Watty's property was at Salisbury. It was there that he conducted cereal experimental plots in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture. This continued for 34 years. The experiments provided valuable information on many factors connected with wheat growing and contributed greatly to raising wheat growing methods in the Wimmera to their present high level. In 1947 the A. & P. Society presented Watty with an illuminated address in recognition of the great services rendered to the community in general and Wimmera wheat growers in particular. He was a shire councillor for 19 years and held office in many local activites.
At the age of 21 years, Amanda married Henry Walsgott of Mt. Gambier. At the conclusion of the ceremony, which was conducted by the Reverend C.H.Hammer in the decorated grain store at the residence of the bride's parents, two hundred guests partook of the wedding breakfast served in a large marquee. The couple settled on land at Compton near Mt. Gambier and engaged in general farming and dairying. In the 1920's, they were the first dairy farmers to import pure-bred Fresian cattle to the district. They obtained these from Alf Dahlenburg, Amanda's brother who was a dairy breeder in New Zealand. Amanda died six days before her 88th birthday. Her only son, Alwyn Gordon had died seven years previously. The farm is still being carried on by Amanda's daughter - in - law and grandson
Alf was born at " Oakdene", Winiam East, and was educated at the state school there until 12 years of age. He worked on his father's farm for the next 13 years and during that time visited his Uncle Herman and family in New Zealand. After his marriage in 1911, the couple settled on their first dairy farm at Thornbury, Southland, New Zealand, near Uncle Herman's property. Ten years later they returned to Winiam East bringing with them their three children and their best pure-bred Fresians, a new breed in the Wimmera at that time. Alf was a school correspondent and church steward at the Winiam East Methodist Church. He was a successful exhibitor of horses and dairy cattle at the Nhill and Wimmera shows and won first prize for a two year old filly at the Melbourne Centenary Show. He served later on the Committee as President of the Nhill A. & P. Society for many years and was a founder of the Nhill Horse Parades and Foal Shows. In 1936 Alf was nominated to the Council of the Royal Melbourne Agricultural Society and represented the Clydesdale Breeders on the Council. He became Chief Steward and was active on the Horse and Arena Committees. He was made a Life Councillor of the R.A.S. and attended every Melbourne Show for 36 years. He relinquished farming in 1942 and settled in Nhill where he became a partner in a stock and station agency. He retained his interest in all facets of agriculture, judged stock at many shows and at the Victorian Ploughing Competitions. He served on the Committee as President of the Nhill Hospital and was an original committee-man of the Nhill Lake Development Scheme. He was elected President of the Draught Horse Memorial Committee. A fine bronze statue of a draught horse stands in Nhill as a reminder of the important part the horse played in the development of Australia. Alf loved the land and continued his interest in all aspects of farming and in community affairs until his death in 1973.
47. Olga Matilda Rosalie Dahlenburg
Olga married at 'Oakdene' the home of her parents. Boisterous weather blew the marque down and at the last moment the wedding breakfast was held in one of her father's large sheds. Olga and her husband Ott Siemering farmed at Propodullah until 1925 when they retired to Ballarat. Three years later Olga died at the age of 40 years. She was survived by her husband and one daughter, Dulcie.
48. Victor Percival Dahlenburg
Victor farmed in the Winiam district until 1927. In March of that year a valedictory social was held in the Winiam Church for Victor, his wife Meta, and three children, Joyce, Maisie and Ken, prior to their departure to New South Wales, where they made their home at Killara, Culcairn. Victor loved life and was a successful Clydesdale horse breeder and notable judge. He imported horses from Scotland and bred may beautiful animals. With these horses he won many medals and ribbons at Country royal shows. He died at the age of 39 years.
After his marriage in 1922, Arthur and his wife, Lilia, spent their lives on the farm 'Morella' at Winiam East. He was a successful farmer and a lover of horses. He imported very fine Clydesdale stud stock from Scotland, was a successful horse breeder and won many trophies and ribbons at country shows. His son is now continuing on the farm. Art died at Winiam East aged 72 years.
In 1923, Ruby the youngest member of H.E.'s family, married Phafton Bussau and lived in Melbourne with her husband who was a telegraphist. Two years later they returned to Nhill, bought a house and a newsagency in Victoria Street, and remained in business for 5 years. Ruby enjoys good health and still cares for herself in her home in Nhill and regularly visits her only son, Max, who is a patient in the Nhill Hospital. Her husband died in 1973.