From the Archives 19.7.08

From the Archives

Last week we talked about the early township with a name beginning with ‘beer’ and ending with’ rum’; a place with no hotel for the thirsty ex-digger settlers ~ yes! Beerburrum. This week we continue the saga.

Wizard Smith took over the butcher’s shop from Dave Morecroft of the ‘square ear’ dog fame.

Wizard Smith became well-known for the quality of his sausages. Travellers from near and far were asked to bring home some Wizard Bangers. This was understandable as the sausages contained only lean meat with no fat or additives. However, what was not generally known was he used horse meat obtained from Black Jack Baker, a local settler, who was also culling brumbies that were somewhat a pest in the area.

Black Jack Baker was a half-caste aboriginal and was well thought of in the area. He had survived the war at Gallipolis and in France where he became an expert shot in the role of a sniper. He was a good horseman and never shy to express an opinion on what he believed to be right or wrong.

He had a habit of using gelignite to catch fish in Coochin Creek; but one day cut the fuse too short and blew his right hand off in the process. Wrapping the stub of his arm in his waistcoat he drove his old truck 15k’s to Beerburrum Hospital for treatment.

He survived and recovered from his ordeal with minimum of fuss and continued to farm, using an axe to fell timber and the ‘breaking in’ of brumbies for stock riders with seemingly no loss of ability.