Casterton Connections

"I was lucky to be a child growing up in Casterton in the best era! A simple time where I felt safe, loved and happy." Be transported back in time as spritely 92 year old Betty Collins whose colourful recollections and love of conversation creates an informative and captivating picture of Casterton in times gone by. Youngest of twelve, Mother of four, grandmother of 11 and great grandmother of 31...

"I was lucky to be a child growing up in Casterton in the best era! A simple time where I felt safe, loved and happy." Be transported back in time as spritely 92 year old Betty Collins whose colourful recollections and love of conversation creates an informative and captivating picture of Casterton in times gone by. Youngest of twelve, Mother of four, grandmother of 11 and great grandmother of 31...

John and his wife, Jo moved to a bush block near Casterton once they had graduated from teacher's College. Together they built a mud brick home and established gardens as far as the eye can see, whilst raising 4 sports enthusiastic children and teaching at various schools in the region. John also managed to both play and coach football and cricket teams throughout his life. Now retired John spends...

From Casterton to the sporting arenas of two of the most famous and passionate  “ Magpie “ football clubs; Collingwood and Port Adelaide this humble and gentle giant treasures the adventures of growing up in Casterton. He recalls family, lifelong friendships and with honesty and sincerity states that wherever he roams Casterton is his DNA and he enjoys returning for a ‘dose ‘ of connection and alw...

Anthony Hammel was living with his parents in Ballarat when a bushfire destroyed their home. At the age of 10,  the family moved to Casterton, after a year in Queensland. He attended the Casterton Primary and High School where he formed lifelong friendships. After completing Year 12, he spent time doing seasonal work.  Working in the Shearing Sheds Crutching and Shearing, and in the Grape Vines pr...

Jo Taylor, is an award winning Artist and Teacher. The youngest of three girls, Jo remembers the freedom of her childhood growing up in the Smith family in Casterton. She attended both the local Primary and Secondary schools, enjoying successful academic achievements.   Jo left Casterton to attend Teachers College in Melbournewhich was quite overwhelming at first, but she found ways to cope. After...

Carol McKinnon-Ward's podcast will be live on Spotify and Apple Podcasts next Tuesday 11th March. In this chat with Adam Robertson, Carol McKinnon-Ward talks about growing up in Sandford with her parents and sister. Carol discusses the war years, with many men (including her father) absent from Sandford during that time, the community held fundraising events to support the war, including making ca...

Len enjoyed an idyllic childhood, growing up on the farm at Muntham, doing farm chores, riding around the hills on bikes with his siblings and enjoying the "magic" views. Len's life journey has led him a long way from the hills of Muntham, from his first job at the then Bank of N.S.W. in Casterton, to various places and countries around the world.  Len's passion for travel has created other amazin...

Unlike many of the people previously interviewed for this project, Mark Penny, here interviewed by Kane Forbes, had no prior connection to Casterton. Mark grew up in Melbourne, the son of a pharmacist who taught him about fishing and hunting. Little interested in school, Mark went to work in a fishing tackle shop at 15years. Eventually, he worked as a fishing tour guide leading tours around the wo...

David Scheel is known worldwide as a Comedian, Concert Pianist, and "Instinctive" Composer. He has lived and worked in Europe, U.S.A. South Africa and the Philippines. In London he performed as a Comedian and musician on the Stage, Radio and television, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Peter Cook & Ben Elton. His first one-man shows soon blossomed into a smash hit,  Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only...

A centenarian, Betty Martin has led a remarkable life. Born near the Hawkesbury River she and her brother lived on a farm with her mother. Goods for sale were brought to the farm along the river at high tide. As a teenager, the family moved to Sydney when the farm was part of government preparations in case there was a Japanese invasion. Betty met a man and moved to the Northern Territory, eventua...

Alan Porter has been an important contributor to the Casterton community since 2000, when as a pharmacist he bought the local Pharmacy. In this interview we hear about his path to his Pharmacy career and the dedication he and his wife, Kathy have put into rural community service.  Alan reflects on the changes he has experienced in the Pharmacist role over the years, and the changing role in the ru...

Peter Tait – 10/03/1954 - 29/03/2025. His story lives on. Growing up in the area, Peter Tait rode a horse from the farm to school in Wando Vale. He gained a love of Polocross from his father. He enjoys the sport still, and recommends it as the sport where different generational family members can play on the same team. He played first with his father and has since been a team member with both his...

This remarkable couple are responsible for establishing the Sandford Folk music festival which brings visitors to our region. In this interview with Trish and Gary Williams we hear about his childhood growing up in Sandford and Casterton. The cubs and scouts were important friendship groups for Gary before he joined the Army at 15 years of age. He met Trish as part of dancing classes with the army...

Thomas William Blair – 07/05/1937 - 13/09/2024. His story lives on. Tom recounts his childhood growing up in the pre-war depression years in Casterton. Money was scarce and rabbiting and fishing supplemented the family larder. Childhood illnesses were part of his early years and Tom left school at 14 to work on the bowser at McAllister’s. Eventually he completed a mechanic apprenticeship and after...

Colin George Walsh - 11/02/1934 - 17/11/2025 His story lives on. Growing up in Broken Hill, Colin Walsh enjoyed the benefits of the boom in mining and the sponsorship of, the Canadian owned zinc mining company's, Police Boys Club. At the club he learnt many sports and was given many music opportunities. Colin became an apprentice butcher before joining the army and eventually becoming a bomb dispo...

In this interview with Kane Forbes, AFL star Max Rooke, reflects on his childhoodgrowing up in Casterton, his life with his mum and dad, brother and 2 sisters. Max and his siblings took every opportunity to participate in every sporting opportunity available in Casterton. Max's passion was football and he trained hard and played as a slight teenager in the senior Casterton team before being picked...

Linda Cleary had an idyllic childhood in Casterton, spending time with her sister and brother, filling up the oil bottles at the family run local garage, Kellett's Service Station, and doing all things that kids do in a country town. On leaving school, Linda gained an apprenticeship, then commenced her many years as a hairdresser. Linda met Mick, and they married in 1990. Their family was complete...

In this interview, Monica recounts her childhood growing up a family of 6 children. She attended the Konongwootong north primary school at the time when there was a Konongwootong south as well. Her high school years were spent as a border at a catholic school in Horsham. She returned to live in Coleraine, working in the post office. She met and married Noel and worked on their farm. Monica has tra...

Both Brian and Fran Dawson have memories of the German bombing of England. The couple met in 1957 and have been together for 65 years. Brian, Mick, Smokey Dawson, served in the British army in Germany and Malaysia. Fran finally agreed to migrate to Australia with their 2 children, as"10 pound poms", living in Melbourne before a friendship with Micky Murrell and Ernie Jones led them to move to Cast...

Reg Buckle returned to live in Casterton in the early 90's. In this cracker of an interview with his son, Colin, he reflects on the changes to the town since his birth in a private hospital in McPherson street. He remembers Casterton in the depression years before WWII and before he caught the Ansett bus out of town to join the Air force. He describes a town with 3 banks, bakeries, greengrocers, b...

Billy remembers a simple, idyllic childhood growing up on the Bahgallah farm with his Mum and Dad and two sisters. Billy did not enjoy the sporting life of his childhood peers.  One day he found a string less guitar in the old milking shed and playing guitar became his passion. Billy reflects on the supports he found to pursue his passion locally, and later when he moved to live and work in Warrna...