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The faces and stories behind the Riversands labels

Senator Barnaby Joyce

Drink from the boots of Barnaby Joyce, the Nationals Senator for Queensland, and reflect on his refreshing influence on political debate in Australia. Barnaby entered the Australian Senate in 2005 aged 38 with the conscience of the bush at heart. Whether Barnaby has been putting his foot down, putting his best foot forward or crossing the floor, he’s done it in style in a pair of RM William’s boots!

The original boots were purchased whilst boarding at Riverview in Sydney and have been a constant in his life mixed with : work boots – at his family’s sheep and cattle property at Danglemah, NSW; rugby boots - at U.N.E. Armidale in between gaining his Commerce degree; accountants and bankers shoes – in St George Qld ; and the boots of a family man - with wife Natalie and four daughters.

Dr Ernest Seidel

In 1862, Dr Ernest Frederick Seidel was the first to grow wine grapes at St George, one year before Samuel Bassett established vines at Roma. Seidels’ cuttings came by packhorse from James Busby’s cutting banks in the Hunter Valley. Unfortunately, from 500 cuttings, only 3 struck. Next year he planted 1,000 cuttings from which 25 struck. He planted another 1,000 in the third year and got 35 to grow. Nonetheless, he persevered until 2 acres were established. By 1876 about 1,400 gallons were ready for bottling. In addition to grapes, Dr Seidel grew fruit trees of every known variety with tropical fruits, shrubs and flowers bearing abundantly.

His vineyard was located where Rowden Park, the main sportsground was later developed.

Two smaller vineyards also produced good quality wine grapes. These were established by two other Germans Harry Keuchler and Ludiaman.

In 1992, some 130 years after Dr Seidel began planting vines, the first wine grapes of the modern era were planted at Riversands Vineyards.

Eddie Beardmore (1891-1985)

Eddie was an energetic and popular local Member for the Balonne Shire from 1957-1969. He was influential in promoting the St George Irrigation Project and it was fitting the Beardmore Dam be named after him on the eve of his political retirement.

Eddie was well known for his dry wit and storytelling. He once claimed he was so “poor” after a long drought that when he sheltered under a barbwire fence during a thunderstorm, he never got wet!

Major Thomas Mitchell (1792-1855)

Major Mitchell is well known as an explorer and surveyor. Mitchell was responsible for exploring large areas of Australia’s south east. He led four well documented journeys through NSW and into Central Queensland.

However, Mitchell’s achievements as a vigneron are little known. Between 1829-1837 he owned a vineyard as part of his “Craigend” estate, in Darlinghurst, Sydney and later grew grapes at Parkhall, East Bargo, Camden. Muscat was one of the varieties grown at “Craigend”.

Ironically, our Major Mitchell White is also made from Muscat grapes grown on land traversed by Mitchell during his 4th expedition over 150 years ago!

The Three Rivers still run

Formerly named Three Rivers Red. This label highlights the importance of the famous Balonne, Condamine and Maranoa Rivers which provide the lifeblood for the St George grape, melon and cotton industries and all those who dwell along their banks.

The Condamine was named in 1827 by explorer Alan Cunningham in honour of Governor Darling’s secretary. Major Thomas Mitchell named the Maranoa (aboriginal word meaning ‘duck egg’) and Balonne (aboriginal word meaning ‘pelican’).

Ellen Meacle

Ellen Meacle nee Brennan was one of our pioneering legends becoming one of the first white women to live in the Moonie River region in the 1850’s.

With true pioneering spirit she survived the great Irish potato famine, arriving in Sydney with her sister aboard the good ship Kate in 1854.

They then travelled to south-western Queensland where she joined her brothers in the upper Moonie region. On her arrival she was ferried across the flooded Moonie River in her wash tub by the local aborigines.

Ellen later married Richard Meacle from Eyrecourt, County Galway. Ellen Meacle’s Irish resilience helped her weather the isolation of the bush to live to the grand age of 93, her later years in St George!

Several Meacle descendants live in the area.

Len Waters (1924-1993)

Black Magic port honours the life of Len Waters. Len was a quiet and intelligent Aboriginal boy who became enthralled by flying after reading about the exploits of aviators like Kingsford-Smith and Hinkler.

When war broke with Japan, Len decided to join the RAAF in order to fulfill his dream to fly. However, aboriginals were not permitted to serve in defence of their country. This view soon changed due to pressure from the Americans.

By August 1942, Len was admitted into the RAAF. Due to Len’s limited education, he was initially relegated to ground crew. Len was determined to educate himself in order to achieve his dream of becoming a pilot. He took every opportunity to become airborne, even entering a boxing tournament at the request of his CO with the promise of inclusion in the next air crew re-muster.

After graduating in the top five of his course, on the 15th November 1944, Len walked out onto the airstrip at Noemfoor, a pilot with 78 Squadron. By coincidence his Kittyhawk was named “Black Magic”, after the previous ace pilot named Blackmore.

By the end of the war Len had flown 95 combat missions over New Guinea and Borneo and was honoured with the 1939-45 Star, the Pacific star and commendations for bravery. Prior to being discharged from the RAAF on January 18 1946, Len was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer.

After the war he settled in St George where he married Gladys Saunders. He became a gun shearer and fencing contractor and raised a family of six.

As Buddy Thomson sings “He was proud of his country and proud of his name. A hero of Australia, a black man standing proud.”

Len Waters is a true ambassador for his country and his achievements as an Indigenous Australian will never be forgotten.

Stirlings Reserve

Stirling Fritz Blacket is not only the Grandfather of Riversands owner David Blacket, but also a Gallipoli veteran and bushman of the Maranoa.

At the tender age of 19, Stirling enlisted in the Second Light Horse and rode his way into ANZAC legend. Despite being wounded at Gallipoli, he returned as a despatch rider.

He was one of the last to be evacuated on December 19 1915. He recalled “The final group was split into three for the evacuation. A Party left about dark. B Party followed at midnight. I was in C Party. We departed at 3.00 am. There was none more pleased than I when we were out of reach of shell fire. I can well remember clearing the Dardenelles as daylight was breaking!”

Gallipoli was followed by 3 years of Lighthorse desert action in Palestine, Sinai and Gaza. He received the Military Medal for capturing 11 Turks before the charge of Beersheba.

After his discharge Stirling returned to Carpentaria Downs in the Gulf where he had been jackarooing before the war. In 1927 he bought “Tamanick”, a grazing property located between Mitchell and St George. Stirling married Freda Hamilton in 1928, thereafter developing a fine breeding line of Hereford cattle and raising a family of four.

Stirling lived to the grand age of 98 and maintained the best thing he ever did was marry the woman he did! Stirling’s Reserve Red Liqueur Muscat is dedicated to Stirling Blacket’s life.

Edna Jessop

Edna Jessop is without doubt one of the true living legends of the outback. Edna was born to the saddle, the fifth child of drovers Harry and Ruby Zigenbine. At 15, she was droving with her father across the Northern Territory on the Murranji Track.

In 1950 she became Australia’s first female boss drover. Her father became ill on the Murranji Track after taking delivery of 1,550 bullocks from Tom Quilty at Bedford Downs near Halls Creek. He called on Edna to take over. With her brother Andy and four ringers, they moved the mob 2,240 km from Halls Creek across the Barkly Tableland for trucking at Dajarra south of Mt Isa. The buyer was another famous name in RM Williams.

Her epic 2,240km droving odyssey wrote her into the history books and made both domestic and international headlines. In fact, Edna received a flood of marriage proposals from around the world and a specially hand-decorated saddle order from Brisbane! In 1952 Edna married John Jessop, a fellow Australian drover.

Her father said “Edna was the best man I have.” Edna said “Droving was a bloody hard life!” Her boots are testimony to that!

Edna then spent 8 years droving mobs in the Kimberley, Barkly Tableland and Gulf Country with her husband.

After separating from John in 1960, Edna moved to Mt Isa to give her son Jack an education. For the next 30 years, she worked in the saleyards and as the local pound horse keeper. She is now retired in Mt Isa aged 76 but keeps herself busy doing leatherwork in the proud tradition of the drover.

Here’s to you Edna Jessop!

Tom Kruse

Tom Kruse
photo courtesy of
Kruse family

Tom drove his first Marree to Birdsville mail run in 1936. For over 20 years he was the lifeline between the lonely cattle properties and settlements dotted along the rugged Birdsville Track and the outside world. He delivered mail, supplies and fuel including avgas for the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Birdsville.

He battled searing heat, sand dunes, the flooded Cooper Creek & mechanical breakdowns. As a means of survival, his skills as a bush mechanic became legendary. More than once he repaired a bent axle or broken gearbox in the desert.

Once a fortnight, he would load his trusty Leyland Badger and leave his wife Val to run the family business while he tackled the 700 mile round haul from Marree in SA to Birdsville in Qld.

More than once Tom rushed patients to Birdsville to link with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. He drove his last mail run in 1963.

Tom also starred in the movie "The Back of Beyond" which was produced in 1954. It takes a unique look at his mailrun along the Birdsville track.

Tom and his wife now live in Adelaide.