David Lewis has shared a couple of stories with us — one about the dogs that worked the shed with him, and another about the quiet presence of veterans who passed through Toganmain. But he’s since been back in touch with a few more memories, and I reckon they’re worth including.
David lived and worked at Toganmain for a number of years, right up until September 1965, when he was conscripted from the property. He eventually retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, having served multiple overseas deployments. You get the sense that his time at the shed — and the people he worked alongside — stayed with him through it all.
He sent through a series of photos, each one adding a bit more shape to the past. One shows the old and new wool presses side by side — David mentioned that he used the old one. There’s another taken inside the shed at the wool tables, with John Robertson standing on the right, working as a wool classer. In another, a bale is being loaded, hanging off the ground, with Tom Elliott pushing it off. That one says a lot about the physical side of the work — you can see the effort in it. There’s also a clipping from a local sports page — David pointed out that two in the top photo were conscripted, and one volunteered. Most of the young blokes in it, he reckons, would’ve spent time in the shed.
He also told me his stepfather, Tommy Elliott, had worked at Toganmain too — a World War II veteran, like many of the older men around the place. At the time, no one really talked about it, but David later saw them marching on ANZAC Day in Carrathool and the pieces clicked into place.
He remembered the swaggies as well — men who stayed in the Transit Hut behind the cook’s quarters. The cook always gave them a bit to eat — bread, meat, potatoes — and a tin of boot polish. They didn’t say much, but their boots were always shined. I reckon that says something.
David offered to recite the Ode at the 150th dinner in memory of those who passed through the shed — men who worked, lived, and in many cases, served. He didn’t need to say much more. That offer alone says plenty.
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