Kadungle

There are many towns and villages within the Parkes Shire LGA (local government area) and Kadungle is one of them. Located 15km from Tullamore and 20km from Trundle, it is second to Tullamore as the westernmost town or village in the Parkes Shire.

Early History of Kadungle

The name ‘Kadungle’ owes its spelling to persnickety government officials who believed the original name ‘Cardungle’ was wrong! Source: *The Forbes Advocate* 27 May 1927, p.9

One family with strong links to Kadungle are the Crowleys. Don Crowley lived on ‘Moira’ station until his death in 1916. The Crowleys produced some very good tennis players, who played for the local club at Kadungle called the Medway Tennis Club.

The Crowley family has had a long association with Kadungle. This obituary for Don Crowley states that he lived at ‘Moira’ station and his brother, James Crowley, lived in Kadungle too. Source: *The Forbes Advocate* 28 January 1916, p.6

PLEASE NOTE: While the newspaper report states the name of the deceased as ‘Don’, the family has been in touch with Parkes Shire Library and the correct name is DANIEL CROWLEY.

Map showing approximate location of Kadungle, in the parish of Gobondery, in county Kennedy. Source: *County & Parish Maps of NSW with Index* by Alice Jansen (1999) p.74

Click here to read about the county of Kennedy

Within the diamond of Tullamore, Fifield, Trundle and Bruie Plains you will find Kadungle. Source: Google Maps

The first appearance of Kadungle (spelled “Cardungle”) is in a Registration of Horse and Cattle Brands for 1891 (Source: New South Wales Government Gazette 27 November 1891 [Issue No.756 (Supplement)] p.9380) James Crowley registered his brand for Cardungle Farm, Troffs, Trundle P.O.

The brand that appeared on cattle and horses belonging to James Crowley of Cardungle Farm. Source: New South Wales Government Gazette 27 November 1891 [Issue No.756 (Supplement)] p.9380

The first mention of Kadungle (this spelling, not the original Cardungle) in newspapers appears in 1908 in an article about Public Works Tenders. A tender had been accepted to erect station buildings at The Troffs, Kadungle, Gobondery and Tullamore.

The first mention of Kadungle in the newspapers is about railway station buildings being erected at The Troffs, Gobondery, Tullamore and Kadungle. Source: The Daily Telegraph Tuesday 14 April 1908 p.5 — The first mention of Kadungle in the newspapers is about railway station buildings being erected at The Troffs, Gobondery, Tullamore and Kadungle. Source: *The Daily Telegraph* Tuesday 14 April 1908 p.5

An excerpt from a page from government gazette explaining rules of transport on NSW railways. To read the article in its entirety click here. Source: *Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales* December 2, 1908 [Issue No.137] p.6428

There were also moves to have Kadungle reserve set aside as a public watering place. Other infrastructure was also added, with a road leading up to Kadungle Siding, 20 allotments for sale and provision of a large grain shed and weighbridge (Western Champion 24 October 1912, p.28).

David Nash pointed out that the first schooling in Kadungle was a half-time school which commenced in October 1898 and was called “Cardungle” until May 1927 when Kadungle was used instead (Source: Historical Information about Government Schools (1848-2019). Kadungle would eventually get a full school, after a lot of petitioning and patience, and the townsfolk also formed the Kadungle Progress Association (The Forbes Advocate 31 May 1927, p.2)

Newspaper report on the [Goobang] Shire Engineer working on having all of Kadungle reserve set aside for public watering. Source: *Western Champion* February 5, 1909 p.15

Excerpt from a newspaper report on Sydney Produce Sales with wheat from Kadungle Silo. Source: *Evening News* July 6, 1909 p.3

Government Gazette announcing the opening of a road to Kadungle Railway Siding. Soure: *Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales* 24 August 1910 [Issue No.131] p.4749

The Schools of Kadungle

There were various schools at Kadungle. However they were not multiple schools like at Brolgan (Brolgan Public School and Brolgan Siding Public Scool) but rather a single school that came under a variety of guises.

Click here to read about Brolgan

David Nash informed historyparkes that an application for a school at Cardungle was submitted and declined in 1892 (Source: Report of the Minister of Public Instruction Upon the Condition of Public Schools Established and Maintained Under the Public Instruction Act of 1880 p.41) The Crowley family were instrumental in getting formal education brought to the area, writing several letters to the Department of Education. In Tullamore & District Schools: A Centenary of Education 1890 – 1990 it lists the following schools; Corilla (Cardungle-Rosewood) Half-Time School, Moira-Cardungle Subsidised School and then Kadungle School in 1927. The school called Corilla commenced in 1898, even though the two Crowley families had made their first application in 1893. While the Crowleys had been patient, they didn’t sit and wait for the Department to respond, employing a private teacher, Emma Egan, who was known as “Aunt Amy” and the school was based in “Cardungle” woolshed.

Mills & Mills et al state the beginning of public schooling in Kadungle:

Very soon, Mr Charles W. Stewart, who had been a pupil teacher at Bedgerabong, was appointed. Mr Stewart was to live “Rosewood” and the school opened there on 14th November 1898, and at Cardungle the next day.
The Cardungle School was a hut near the woolshed, which was built on the boundary between Cardungle and Moira. The school, described as measuring fourteen feet by ten feet, had walls of upright sawn slab and an iron roof but no ceiling. The room was well lit by daylight. The classroom pine furniture consisted of two forms (seats) and two desks, each of twelve feet long, a press (cupboard) and a chair. Sums and writing were done on slates with chalk and later in books.
Source: Mills & Mills et al (1990) p.96

While there were 17 children waiting to become students at Kadungle School, there were delays in appointing a teacher for the school. Source: *Western Champion* 9 September 1926, p.11

Correspondence from Kadungle confirms that the new school building is progressing well, with plans for three new tennis courts. Source: *The Forbes Advocate* 4 March 1927, p.8

The rise of Kadungle. Kadungle Public School finally became a reality on June 1st, 1927. Another Kadungle family, the Skinners, erected poles for telephone communications at Kadungle Post Office. In addition the fettlers were instructed to move their depot from The Troffs to Kadungle. Source: *The Forbes Advocate* 7 June 1927, p.3

Kadungle School Cricket Team 1940. Taken at Eribung (Numulla). Back (left to right) – Colin Bird, Keith Jones, Gordon Johnson, John Wise, Bernie Crowley, Arthur Stone, Kevin Wise. Front – Peter Lyndon, Colin Watts, David Lyndon, Mary Watts, Arthur Medcalf, Paul Crowley. Note Arthur Stone with pith helmet. This was not unusual headgear even in the 60s. Source: Shirley Mills et al (1990) p.99

According to Mills & Mills et al (1990):

The provisional school opened on the 31st May, 1927 and the first teacher was Mr Phil Graff. Subsequent teachers were Mr Jack O’Donnell, Mr Eric Smith, Mr Jack O’Neill, Mr Harold Reece, Mr Frank Lyndon, Miss Brook (or Miss Gibson) and Mr Eddie Reynolds.
Kadungle’s playground was a large cleared area with a few green box trees, wilgas and pines. Two 1,000 gallon rainwater tanks adjoined the building and water for these helped maintain the garden.
In the early 30s the school had between thirty and forty pupils attending daily. The children came from the surrounding farms or the railway fettlers settlement at Kadungle.
Games played at recess included cricket, rounders, soccer, marbles and hide-and-seek. Occasionally the children had a swimming “lesson” in the Pastures Protection Board Dam.
Cricket matches were played with surrounding schools and, as there were usually more boys than girls, the girls were called to join in. The children usually travelled to other schools on the back of Fred Stone’s truck. An inter school cricket match where Kadungle scored only four runs is remembered with good humour.
Kadungle had an active P&C Association, with meetings being held quarterly. In 1941 Kadungle decided to hold a combined sports gathering with Eribung (Numulla), Kelvin Grove and Gillenbine Schools to celebrate Empire Day. Correspondence students were also invited to participate. The gathering became an annual event and the forerunner of the Gobondery Sports Carnivals.
Kadungle [School] finally closed in December 1947. Thereafter the children travelled by bus to Tullamore and Trundle Schools. The twenty years of Kadungle Provisional School saw the education of many local children through a difficult period in Australia’s history, covering both The Great Depression and World War II.
Source: Mills & Mills et al (1990) pp.98-99

Newspaper report on the first annual combined sports day between Kadungle, Kelvin Grove and Eribung (Numulla) schools. Gillenbine would be invited to future combined sports days as well as students studying by correspondence. Source: *The Champion Post* May 29, 1941 p.7

Twenty allotments for sale in the new township of Kadungle. Source: *Orange Leader* 27 September 1912, p.4

Tennis courts were another additional to Kadungle as the town continued to grow. Source: *The Forbes Advocate* 9 May 1913, p.6

Another reference to Kadungle’s Medway Tennis Club which also highlights how popular tennis was many years ago. Fifield and Kadungle (Medway) had tennis clubs, along with other towns and villages that have almost vanished. Source: *Western Champion* 23 June 1921, p.11

Records of tennis tournament between Tullamore and Kadungle. Source: *Western Champion* 14 July 1927, p.15

Sources: 1947 Census, 1954 Census and 1961 Census

Kadungle was identified early as good fertile land for agriculture, despite some believing the opposite. John Watts of ‘Kurrajong Park’, Kadungle proved that a good cultivator knows how to produce high quality crops by wining a prize for his wheat. Source: *Western Champion* 21 April 1927, p.13

Kadungle located 15km away from Tullamore and 20km from Trundle on The Bogan Way. Source: Bonzle

Captain Wilson was piloting an aeroplane on the way to the Tullamore Show, but the plane broke down at Kadungle. After repairs, Captain Wilson delivered bread to the Rae’s and Bell’s dropping the bread from midair. Source: *The Forbes Advocate* 13 September 1921, p.1

Click here to read more about Captain Wilson

One of the more interesting groups that research has uncovered is a group called “Kadungle Wild Dog Union” who are only listed twice in *Western Champion* and both times for giving donations to Parkes District Hospital. Source: *Western Champion* 20April 1916, p.28

Photograph of Private Donald Leonard Watts, 2/30th Battalion, Australian Infantry. Watts was one of over 2000 Allied prisoners of war (POW) held in the Sandakan POW camp in North Borneo. He was the son of Francis Samuel and Lucy Watts, of Kadungle, NSW. Source: Australian War Memorial website

Images & Video of Kadungle

In 2014 the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association of NSW (VFFA) ran a photo competition and invited members to submit any fire related photos for inclusion in its magazine; *The Volunteer Firefighter*. The winning photo was taken by Trundle man, Andrew Rawsthorne, Deputy Captain of the Bruie Plains Rural Fire Brigade. The winning photo was taken in 2014 at a fire in the Tullamore area with Peter Kelly overlooking the property of ‘Moira’ in Kadungle. Source: *Parkes Champion Post* website

Video of drone footage of ‘Moira’ in Kadungle (video states Trundle). This is the same property six years after fire had devastated the area (see photograph above) Source: YouTube

Excerpt of a video “48s on the Tottenham Branch” which shows the Kadungle Silos 7:36 onwards. To view the full video click here. Source: YouTube

Drone footage of Kadungle Silo [NOTE: This is video only, there is no audio on this clip] Source: YouTube

Parkes Shire Library would like to thank the following people and organisations for their assistance in making this post possible:

Trove;
David Nash;
Parkes Champion Post;
The Forbes Advocate;
the many members of the Facebook page Parkes In Photos of Years Gone Past
staff and volunteers at Parkes Shire Library, especially Emma Brown.

HAVE WE MISSED SOMETHING???

Spotted a mistake? Maybe you have something to add. If you have stories, photographs and/or memories of Kadungle that you are willing to share, please contact Parkes Shire Library via dan.fredericks@parkes.nsw.gov.au Your stories are part of the history of the Parkes Shire, allow us to preserve them for posterity and share them on this blog. Alternatively you may leave comments on this page.

REFERENCE LIST

Feature Image

Sanders, J. (June 29, 2015). Kadungle Silo [Digital image]. Retrieved August 26, 2020, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/28692840@N03/19962919375/

Old Time Trundle (May 27, 1927). The Forbes Advocate (NSW : 1911 – 1954), p. 9. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218641604
TRUNDLE. (January 28, 1916). The Forbes Advocate (NSW : 1911 – 1954), p. 6. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100275895
Alice Jansen (1999). County & Parish Maps of N.S.W. With Index (map). Emu Plains, N.S.W.: Genial Enterprises.
Google Maps. (n.d.). Kadungle, Trundle NSW 2875 [Map]. In Google Maps. Retrieved August 25, 2020, from https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kadungle, Trundle NSW 2875/@-32.7530561,147.6974063,11.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b1b2aa54bfe0527:0x941c878f42079f46!8m2!3d-32.76727!4d147.632924
TENDERS ACCEPTED. (April 14, 1908). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 – 1930), p. 5. Retrieved August 5, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article238136764
NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS. (December 2, 1908). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), p. 6428. Retrieved August 26, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226596341
Shire Council. (February 5, 1909). Western Champion (Parkes, NSW : 1898 – 1934), p. 15. Retrieved August 26, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112350103
SYDNEY PRODUCE SALES. (July 6, 1909). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), p. 3. Retrieved August 25, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114763298
NOTIFICATION, UNDER THE PUBLIC ROADS ACT OF 1902, OF WITHDRAWAL AND DEDICATION OF LANDS FOR ROAD. (August 24, 1910). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), p. 4749. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226766456
KADUNGLE SCHOOL. (September 9, 1926). Western Champion (Parkes, NSW : 1898 – 1934), p. 11. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113540128
Trundle Topics (June 7, 1927). The Forbes Advocate (NSW : 1911 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218650805
Shirley & Ian Mills et al (1990). Tullamore & District Schools: A Centenary of Education 1890 – 1990. Tullamore Central School: Tullamore, NSW
SPORTS Combined Schools Enthusiastic Crowd (May 29, 1941). The Champion Post, p.7
GAZETTE GLEANINGS. (September 27, 1912). Leader (Orange, NSW : 1899 – 1945), p. 4. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117805557
TRUNDLE. (May 9, 1913). The Forbes Advocate (NSW : 1911 – 1954), p. 6. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113860056
TENNIS. (June 23, 1921). Western Champion (Parkes, NSW : 1898 – 1934), p. 11. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113520206
KADUNGLE (March 4, 1927). The Forbes Advocate (NSW : 1911 – 1954), p. 8. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218638473
Tullamore. (July 14, 1927). Western Champion (Parkes, NSW : 1898 – 1934), p. 15. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128685234
Wilson, R. (1947). Census of the Commonwealth of Australia (30th June, 1947, p. 30) (Australia, Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics). Canberra, ACT: L.F. Johnston. Retrieved November 25, 2016, from https://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/free.nsf/0/2F3A37515796B189CA25784100193B4B/$File/1947 Census – Volume I – Part VIII Population and Occupied Dwellings in Localities.pdf
Carver, S. R. (1955). Census of the Commonwealth of Australia (26th August, 1955, p. 27) (Australia, Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics). Canberra, ACT. Retrieved November 25, 2016, from https://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/free.nsf/0/0596FEBFA6947308CA257872001D908E/$File/1954 Census – Volume I – Part V NEW SOUTH WALES Population Occupied Dwellings LGA 50 Persons or More.pdf
Archer, K. M. (1963). Census of the Commonwealth of Australia (Vol. 1, 30th June, 1961, p. 29) (Australia, Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics). Canberra, ACT: Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics. Retrieved November 25, 2016, from https://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/free.nsf/0/C1CE4E7FE187C97BCA25787900173489/$File/1961 Census – Volume I – Part V NEW SOUTH WALES Population and Dwellings in Localities.pdf
Tullamore. (April 21, 1927). Western Champion (Parkes, NSW : 1898 – 1934), p. 13. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128683979
Digital Atlas Pty Ltd. (2020). Map of Kadungle, NSW [Map]. In Bonzle Maps. Retrieved August 25, 2020, from http://bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=18479
TRUNDLE (September 13, 1921). The Forbes Advocate (NSW : 1911 – 1954), p. 1. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100357860
PARKES HOSPITAL. (April 20, 1916). Western Champion (Parkes, NSW : 1898 – 1934), p. 28. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112317164
Australian War Memorial. (n.d.). Paybook photograph, taken on enlistment, of NX37432 Private Donald Leonard Watts, 2/30th Battalion [Digital image]. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C333785
Rawsthorne, A. (November 27, 2015). [The winning photo was taken in 2014 at a fire in the Tullamore area with Peter Kelly overlooking the property of ‘Moira’ Kadungle] [Photograph]. Retrieved August 25, 2020, from https://www.parkeschampionpost.com.au/story/3520306/from-the-ashes-good-things-grow/#slide=0
Swan, M. (Director). (August 23, 2020). Moira, Trundle [Video file]. Retrieved August 26, 2020, from https://youtu.be/qvOHU5PBNoc
jimmynswgr (Director). (July 24, 2015). 48s on the Tottenham Branch [Video file]. Retrieved August 26, 2020, from https://youtu.be/mhUAdEfaPNw?t=456
Barling, Nigel (Director). (December 25, 2016). DJI 0258 – Kadungle Silo [Video file]. Retrieved August 26, 2020, from https://youtu.be/JijxcsPfuzo

5 comments on “Kadungle”

David Nash
August 31, 2020

Prior to the 1927 school, there was a Half-Time School at Cardungle from October 1898 to August 1905. It was partnered with the Half-Time School at Corilla. https://data.cese.nsw.gov.au/data/dataset/historical-information-of-nsw-government-schools

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- parkeslibrary
  August 31, 2020
  
  Thank you David.
  
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  - David Nash
    August 31, 2020
    
    Apparently there was an application for a school at Cardungle in 1892 or 1893, but it was declined: pages 41 and 92 in the 1893 Report of the Minister of Public Instruction Upon the Condition of Public Schools https://books.google.com.au/books?id=ZuUWAAAAIAAJ
    
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  - David Nash
    August 31, 2020
    
    There’s a sections on ‘Moira – Cardungle) on page 95, and ‘Cardungle – Rosewood (Corilla)’ on page 96 of the 1990 book A history of Tullamore & district schools (in Parkes library), covering the Half Time Schools.
    
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David Nash
August 31, 2020

An earlier published mention of Cardungle is in the 1892 list of new postal routes opened, “Tomkins’ (near Trundle) to Cardungle”, once a week; page 527 of NSW Parliament Votes & Proceedings, Volume 2.

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History Parkes

Kadungle

Early History of Kadungle

PLEASE NOTE: While the newspaper report states the name of the deceased as ‘Don’, the family has been in touch with Parkes Shire Library and the correct name is DANIEL CROWLEY.

Click here to read about the county of Kennedy