Section 1
Land and Gold
Copyright, Foreword and
To Those Who Blazed the Track
BY ANN MCEVOY
Copyright © Ann McEvoy 2003
Ann McEvoy
2a Wescap Rise
Merriwa W.A.
Email: mcevoy@aceonline.com.au
ISBN: 0-646-42862-4
Printed by OPTIMA DIGITAL PRINT
Foreword
This is a collection of official records, family anecdotes and photographs of Alexander ( Sandy) and Euphemia Beaton and their descendants.
I have loved all aspects of this family research, particularly the meeting of so many kind, sharing members of ‘Our Family’.
Everyone has been interested in knowing the true story of our family’s origins. As the old records and photographs are spread amongst the huge number of family members, this is an opportunity to collate and share those treasures amongst us all.
Records, contributions, information and photographs have surfaced from family and other sources throughout Australia and Scotland.
With this information we can only wonder anew at the drive, courage and fortitude of Sandy who arrived in this country with very little but his ambition to better himself and in turn provide for his family.
Our list of questions we would now ask all our departed relatives has grown even longer.
To all who have loaned photographs, records and shared their memories, I hope you will recognise your contributions and appreciate their use in the relative chapters.
This family record would not have been completed without your interest, generosity, help and assistance.
Please accept my personal acknowledgment and sincere thanks.
Ann McEvoy
To Those Who Blazed the Track.
Passing on the highway are the men who blazed the track
And grappled with nature, grim and hard as hell.
They fought the big fight fairly, no thought of turning back,
And played the big game with God – and man as well.
They blazed the trail, both near and far,
Through dangers thick and rife
Till they reached the end of earth’s last bar
In a straight-out battler’s life.
Their mark is left in the well-cleared land,
In the glare of the city’s light.
In the endless track of the far outback,
Where they tested Nature’s might.
Some there are who reached their goal
And some who seemed accurst
They carried their packs on aching backs,
Through flood and fire and thirst.
But every man on the Highway
Has put his mark on the slate.
Though bent and grey and withered
He has helped to make the State.
Let us keep them off the By-way,
Try to keep the memory green
Of those who rest in the Golden West
In the graves that few have seen,
They gave their best to help the rest,
Who later followed on.
So the best to those still battling,
And peace to those who’ve gone.
SEDGE MOORE, Nannup.
Written by James Beaton
Printed in the Western Mail,
‘Highways and Byways’ Column,
4th November, 1937.