1927 - 2017
Norman John Rumbelow was born in Adelaide on 8th September 1927 to parents Herbert Victor Rumbelow and Hilda Blanche Heading. As there were no local hospitals in the district his mother came to Adelaide for the birth. He lived in at Narrung for 64 years before moving to Meningie.
Normans grandfather William Henry Rumbelow took up land at Narrung in 1907. Henry had been a fisherman at Victor Harbor before moving his boat to Goolwa and launching it on the lake.
Normans father Herbert took over farm from his grandfather Henry. Norman started work on the property when he 15. He went to school at Victor Harbor by boat then rail. His father Herbert went to school at Point Macleay and learned Aboriginal names for fish and birds from schoolmates; Aboriginals lived at Point Macleay and some worked on the farm; local tribe were Ngarrindjeri.
The Narrung Hall built in 1910 and used as a school for the locals.
After WW2 several farms were amalgamated as properties too small for efficient farming. When Norman took the farm over it was double the size; he worked property on his own and retired from it at 50 years of age.
From 1943 to 1956 draft horses were for ploughing, worked the team all morning then gave horses a midday break. Then worked to sunset and brought horses back in. Norman used 6 horses which he trained himself. He had 4 wheel buggy and dray and rubber tyred wagon on car chassis all pulled by horses, He milked 25 Jersey cows by hand, mainly used for cream, separated it himself and pigs grown and sold for bacon to Chapmans at Nairne.
Norman died at aged 89 years.
Lakes and Coorong History & Local Knowledge Oral History Project
J. D. Somerville Oral History Collection
Date Note: Recorded 1 February 2008
Transcription: None currently available
Publication: Centralian Advocate
Date Listed: 25/2/2017
RUMBELOW, Norman John. 8/9/1927 - 20/2/2017 aged 89 years.
Beloved brother of Marg and Janet. Will be sadly missed by the whole family. Privately cremated. A memorial service for Norm will be held at the Meningie RSL on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at 2 p.m.