The Laing family

The Laing family originally came from Scotland. In 1927 Jock, Jean and their three children, Edward, Finlay and Jean settled in Carrum. They lived in Valetta Street for many years. Jock had working horses and for a time worked for Carrum pioneer G. Whatlely. Jock transported swamp ti-tree by horse and cart to Flemington where it was used for the steeple fences. In addition, Jock and his horses carted sand from Carrum beach to the local glass works, the horses were also used by Chelsea council on its garbage round.

Jock's son Eddie remembers how he and others would ride to school on their horses, he recalls Don Sinclair letting his horse loose in the school ground until home time. Eddie said most of the people he rode horses with had bought them from Dandenong market.

Eddie has memories of many people using horse and buggies as transport around the local area. He said they were used to go to the shops in Carrum and locals would even travel as far as Dandenong market. ^[1]

Eddie furthered the Laing family involvement with horses by becoming a successful horse trainer. The association with horses has been a Laing family institution with successive generations following in Jock's footprints to the present day.

Eddie Laing, Carrum. 1949

Author

Carole Ross

Acknowledgements:

1. Ross C. Interview Eddie Laing, June 2010

Photo Courtesy of:

Eddie Laing