Of Tragedy and Valor
Malen David Rumbelow (3rd)

Malen David Rumbelow (Malen 3rd) was born at Encounter Bay on 20th September 1865.

He married Susan May Pearsons on 12th June 1886. Malen and Susan had eight children; Charles, Susan, Ivy, David, William, Eric, Lionel and Stanley (Malen 4th) (Ween).

Malen 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. 

With his father, Malen Rumbelow (Malen 2nd) and Cain Jelliff (the husband of his Aunt Alice), he pioneered the local fishing industry. There are many stories of him that have probably gained extra magnitude with each telling, but he evidently used to regularly win “Strong Man” competitions and could carry a “flatty” (a fishing dinghy) on his shoulders. 

Lawrie Rumbelow wrote that Cain 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.”