This story came through Tracy McLaughlin, who’s been quietly helping us gather names, photos, and memories in all sorts of ways.
She was at Tai Chi, chatting with her friend Jill, when Toganmain came up. Tracy mentioned she’d just been out to the Woolshed, and Jill’s ears pricked up — she recognised the name straight away. Her brother, she said, shore there as a teenager.
A little while later, Tracy got a message from Jill with a photo attached: Rodney Harrison, standing tall and young in the shed — taken back in 1962. Jill reckons it was Toganmain.
Rodney keeps to himself these days — he’s had a few health issues — but Jill was happy to share what she could on his behalf. She said their dad and uncles brought the boys out to the shed during a time when shearers were in short supply, hoping they’d learn the trade. It was hard yakka. Their dad passed away in 1968 at just 52, and both of his brothers died young too. Shearing took a toll.
There’s not a lot more the family can offer just now, though Jill’s keen to ask around — she reckons there might be more old photos floating through the extended family. She ended one of her messages to Tracy with, “Thanks again for this — very interesting.” And from the sounds of it, she meant it.
We’re glad Tracy had that conversation. These are the kinds of stories that might otherwise stay tucked away — and I reckon we’re lucky they didn’t.
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