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Fred Hallam (1915-1983) - Mines Clerk & Solicitor. Recorded 25th November 1981. Part 2/2.
FRED HALLAM
Recorded 25th November 1981
Part 2 of 2
0:02
Taking off in a Catalina. Knowing how to use the wireless. Fred returned to Paxton after the war and was admitted as a solicitor in 1939. He was running the pictures on his return with a little bit of extra work as a solicitor after the war.
He joined a lot of service groups and he went back into practice he eventually found an office in Smythe’s funeral parlour. He went into partnership with Geoff Oliver
Fred in 1973 he leased the practice to Geoff for 3 years. He brought Campbell in as a partner. He was deposition clerk.
9:30
The partnership and the company. “It’s going well”. Fred’s son Ken is doing well.
Fred played soccer at State League for the state as a goalkeeper. Keeling taught him. Fred played with Paxton under 18’s. Fred Lawson. Gray Symons. Fred also played bowls topping it in every sphere.
Fred ended up in 1974 with a white pocket in bowls. Fred’s wife, Marie Hallam, was the first Australian winner. Fred won district pairs with Bob Walpole.
Other characters involved in competitive bowls – Best bowler from Newcastle was Charlie MacNeill. Others: Clarrie Watkins, John Lang, Peter O’Neill, Jack Hodgson, Johnny Snell, Peter Wolfgang, John Kearn, John Snell, Peter Reuben.
25:52
Fred and his involvement in Council. Frank Levitt asked him. Nine men got together and formed The Progressives – young business men focused on “Pot holes and Paspalum” – Fred was Mayor for a year. Then Richardson, then Cuth were both Mayor for a year. In opposition to Tommy Fell (supposedly offered position of mayor if he gave his support to Labor.) Fred got kicked out over disagreement with Fell, Bob Brown moved that he be reinstated.
County Council meeting – effluent going on all the sides of some houses in East Cessnock – Harry Neate trying to chair a meeting which ended in fisticuffs. Issuing two summons for assault which got dismissed because Fred was trying to defend himself.
33:48
The gas works in Cessnock never eventuated. It came in too late. The mayor of Cessnock pushing a barrow of coal to Sydney/Canberra – poem published in the Cessnock Eagle [THE BARROW-PUSHERS. (1951, August 24). The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder (NSW : 1913 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved December 16, 2015, from nla.gov.au/nla.news-article99747021]. Coverage of the arrival of a minister from Canberra. The arrival of the Archbishop of York at the showground. His son Kenny peed in front of everyone at the showground. He did the same at the opening of the Kurri Baths. Fred and his fishing trips to Seal Rocks – Matt Baines, Harold Sternbeck, Harry Schultz. Barry Melville. Bill Johnstone.
The Advertiser and the editor Maurie Morrison. Prank paper saying George Fairleigh got engaged Jean (later to be his wife).
45:47
End Tape 116B Part 2 of 2.
Hallam, Frederick Charles, 1915-1983PersonJack DelaneyCollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceCessnock, NSWLocation[1] Staffordshire, UK[2] Greta, NSW[3] Paxton, NSW[4] East Greta Colliery, NSW[5] Millfield Colliery, NSW[6] East Cessnock Bowling ClubIdentifier116B