Jandowae Centenarian
Celebrated Birthday This Month
JANDOWAE - Monday
On the 9th
August, 1941, Jandowae joined the ranks of the comparatively few Queensland towns
able to number a centenarian amongst its residents.
On that date Mr. James McNamara attained the age of 100 years.
Mr. McNamara who has resided in Jandowae for over 55 years, was born in Pitt Street, Sydney, on August 9th 1841, and was amongst those who saw the first sod turned for the first railway line to be laid in Sydney.
He came to Queensland at the age of ten years and his first place of employment was Burrandowan station in the South Burnett district, after which he took up a position as sheep overseer on Auburn station.
Leaving this property he spent some years wandering over Queensland, during which time he often came into contact with tribes of savage blacks.
Tiring of this life he bought a property at Jandowae where he lived until his wife died about six years ago at the age of 88 years, since when he has resided with his son, Mr. J. J. McNamara.
Riding High
In 1940 at the age of 99 years, the still
sprightly old man wanted to buy a bicycle to get around Jandowae.
The local shopkeeper politely refused believing
the bike saddle was far more dangerous than the horse saddle for the one time hurdles
jockey.
The storekeeper, however, did manage to sell him
a new pair of riding boots.
100 Years of Age
Mr. McNamara has been a great horseman and up till a few years ago was often seen on horseback in the township.
In his young days he rode hurdlers when hurdling races was a popular sport in Queensland. He rode at Nanango in the first hurdle race held there.
Amongst Mr. McNamara's reminiscences is his trip from Kingaroy to Brisbane with a mob of brumbies over 70 years ago, before Brisbane had been surveyed.
He was also a very proficient shearer, and as a "ringer" he could shear 100 sheep a day with hand shears at the age of 16 years.
Except for deafness the aged gentleman is in full possession of his faculties and has a remarkable memory. He reads his newspaper, and corresponds with absent members of his family, his handwriting being wonderfully steady in spite of his great age.
Mr. McNamara's family consisted of 11 children of whom eight are living. They are Messers F., J. J., and J. McNamara (Jandowae), W. McNamara (Redcliffe), C. McNamara (Kingaroy), E. McNamara (Strathgyle, Bell), Mesdames Cherry (Jarail Creek) and G. Fontaine (Maxwelton).
There are 24 grandchildren and 12 great grand-children.
The old gentleman can often be seen walking the half mile to the post office from his home.
(Dalby Herald , August 1941)