Peter Rumbelow delivered the Cairn Commemoration as part of the 170th Celebrations in 2025.

The cairn has been built from granite that came from Wright and West Island. The trimmings from the blocks that were cut to be built into the facing of (South Australian) Parliament House were either scavenged or legitimately gained and the Rumbelow house - (Yeltanna) that's long gone was faced with these trimmings and they were saved by the council when the house was demolished. 

We're really appreciative that the council were able to create this cairn which was officially opened in 2005. 

Thank you for coming and participating in the reunion of a proud family. I hope you have enjoyed the experience. 

Alice married Cain Jelliff who was drowned in the Murray mouth in 1877 and then married Edward Robert Bolger (who was Mahalia's Widow). 

Alice had no children of a her own but helped raise her sister's children. Alice was a tough nut, she carted fish to Adelaide and sold them from a horse and cart, she had a few brushes with the law, fighting and abusive language.  She was a well respected citizen who died at 82 years of age. 

Sophia was 17 when they arrived in Adelaide. She married William Robinson and they had eight children, William died in 1870.  Sophia then married Alexander Bacchus in 1874 and had another two children. 

Mahalia was 14 when they arrived in Adelaide.  She married Henry Weymouth  and had had two children. Henry died in 1863 in a cave-in whilst digging a canal on the Goolwa to Victor Harbor railway line.

Mahalia then married Edward Robert Bolger in 1866 they had a further four children. 

Caroline was 11 when they arrived in Adelaide.  She married John Rymil Cakebread in 1861 and they had 10 children. 

Malen 2nd was 8 when they arrived in Adelaide.  He married Mary Glastonbury in 1863 and they had nine children. 

Emma was 5 when they arrived in Adelaide.  She married Thomas George Watson in 1865 and they had nine children. Thomas died in 1914. 

Emma then married Robert Bolger (the third sister to do so). 

Sarah was 2 when they arrived in Adelaide.  She married William Jonas Watson in 1869 and they had five children. 

These people are the foundation of this gathering this morning and we welcome you, the descendants, partners or friends, to this special occasion. 

I would now like to indicate a number of descendants of Malen 1st and Alice who endured tragedy or displayed valour. 

Later today there will be a more detailed examination of the people portrayed in the Peter Matthews Collection so they are not included here. 

Malen 1st and Alice 

They arrived at Port Adelaide on October 9th, 1854, where they stayed for a short period before the whole family set out in a bullock dray for the whaling settlement of Encounter Bay. They arrived on 5th January 1855 and the trip, which followed the coast, took a fortnight in the heat of summer and was not without danger and hardship from the local aboriginal tribes and the rough bush track. 

The family consisted of the newly wedded daughter, Alice and Cain, both about 21, the eldest son Godfrey 23, then Sophia19, Mahalia 14, Caroline 11, Malen 9, Emma 5 and Sarah 3. 

They settled on land in Beach Road, which is now Maud Street. 

While excited to reach their new home there was tragedy just around the corner. Soon after arriving at Encounter Bay, Godfrey, the eldest son died. No detail of his illness exists. 

On March 8th, 1855, another son was born named David Godfrey, which made the journey from Adelaide over the Christmas period even more arduous for Alice who was six months pregnant. Another daughter, Hannah Pitches, was born on 3rd February 1858. 

Both David and Hannah, also known as Ann, died before they were five years old and were buried with Godfrey in the old church-yard cemetery beside Rev. Ridgeway Newland's Tabernacle, which left Malen 2nd as the only son. 

Sophia 

Sophia Rumbelow was born at Mildenhall, Suffolk, England, on 24th February 1838. After arriving at Encounter Bay with her family at almost 17 years of age, she met and married William Robinson, Mary Jane Robinson (3rd child) was born in 1860 and died tragically when her mother, Sophia, left her in their thatched cottage to see her husband across the paddock. On looking back, she was appalled to see the cottage alight. While the two older children escaped unhurt, Sophia and William risked their lives to save the baby but she was badly burnt and died two hours later. 

Horace William Reid 

Horace William Reid, a grandson of Caroline, was born at Victor Harbor on 23rd February 1882. Horace received a Bronze Award from the Royal Humane Society with the following citation: "Horace William Reid, Coronation Street, West Footscray, Ice Vendor, aged 34, who risked his life in stopping a bolting horse at Footscray on August 18th, 1916. The horse, attached to a lorry on which were three small children, was galloping furiously when Reid ran out on the roadway, and, running beside the horse, managed to grasp the reins. He fell, but recovered his feet, and, after guiding the horse clear of the traffic, pulled it up in time to prevent it dashing into a veranda". 

Len Reid 

Leonard Victor Reid, a grandson of Caroline, was born at Encounter Bay on 28th September 1889. And enlisted in the army in 1915. He went overseas as a Sergeant of the 13th Light Horse as part of the 6th Australian convoy to the Great War. 

He disembarked in Egypt and from there for Gallipoli. In a letter to his great-grandmother; Caroline, indicated that he spent his 26th birthday in the trenches at Lone Pine 

He received rapid promotion in the field through the non commissioned ranks until he became a WO1 - Regimental Sergeant Major. He was then promoted to officer status in November 1917 and fought in the trenches around Villers Brettoneux for some time. On 1st January 1919 Len was awarded the Military Cross. 

Len owned a Butcher Shop at Victor Harbor for many years with his brother Jack. 

Caroline Warland 

Caroline, daughter of Caroline Cakebread, married Bert Warland.  Bert was a legend when I was a youth. 

He ran the District Council, was responsible for many of the facilities and was a grumpy old man but a larger than life character.  The reason I highlight them is that three of their children died at the age of 23, a strange coincidence 

Brian Bolger

Brian was a fisherman, and in 1946-47 when his grandfather, Leonard, retired to Goolwa he took over the shark boat at Port Albert. In February 1963 the boat was dry docked for repairs and Brian went fishing in Dick Avery's boat. In heavy seas coming into the entrance to the port some 3 to 4 miles out at sea the rudder pintles broke and the boat overturned in the heavy surf. Brian, who could swim like a fish, was drowned entangled in the long shark lines and his two mates also drowned. Sadly, yet another Rumbelow descendant to die at sea! Brian and Jean had three children. 

Sam Rumbelow

Sam Rumbelow took parties of tourists around the area in a charabanc. He drowned at Port Elliott trying to save one of his passengers who fell from the rocks. She was saved by his actions, but he was washed to sea and drowned. 

Tom Robinson

Thomas James Robinson, a grandson of Sophia, was a cycle builder, blacksmith and horse breaker. He was born at Victor Harbor on 16th April 1897. Tom was a professional cyclist who, in his time, held every SA cycling record from half a mile to 100 miles. He raced against Sir Hubert Oppermann several times. 

Tom enlisted in 9th Light Horse on 2nd September1915. After service in Egypt he arrived in France in June 1916 and served on the Western Front with the 1st Corps Cyclist Battalion as a Lewis Gunner. Tom was awarded the French Legion of Honour, The 80th Anniversary Remembrance Medal and the Centenary Medal. 

In 1998 Tom was honoured by the President of the Republic of France who nominated him for for the "Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Legion d'Honneur" award that was presented by the Governor of South Australia, Sir Eric Neal, on 8th August 1998. He was also awarded the Australian Medal awarded to the veterans of the Great War who survived to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Armistice. Tom died on 22nd April 2001 at the magnificent age of 104 years and 6 days, appearing, deservedly, in the press regularly around Anzac Day as "the Last Light Horseman". 

When reminiscing about "Tragedy and Valour" there are many other instances that could be included, for example, Len Reid and Roy Bolger received the Military Cross, Alan Sedunary received a Distinguished Flying Cross, Vic Honeyman, Ern Tugwell and Keith Neighbour were Prisoners of War, Cyril Rumbelow, Don Rumbelow and probably others received awards for bravery or rescue activities 

There are many other relatives who have served their country and community with distinction. 

Records show that 42 relatives served in the army, 5 watsons, 3 Weymouths, 3 Bolgers and 2 Rumbelows. Five served in the Navy, including Don Bartel (a local hero) and Jim Rumbelow. 7 served in the Air Force, including 2 Bolgers and 2 Watsons. 

Those detailed are a representative sample of a family that has much to be proud of and has contributed greatly in so many areas. 

I'd just like to pause for a while now with you while we remember those that have gone before us. For some of you this will be a prayer and to others it will just be a statement of appreciation and love to those who have gone before. Let us bow our heads.