Reg Hailstone

Reginald John Hailstone (1901–1963) was an Australian grazier and civic leader in the Lachlan Valley area of New South Wales.

Reginald John Hailstone
Reginald John Hailstone, OBE
Born1 November 1901
Woodstock, New South Wales, Australia
Died19 February 1963
Manly, New South Wales, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Known forGrazier, civic leader
Board member ofPresident of Pastures Protection Board

Background

Reginald John Hailstone was born at Woodstock on 1 November 1901, eldest son of Isaac Hailstone and his wife, Julia Finn. He was educated at home by his mother under a big peppercorn tree, which still stands at Green Gully, Mount McDonald.[1] Hailstone's parents were pioneers in the area, settling in the Woodstock district in the 1890s.

Civic positions and achievements

Reg Hailstone was president of the Pastures Protection Board; a councilor and president of the Waugoola Shire Council; Chairman of the Wyangala National Park Trust; and actively involved in the Lachlan Valley Development League, as the representative of the Waugoola Shire Council.[2] He was also a member of the Central Tablelands County and the Blayney Land Board.[3]

Hailstone was very enthusiastic about the development of the Lachlan Valley, contending that the area had "unlimited possibilities, as a producer of food stuffs". He also saw great potential in elevating Wyangala 'National Park' (now Wyangala Waters State Park) to be an important tourist destination for the region.[4] Hailstone was instrumental in getting the government to form the Wyangala National Park Trust, which focused on the development and beautification of the area.[5][6] Amongst his many civic achievements, Hailstone facilitated progress and development in the Lachlan Valley, bringing together opposing sides of politics for the benefit of the region.[7]

Politics

Reg Hailstone was the nominated Country Party candidate for the 1953 New South Wales state election, electorate of Young. He was trying to unseat incumbent Labor Party member, Fred Cahill. Hailstone was the underdog in the election, being relatively unknown in the area at the time.[8]

Hailstone was defeated by Cahill by 2,716 votes, with Cahill receiving 10,802 votes versus 8,086 votes for Hailstone.[9] This was his only foray into State politics.

Death

Reg Hailstone collapsed and died after going swimming at Manly in 1963.[1]

The road between Wyangala and Woodstock was named "Reg Hailstone Way" in his honour.

References
  1. Cowra Family History Group (2009). They Shaped a Town Called Cowra. Vol. 1. Cowra, N.S.W.: Cowra Family History Group.
  2. "Labor Cannot Rule". Boorowa News (NSW: 1951 – 1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 6 February 1953. p. 6. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  3. "Country Party Candidate for Young Elect". Boorowa News (NSW: 1951–1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 16 January 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  4. "Wyangala Dam as Tourist Resort". Cootamundra Daily Herald (NSW: 1946–1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 2 November 1948. p. 4. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  5. "Reg Hailstone At Wyangala Dam". Boorowa News (NSW: 1951–1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 6 February 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  6. "Wyangala National Part". Cootamundra Herald (NSW : 1877 – 1957). NSW: National Library of Australia. 8 November 1951. p. 2. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  7. "Democracy at its Best". Boorowa News (NSW: 1951–1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 25 June 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  8. "Reg. Hailstone Must Not Be Underestimated, Says Fred Cahill At Young". Boorowa News (NSW: 1951–1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 23 January 1953. p. 2. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  9. "An Excellent Member — Reg Hailstone". Boorowa News (NSW: 1951–1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 6 March 1953. p. 4. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
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