Some Items Relating to Joan O’Brien (nee Terry) From Her Younger Days
Joan Agnes Terry was born on 26 February 1925 and grew up on her family’s farm ‘Dalmuir’ near Hughenden in Queensland.
In 1955 she married Harold Joseph O’Brien, the fourth child of Irene and Bill O’Brien. You can read more about Joan and Harold’s courtship here.
As you’ll know, this website is mostly about Irene and Bill O’Brien, their antecedents and descendants. So there normally wouldn’t be that much about partners of the O’Briens. But occasionally there’ll be something interesting that captures a particular time in history. Such is the case here.
This story looks at a few newspaper clippings regarding Joan and the Terry family between April 1931 when Joan was 6, and March 1950 when Joan was 25.
There are a lot more articles relating to the Terry family that my cousin Madonna Barraclough (Harold and Joan’s daughter) will no doubt dig out as part of the Terry family story.
Remember, you can click on any image below to see the full article.
The death of Joan’s (6) grandfather (Madonna’s great grandfather)
(From The Evening News, Wednesday 8 Apr 1931, page 12)
MR A J M Terry
The death occurred at the Mater Misericordiae Private Hospital, Brisbane on April 2, of an old pioneer of the pastoral industry, Alexander Joseph Macdonald Terry, late of Inkerman station near Townsville. Mr Terry was born in the Riverina District, New South Wales, in 1848 and was the head of the third generation of one of the oldest Australian families. He was the eldest son of the late Thomas Terry, who was prominently connected with the pastoral industry in New South Wales nearly 100 years ago, and during the ‘fifties as part owner of the historical Howlong station, which was previously known by the aboriginal name Carrathool.
In 1863 Mr Terry, in company with Messrs George Clarke and Hugh Mossman, afterwards well known in mining circles, journeyed to Queensland to obtain what was then termed “colonial experience” on a property owned by his uncle, the late PF Macdonald. He subsequently proceeded to Bowen and then to Ravenswood, and after following the mining industry with little success, returned to the pastoral industry. In 1872 he took up Eton Vale, a property in the Bowen district, and also acquired successively the Blenheim Station on the Bowen River, and Kirknie Station. Mr Terry sold Kirknie in 1911 and took up his residence in Brisbane, where he lived in retirement until 1914, when he re‑entered the field of pastoral activity. His new venture was the historically noted Inkerman station, which was taken up by his uncle Mr JG Macdonald in 1861, and subsequently held by Mr AJ Cotton, from where Mr Terry purchased it in 1914.
Mr Terry married in 1875, Rose Mary Angela, daughter of the late Michael Hugh Byrne, who predeceased him in 1916. He leaves a family of three sons, Messrs TSB Terry, Stamford Downs station; AB Terry [Joan’s father], Dalmuir station; and LVB Terry, Baramine station (North Queensland); and four daughters, Mrs AH Abbott, Sydney; Mrs LB Salisbury, Franz Road Clayfield; Mrs FDR Grant, New Farm, and Mrs A Keogh, Dutton Park, Brisbane, and 27 grandchildren.
Obituary for AJM Terry, Joan’s grandfather from the The Evening News, Wednesday 8 Apr 1931, page 12
Joan’s (8) father winning a ballot for 25,000 acres west of Dalmuir
(From the Courier-Mail, Friday 12 January 1934, page 18)
Marathon Land Ballot
Five Portions Drawn
Richmond, January 11 [1934]
Potion No. 3, Parish of Barabon, 24,800 acres, rental 2¼d an acre, 88 applicants. Successful applicant, Alan Alexander Terry, Dalmuir, via Stamford.
Joan’s father wins a land ballot - Courier-Mail, Friday 12 January 1934, page 18
Joan (11) joins the Cubby Hole, a kids’ section in the Queensland Country Life
(From the Queensland Country Life, Thursday 2 July 1936, page 6)
Cubby Hole
Dear Boys and Girls. –
This is new members’ week this week all right. Before I go any further, I think I’d better introduce them. Meet Joan Terry of Dalmui [Dalmuir].
Joan Terry who is aged 11, would like a pen‑friend about her own age who is interested in all outdoor sport. I think we should be able to oblige her somehow. Don’t you?
Joan writes her first letter to the Cubby Hole column (same edition)
Dalmui [Dalmuir], Stamford.
Dear Cousin Sadie,
I have been intending to write to your corner for a long time, and today I thought I would write.
We went into the Hughenden show yesterday and I enjoyed myself very much. The ring events were very good, and I liked best of all to watch the horses.
We also stayed for a play that night which was also very good. I am 11 years of age, Cousin Sadie, and would like a pen-friend around about my own age, who is interested in all outdoor sport.
My sister teaches me correspondence lessons and I am in third grade. I will be sending you a photo or myself in my riding turnout. Is it good enough to print?
The country is looking lovely up here, and it was very much like rain this afternoon.
Now Cousin Sadie. I must close, with tons of luck to the Cubby Hole.
From your new cousin.
JOAN TERRY.
Welcome; Miss Terry. Let’s have a look at that snap, Joan. It depends on how clear or otherwise it is whether it is printed. I’m glad things are not so bad about your district. They haven't been too good in other places. Write again soon, and enter for the essay competition.
COUSIN SADIE
Joan joins the Cubby Hole and writes her first letter - Queensland Country Life, Thursday 2 July 1936, page 6
Joan (11) sends a picture to the Cubby Hole section of the Queensland Country Life
(From the Queensland Country Life, Thursday 16 July 1936, page 6)
The picture says ‘Jean’, but I don’t believe she had a sister ‘Jean’ so it must be ‘Joan’
Although this says “Jean”, it is Joan aged 11 - Queensland Country Life, Thursday 16 July 1936, page 6
Joan (11) sends a letter to the Cubby Hole section of the Queensland Country Life
(From the Queensland Country Life, Thursday 22 October 1936, page 6)
Dalmuir, Stamford.
Dear Cousin Sadie,—
I was very pleased to see my last letter in the Cubby Hole, and hope to see this one in also.
The country is starting to go off now, and we really need a shower of rain to freshen things up a bit.
We have two dozen little chickens here, but the fowl ticks are starting to get on them, so now we have them in a new humpy.
So far I have one pen-friend. Elsa Purvis, of Clermont; and I like her very much. Would you give me Audrey Kent's address, as I would like to write to her also?
We are milking four cows now, and all of them have fairly young calves. They give a little over a kerosene tin of milk, and we make about a pound and a half of butter a day. I have not been doing much riding lately, but when there is a chance, I always go. My little pony's name is Ginger.
We have a big black and white pig here, and her name is Sally. She is a bit of a nuisance, as some times she visits the garden, and has a root around. But we have decided to kill her for Christmas.
I will be sending you a photo of myself with four lambs.
Cousin Sadie, may I have Minerva for a pen-name, please, as I like it very much?
Now, Cousin, I must close. Wishing the Cubby Hole the best of luck.
Yours sincerely.
JOAN TERRY.
P.S.— I won't be sending the photo, as I can't find it.
And there was I saying to myself with that well-known sinking feeling, "Gosh, I’ve lost Joan's snap. Now what will she say?" Phew! I still feel a bit queer. However, Joan, I do hope that you will be able to find it. Poor old Sally. I have it in me to feel sorry for her, even if she is a pig. It's a pig’s life! Yes, you may have Minerva to yourself.
COUSIN SADIE.
Joan and her four lambs (Mollie, Meggsie, Margaret and Mickie) in 1933 at the back of the shed at ‘Dalmuir’
Letter from Joan to the Cubby Hole - Queensland Country Life, Thursday 22 October 1936, page 6
Joan (11) sends a poem to the Cubby Hole section of the Queensland Country Life
(From the Queensland Country Life, Thursday 26 November 1936, page 9)
My Garden
(By JOAN TERRY (11), Dalmuir, Stamford.)
Set in a sunny plot,
Behind the old oak tree,
Is a dainty little garden
As lovely as can be.
With lilies, roses and violets,
The tall bright sun‑flower, too,
The prettiest little geraniums
Covered with soft dew.
Now in that little garden,
The fairies often play
All through the silver moonlight night,
But trip off at break of day.
My Garden, submitted by Joan to the Cubby Hole section - Queensland Country Life, Thursday 26 November 1936, page 9
This is what the Cubby Hole section looks like
(From the Queensland Country Life, Thursday 26 November 1936, page 9)
This is just to provide an insight into what the Cubby Hole section of the paper was all about. It was managed by Cousin Sadie and Cousin Rob.
Dear Boys and Girls -
I haven't stumbled on any new competition ideas yet. Where have all those bright brains gone? Come on, let’s have suggestions right away!
We have acquired an official geologist to the Cubby Hole - one "Professor" Alan Rogerson, who applied for the job the other day. There being no other nominations, he was elected unanimously. Alan has contracted to send us some geological notes and a monthly report on his museum, so we ought to know a lot about the composition of Clare Valley before long. His first short paper is on the marine mollusca of Clare Valley.
Brisbane is in process of developing its usual Christmas rush. In a couple of weeks it will be a good place to be out of, unless you are one that likes disputing every yard of footpath with the other million and one of the world’s population that seems to like to flock to town for shopping (but mostly, I think, just to get in my way).
Heigho! For a life on the rolling veldt, or plains or something.
I think it would be a good idea if we changed over every six months somehow, so that country could take a turn at running the city, and the city in running the country. I could go out and ruin someone’s place and they could come in and have a lovely time messing up my job (although they’d find me hard to beat).
New cousins this week are Elayne Cochrane, 10 (“Fairy Girl") of Lochern Longreach; Joan Sherwin, nine, of Challendon, Cunnamulla; Barbara Shannon, 10, of Rostock, Yuleba; Pamela Hutton, 10, of Molangool, Gin Gin; Dot Brett, eight (“Miss Muffet”), of Sturgeon; Betty Ross, 10, of Glen More, Nelia; and Patricia Kerr, of Tweedsmuir, Richmond.
Elayne Cochrane would like Una Affleck for a pen-friend, but Una must write first.
And now, I think I must go. See you all again next week - and in the meantime do put on those thinking caps and concentrate on the new competition. Thank you!
COUSIN SADIE.
The Cubby Hole section in the Queensland Country Life - this one from Thursday 26 November 1936, page 9
Joan (11) sends a letter to the Cubby Hole section of the Queensland Country Life
(From the Queensland Country Life, Thursday 21 January 1937, page 9)
Dear Cousin Sadie.
I was pleased to see my poem in the Cubby Hole. Thank you very much for the postal note of 2/6, which I received safely.
For the last few days it has been very much like rain. There was a lot of lightning and thunder about. Yesterday we noticed two fires which were lit by lightning, and we were just getting ready to go to one when it seemed to go out. I think it was on another station of ours.
The grass on Dalmuir is fairly dry now, but all the same there is still a good bit of picking left for the sheep.
We are milking six cows now. Two of our cows' calves are fairly young. They are both snow white and I call them Frostie and Skeeter.
No doubt Christmas is nearly with us again. Don't you think this year has gone quickly, cousin? By the way, cousin, I think this will be my last letter to the Cubby Hole before Christmas, so I think I will wish you and all the cousins a very happy Christmas and new year.
I received my book from the correspondence school to-day. I was so pleased to get it, but all the same, was a tiny bit disappointed, as we already have the same book in the house. The title of it was "Alice In Wonderland."
My youngest brother, Doug came home from school last Wednesday, and I might say we are going to make the best of our holidays.
I think Doug may join the Cubby Hole, too.
I must say cheerio now, cousin.
With best wishes from
JOAN TERRY ("Minerva")
That was a disappointment you had with "Alice In Wonderland" Minerva, wasn't It? Even the Mad Hatter couldn't read two copies at once. Still, it's nice to have one of your own, isn't It? Between you and me, "Alice" is one of my favourites. The older I get the more I like it. I have had a letter from Douglas.
COUSIN SADIE
Joan’s letter to the Cubby Hole, Queensland Country Life, Thursday 21 January 1937, page 9
Joan (12) sends a poem to the Cubby Hole section of the Queensland Country Life
(From the Queensland Country Life, Thursday 25 March 1937, page 9)
After the Rain
(By Joan Terry (12), Dalmuir, Stamford.)
The clouds begin to go away,
And the sun peeps through a tiny space,
For it has rained all the day,
And everyone has a happy face.
The little birds flit among the trees,
The people now a profit will gain,
A lovey song floats through the breeze,
For it is after the rain.
After the Rain, submitted by Joan to the Cubby Hole section - Queensland Country Life, Thursday 25 March 1937, page 9
Joan (12) sends a letter to the Cubby Hole section of the Queensland Country Life
(From the Queensland Country Life, Thursday 10 June 1937, page 9)
Dear Cousin Rob, -
First of all I must thank you very much for printing my last letter, also the poem.
We have some beautiful grass here now, and it is lovely to see the animals looking so well.
Dad and my brothers are getting everything ready now for shearing, as we will be having some of our sheep shorn in a few days' time. Two of my pet Iambs will be shorn also.
How many Cubby Hole-ites are there on the roll, cousin?
Every evening I go for a walk over to our waterhole. Altogether I walk about two miles. My brother and I set a trap in the same waterhole, but all we caught were 91 mudcrabs. All the same I have seen fish there.
Do you mind, cousin, if I change my pen-name to "Irish Colleen," and if it is already taken, may I have "Merino"?
We milk seven cows here now, and make a lovely lot of butter every morning. All the same, I do not think I would fancy the job of being milkman these cold mornings.
I also second the idea of having a letter-writing competition.
We have a lovely lot of birds here now. The other morning I counted 23 top-knot pigeons on the fence. There are also a lot of magpies about.
I must say au revoir now, cousin.
With best wishes from
JOAN TERRY.
Thank you, too. Joan. Well, I couldn't tell you off-hand how many are on the roll, because every week, when I say to myself, "I'll Just tot 'em up and see what they come to," a few more new members join up, and my calculations go to pieces. But you can take my word for it that there are a lot on the roll, and they are the brightest people in all Queensland – yes sir, and points north, south, east or west! "Irish Colleen" it is. Now that you have lent your support to the letter-writing competition, maybe we'll get somewhere with it. At least, I hope we do. In the meantime, tons of fun.
COUSIN ROB.
A note in the Cubby Hole section that Joan (12) has switched her pen‑name to Minerva
(From the Queensland Country Life, Thursday 30 December 1937, page 5)
An odd on as Joan had requested to switch from Minerva to Irish Colleen in June 1937 - a mystery that likely will never be unravelled 😉 - Queensland Country Life, Thursday 30 December 1937, page 5
Joan (16) enters a contest with the SPCA regarding cruelty to animals
(From the Townsville Daily Bulletin, Wednesday 16 April 1941, page 9)
THE SOCIETY POR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO DUMB ANIMALS
From Joan Terry, Dalmuir, Stamford, Winton Line:
This is my first letter to the S.P.C.A. section, and I am pleased to be one of those who write to this organisation as it certainly has a very good cause.
I am just another S.P.C.A. member who will endeavour to promote protection to dumb animals as I realise they are essential to human life, and are our friends. We are also repaid for our kindness to them. It takes the animals to teach us the meaning of the word “gratitude”, as in respect of that word we ourselves often fail.
Why then are people cruel to dumb animals? They will do almost anything for us if we are kind. How often have we heard of instances where a dog or a horse has been the means of saving its master’s life?
Regarding cruelty the only conclusion I can come to, as to its nature, is that certain people revel in chastising animals only because they have no means of retaliation. In some cases where they can, and do retaliate, they are immediately destroyed. Under such circumstances we, of course, have only ourselves to blame for the outcome.
There are very many people who love and protect animals, but everything will not be happy for them until the aim of our Society is accomplished, and that includes everyone.
There is a very good example of faithfulness and finally gratitude of the master expressed in a poem entitled “Mongrel Grey”. Perhaps you know it, as it is by a well known poet, the late “Banjo” Patterson.
Joan’s entry into the S.P.C.A. competition - Townsville Daily Bulletin, Wednesday 16 April 1941, page 9
Joan (16) wins the 10 shilling prize for the above competition
(From the Townsville Daily Bulletin, Wednesday 16 Apr 1941, page 9)
S.P.C.A. LETTER COMPETITION
The S.P.C.A. fortnightly prize of 10/- has been awarded to the following: JOAN TERRY, Dalmuir, Winton Lane
Joan wins the 10 shilling prize for the S.P.C.A. competition - Townsville Daily Bulletin, Wednesday 16 Apr 1941, page 9
I’ve included some notices below from the newspapers across the 1940’s. They’re short snippets about various Terry family members travelling about the country. This just a sample - there are many more of these. Maybe this was the precursor to the ‘find my’ app on mobile phones that pinpoints where our relatives are. It’s strange now to think that this was ’news’ back in the day.
A few travel snippets from the 1940’s - click on the gallery to view each article
Collated and transcribed by Rob Landsberry, last modified 29 September 2023