Gordon Burnside RAFFAN
Born 9 January 1906 in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia [16]
Son of John RAFFAN and Janet Allison TELFER [P74]
Along with his mother and brother George shifted to join their father on his Ready-Made Farm in Winchester in 1916 [P74]
Resided with his parents on Inchgower Farm in Winchester, between Carnamah and Coorow [P74]
He became a member of The Sunday Times newspaper's "Our Boys Pig Club" in July 1917 [81: 22-Jul-1917]
A sow (female pig) bred by Charles J. HALLIGAN of New Norcia was awarded to him in April 1919 [81: 4-May-1919]
He sent his sow down to J. HANCOCK of Bullsbrook for service in July 1920 [81: 18-Jul-1920]
He was praised for taking good care of his pig and reported the arrival of a small litter of piglets in November 1920 [81: 21-Nov-1920]
Boarding Student at Saint Idephonsus College in New Norcia from 17 February 1919 until December 1919 [187]
Farmed with his father and then following his father's death farmed Inchgower Farm in partnership with his brother George [P74]
Married "Nell" Ellen Maud NORTHEY on Saturday 12 August 1933 in Perth [5: 11-Aug-1933]
Member of the Carnamah Football Club in 1925 [9: 29-May-1925]
Won the "Pillow Fight" and "Tilting at the Ring" at the Carnamah Agricultural Show on Thursday 30 September 1926 [9: 15-Oct-1926]
Attended the wedding of Kathleen HÄUSSLER and Harry ZUEGG of Winchester in Carnamah on 7 February 1928 [4: 11-Feb-1928]
Attended the Wedding Dance of Charles ROBERTSON and Winifred M. LANG on 27 March 1928 at the Carnamah Hall [4: 31-Mar-1928]
Member of the Winchester Sports Ground Committee in 1928 [4: 1-Sep-1928]
Attended the wedding dance for Alexander J. F. BROWN and Clara V. BERRIGAN in Carnamah on 28 August 1928 [4: 8-Sep-1928]
He was among the 400 people who attended the Matrons and Benedicts Ball held in Three Springs on 31 August 1928 [4: 8-Sep-1928]
Attended the Show Ball following the Three Springs Agricultural Society's First Annual Show on 20 September 1928 [4: 29-Sep-1928]
Member of the Coorow Football Club 1929-1937 - was Vice Captain in 1936 and Captain in 1937 [4: 6-Jul-1929] [5: 2-Oct-1936, 14-May-1937]
Delegate for Coorow at meetings of the North Midlands Football Association in 1936 and 1937 [5: 17-Jul-1936, 9-Apr-1937]
Attended the Plain and Fancy Dress Ball held at the Carnamah Town Hall on Thursday 8 August 1929 [4: 17-Aug-1929]
Attended the Euchre Party and Dances held in Winchester in August and September 1929 [4: 17-Aug-1929, 7 & 21-Sep-1929]
Attended the Grand Ball following the Carnamah Show and opening of Centenary Park on 19 September 1929 [4: 28-Sep-1929]
Saw in the new year of 1930 with the singing of Auld Lang Syne at the Church of England's Dance at the Carnamah Hall [86: 4-Jan-1930]
Attended the Ball in Carnamah in aid of the local Roman Catholic Church's building fund on Thursday 24 May 1930 [4: 31-May-1930]
Attended the baptism reception for Kelva M. BADRCK at 18 Boojerabba Street, Carnamah on Sunday 28 September 1930 [4: 4-Oct-1930]
Competed in the Horses in Action and Horse Events sections of the inaugural Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show in 1932 [5: 16-Sep-1932]
Won the Horse Over Hurdles and for Melon Race events; came 2nd in the Lady's Hack and Gent's Hack [5: 16-Sep-1932]
Also won the Flag Race and came 2nd in the High Jump in the Horse Events at the Three Springs Show in 1932 [5: 30-Sep-1932]
Attended the social evening tendered to Nell NORTHEY at the Winchester School on Saturday 29 June 1933 [5: 7-Jul-1933]
Attended the Valedictory Dinner tendered to Alexander B. GLOSTER at the Coorow Hotel on Monday 3 July 1933 [5: 7-Jul-1933]
Stormed the Horse Events at the Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show on Thursday 7 September 1933 [5: 15-Sep-1933]
Came 1st for Gent's Hack, Horse over Hurdles, Apple & Bucket Race, Melon Race, Coat Hat & Cigarette Race, [5]
Egg and Spoon Race and in the Farmer's Trot (medium draught horse); in addition to coming 2nd in the Donkey Race [5]
Attended the Carnamah Church of England's New Year Ball held at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 30 December 1933 [5: 5-Jan-1934]
Attended the Carnamah Tennis Club's Flannel Dance held at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 3 February 1934 [5: 9-Feb-1934]
Attended the Dance conducted by the Carnamah Toc H at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 24 February 1934 [5: 2-Mar-1934]
On the evening of Thursday 15 March 1934 attended the Carnamah Race Club's Annual Dance at the Carnamah Hall [5: 16-Mar-1934]
Attended the Carnamah Golf Club's Opening Season Dance at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 21 April 1934 [5: 27-Apr-1934]
On Saturday 12 May 1934 attended the Carnamah Football Club's Grand Opening Ball at the Carnamah Hall [5: 18-May-1934]
Attended the Repertory Social, of plays, community singing and dancing, held in Carnamah on 15 August 1934 [5: 17-Aug-1934]
Sent a wreath for the grave of Christina B. D. FORRESTER of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 31 August 1934 [4: 8-Sep-1934]
Competed in the Ring Events at the Carnamah Agricultural Show at Centenary Park, Carnamah on 6 September 1934 [5: 14-Sep-1934]
Won the Trotting Horse, Flag Race, Tilting at the Ring; and 2nd for Gent's Hack, Musical Chairs and Tug of War on Horseback [5]
Received both 1st and 2nd for Gent's Hunter, which were praised by the judge as they went over the hurdles exceptionally well [5]
Foundation Secretary of the Winchester Cricket Club in 1934-35 and 1935-36 [5: 24-Aug-1934, 20-Sep-1935]
Member of the Winchester Cricket Club until at least 1937-38 [5: 30-Oct-1936, 24-Dec-1937]
The North Midlands Times reported that he was confined to his bed with a ricked back during early April 1935 [5: 12-Apr-1935]
Foundation Treasurer of the Winchester Parents & Citizens Association in 1935[5: 10-May-1935]
Advertised in late August 1935 that he had two horses, a two year old hack and a nine year old hack, for sale [5: 30-Aug-1935]
Very successfully competed in the Horses in Action section of the Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show on 5 September 1935 [5]
Awarded 1st and 2nd prizes for Gent's Hack and Gent's Hunter; and 1st prizes for Lady's Hunter, High Jump and Flag Race [5]
Also received 2nd prizes for and Tilting at the Ring (1st was won by his brother George) and Best Pony 14.3 or under [5: 13-Sep-1935]
Awarded the Hugo Fischer Ltd Trophy for the Ring Events section of the Carnamah Agricultural Show on 12 September 1935 [5]
Received 1st prizes for 12 stone Gent's Hack, Lady's Hunter, Musical Chairs, and Tilting at the Ring [5: 20-Sep-1935]
Won both 1st and 2nd prizes for Gent's Local Hunter and Open Hunter; and 2nd prizes for Trotting Horse and Relay Race [5]
Returned to Winchester in early October 1934 after being a patient at the North Midlands District Hospital in Three Springs [5: 4-Oct-1935]
Won the Kicking Football competition at the Coorow-Waddy Sports & Dance in Coorow on Saturday 9 November 1935 [5: 15-Nov-1935]
Attended the funeral of Miss "May" Mary L. LANG of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 26 November 1935 [5: 29-Nov-1935]
Member of a deputation that met with the Carnamah District Road Board on Wednesday afternoon 22 January 1936 [5: 24-Jan-1936]
Himself and five other Winchester farmers met with the Board to discuss the inadequacy of the facilities at the Winchester Well [5]
He reported that he didn't use the well but there were many who needed the water who often had fruitless trips to the well [5]
The Board wouldn't put an engine at the well, but did agree to install a trough and put the pump, buckets and windlass in order [5]
Attended the funeral of Carnamah agent William B. SHERIDAN at the Winchester Cemetery on 27 January 1936 [5: 31-Jan-1936]
After spending a holiday in Mandurah proceeded to Perth in time for Country Week Cricket in February 1936 [5: 7-Feb-1936]
Played for the Carnamah District Cricket Association at Country Week Cricket in Perth during February 1936 [5: 14-Feb-1936]
Played for the defeated "The Rest" in a cricket match against Carnamah in Coorow on Sunday 22 March 1936 [5: 27-Mar-1936]
Vice President of the Carnamah Athletic Club in 1936 [5: 19-Jun-1936]
Attended the Farewell Social for George & Ester MULLIGAN at Marathon Farm in Winchester on Thursday 25 June 1936 [5: 3-Jul-1936]
Became a member of the Carnamah Masonic Lodge No.150 WAC on 10 July 1936 [96]
Played in the Carnamah Masonic Lodge's Inaugural Annual Golf Meeting in Carnamah on Saturday 1 August 1936 [5: 7-Aug-1936]
Financial Member of the Coorow-Waddy Forest Districts Agricultural Society 1936-1946 [150]
He "again annexed the majority of prizes" in the Horses in Action section of the Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show in 1936 [5]
Awarded both 1st and 2nd prizes for Lady's Hunter, Gent's Hunter and High Jump [5]
Won 1st for 12-stone Gent's Hack, Flag Race and Swerving Race; and 2nd for Lady's Hack, Blood Mare and Melon Race [5]
As the most successful exhibitor in the Ring Events / Horsed in Action section he won the I. B. Roberts Trophy [5: 4 & 11-Sep-1936]
He also annexed the majority of prizes in the Ring Events at the Carnamah Agricultural Show on Thursday 10 September 1936 [5]
Won 1st prizes for Trotting Horse, 12-stone Gent's Hack, Maiden Hunter, Flag Race, Tilting at Ring and Swerving Race [5]
Awarded both 1st and 2nd prizes for Open Hunter and Lady's Hunter; and 2nd prize for 10-stone Gent's Hack [5: 11 & 18-Sep-1936]
Gave a congratulatory speech at the Carnamah Football Club's Presentation Ball in Carnamah on 26 September 1936 [5: 2-Oct-1936]
After a very sultry day a severe storm struck his farm in Winchester at about 10 p.m. on Wednesday 17 February 1937 [5: 19-Feb-1937]
The strong wind blew an empty wagon along the ground until it hit a hay stack, and blew a tank over an eight foot tall fence [5]
Motored to Perth with his wife's brother-in-law W. George MULLIGAN of Carnamah on Wednesday 25 August 1937 [5: 27-Aug-1937]
After receiving medical attention in Perth he returned to Winchester on Friday 27 August 1937 [5: 3-Sep-1937]
Financial Member of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society 1937-1948 and in 1958 [13]
Committee Member of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society 1937-1941 [5: 22-Jan-1937] [13]
Steward in Charge of the Poultry section of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society's Annual Shows from 1938 to 1941 [13]
Steward of the Wool section at the Carnamah District Agricultural Society's Victory Show on 13 September 1945 [13]
Won 1sts for Tilting at Ring and Open Hunter and 2nd for Trotting Horse at the Carnamah Agricultural Show in 1937
At 6:45 a.m. on 17 August 1938 was shifting sheep across the railway line and The Midlands Road in Winchester [88]
Not seeing the sheep a motor car travelling along the road collided with them, killing five sheep [88]
Fire Control Deputy of the Winchester Fire Control Committee in 1939 [0: image 03880]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Winchester farmer William John PETHICK on 21 March 1941 at the Winchester Cemetery [0]
During the Second World War ran Inchgower on his own whilst his brother George was in the Army [P74]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Mrs A. J. Louise GERSCH of Carnamah and the Three Springs Cemetery on 24 March 1946 [5: 29-Mar-1946]
During the years 1946 to 1964 was initially telephone number Winchester-4U and then number Winchester-4 [60]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Winchester farmer Thomas LAWSON on 26 August 1947 at the Winchester Cemetery [0]
Also a pallbearer at the funeral of Winchester farmer Charles Brazier BURN on 21 September 1947 at the Winchester Cemetery [0]
Continued farming Inchgower in partnership with George until 1949 when George obtained land in Coorow [P74]
Member of the Winchester-Coorow Cricket Club in 1940 [4: 9-Mar-1940]
Financial Member of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society 1941-1948 [13]
Sergeant in the local Volunteer Defence Corps during the Second World War [16]
Member of the Winchester Cricket Club 1949-1957 [0: images 04519 & 04767] [4: 5-Apr-1957]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Coorow farmer Frederick John KAU at the Winchester Cemetery on 27 March 1950 [4]
Served on the Carnamah School Board in 1954 [0: image 04735]
Member of the Winchester Progress Association - was President in 1954 and 1955[0: image 04786]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Mrs Ada Rose HAIG on 27 September 1955 at the Winchester Cemetery [4]
Member of the Coorow Golf Club in 1958 [4: 11-Jul-1958]
Served on the Board of the North Midlands District Hospital in Three Springs 1962-1965 [109]
In 1964 retired to the Perth suburb of Woodlands - the farm being taken over by son John [P74]
Returned to Inchgower often to help during busy times [P74]
Resided at 64 Woodlands Street in the Perth suburb of Woodlands 1964-1983 [P74] [1]
Father of Helene, Joan and John [P74]
Died 19 December 1983 at 64 Woodlands Street, Woodlands; ashes interred Winchester Cemetery, Carnamah (Niche Wall) [1]
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Gordon Burnside Raffan' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 26 December 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/gordon-burnside-raffan [reference list] |
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