Monday 1 October 2012

Little Beginnings - Big Ends

Looking out from the family home onto Moffatt street Goondiwindi, I remember the scene so well. My father, W.R. (Sonny) Raymond (2nd from right) and my brothers Les (at left) and Ron (at right) were taking delivery of what was then in the early fifties a huge tractor - the Caterpillar D7.



Mr Chas Solomon (2nd from left) had come from Hastings Deering, Brisbane, to carry out the handover. This was  a huge moment in the history of a small town, about to launch into the Earth Moving business.


Article appeared in Brisbane Truth on August 9, 1959.
Courtesy of June Raymond.




Initials of Ron Raymond on the blade.
Children Wesley, Sondra and Jo investigating the workings!

Claim to fame!
Article appeared in Brisbane Truth on August 9, 1959.
Courtesy of June Raymond.





Some more modifications!



On the low-loader and ready to go.



15 comments:

glenda said...



Love the tall guy in suit!!

Aunty Jack said...

That would be Les!

Amanda said...

Hi Aunty Jack. Look like this is going to be an interesting blog.

Glenda said...



More photos soon. Aunty Jack, see you have a new member in a motor bike helmet???

Anonymous said...

Jo says - I drove Dad (WR Ron) home from Toowoomba once and was amazed when about 100ks from Goondiwindi, he began pointing out to me all of the land on the local properties that they had cleared with the dozers, thereby opening up the country to future cultivation. The farming that was enabled allowed many family dynasties to thrive and prosper.

Paul said...

The helmet guy is the 'tall guy in the suit' son (Paul) aka cloud....

Son of the GUN! lol

Glenda said...

Hi Aunty Jack, when we get these photos sorted out, have some great"new" ones for your site.

June said...



Hi Aunty Jack, site has been bit quiet lately, but more photos and more comments after the holidays. I have lots to say about"the good old days". Maybe the boys will know more about the type of timber, and remember some of the properties?

June said...



Have some photos, but still trying to remember, and document property names etc. Aunty Jack.Hope we receive more comments soon.2051

Glenda said...



Hi Aunty Jack, have more photos, still trying to remember property names etc, hope we have more comments soon.

Anonymous said...

hi aunty jackie,,,,i see i have family history,hello to everyone,i always knew there was something about goondiwindi and mums family (gay) .....brooke

Aunty Jack said...

Wonderful to hear from you, Brooke!

It would be great if we could communicate off-line as well - please add a contact to another comment - I shall keep it private and not publish it online - then we can catch up - it would be wonderful!

Glenda said...

So pleased to see that Brooke has found the site, great to see your comment Brooke, more family history. You may have more photos. Aunty Jack will keep me posted. Glenda (June)

June said...

Hi,Aunty Jack, sent some property names recently, you may not have received them. Hard to remember all properties the family worked, clearing land and sinking dams. We have some good photos though, to put up on this site. The dams were on private properties, also the big storage dams in southern queensland. More next time.!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Aunty Jack, Have sent a few names of properties the family worked on, it is hard to remember them all, also now have some good photos to publish, of timber clearing and dam sinking. The dam sinking was on private properties and some of the big storage dams in southern queensland. More soon.JGR