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Rumbelow & Descendants
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Meg Rumbelow
Meg Rumbelow
Inside the classroom: Meet Adelaide’s teachers of Instagram. These teachers are giving their followers a behind the scenes look at what it’s like to work in South Australian education. See the full list https://bit.ly/instateachers
Meg Rumbelow (left)
Sophie McClure
Sophie McClure
INTRODUCING YOUR 2025 WOMENS CO-CAPTAINS. JET VERWEY AND SOPHIE MCCLURE!
Burnside Rugby Club announce another year with these two at the helm, let's hope 2025 brings another step forward with these two leading the charge!
Sue Lake (nee Rumbelow)
Sue Lake (nee Rumbelow)
Do you have have previous experience in business development or sales of products/services and some free time? Fleurieu FM community radio could have the perfect volunteer opportunity for you as they are looking for a more people to join their team.
Sue Lake (nee Rumbelow)
Rumbelow Reunion
Rumbelow Reunion
02/04/2025
Michael Simmons
The 2025 Rumbelow and Descendants event was held from Friday, March 28, through to Sunday, March 30, at the Encounter Bay Football Club.
Rumbelow’s came from all around the country to celebrate 170 years since the arrival of Malen the first and Alice Rumbelow to SA aboard the barque Pestonjee-Bomanjee and then onto Encounter Bay.
Since then the Rumbelow name has been synonymous with the region.
Chris Matthews (son of Peter Matthews) spoke at the event representing his father. The Peter Mathews Collection was a central piece to the reunion.
“My father came down to Victor Harbor in 1928, but on my mother’s side they’ve been down here since 1860 which wasn’t as long after the Rumbelows,” Chris said.
“Both my mother and my father had great love for the fishermen here and the role they played in the community and Dad wanted to commemorate and immortalise them in some way.
“My father said let’s commemorate these people and let’s have their portraits done so that they’re around for another couple of hundred years or so.
“I’m very pleased to be be associated with that man and what he’s done and he would be so pleased if he looked down and saw all the people here who have come along to acknowledge what the Rumbelow family and his paintings have achieved.”
All 12 paintings of the Peter Matthews Collections was on display for the first time along with additional works from local artists Alfred Engel and Glenn Irvine.
Dedicated work from John Ford OAM of the Prestonjee Bomanjee which transported the first Rumbelows from England to Port Adelaide in 1854 was also on display.
Displayed was also a child’s cot that was used on the 112 day voyage.
The Rumbelow family celebration. (Photo: Andy Alford).
Download image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vpVYDAEhYwkLqrxQg608n4uj2I8qbrTQ/view?usp=drive_link
170 year celebration
170 year celebration
Fleurieu Sun,
Thursday, 20 March, 2025
By Michael Simmons
The 170th anniversary of the arrival of the Rumbelow family at Encounter Bay will be celebrated on March 29 and 30 at the Encounter Bay Sporting Club.
The Rumbelow name has been synonymous with the Encounter Bay/Victor Harbor region since the 1850’s, when Malen, his wife Alice and their eight children had arrived in the colony. The family landed at Port Adelaide on October 9, 1854, having sailed from Southampton UK on the barque Pestonjee Bomanjee. They then travelled on foot to Encounter Bay arriving on January 5, 1855.
Families and descendants of Malen and Alice Rumbelow and their children Godfrey, Alice, Sophia, Mahalia, Carolyn, Malen 2nd, Emma and Sarah are invited to attend The Rumbelow & Descendants 170 year anniversary. 170 years later, the family is still embedded and revered in the Victor Harbor community. The pioneering family is well known for its fishing heritage.
Friends, residents and connections are also welcome to participate.
A highlight on the weekend will be 12 paintings that feature members of the Rumbelow and Ewen families.
The portraits in the Peter Matthews Collection were painted by William Needs and his younger son, Andrew and bequeathed to the City of Victor Harbor by Mr Peter Matthews in the 1980’s.
“Peter thought it was important to capture their lives on the sea of these outstanding personalities and commissioned the 12 portraits to the then District Council of Victor Harbor,” Matt Rumbelow said.
He wrote ‘I offer the portraits so that they may be safeguarded and exhibited from time to time – when hopefully Victor Harbor will have a gallery of its own and that I ask for no remuneration. It is just something that I thought worthwhile of the men portrayed and who lost their lives at sea’.
And there is more to be featured at this historical event. John Ford OAM will be the artist in residence at the 170th Celebration. John has worked with the Rumbelow families for more than 20 years, being the artist of the 2005 commission of the Rumbelow Boats which featured on the front cover of the book ‘The Rumbelows of Encounter Bay’.
Johns work’s has depicted many areas of the Victor Harbor coastline and the great ships that use to be a feature of its waters. He has also assisted the Encounter Celebration Association and recently received a commission to depict the famous De Havilland (DH-6) biplane which landed at Granite Island with pilot Lieutenant Frank Willmott in 1925.
John will be available during the afternoon of Saturday and Sunday to discuss his works with guest, provide some demonstrations of his techniques and supply small postcards of his completed works.
His most recent piece, the ’Pestonjee Bomanjee’, is the wooden barque which transported the first Rumbelows from England to Port Adelaide in 1854. This original painting will be available through Silent Auction during the Saturday Celebration Dinner. The 150th celebrations attracted more than 300 visitors from across the country, while the 170th event is expected to be bigger.
The public is welcome to visit the John Ford and the Matthews’ Exhibition on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
More details visit rumbelow.net or contact Matt Rumbelow on email: reunion@rumbelow.net
News - www.fleurieusun.com.au
Dolphins at Whalers, Encounter Bay
Dolphins at Whalers, Encounter Bay
(Rumbelow) Sporting greatness
(Rumbelow) Sporting greatness
Fleurieu Sun
14th February 2025
By Michael Simmons
The Rumbelow name has been synonymous with the Encounter Bay since the 1850’s, when Malen Rumbelow, his wife Alice and their eight children arrived in the colony. The family landed at Port Adelaide on October 9, 1854, having sailed from Southampton UK on the barque Pestonjee Bomanjee. They then travelled on foot to Encounter Bay arriving on January 5, 1855. 170 years later, the family is still embedded and revered in the Victor Harbor community.
The pioneering family is well known for its fishing heritage, but the family also reveled on the sporting field. Football, cricket, sailing, surf life saving, tennis and shooting were fantastic past times for the Rumbelow family.
Besides fishing, Stanley Malen (Ween) Rumbelow, 1915 to 1985, for example, had two other interests: football and cricket. He both played for and captained the Encounter Bay cricket team. Ween began playing football for Encounter Bay when he was 17, but after a disagreement with the club, he took advantage of the fact that they then didn’t need clearances to change clubs and began playing for Victor Harbor. Later on, until his 50s, he was an umpire for the Great Southern Association umpire.
Graham Toleman Rumbelow, 1927 to 1996, was a keen sportsman and was captain of the Encounter Bay Cricket Team for 13 years. He became a life member of the Football Club and represented the Association in both sports. He was a tough footballer and many opponents feared his aggression.
On February 11, 2023, Graham Rumbelow was inducted into the Encounter Bay Cricket Club Team of the Century. Malcolm (Skinny) Rumbelow was a good sportsman himself playing cricket and football for Encounter Bay and attended the event and received the coveted accolade on behalf of Graham.
In regard to the Encounter Bay Football Club there are not too many football teams that can boast of having six members of the same family playing in the same team on one day.
In the 1960s the Rumbelow family fielded five players in the one Encounter Bay team: Malen Rumbelow (5th), Charlie Rumbelow, Jim Rumbelow, Malcolm Rumbelow and John Rumbelow.
Life Member, Past President and club stalwart Donald Rumbelow is the respected heart and soul of the Encounter Bay Footy Club today. It is also a fine statement to the family to realise that it has 10 Life Members of the Encounter Bay Football Club.
Planning is going at full pace for the 170th Anniversary Celebration to be held at the Encounter Bay Sporting Club on the weekend of March 29 and 30. Families and descendants of Malen and Alice Rumbelow and their children Godfrey, Alice, Sophia, Mahalia, Carolyn, Malen 2nd, Emma and Sarah are invited to attend The Rumbelow & Descendants 170 Year Celebration. Friends, residents and connections are also welcome to participate.
A highlight on the weekend will be an exhibition of 12 paintings that feature members of the Rumbelow, Ewen and Shannon families known as the Peter Matthews Collection. The portraits were bequeathed to the City of Victor Harbor in the 1980s by local artist Mr Peter Matthews. They were painted by his son Andrew Matthews and William Needs.
“Peter thought it was important to capture their lives on the sea of these outstanding personalities and commissioned the 12 portraits to the City of Victor Harbor,” Matt Rumbelow said.
News - www.fleurieusun.com.au
Encounter Bay Cricket team circa 1930 - George Ewen, Percival James, Bill Ewen, Lionel Rumbelow, Stanley Malen Rumbelow (Ween) 4th, David Rumbelow, Geoffrey Rumbelow, Frank Ewen and Eric Rumbelow.
Geoffrey Malen Rumbelow circa 1926 playing front yard/beachfront cricket in front of where the Yilki store is now. Franklin Parade didn’t exist then.
Malcolm (Skinny) Rumbelow (third from the right at the front) receiving the Encounter Bay Cricket Club Team of the Century cap on behalf of Graham Toleman Rumbelow at the club’s Centenary in February 2023.
Social Media
Social Media
Rumbelow Reunion Nears
Rumbelow Reunion Nears
Fleurieu Sun
Tuesday 21 January
By Michael Simmons
The Rumbelow name has been synonymous with the Encounter Bay/Victor Harbor region since the 1850's, when Malen, his wife Alice and their eight children had arrived in the colony. The family landed at Port Adelaide on October 9, 1854, having sailed from Southampton UK on the barque Pestonjee Bomanjee. They then travelled on foot to Encounter Bay arriving on January 5, 1855.
170 years later, the family is still embedded and revered in the Victor Harbor community. The pioneering family is well known for its fishing heritage.
Planning is going at full pace for the 170th Anniversary Celebration to be held at the Encounter Bay Sporting Club on the weekend of March 29 and 30, 2025.
Families and descendants of Malen and Alice Rumbelow and their children Godfrey, Alice, Sophia, Mahalia, Carolyn, Malen 2nd, Emma and Sarah are invited to attend The Rumbelow & Descendants 170 Year Celebration. Friends, residents and connections are also welcome to participate.
A highlight on the weekend will be and exhibition of 12 paintings that feature members of the Rumbelow, Ewen and Shannon families known as the Peter Matthews Collection.
The portraits were bequeathed to the City of Victor Harbor in the 1980s by local artist Mr Peter Matthews. They were painted by his son Andrew Matthews and William Needs.
"Peter thought it was important to capture their lives on the sea of these outstanding personalities and commissioned the 12 portraits to the City of Victor Harbor," Matt Rumbelow said.
Peter Matthews wrote 'I offer the portraits so that they may be safeguarded and exhibited from time to time when hopefully Victor Harbor will have a gallery of its own and that I ask for no remuneration. It is just something that I thought worthwhile of the (local) men portrayed and who lost their lives at sea’
The 150th celebrations (in 2005) attracted more than 600 visitors from across the country, while the 170th event is expected to be just as popular.
More details visit www.rumbelow.net
Contact Matt Rumbelow on reunion@rumbelow.net
Access original article here: https://victorharbortimes.com.au/all-digital-editions/the-victor-harbor-times-21st-january-2025/
Rumbelow is Pioneering Name
Rumbelow is Pioneering Name
Fleurieu Magazine - Coat to Vines
Edition 1 2024 - P26 - 27
By Michael Simmons.
Out and About
Out and About
Fleurieu Magazine
Thursday 23rd May 2024
By Michael Simmons.
Fleurieu Sun 2024.
Bottom: L-R. Letitia Brown (nee Goodwin), Blakely Brown, Lochie Davenport Goodwin, Tara Goodwin, Deb Kessegian (Partner of Brett Goodwin), Brianna Goodwin, Brett Goodwin, Raelene Goodwin (nee Rumbelow), Malen Rumbelow and friend Jan.
Kevin Rumbelow, The Note 21 June 2024
‘A Visual History of Hip Hop in Adelaide’
‘A Visual History of Hip Hop in Adelaide’
Adelaide hip hop fans will want to get along to local photographer AHH Photography’s awesome ‘A Visual History of Hip Hop in Adelaide’ photography exhibition this coming August.
Held at Studio 99 Art and Whisky in Port Adelaide, the exhibition showcases the world of Adelaide’s hip hop scene through the lens of local photographer Kevin Rumbelow. For over 15 years Rumbelow has been at the heart of the city’s rap scene, capturing local, national and international artists throughout his storied career.
https://www.thenote.com.au/news/a-visual-history-of-hip-hop-in-adeliade-photography-exhibition
Inner Wheel District A70 chairman Cathie Rumbelow, left, with SA Governor Frances Adamson.
Wheel keeps turning, one act of kindness at a time
Wheel keeps turning, one act of kindness at a time
The Advertiser,
March 2024
Cathie Rumbelow, the chairman of Inner Wheel's District A70 in South Australia, hopes to change that by shining a light on the organisation and its achievements and draw in new members.
"We are one of the largest women's volunteer community service groups in the world and provide opportunities for women to develop strong friendships and connect with the needs of our community," said Ms Rumbelow, a physiotherapist who has been a member of the Inner Wheel Club of North East Sunset since 2007.
Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin Science Forum
Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin Science Forum
5 Jun 2023
Presentation 1: Observations from the 2022/23 River Murray flood
Adrienne holds a Bachelor of Science and honours degree in Environmental Biology from The University of Adelaide and has been working to protect South Australia’s River Murray wetlands, including the Lower Lakes and Coorong, for the last 20 years. Her role focuses on the planning and delivery of water for the environment to the Coorong and Lower Lakes.
Adrienne Rumbelow , Program Leader, The Living Murray Department for Environment and Water,
King’s Birthday honours for Fleurieu’s finest
King’s Birthday honours for Fleurieu’s finest
Victor Harbor Times
15 June 2023
Don and Lesley Rumbelow of Encounter Bay have been awarded OAMs in the King's Honours List.
Don and Lesley Rumbelow are both awarded an OAM for their service to the community.
Encounter Bay Football Club
Sea Search and Rescue
Control and Coordinate of search and rescue along the southern coast.
And other activities associated with the south coast community.
https://victorharbortimes.com.au/news/2023/06/15/kings-birthday-honours-for-fleurieus-finest/
South Australia's oldest known colonial-built fishing boat
South Australia's oldest known colonial-built fishing boat
ABC News
Thu 6 Apr 2023
Don Rumbelow, a descendant of Malen Rumbelow, the boat's original owner and skipper, said it was was built in 1878 at Birkenhead by Peter Sharp.
"It was always one of those boats that the Rumbelows referred to," he said.
"My great-great-grandfather died on board. He pulled in a snapper and collapsed on the deck."
Mr Rumbelow said the boat was used for catching snapper, snook and crayfish but also for doing the early mail run between Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island and had even been used to transport ballot boxes during elections.
The wreckage of the ship South Australian is a piece of colonial history, it is intricately linked to and represents a timeline of the many individuals, families, buildings and industries that exist in Encounter Bay today.
The wreckage lies 200 metres off the coast of Yilki Beach, it is the oldest shipwreck in the state and part of the first fleet to bring migrants from the United Kingdom to the new colony of South Australia in 1837.
That same year, the South Australian succumbed to a storm surge that hit the harbour and sank to a depth of three metres below the ocean surface, where it remains today.
In 2018, a team of marine archeologists at SAILS (South Australian Immigrant and Labor Shipwrecks) located the wreck.
While SAILS disbanded some years ago, a full analysis conducted by the team allowed researchers, such as Dr Wendy Van Duivenvoorde, associate professor in maritime archaeology at Flinders University, to identify its historical and heritage value.
“South Australian was actually quite an old ship when it arrived on the harbour, it had previously been used by the Royal Navy and then as a a mailing and industrial whaling ship – whales were hung from the side and then cut up on its platform, where tripods were used to cook down the blubber on top of the ship and later bring this precious commodity to shore at Encounter Bay,” Dr Van Duivenvoorde said.
Although this may seem rather barbaric, blubber was a really essential material used for soap and medicinal purposes, but mainly as fuel for lamps in pre-electric times.
“Blubber had a very long burning time,” Dr Van Duivenvoorde said.
Dr Van Duivenvoorde and her team of PhD and Masters students have been studying the shipwreck for five years, in which time it has been identified that South Australian also played a key role in maritime construction (ship-building), the first construction business in South Australia – much of the trade later made via voyages from Port Adelaide to Encounter Bay, brought wealth and prosperity to the Fleurieu region.
Despite this history, Dr Van Duivenvoorde said sadly South Australian is at great mercy to the elements, particularly the impacts of teredo worm decay.
South Australian is protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981, under which all shipwrecks in South Australia are legally protected.
“You need a permit to dive in and access the area, as the wreck is quite fragile,” Dr Van Duivenvoorde said.
“The way the sea acts near the reef, it stirs up sand and marine matter making it difficult to protect the ship.”
“South Australian has a lot of macro and microbiological decay affecting its timbers and things have deteriorated quite badly.”
Compared to its cousin, The Solway, a ship that sunk the same year as South Australian, in Rosetta Harbour, Encounter Bay and was sandbagged as a precautionary measure 30 years ago, South Australian is not faring well.
“We hope that a sand deposit which has occurred on the ships’ side will help to protect it and slow this decay, especially considering it’s historical value,” Dr Van Duivenvoorde said.
“We hear stories from the local community of snorkelling at the wreck, it’s a site of collective memory.”
The great grandparents of famed guitarist John Brewster Jones built the Fountain Inn using material pulled from the ship when it sank.
South Australian also became a popular diving and snorkel spot for youngsters in the 1950s and 60s, which former Yilki Beach resident, Jim Rumbelow remembers well. Jim and his mates used to swim at the wreck at 13-years-old, they called it ‘The Whale Boat’.
“It depended on how visible the weather made the ship, but we used to dive in the reef pretty much every night and look at the flatheads and borefish,” Mr Rumbelow said.
“To be honest we didn’t think much of the shipwreck at the time, but as I get older I realise its significance.”
“I think it’s brilliant what Wendy (Dr Van Duivenvoorde) and her team are doing – they brought to life things that I didn’t even know about and I was born there!”
Rumbelows receive OAMs
Rumbelows receive OAMs
The Fleurieu Sun
22/06/2023
It is not often a husband and wife team are recognised together. Especially when it comes to King’s Birthday Honours.
But Don and Lesley Rumbelow are a couple that richly deserve the honour of an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).
Both have given their lives to the community of the south coast with their selfless contributions to sailing (Victor Harbor Yacht Club), Encounter Bay Football Club and Sea Rescue.
It has been a big year for Don as on Australia Day he was awarded the City of Victor Harbor 2023 Active Citizenship Award for his ongoing commitment to local sport and recreation groups.
Don has been a volunteer and player of the Encounter Bay Football Club for decades and is a life member.
Don is a life member of the Victor Harbor Yacht Club where he volunteers his time to support sailing activities.
https://fleurieusun.com.au/news/2023/06/22/rumbelows-receive-oams/
Anzac Day marked in solemn city service and at homes across South Australia
Anzac Day marked in solemn city service and at homes across South Australia
The Advertiser
April 25, 2020
Navy veteran Jim Rumbelow, the son of a Rat of Tobruk, lit a candle in his front yard and distributed biscuits to his street before dawn.
Mr Rumbelow, 71, was a Quartermaster Gunner who joined up in 1967 and “travelled in steel for the Queen and the Government”.
Aboard HMAS Brisbane, he saw the world, sailing to places including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia.
This morning, however, Mr Rumbelow walked down his Millswood street before dawn, distributing Anzac biscuits baked by his wife, Rose.
He returned to his front yard, lit a candle, and thought of his father, Geoff, a Rat of Tobruk, and the Victor Harbor home where he was raised.
“I wanted to remember the service of my father, my mates and all those who have served and made sacrifices for our great country’s freedom,” Mr Rumbelow said.
Geoff was part of the 2/48th Infantry Battalion, which was Australia’s highest decorated unit of World War II – awarded four Victoria Crosses (three of them posthumously) and more than 80 other decorations.
The battalion was raised at Wayville Showgrounds in August, 1940.
Mr Rumbelow said his father didn’t talk much about his war exploits.
“Not a great deal, not many of them did want to share much about that time,” he said.
Leica Geosystems - Leica BLK 3D Release
Leica Geosystems - Leica BLK 3D Release
Sydney Build,
March 29, 2019
A graduate with honours in architecture from UniSA, Matt has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that BIM can bring in practice. Through his work with global BIM leaders such a Lecia, Autodesk, Trimble, and Solibri, Matt is uniquely placed to identify benefits and develop strategies that leverages the potential of BIM technologies across different industries.
Matt catches up with Gregg once again to talk about all the latest from Leica Geosystems, including the future for their software and hardware like the BLK360 and BLK3D.
Bye to Rumbelow’s Deli
Bye to Rumbelow’s Deli
A good crowd gathered out the back of Rumbelow’s Deli to wish Bob and Dulcie Reichman a happy retirement after 14 years in the popular tradies’ stop. The business has been sold and the building has a rich, community history.
Flora Rumbelow (Legge) wins 2018 Vitae Medal
Flora Rumbelow (Legge) wins 2018 Vitae Medal
Flora Rumbelow (Legge) undertook her secondary education at Millicent High School (Years 8 – 11). Flora transferred to Adelaide Girls’ High School on February 6, 1962 to complete her final year of secondary schooling and was subsequently appointed as a Prefect.
Flora played Hockey and class Basketball for Adelaide Girls High School, and after Matriculating in 1962, commenced studies to be a secondary school teacher at Adelaide Teachers College in 1963.
During her teaching career Flora taught at Adelaide High, Glossop, Port Pirie, Urrbrae, Northfield, St Marks, Elliston and Ceduna. She was appointed to Adelaide High School as a Senior Student Counsellor in 1992 but then served as an Assistant Principal at Adelaide High School from 1994 – Term 1 2000. She always had the wellbeing of her students at heart and set up a Bushwalking Club at Adelaide High School, which ultimately led to Outdoor Education being taught as a subject. She also supported PE staff on Outdoor Education excursion and camps, even after her retirement.
Following this, Flora was Principal at Elliston Area School from Terms 2 – 4, 2000 where she also taught Woodwork. She then served as Principal of Ceduna Area School between 2001 – 2004 where she took a bus out each morning to pick up students, providing breakfast for them to eat on the bus on their way to school.
Flora’s contribution to Adelaide High School and education in South Australia has been significant. Flora truly reflects the essence of the Vitae Medal and her leadership has resulted in impact, influence and inspiration.
https://adelaidehs.sa.edu.au/community/old-scholars-association
The Friends of Nangawooka Flora Reserve hosted a morning tea on December 5 to thank the descendants of the Rumbelow family for the gift of a piece of Victor Harbor history.
The gift was stone walling from their family home ‘Yeltanna’, situated at Yilki, which was quarried on West Island, Encounter Bay around 1880.
At this time, granite from West Island was used in the construction of Parliament House in Adelaide.
After Yeltanna was demolished in the early 1990’s the stone was stored by the Victor Harbor Council, who with the family’s consent, donated the dressed stone to Nangawooka Flora Reserve.
The stone has been used to form gardens near the gazebo and in the Scented Garden.
A plaque records the history of this dressed granite.
The Friends Group appreciates that this gift will be of interest to future visitors and a rich part of the Victor Harbor’s history.
The Rumbelow family were represented by the family Matriarch Yvonne Hobbs, siblings Kay Ewens and Glenn Rosser and Elaine Boyce (from the Cakebread side of the family).
Ten members of the Friends group attended the event and enjoyed some of the stories of the early Rumbelow family and their experiences.
Elaine Boyce with siblings Kay Ewens and Glenn Rosser and Matriarch Yvonne Hobbs.
Lester Rumbelow TV Segment
Lester Rumbelow TV Segment
Fishers on Film with Garry Hera Singh
Fishers on Film with Garry Hera Singh
Wildcatch Fisheries SA
Aug 11, 2016
Garry Ian Hera-Singh is was born 16 January 1956 at Meningie, SA.
Garry is the grandson of Lester Rumbelow and like Lester, is a commercial fisherman of the lakes and Coorong.
Garry first started fishing during the mid 1970’s working as a deckhand for one of his grandfathers. He became a full-time fisherman in 1984 when he invested into the industry. Garry is a proud 5th generation fisherman on his mother’s side.
Garry who continues the tradition of static net fishing but has deferred to a boat with an outboard "I still rely on some of my grandfather's knowledge of when and where to fish. Always watching the seasons, nature's signs and the weather for important clues where the fish might be tonight," he says.
School of Education 25 Year Birthday Message
School of Education 25 Year Birthday Message
University of South Australia
July 12, 2016
Meg Rumbelow
The School of Education would like to congratulate the University of South Australia on their 25th birthday.
Rumbelows Hut
Rumbelows Hut
The beauty of The Cooroong is unique, as is the wildlife. Another unique feature is the families who seek a livelihood from its waters and cherish its fragile existence. One such family is the Rumbelows, a family who has fished one area or another of the south coast for generations. Lester Rumbelow, who called himself the last of the Rumbelow fishers, left his legacy in the form of Rumbelows Hut.
Lester Rumbelow had an innate knowledge of and respect for the waters and ecosystem that nurtured his catch. It was a harsh existence. It was an era when men were made of steel and boats were made of wood," says Lester's grandson Garry Hera-Singh. Garry inherited the hut through his aunt on Lester's death in 1992. When you consider Garry's heritage of a Rumbelow on his mother's side and his paternal grandfather also a lifetime fisherman - there wasn't much chance of any other career. Garry has fished the lakes and Coorong for the past 22 years
During the fishing season (spring and summer), Garry's young family in Meningie will only see him for a few hours a day.
Lester spent all his time on The Coorong which inspired him to erect the hut in the 1930s - just four posts with some cladding on the walls, a corrugated roof and hessian rugs on a dirt floor. This 3.5 by 4 metre space, with a kerosene fridge, gas stove, table, chairs, bed and small rainwater tank as the only creature comforts, was Lester's home for his last 30 years. The hut was never meant to be anything but a shack. Lester had no requirements other than a break from the elements.
Lester's day began at 4 am, seven days a week during the season, when he would row up to eight miles a day to set and later retrieve his nets before the pelicans got to his catch of mulloway, bream and mullet.
Not much has changed for Garry who continues the tradition of static net fishing but has deferred to a boat with an outboard "I still rely on some of my grandfather's knowledge of when and where to fish. Always watching the seasons, nature's signs and the weather for important clues where the fish might be tonight," he says.
Prior to his death, Lester shared with his grandson many words of wisdom and much knowledge of The Coorong, particularly prior to the introduction of the barrages "Many of the changes in Lester's view were for the worse. Reducing the estuary by roughly 90 per cent of its original size had a profound impact on the bird and fish populations of the region."
Garry continues the family's respect for the environment. "The aquatic ecosystem is the engine room that drives the abundance of birds and fish every year. A healthy ecosystem delivers a healthy and sustainable fishery. Unfortunately the over extraction of water from the Murray Darling Basin catchment has meant that only about 27 per cent of the natural flows make it to the Lower Lakes and Murray Moth area. Most of the birds and fish relied on the annual fresh water pulses for reproduction and growth rates
"In 1998 the Lakes and Coorong fishery produced the first environmental management plan for a commercial fishery in the world The plan identified several areas the fishers needed to address. The first was an independent audit of the fishery by the Marine Stewardship Council certification process which is sponsored by the World Wide Fund for Nature. The second was the need for specific monitoring."
Such monitoring included not only bird numbers but visitors, pellation, unusual events or sightings and the like.
Around six years ago Garry began to count the migratory birds on a daily basis - Cape Barren Geese flying overhead and the rare Eastern Curlew, Stints, Sanderlings and Sandpipers on The Coorong sandbars. That information has been collated and is now used to confirm trends in conjunction with the National Parks and the annual Australian Migratory Bird counts. "Unfortunately the quantitative data confirms what the fisherman already know - The Coorong is going down the gurgler at an alarming rate."
As his grandfathers before him, Garry understands the intricate needs of The Coorong "What the waterway needs is another 1956 flood to bring life back to the levels of its former glory"
Garry Hera-Singh president of SFA accepted the ‘Seafood for the Future – Environment Award’ sponsored by Sustainable Focus, from Brad Warren of Ocean watch at the Gold Coast in October 2011.
Lakes and Coorong Fishery Award Winners
Lakes and Coorong Fishery Award Winners
Local fishing industry group, the Southern Fishermens Association (SFA), took out the prestigious award at a glittering awards ceremony in Pt. Lincoln on Saturday night.
Garry Hera-Singh president of SFA accepted the ‘Seafood for the Future – Environment Award’ sponsored by Sustainable Focus, from Brad Warren of Ocean watch.
Judges were impressed with the association’s proactive approach during the recent “one in a hundred year drought”. The fish down of Lake Albert where 16 local fishermen co-ordinated their efforts to remove over 100 tonnes of carp in three weeks was innovative and provided good information to the government and scientists about how to deal with the carp left stranded by the construction of the bund.
The association also wrote a Barrage Management document describing how tho gain the maximum ecological benefit to the Coorong with the freshwater releases from the barrages. This has been supplied to SA Water, DENR, SARDI, Murray Basin Authority and the relevant Ministers.
Kim Rumbelow, Wed 24 Jul 2013 , ABC News
The Coorong on slow pathway out of drought
The Coorong on slow pathway out of drought
More than a million plants have been part of a regeneration program to return the Murray Darling's Coorong and Lower Lakes system to health.
Since 2010, the system has been back in flow, but the long drought before that had a profound effect on the environment.
At the barrages at Meningie, Kim Rumbelow, from South Australia's Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, says revegetation has made the fragile ecosystem stronger.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2013-07-24/nrn-coorong-recovery/4840108
Coorong on slow pathway out of drought
Coorong on slow pathway out of drought
ABC Rural
Wed 24 Jul 2013
Interview (audio) with Kim Rumbelow, from the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. and Wendy Collis at the barrages near Meningie, about a restoration process for the Coorong and Lower Lakes system that has involved over a million plants.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2013-07-24/nrn-coorong-recovery/4840362
Don Rumbelow, February 10, 2012, Don Rumbelow, The Advertiser
Drowning prompts call to close 'most dangerous beach'
Drowning prompts call to close 'most dangerous beach'
The signs say no swimming, there is no phone signal and worse, no way of knowing the dangers that lie beneath the water's surface at Petrel Cove.
The beach is fast earning the reputation as the state's deadliest stretch of coastline and on Thursday it claimed another life when a man was caught in a rip and taken out to sea along towards Kings Head.
He was the fourth person in the past month to be caught in the water at Petrel Cove, near Victor Harbor, which is scattered with no swimming and dangerous-rip warning signs and memorials for those who have died there.
Victor Harbor Goolwa Sea Rescue Squadron leader Don Rumbelow said the cove's strong rip made it unsafe for people to go swimming.
John Rumbelow, Tue 4 Mar 2008, ABC News
Retiring council boss urges conservation balance
Retiring council boss urges conservation balance
The chief executive of the Streaky Bay Council says balancing development and conservation will be one of the biggest challenges for Eyre Peninsula in South Australia in the future.
John Rumbelow is retiring after more than a quarter of a century in the position.
He says the region has changed significantly, with aquaculture, the sea change factor and tourism during his tenure and balancing that growth will be very important.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-03-04/retiring-council-boss-urges-conservation-balance/1061618
Peter and Genevieve Rumbelow, Campbelltown City Council 2005.
Peter and Genevieve Rumbelow
Peter and Genevieve Rumbelow
Peter and Genevieve Rumbelow moved to Campbelltown in 1961 as a young married couple with an infant daughter.
Peter’s paternal grandmother was the eldest daughter of John Heading, market gardener, who arrived in Campbelltown soon after 1854 with his parents and siblings and established his family home in McShane Street, Campbelltown.
Peter, a banker with the Savings Bank of SA (later State Bank), coached the Athelstone Football Club in the early 1960’s and has been a member of the Rotary Club of Campbelltown since 1973, a Board member of the North Eastern Community Hospital from 1978 to 2008, a member of the Campbelltown Uniting Church and is President of the Campbelltown Historical Society. Genevieve is also very active in the local community and has held office in school, church and hospital committees.
Peter was awarded the 2005 Australia Day Citizen Award by the City of Campbelltown.
Choosing to Fight Back
Choosing to Fight Back
Trade Day organiser Kaye Rumbelow
IN an environment where declining populations and services have hit rural Australia hard, Eyre Peninsula communities have dug their heels in and are fighting back. Community networks, progress associations and special activities are being introduced to strengthen and rebuild the smaller towns on Eyre Peninsula. For such communities, it is about re-establishing a sense of pride in their towns and re-building a sense of self-worth. Some towns have proved that the best way the put themselves on the map is to market a unique local event.
This weekend the communities of Cummins and Elliston will be putting on their best faces as the Cummins IGA Kalamazoo and the Elliston Trade and Agricultural Field Day draw visitors from other regions. The Cummins IGA Kalamazoo won a State award for its success in revitalising the railway town. "The Kalamazoo is a great example of locals toughing it through the hard times," Kalamazoo coordinator Michelle Mahoney said. "West Coasters are a resilient mob. "Through the 80s and 90s there were some who were forced off thenland, but the majority remained," she said. "Instead of merely sitting on their laurels and waiting for someone else to do something, they decided to arrest the decline of their town." Mrs Mahoney said initially an idea was thrown around at a community meeting to make use of the unique two-line narrow gauge rail track that runs through the main street. "The community has now put Cummins on the map by holding the annual Kalamazoo race," she said.
There is nowhere else in Australia that holds such a race and now Cummins attracts attention from as far afield as the United States - an achievement few could have dreamed of, Mrs Mahoney said. Similarly, the Elliston Trade and Agricultural Day symbolises the energy with which many communities are deciding to arrest their perceived decline.
"All you need are a couple of people to have a vision to get things done in a small town," Elliston resident and Trade Day organiser Kaye Rumbelow said. "It is all about believing in your community and running with your ideas. "You can really make something happen, which is so good for your community," she said. This weekend's Elliston Trade Day is the second time the biannual event has been held. It is organised with the community and Eyre Peninsula in mind, and brings together businesses from all over the region to promote their wares. Mrs Rumbelow said there was money to be made at the fair.
"The Elliston Area School students have been planting native tree seedlings specifically for the day," she said. "They are setting up a stall and they could get perhaps $1000 worth of orders." "If you're organised enough to get a small working committee together, you can organise just about anything, and the results can be amazing," she said. "It was such a good day for the promotion of Elliston last time and it was too good a day to let it drop. "We got about 1000 people through the gates then and even if 800 come this year it will still be a very successful day for the community," Mrs Rumbelow said. "There are only 250 people living here, but we are being recognised somewhere. "Little communities can do anything."
Other such events, organised by community groups that form part of this 'citizens induced rural fightback' include the Mount Dutton Bay Easter Art and Craft Festival, Kimba "Beyond and Back Gawler Ranges Outback Challenge" and the Elliston 'Meeting of the Winds' Festival.
'Last of his tribe' Malen Rumbelow,
Yilki fisherman 1905-1985
'Last of his tribe' Malen Rumbelow,
Yilki fisherman 1905-1985
Book Unsung Heroes and Heroines of Australia Date 1989
Author Suzy Baldwin
Publisher Greenhouse Publications, Elwood, Vic., Australia
Written by: Terri McCormack
Nominated by: G. Arch Grosvenor
Encounter Bay in South Australia was named for the historic meeting of Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin in 1802 but is known to others as the scene of countless rescues in treacherous seas by Malen Rumbelow in his wooden rowboat.
The last of four generations of Rumbelow fishermen who had inhabited the Yilki area since whalers worked offshore, Malen knew the unpredictable weather which had claimed the lives of his father, brother, and cousins. Many ignored his warnings at their peril like the two panic-striken men who, after being rescued, still wanted to save their boat which was soon, as Malen knew, to be dashed against the rocks. Having rescued so many, he was, towards the end of his eighty years, unable to save his nephew Geoffrey who insisted on going out to save his valuable fishing boat despite his uncle's warning: 'No man could survive under these conditions.' Unable to witness the inevitable, Malen drove over to Rosetta Head, the bluff where his ancestors had watched for whales and fish, returning only to help bring his nephew's drowned body ashore.
The fishermen have gone from Yilki now, as has Malen Rumbelow who is buried in the local churchyard. His aged widow treasures the mementoes of appreciation he received from a few of those who owe a debt to this unsung hero and his wooden dinghy.
Matt Rumbelow, 2002 Award, UniSA
Chancellor's Awards for Community Engagement
Chancellor's Awards for Community Engagement
UNIque Constructions Team
Team members: David Morris, Nick Opie (deceased), Matt Rumbelow, Gerhard Schurer, Oli Schulz (graduate), Nicko Young (graduate) and approximately 150 participating undergraduate architecture students
Community partner: Patjarr Aboriginal Community
https://unisa.edu.au/connect/design-construct/the-patjarr-visitor-centre/
Charlie Rumbelow, SA Police Legacy
Charlie Rumbelow, retired sergeant and founder of SA Police Legacy
Charlie Rumbelow, retired sergeant and founder of SA Police Legacy
“When Police Legacy was introduced (over 30 years ago) serving members could allocate 50 cents per pay via Police Credit Union deductions. Many joined and underpinned the financial foundation of the organisation. Time has moved on and the contribution has increased with inflation. It is still a cheap and effective way to protect your family, and other families within the police profession. As a founding member one wishes to be assured funds provided do make a difference."
Quentin Blake (author), First Published 1982
Rumbelow's Dance Book by Quentin Blake
Rumbelow's Dance Book by Quentin Blake
Rumbelow is off to visit his grandparents. As he sets off he feels so happy he starts to dance. Along the way, he meets many different characters, who all join in with his infectious dancing! A lively and fun cumulative tale.
Rumbelow's Dance - Review
Rumbelow's Dance - Review
John Yeoman and Quentin Blake. Picture Puffin. $4.95. Yes, the name Rumbelow is a very well known one in Victor Harbor, but I don't think author John Yeoman had the noted fishing family in mind when he wrote Rumbelow's Dance.
Rumbelow is a boy who meets many people on the way to his grandparent's place. Some were complaining of ills, some were just down and out, others were long faced. Rumbelow convinces all of them to dance on the long journey to his granny's house. Soon, a long line of rumba and waltz-filled people make their way along the countryside lanes. A lovely, harmless story for pre-schoolers as are most Picture Puffins.
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