Murray John Telfer

Role: Patriarch of the Telfer family — Grandfather
Born: 24 March 1924 — Tumby Bay, South Australia
Died: 1 May 2009 (aged 85)
Occupation: Grazier and farmer, South Australia's Eyre Peninsula

Family

Life Summary

Murray was a grazier and farmer on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula — a man of the land whose life spanned the great transition from horse power to mechanisation. He worked horse teams of twelve to fourteen horses, ploughing 30 acres a day with a twenty-row combine. He drove tandem Fordson tractors for extra traction on the hills of Karulga. He cut chaff with a Hornsby oil engine, later a McCormick Deering tractor.

His Christian faith was the defining thread of his life. At an early age he made his commitment to the Lord, remembering a sermon from his father: "let your yes be yes and your no be no." He lived that out faithfully — in business, in family, in every interaction. He served as elder at Ungarra and Tumby Bay Churches of Christ, secretary of Tumby Bay Church of Christ for over 20 years, Sunday School teacher, lay preacher, taught Religious Education at Ungarra and Mt Hill schools, completed a Christian Counselling course, and later became a member of Gideons International placing Bibles in motels and hospitals.

A loving son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, caring friend, counsellor, helper and mentor — his deep trust in God was evidenced in all he did and said. His quiet humour was always to the fore.

Stories & Memories

Childhood at Ungarra & Saddleworth

The Telfer family arrived at Ungarra in 1904. Murray's father took up scrub land and batched (lived alone as a bachelor) for years before marrying Amy Provis in April 1909. Their equipment was basic: horses, a wagon, and a plough. Sometimes he carted water for soak at Wilkins' property.

From the farm near Saddleworth, the children walked three miles to school regardless of weather. Murray was nearly six when he started — he completed grades 1 and 2 at Saddleworth, then grade 3 back at Ungarra on the new scrub block.

Transport: The family travelled in a Nash Tourer car with a canvas top and side curtains (top speed 25–30 mph / 40–50 km/h). Leaving Saddleworth early, they reached Port Augusta after dark, stayed overnight at a hotel, and continued the next day. The windscreen wiper was operated by a handle inside the car!

Horses — The Heart of Farm Life

"Horses were a part of everyday life. We had one old pony called Duchess that you could run up behind while it was standing in the yard and leap frog onto its back if you were agile enough, and she wouldn't move."

— Murray & Ruth (aged 6) on Duchess, circa 1936 (photo in gallery)

Daily horse team routine: They were up before breakfast to feed chaff. Each horse was harnessed with its own winkers and collars, coupled in the correct working order — six or seven horses in the front row, the same behind. Long leather reins ran through to the leaders. Nosebags of chaff (half-filled Hessian bags) hung on the harness until they reached the paddock.

Knock-off time: Chains dropped, they walked behind holding the reins. Reversed the harnessing at the shed. Horses went to the dam for a drink — some would roll if they were sweaty. Back to the manger in the straw-roofed stable (walls built of mallee stumps). After tea, hurricane lantern in hand, more chaff. Twenty horses lined up munching — "an era that has passed."

Chaff cutting (once a week): Sheaved hay fed into a chaff cutter driven by a Hornsby oil engine, later by a McCormick Deering 15–30 petrol-kerosene tractor (started on petrol, switched to kerosene once warm).

Horse names (front row): Ranji, [unknown], Lon, Tiger, Clyde, [unknown], Lola — plus Ruby (Murray's riding horse) and Duchess (the family pony).

A Tribute (from the memorial book)

Murray was a man of integrity, humility, and generosity. His word was his bond. He never sought recognition, only to serve. He married Shirley Edna Parker on 18 February 1950 at Prospect Church of Christ — a partnership lasting 59 years.

He served in the RAAF during WWII as a radar mechanic — a role demanding precision and trust. After the war, he managed "Glen Alvie" at Karulga, running sheep and wheat on 2,000 acres. He served as elder at Ungarra and Tumby Bay Churches of Christ, secretary of Tumby Bay Church of Christ for over 20 years, Sunday School superintendent, lay preacher, and taught Religious Education at local schools.

His love of horses never faded — from the great teams of his youth to the pony Duchess that carried his grandchildren. He was a gentle man with a quiet chuckle, always ready with a story.

The Early Years: Horse-Stealing at Military Camp

During military training, Murray and his mates Jack, Stan, and Bob decided to "borrow" a horse from a nearby property. They snuck out after lights out, led the horse back to camp, and hid it in the lines. Next morning the horse was discovered — Murray had injured his neck in the escapade. Stan got chewed out by the Sergeant while Murray tried to look innocent. The horse was returned, but the story became legend among the mates.

The Cows' Tails

Reg and Murray were milking about 10 jersey-cross cows, aged 11–12. One day Murray said, "We ought to tie their tails together." He tied a reef knot in the tail hair. The cows walked side by side, gradually parted, and a tug-of-war ensued — the first joint broke off one tail. They cut off the broken piece and disposed of it. Dad never saw it, or didn't say. That cow had a docked tail that stung like a whip at milking time ever after.

River Swimming Challenge

At the river, the boys would challenge each other to swim across the deep waterhole — a test of courage. Murray, never one to back down, took the challenge. He made it across, emerging with his typical chuckle at the bravado of youth. "We were all mad," he'd say later, shaking his head with that grin.

A Good Scare

Murray and his brother Mantle loved a good prank. One day Murray placed a fake snake on Mantle's path, expecting a laugh. But Mantle spotted it, picked it up, and chased Murray with it — the tables turned! Murray's own trick backfired, and he got the scare of his life. He told this story with a grin: "Mantle got me good that day."

Rabbit Trapping

School holidays meant 30–40 traps set along the creek on Monday afternoon. Thirty to forty rabbits the first night, progressively fewer after that. Saturday: pull the traps, fill the holes. Skins drying by the dozen. Sold for ~1 penny per skin (8–9 pence per pound) — pocket money. The place smelled of rabbits "from one end of the holidays to the other." Mum cooked rabbit that tasted "equal to chicken."

Triumph Motorcycle & the Sidecar

Teen years: Murray bought a second-hand Triumph motorcycle, borrowed £10 from Mum, and paid it back. He fitted a sidecar. Evenings were spent rabbit hunting with a half-whippet, half-greyhound bitch in the sidecar — she'd run them down in the headlight. They chased foxes too, but the foxes turned too sharply. He also rode the motorbike to and from Long Plains courting Shirley.

Sliding Down Culverts

They wore the seats of their pants out sliding down cement culverts between home and school at Saddleworth. A handful of sand helped the slide. Mum was in hospital, with May looking after them. Rather than tell May about the holes in their trousers, they went to school with holey pants — double trouble.

Bed Without Tea

May sent them to bed hungry for misbehaviour. Eddie sneaked out and found cake. May felt sorry and brought food later. "Challenging days for small boys who had to make their own fun (no television or radio). But they were happy days with little thought or care for what lay ahead."

A Message to His Grandchildren (from the memorial book)

"What would you do if you had no electricity, or no running water on tap? Perhaps no telephone. Maybe no car, or truck, or tractor, and you lived 30 or more kilometres from a town where you could get groceries, or see a doctor, or dentist, or chemist. That's what it was like when I was born.
Families were usually large — I was ninth in a family of ten. Mother had Bake Day on Friday — big loaves of bread and trays of buns, us waiting for a hot bun. Never went hungry.
No electricity: wood stove (fire lit every morning — nice in winter, added heat in summer, often in an iron house). Big kettle always on. Wash days: wood-fired copper, scrubbing board (corrugated wood or glass). Hand-ringer or wring by hand. Bath night: Saturday only, big tub in kitchen near stove, same water for all children.
Workshop: forge and anvil. Children worked the bellows. Hammer and chisel. Lighting: kerosene lamps or candles — sometimes read so long the lamp ran out of kerosene (what a smell when the wick burned).
Refrigeration: none until kerosene fridges. The Cool Safe — hessian/cork sides, tray of water on top dripping down to keep sides damp, kept butter from melting. Dad killed a sheep weekly. Salted meat in a wooden wine keg.
Everything was labour intensive. The changes were gradual over many years."

Always Remember (poem from the memorial book)

Always remember the things that are true
The love of the Lord and His love for you
The love of a family that's loyal and kind
The friends that are faithful, the ties that bind
Remember the laughter, the fun and the joy
The memories shared, like a favourite toy
The lessons of life, both bitter and sweet
The strength to go on when the pathway is steep
Remember the horses, the land and the sky
The days that were long, as the years wander by
The faith that sustained through the storm and the calm
The peace that is found in the Saviour's palm
So when you look back on the life that I've known
Remember the seed that was faithfully sown
Not in the things that will rust and decay
But the love that endures, come what may

Family & Community

• 1929 Family Picnic at Christensen Park, Clare — Fran, Walter, May, Bert, Gladys, Albert, Charlie, Sylvia, Doris, Joyce, Melville, Jean; Reg, Hope, Nellie, Beattie, Amy, Murray, Millie, Doug; Ralph, Bill, Eddie, Keith
• Siblings & families: Reg & Elma (50th anniversary), Frank & Merle, Jean & Eric McMurtrie (Murray & Pamela Ruth as attendants), May & Dick Fatchen, Eddie & Lola, Milly & Fred Barton, Les & Gladys Pedler
• Murray & Shirley's children: Daryll, John, Grantley, Timothy, Kathryn, Susan
• Grandchildren: James & Alexa, Kristin & Ben Stefanoff (Nairne SA — music teacher, theatre performer, writer), Nicholas, Jonathan, Andrew, Gerrie, Helen, Rex
• Faith community: Ungarra Church of Christ 75th Anniversary (15 Nov 1986) — Family Day Bag Sewing Competition at Provis Park, Stokes
• 2007: Unveiling the Telfer Memorial Plaque at Pioneer Park, Ungarra — commemorating Telfer settlers

Final Years

Last trip to the farm: 22 April 2009. Special moments in his final weeks. Passed peacefully 1 May 2009. "We thank God for Murray's life and the effect that he had on so many lives. Our lives are so much the richer for him being a part.

Timeline

Sources

• Primary: Celebrating the life of Murray John Telfer — 24 March 1924 – 1 May 2009 (family memorial book, compiled with photos & memories from Daryl, Grantley, Auntie Pam, Shirley)
• Oral History: "Murray's Memories" as told to son Grantley Keith Telfer
• WikiTree: Murray John Telfer (1924–2009) — confirms birth location Tumby Bay, SA
• Geni: Francis Charles Telfer (1875–1954) — confirms Murray as son of Francis Charles
• WikiTree: Amy Ellen (Provis) Telfer (1884–1951) — confirms Murray's mother's identity

This biography was enriched June 2026 from the family memorial booklet. The full PDF is archived in the family vault.