Daughter of Frederick Kimberley and Ethel
Ruth, born on 18 July 1928 at Barraba, was the sixth child of Fred and Ethel. She was educated at “Plumthorpe” Public School, and then the Dominican Convent School, Tamworth. On completing her education, Ruth enrolled for nursing training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown. After finishing her training she returned to “Willeroi” to help care for her brothers for a period of time, as her mother was ill.
Ruth recalls, ‘It was all work at “Willeroi” – no conveniences. My brothers said that I gave them baked rice for breakfast, dinner and tea!’
(Incidentally, her brothers still refuse to eat baked rice!)
Ruth married Alistair Wilson Leitch in Narrabri on 26 May 1951, and they lived at “Combadello” Moree for just a few short years.
Alistair died in Tamworth Hospital, having been flown for emergency treatment from Moree, on 8 January 1957, suffering peritonitis following an appendicitis operation. He was 31 years of age.
Alistair and his twin brother John Leitch had acquired “Combadello” in 1949 and ran it as a successful sheep, wheat and cattle property. In 1955, prior to Alistair’s death, 4,800 acres was subdivided from “Combadello” and named “Terawynia” as John’s portion, as John intended to marry.
Alistair was a keen sportsman – he loved his tennis and was a very good polo player, playing No. 3 in the “Combadello” team. Alistair had a polo ground built on “Combadello”. After the death of Alistair, Ruth took over the running of “Combadello”. She considered it a challenge but loved doing it. Ruth and Alistair had a family of three children – Alistair Campbell b. 7 April 1952, Peter Stanley Hamish b. 6 March 1954 and Helen Ruth b. 30 May 1955.
Ruth is very active in community activities – Moree SES, Red Cross, Meals-on-Wheels, Fairway Nursing Home, Red Shield Appeal, National Trust and Moree National Party. In recognition of outstanding services to the Moree community, Ruth was named Moree Jaycees’ Citizen of the Year in 1984.
Ruth continues to live at “Combadello”, where she likes to spend her spare time tending her garden.
Children of Ruth and Alistair Leitch
- Alistair Campbell (k/a Cambo)
From the age of 10 years, Campbell attended King’s School in Sydney. He married Patricia Christine Dampney (k/a Trish), daughter of Frank and Peggy Dampney of “Billabong” Narrabri, on 9 June 1972. Cambo and Trish made their home at “Myall Vale” Narrabri and farmed and grazed this property for 18 months. Their first son, Lochie Alistair, was born on 8 August 1973 at Narrabri.
Campbell and Trish then spent 18 months at “Mt. Howick Station” Esperance, WA, and on their return purchased “Marlow” Rowena, where they grazed sheep and cattle, and grew wheat, sunflowers and sorghum. Their second son, Jason Campbell, was born on 3 June 1975 at Narrabri.
In January 1986 they moved to “Marlow Downs” Maules Creck, where they sowed the property down to lucerne, and grazed cattle. In 1990 they purchased “Willeroi” which is being used for cattle grazing
Lochie left school in 1989 and is making life on the land his career. Jason left school in 1991 and is presently at Longreach Agriculture College.
- Peter Stanley Hamish
Peter also attended King’s School from the age of 10. He lives at “Myall Vale”, 14 miles west of Narrabri, with his wife Margo and their three daughters – Sarah b. 12 July 1984 in Sydney, Sophie b. 30 October 1985 in Sydney, and Alice b. 11 September 1987 in Narrabri.
Peter married Margo Helen Fearon, daughter of Dr Douglas Fearon and his wife Helen Fearon, on 6 May 1978 in Sydney.
Cotton growing is the main enterprise on “Myall Vale”, along with cattle grazing and wheat farming. Cattle and wheat production, as well as sorghum and sunflower growing, are carried out on another property, “Pidgee” – 40 miles west of Narrabri.
- Helen Ruth
Helen, only daughter of Ruth and Alistair, attended school at Frensham. On completion of school, Helen attended art school at Newcastle for four years. She has become a well known water colour artist – mainly illustrating animals. Helen now lives in Melbourne.