Notes on the Walking Stick tour of the Peter Matthews collection, March 2025 family Reunion

Written and presented by Peter Rumbelow. Grandson of 2nd Generation  son Godfrey.

Information for several items was provided by Charlie Rumbelow

Some of the dialogue is in the “first person” 

Kenneth Peter Rumbelow (Peter) alongside the portrait of Malen Rumbelow (2nd)  1846 - 1905

Malen and Alice Rumbelow arrived at Port Adelaide from England on 5 October 1854 and settled at Encounter Bay in January 1855 with their nine children. The Rumbelows were a boating and fishing family residing at Victor Harbor.

• Photograph; 15.2 cm x 11 cm

• Approximately 1885

• Part of Portrait Collection

Malen Rumbelow 2nd was 8 years of age when he arrived in Adelaide and is considered to be a member of the first generation of children of Malen Rumbelow 1st and Alice. 

His children , pictured, are the 2nd generation. 

Back row:  Alice Hester (1871 - 1957), Godfrey Rumbelow (1869 - 1942), Maria Jane (1880 - 1960), Cain Jelliff (1877 - 1952), Rose Mary (1875 - 1955)

Seated: Malen David 3rd (1846 - 1905), Malen 2nd (1846 - 1905), Mary Glassenbury (1845 - 1923), William Henry (1864 - 1928)

Front: Grace Emily (1855 - 1973)

Malen Rumbelow 2nd brought his family to Encounter Bay from Adelaide on 5TH January 1855 and with his son and son-in-law established a fishing dynasty.

When his son Malen 3rd died at sea he lost his will to live and died in 1905 at 59 years of age.

He and Mary had 9 children. Samual died at 5 years of age but the rest survived and created a significant part of the “Rumbelow” extended family.

Malen Rumbelow (2nd)
1846 - 1905
Painted: W.R. Needs
Peter Matthews Collection

Malen Rumbelow 3rd was a very strong, robust man with a black beard. He stood six feet two inches tall and weighed twenty-two stone. He was able to lift a blacksmith’s anvil single-handed and he could also lift two bags of wheat at once, an enormous feat.

Cain Rumbelow told the story of a trip from Kangaroo Island to Port Adelaide with ballot boxes after an election.

Evidently, Henry Rumbelow was put ashore to collect the boxes, which involved a 14 mile walk in rain through scrub. On reaching the beach with the ballot boxes he found that the sea was so rough that boarding the Rambler would be hazardous.

He put to sea in the dinghy with the crew on the cutter watching anxiously fearing he would be smashed against the side of the Rambler."

Malen 3rd stood on deck waiting to assist his brother when a huge wave lifted the dinghy level with the deck of the Rambler. Malen seized the bow and with a mighty heave landed boat, man and ballot boxes on the deck. Then began a tussle with the elements as they headed for Port Adelaide where in due course the ballot boxes were safely landed.”

Malen 3rd died suddenly at sea while in charge of a pleasure fishing party in 1905. It was reported he leaned forward to pull in a large King Schnapper, fell forward, and died of a heart attack. 

Even the lifting of the body from the boat was difficult. He was so giant-like in size that he had to be hoisted from the cabin with ropes and the cutter's tackle. This tragic end greatly distressed his father, and within three months he, too, died. 

Malen 3rd left his wife Susan with eight children, the youngest, Malen 4th (known as Ween), being just one week old. 

Probably the most significant tragedy was the death by drowning of David (son of Malen 3rd) and Walter (son of Henry 1st) Rumbelow and the fortunate survival of Lionel. 

This occurred on 23rd December 1932 when the three men were returning from KI with a load of fish for the Christmas market. The Ferret foundered and David pushed Lionel up the beach when they were washed ashore. He was swept back out to sea by a wave while Lionel was spared and struggled to the home of Vic Honeyman, a grandson of Mahalia. Walter, a cousin also perished.

David, known as Rocket was born three months after his father drowned.

David died aged 39 and his family (3 children Florence, Yvonne and David) contributed to many facets of South Coast life. 

David John Rumbelow
1894 - 1932
Painter: W.R. Needs
Peter Matthews Collection
Descendant of Malen Rumbelow 2nd

Walter Rumbelow was born at yilki in 1894 but grew up at Narrung where he farmed and fished. When he was 30 he went back to Yilki, purchased the Ferret, and continued to fish.

His children also contributed much, particularly Lester Rumbelow who will be studied in detail later

Walter Malen Rumbelow
1894 - 1932
Painter: W.R. Needs
Peter Matthews Collection
Descendant of Malen Rumbelow 2nd

Lionel Toleman Rumbelow was born at Victor Harbor on 9th December 1903  Lionel was a fisherman who survived the tragic sinking of the Ferret on December 23rd 1932 and found his way to Vic Honeyman’s house to break the news of the disaster. 

He was also the recipient of a bravery award from the Royal Humane Society for rescuing Abraham Solomon from drowning at Encounter Bay on 24th January 1925. Lionel was a stalwart of the Encounter Bay Football Club as a player, official, goal umpire and supporter for all of his life. Lionel and Ivy had one son, Graham.

Lionel, Ween and my dad, Ken, used to sit on the same seat to watch the Bays play each Saturday. Dad also used to ride his pushbike to the bluff early morning, buy a half case of smallish crays from Lionel and Ween bring them home, cook them in the copper, then sell them around the town for about sixpence each.

Lionel Toleman Rumbelow 
1925 - 1960
Painter: Alfred Engel
Private Commission
Descendant of Malen Rumbelow 2nd

Stanley Malen Rumbelow (Malen 4th)  was just one week old when his father Malen David Rumbelow (Malen 3rd) died at sea. Stanley was known as Ween (Scottish slang; child, small person or thing) 

Ween spent over 60 years as a fisherman, mainly in local waters, and is well remembered huddling around a small fire in the lee of a bank near the Bluff with his brother Lionel and their mates Bill and George Ewen looking out to sea for a school of mullet. They then scurried into the flatties moored below them and surrounded the school with their nets.

Ween and his wife Gwen built up a fresh fish business at Yilki, which grew into a large cray distribution business when their son, Malen 4th became involved. 

Ween was very concerned about the lack of knowledge of the sea by many boat owners, and with Lionel and the Ewen brothers, was often called upon to rescue people who got into trouble. It is said that Ween saved 13 people who needed to be rescued in a six week period in 1963.

Charlie Rumbelow tells the following story.

In the mid 60’s he was spear-fishing near Plum Pudding on Wright Island. He had a direct look along the break of the Big Reef (a line Plum Pudding to Whalers Haven) when a bloke came out in a lovely little, highly polished, 9 ft dingy to surf the reef.

Sitting at the centre seat (when surfing you need to be as far back as possible) he rowed quickly and caught a large breaker.

The wave picked up his boat rolled it end over end, three times at least.  There he was, in the water, at the big reef with his boat upside down in the follow-through of the waves.

Ween, on the beach with his flattie (18-foot fishing boat) was approached.

Can you rescue the wave rider? Yes

But not much accelerated action. Are you going to? I am, but I’m giving him the opportunity to reflect on the stupidity of his actions. 

Ween eventually hung up his nets after discovering the body of his long-time friend George Ewen, who died while fishing in May 1983.

Lester Malen Rumbelow lived in the Narrung District until1923 when the family moved to Encounter Bay.

His father, Walter was drowned when the Ferrett was wrecked off Waitpinga Beach in 1932.

Lester left school in 1928 and fished professionally from Encounter Bay until late 1931 when he went back to Lake Alexandrina to teach boating to new fisherman. He then struck up a partnership with Frank Pierson and fished in the lake until he enlisted in the Australian Army in 1943. He was attached to 8 Battalion Voluntary Defence Corps when discharged in 1945.

After discharge he fished in the lake for the rest of his life and lived in his shack at Pelican Point for much of this time.

He became well known as the grand old man of the Coorong and gained celebrity status. 

Lester received the highest decree given by the Grand Lodge of England in 1973 for long and devoted service. His name was placed on the Honour Roll and he received a Certificate from the Queen.

Lester Malen Rumbelow
1914 - 1992
Photographic Portrait, News Limited
Descendant of Malen Rumbelow 2nd

Geoffrey Malen Rumbelow (son of Charles, grandson of Malen 3rd)  had distinguished army service in Tobruk and Egypt.

Tobruk was the first occasion in World War II that the allies had a victory.

General (Sir) Leslie Moorhouse, an Australian, beat the Desert Fox, General Romel, not once but twice in the matter of a couple of months repelling two German Attacks on Tobruk. Moorhouse was known as Ming the Merciless.

Australian troops, in particular the 2/48th a South Australian Division, were the main force.

His method is still studied today. It was relatively simple plan – but required complete compliance to the plan.

Simply it was to allow the Germans to “Break Through” the perimeter of a hidden circular defence. Once their tanks were within the circle, they were attacked from behind. Nothing like this had happened before and the Germans were shocked into defeat. Moorhouse did it twice!

He had to have complete confidence in his men:

• They would not attack early

• They would execute the plan

They did. They won!

Winston Churchill was pleased. 

Ultimately the Germans were beaten at the battle of El Alamein.

Geoffrey died in tragic circumstances on 16th May 1975. On a stormy day at Yilki his 17-foot clinker boat broke its anchor chain and drifted out to sea. Geoff was rowing his dinghy in high seas to retrieve the boat when he was swamped by a big wave about 300 yards from shore and he clung to the dinghy for about five minutes before being forced to let go.

Mr Ken Proctor, a holidaying school teacher, rowed his dinghy to rescue Geoff but could not pull him aboard until Graham Rumbelow also rowed out with Chris Tapscott, a member of the Port Elliot Surf Lifesaving Club, who gave mouth to mouth resuscitation. Waves continually broke over the dinghy and Chris ended up in the water supporting Geoff as they rowed ashore.

St John personnel administered oxygen when Geoff was brought ashore but he did not respond. The drama was enacted with family members watching helplessly from the shore.

Graham Toleman Rumbelow (Rummy) was born at Ethelton but grew up at Yilki and became close to his cousins, Don and Ivan Bartel and David (Rocket) Rumbelow. They fished, swam and lived in boats and helped with the fishing business whenever able. Graham was a good swimmer and helped his Uncle Eric teach swimming at the Baths. 

School was not his thing so he left at 14 and worked as a carpenter. He built a boat that Lionel and he used, a 22 foot Carvel Hull craft called Mae-Don (named after his children). 

He built Gra-Lin and took up professional fishing in 1962. In partnership with his cousin, Lin Shannon, he became a very successful cray and shark fisherman and was president of the Southern Fisherman’s Association and a member of the Cray fish Advisory Council of SA. 

Graham was a keen sportsman and was captain of the Encounter Bay Cricket Team for 13 years, became a life member of the Football Club and represented the Association in both sports. He was a tough footballer and many opponents seemed to make contact on his fist with their chins. 

After selling his share of Gra-Lin to Lin Shannon, his son Don joined him fishing on a larger boat, the Taperoo but bad health later saw them sell the Taperoo and buy J & R Joinery. Graham’s health continued to decline so he bought another cray boat the Azalea, and fished locally.

 He then decided to build a 40-foot riverboat, which he did without plans on the floor of his shed. After about 4 years Graham and Jean launched the craft at the marina on Hindmarsh Island and started many wonderful trips up the river with friends and family. 

Graham loved the sea and was out fishing with his close friend and cousin, Don Bartel, on the day he went to hospital for the last time. Graham and his wife Jean had three children.

Kevin James Rumbelow was born at Victor Harbor on 17th July 1946, a great-grandson of Malen 2nd , 

Kevin assisted the Tilbrooks in relocating and reconstructing the original Rumbelow cottage Crystal Palace. The cottage a great tourist attraction as a museum of items of local historical interest, including some of the restored original furniture.

He became an experienced and capable professional fisherman and obtained all the necessary certificates and licences to manage and skipper fishing vessels. In 1981 he realised his dream and bought his own boat, a 10 metre craft called Galini. 

When the cray season started Kevin fished for three weeks near home but results were poor so he decided to try Kangaroo Island for several days.

On Friday, 20th November 1981, he set off at 6am for Kangaroo Island and spent the night in Antechamber Bay. He was caught in a violent storm on his way home on Sunday. A massive search was made and his body was found seven days later, washed up on Shannon’s Gully Beach near Parsons Beach. Kevin was 35 years of age. Almost five months later, after all the heartache – his wife Maxine found that she was pregnant and Kevin Timothy Rumbelow was born on 4th August 1982.  Kevin and Maxine had three other children.

While conducting the "Walking Stick" tour of the Peter Matthews collection I was delighted to notice that  Kevin's wife Maxine and children Timothy and Debra were in the group gathered around his painting.

As I presented the information of his tragic death at sea I was very conscious of their presence.

I was somewhat surprised that the detail I presented was not known by them all and also very aware of the emotion that my words caused.

I believe their response exemplified the aims of the reunion, that is, to recall and honour the contributions made by our forebears within our community, particularly those who lost their lives pursuing their vocation  or serving their country. To me, their reaction highlighted the purpose

It was a very poignant portion during this the day of remembrance and I am thankful for all that attended and offered their consolation.

John Lindsay Shannon (Lindsay) was born at Encounter Bay on 4th July 1916. He was a fisherman at the time of his death and also served with distinction in the Army as this newspaper extract observes; “ A war correspondent describing the achievements of a band of AIF troops who captured a Japanese key point, said they had been through endless days and nights of hell with meagre rations, perpetual wet clothes, and not even a chance to wash. Victor Harbor people will be proud to learn that one of our boys, Private Lin Shannon of Encounter Bay, was among those singled out for special mention in the capture of the ridge. Pte Shannon and a group of mates were the first to take up a forward post well exposed to enemy fire. They fought for 48 hours without pause. In one night attack the Japanese came within 15 yards of their post, but although overwhelmingly outnumbered, they beat them off with Bren Guns, grenades and rifles. They had one bottle of water per day and little food throughout the action”. 

His brother, David Murray Shannon (Murray) was born at Victor Harbor on 3rd July 1913. He was a Linesman/Personnel Officer at the Electricity Trust of SA and enlisted in the Australian Army in 1940. 

He served in the Middle East, Western Desert, Syria, Palestine and Egypt and his role was to keep the telephone lines between the battalions in good working order. While tending the field cable on the Dakota Trail he was shot in the leg. He also contracted Malaria that required treatment after the War.

 Murray was Mentioned in Dispatches and was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) for heroism during the advance up the Markham and Ramu Valleys where he laboured day and night to lay and maintain miles of cable. His citation states; “His fearless example was an inspiration to his men and the main factor in their ability to keep constant communication to the forward company of the leading battalion”.

Bill and George Ewens.  Bill was almost 10 years senior.

They were an eccentric couple, but very likable.

Professional fishermen using nets (in the main) and "flatties" flat-bottom wooden boats. George did own a motorboat, but Bill wouldn’t let him take it out in case it broke down. They rowed their flatties everywhere - to Seal Rock or Kings Beach.

Bill had a Vanguard Ute. So did George.

Both played for the Bays (Encounter Bay Football Club). George was Vice Captain. Bill played in bare feet, George would sometimes.

When they had terrible arguments they would often cut their nets in half! Then to be seen sewing them up a couple of weeks later.

Bill was a “showman”. He put on a show for the “City Slickers” (tourists).

As they would come into the boat ramp, there was one particular pelican that went through the same procedure each time they arrived in the expectation of a fish or two.

Whilst not certain how the display went, it was something like:

On a rock looking for Bill. Jump from a big rock to a smaller one. Then into the water. Follow the boat to the shore. Waddle to the top of the ramp. Open beak and insert fish.

Exactly the same procedure each time.

And while this parody was going on, Bill would be calling out instructions, And of course, the pelican appeared to be following what he said.

It would go like this, calling out very loudly:

“G'day Geoff. This is the only performing pelican in the World!”

And he would yell to the bird

Jump on that rock

Now that one

Come into the water

Come and follow me

Come and get your fish

And the bird obeyed every command.

Not sure which was the better performance.

John Rumbelow was really taken with George. John was about 4 years old when he would walk around to the Bluff and meet George. One day he came home and announced:

“I don’t want to be John anymore. I want to be George.”

And it stuck. John’s nickname since is George!

George was a great supporter of the Encounter Bay Football Club. When you went to the hotel for a meal on Saturday evening George and his wife would be there. Most times the place would be packed. As you walked in Goerge would YELL OUT

“G'day Boy – Good win today!”

They were both characters. Nice simple people. Salt of the Earth!