LINDSAY HARRIS - Moort (My family) - (ACQUIRED BY THE CITY OF STIRLING COLLECTION)

My grandparents had ten children including my mother Vera and raised them in Kwolyin in the Wheatbelt.

Kwolyin, was a small town, having a general store, hotel, a Catholic church, school, hall, four houses and a few camps.

The only wajelas, (white fellas) who lived the town were the store owner and family, the hotel manager and his family, and the school teacher.

My uncles and aunties were employed in and around the town. The men worked on farms labouring, shearing and carting wheat. The women worked in the shop and hotel doing domestic duties. All would represent the town competing in sporting activities.

Eventually, all would get married and leave Kwolyin.

The only remaining building which still exists today is the church. Most of the buildings have been destroyed by fire. The trains that went through the town carting wheat, stock for the shop and hotel and also passengers no longer exist.

Kwolyin now has a small plot of land which recognizes Moort (my family), relations who have died and been cremated and wish to have their ashes scattered over the rock and surroundings. A plaque is left at the grave site.

My auntie Ruby, when she married in the 1960s went and lived in Tasmania and had seven children. Before she died she insisted her ashes be returned to Kwoyin and be scattered on the nearby granite rock. A great celebration was had by all that day.