighteen months. He is now self-employed in contract fence and yard construction work in the Narrabri district. He is engaged to Margaret Waterford, to be married in October 1992.
- Margo
Margo was born in 1963. After completing her education in Narrabri, Margo attended Metropolitan Business College for one year and then Kurringai College of Advanced Education for two years, where she gained a diploma in the area of Sport and Recreation. Her qualifications led to positions in Sydney, Perth, England and Camp David, New York.
Margo recently gained a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the Edith Cowan University in Perth, and is currently living in Melbourne, employed in her chosen career. Margo is interested in all sporting activities.
- Sally
Sally was born in 1965. She also received her education in Narrabri and Metropolitan Business College. She then took a one year position as governess on a cattle station in Northern Queensland, prior to attending Darling Downs Institute, Toowoomba, where she gained her teaching diploma with distinction. Sally spent the next three years teaching in the Bundaberg district. She is currently furthering her qualifications, studying for a degree in Education. Sally is a keen sportswoman, especially tennis and netball. Sally is engaged to Neil Foster, they plan to marry early 1993
- Scott
Scott was born in 1968. He was educated at Narrabri and “Woodlawn”. From school he returned to “Montague” for about 12 months, and then undertook an intensive real estate course at Hawkesbury Agricultural College. He is now involved in the stock and station agency, Cramsie McRae Dalgety, at Wee Waa. In April 1991, Scott married Lisa Cook from Narrabri. Scott plays rugby union with the Narrabri Blues.
- Julie
Julie was born on 6 April 1973 (as first-born twin). She was educated at Narrabri and is currently studying an environmental sciences course at Griffith University, Queensland
- Jonathon
Jonathon was born on 6 April 1973 (second-born twin). He was educated at Narrabri and “Woodlawn” College. He is employed at “Burrenda” Burren Junction, gaining experience in the fundamentals of cotton growing and other farming techniques.