Donald Calder
| First name | Donald |
|---|---|
| Last name | Calder |
| Country of Origin | Scotland |
| Date of Birth | 13/10/1838 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1856 |
| Submitted by | Michael Calder |
Story
Donald McKenzie Calder
Donald McKenzie Calder (13/10/1838 Ð 6/9/1923) was raised as the youngest of five children of James Calder and Christina (nee McKenzie) near Dornoch in Sutherlandshire, Scotland. At the age of 17, Donald embarked on the fast sailing clipper ‘James Baines’ hoping to pursue gold and escape the poverty of his upbringing. Upon arriving in Melbourne in 1856, he went to Dunolly in central Victoria..
Donald was later employed as a shepherd by a pastoral company and also worked as an overseer for a number of years. At age 21 he went to a land sale as a squatter\’s dummy to acquire land at nearby Murphy\’s Creek, but decided to keep this land for himself when the grant came through. As part of the binding grant conditions it had to be cleared of bush and fenced. This property had shallow topsoils of low fertility, but with much hard work he brought it into production. Donald lived on the farm until he died at age 84. With son Alexander, through grandson Keith, great grandson Kenneth and now great great grandson Alistair the property is continuing to be improved and productivity increased while still held proudly by the Calder family.
In April 1868 at age 29 he married Catherine Elizabeth Edwards and together they brought up nine children: James, Donald, Alexander, Emma, Catherine, Gustavus, Bert, Christina and Roy. They were described as ‘a fine family, a credit to their parents, the district and the state.’
Eldest son James never married although he did have a sweetheart Miss Rooney whom he had proposed to. Her parents prevented the marriage when he enlisted for WWI fearing James may return crippled with war injuries. James returned safely but suffering the effects of gas. He never again asked about marriage but on his death he willed Miss Rooney his gold watch which she wore until the day she died, as a spinster.
Youngest son Roy served at Gallipoli and was a survivor of the Battle of Fromelles. His diary entry for 19 July 1916 reads ‘We had a stunt where we were much cut up but continued to hold the line for a good while’. On this night 5,533 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner in a disastrous operation that the Australian War Memorial describes as “the worst 24 hours in Australia’s entire history.” Only 107 of 864 members of Roy\’s battalion survived. On 20 March 1917 Roy was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery on the Western Front. His citation stated ‘Sgt Calder displayed conspicuous bravery, tact and coolness. His conduct inspired the men.’
Donald was described as a proud Scotsman. He was small in stature, bright and cheery and in later years sported a white beard. He was an excellent Scottish dancer of whom it was said could snuff a candle between his two feet while dancing. Donald danced at the first Highland Gathering at nearby Maryborough; this annual event still continuing to the present day. He was a faithful Presbyterian and each Sunday evening would walk seven miles to the nearest kirk at Dunolly and back, making light of the journey which he described as pleasant exercise.
His obituary in the local paper read ‘In his death the district has lost a grand pioneer of the fifties, a sturdy veteran who has done much for the land of his adoption. He was a fine sample of the enterprising and adventurous men who laid the foundations of this young country. He was a man of sterling, upright character, of high intelligence and strong views, who won the warm esteem and respect of the entire community. His cheery personality, big manifest sincerity and his sturdy independence were appreciated by all.’