The wheels are rolling on an exciting restoration project at the Wee Waa Men’s Shed, with members working hard to bring a pole sulky back to life.
Destined for the rubbish tip, a group of enthusiastic Men’s Shed members swooped in to save the sulky manufactured in America in the 1800s and imported to Australia by the late Dr Park of Narrabri.
“We thought it was something old, with a bit of history, that shouldn’t just be chucked out,” said Men’s Shed member Bruce Gray.
“I’m just a history person, and I thought it was important we keep it – we throw out too much stuff.
The lightweight horse-drawn carts single seat and can be pulled by two horses that are harnessed to a pole.
The pole connects to a crossbar that attaches to the horse collars, and the driver sits on the seat and controls the horses with reins. It’s understood the type of pole sulkies were rare in Australia but more common in America.
“We thought it was unique because it was a single or two horse,” said Mr Gray.
‘Before photo’ of the pole sulky, prior to the Men’s Shed members starting the restoration project.
Like most good restoration projects – it was sparked by the threat of the sulky potentially ending up at the tip.
Gathering dust and desperate for a facelift, members made it their mission to make the W.S. Frazer & Co product a piece of treasure rather than trash.
Mr Gray and some of his fellow Men’s Shed members chipped in to buy the sulky from Wee Waa resident Col Stone, who had been storing it at the Namoi Echo Museum.
The magnificent makeover is now well underway, and the painting of it a ‘signal red’ has added a fresh new shine and look. As to the story behind the sulky, Men’s Shed members are still piecing it together.
However, some history notes left by the late Bruce Waldron of ‘Pendennis’ Wee Waa, state it was manufactured in the 1800s by W.S. Frazer & Co and included’ 50-inch wheels, luggage rack, poles and shafts’.
The notes state Dr Park of Narrabri imported the sulky from the USA in the late 1800s, and he used it to visit patients.
“There’s a story we’ve heard that it was once used in an emergency to get from Narrabri to Walgett, but we’re not sure,” added Men’s Shed member Robert Kahl.
“We think it was owned by Dr Park from 1899 to 1940.”
Mr Waldron’s notes state the late Sid Thompson (of ‘Pendennis’ Wee Waa) purchased the sulky from Dr Park in the early 1900s, using it for stock inspections and long journeys.
In 1974, it’s understood Miss (Effie) Thompson, Sid’s daughter, sold it to Bruce Cameron and in later years it was sold to Col Stone.
A popular and regular attendee at the Men’s Shed meetings for many years, Mr Waldron turned his hand to help restore, repair, build and complete a variety of successful projects.
“It’s good to be doing it for Bruce, to remember him,” added Mr Gray.
Mr Kahl also acknowledged the Narrabri Men’s Shed members who have joined forces with the Wee Waa team by helping to reupholster the sulky’s seat.
The late Dr Park was well-known in the Narrabri district, and the book ‘Narrabri: A Century Remembered’ by Robyn Dampney and John Brooks refers to Dr AJ Park as a ‘much-loved medical practitioner who served the district for almost half a century’.
The Courier will feature a further report when the restoration project is complete with more details about the sulky’s history and owner Dr Park.
If you have any information about the sulky to share, please email:
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‘Before photo’ of the pole sulky, prior to the Men’s Shed members starting the restoration project.
