James Henry (Jim) Anderson
Jim Anderson was born in Sale, Victoria, Australia on the 7th of January 1914 and died in Heyfield, Victoria, Australia on the 12th of December 1988.
He attended school at the Denison West Public Hall that was built by farmers in 1911-1912 for "the purpose of education,entertainment and recreation." It was leased to the Education Department for an annual fee of 3 pounds. Jim and many other children rode horses to school, and children as young as three were sent to the school to boost numbers.
Jim left school in year 8 to help his father (Sam Anderson) with farming and later bought his own property nearby on what is now know as Anderson's road, Denison.
On the 17th of October 1942, Jim married Alice Armstrong in St. Paul's Cathedral, Sale. The only attendants at the wedding were Alice's sister (Nellie) and Jim's brother (Harry). They had five children between 1943-1949.
In 1946, the Victorian Government established the Soldier Settlement Commission for the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen from the 1939-1945 war, meaning the Government could take land away from private landholders. Properties owned by Jim and his father were part of the acquisition and the each lost some of their land.
The Government had taken a total of 22 000 acres of land, which they divided up into 200 blocks for the ex-servicemen to have. Jim's brothers Sam and Len had served in Egypt and New Guinea, and were among the first to receive land.
In the early 1950s Jim and his friend sold the land they owned in Heyfield as housing blocks. Post-war migrants from the Baltic countries were arriving, as the immigration policy after the war promoted "populate or perish" as the way forward for Australia. The district needed more housing for the influx of workers to the new sawmills.
As well as being a successful farmer and a competent sportsman, Jim held a high profile in the community for over 50 years. He was an opposed Rosedale Shire councillor for 29 years, five-time Shire President, JP for 38 years and well as a member of many local organisations. In recognition for services to his local government and community, Jim was honoured in the Queen's Birthday awards and received the Member of the order of Australia. The Governor General presented him with the award at Government House on the 9th of August 1977, and he was the first recipient of this award in Gippsland.
Later in life, Jim and Alice founded the Heyfield Bowling Club, using their own and raised funds.
In 1988, Jim was diagnosed with oesophagus cancer. His oncologist told him there was no further treatment possible on Thursday the 8th of December the same year. In an organised manner he finalised his affairs on the Friday, said goodbye to his family over the weekend, took communion on Sunday morning, before he met up with his favourite clergy, organised his funeral, and died on Monday evening. He is buried at Heyfield Cemetery.
He attended school at the Denison West Public Hall that was built by farmers in 1911-1912 for "the purpose of education,entertainment and recreation." It was leased to the Education Department for an annual fee of 3 pounds. Jim and many other children rode horses to school, and children as young as three were sent to the school to boost numbers.
Jim left school in year 8 to help his father (Sam Anderson) with farming and later bought his own property nearby on what is now know as Anderson's road, Denison.
On the 17th of October 1942, Jim married Alice Armstrong in St. Paul's Cathedral, Sale. The only attendants at the wedding were Alice's sister (Nellie) and Jim's brother (Harry). They had five children between 1943-1949.
In 1946, the Victorian Government established the Soldier Settlement Commission for the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen from the 1939-1945 war, meaning the Government could take land away from private landholders. Properties owned by Jim and his father were part of the acquisition and the each lost some of their land.
The Government had taken a total of 22 000 acres of land, which they divided up into 200 blocks for the ex-servicemen to have. Jim's brothers Sam and Len had served in Egypt and New Guinea, and were among the first to receive land.
In the early 1950s Jim and his friend sold the land they owned in Heyfield as housing blocks. Post-war migrants from the Baltic countries were arriving, as the immigration policy after the war promoted "populate or perish" as the way forward for Australia. The district needed more housing for the influx of workers to the new sawmills.
As well as being a successful farmer and a competent sportsman, Jim held a high profile in the community for over 50 years. He was an opposed Rosedale Shire councillor for 29 years, five-time Shire President, JP for 38 years and well as a member of many local organisations. In recognition for services to his local government and community, Jim was honoured in the Queen's Birthday awards and received the Member of the order of Australia. The Governor General presented him with the award at Government House on the 9th of August 1977, and he was the first recipient of this award in Gippsland.
Later in life, Jim and Alice founded the Heyfield Bowling Club, using their own and raised funds.
In 1988, Jim was diagnosed with oesophagus cancer. His oncologist told him there was no further treatment possible on Thursday the 8th of December the same year. In an organised manner he finalised his affairs on the Friday, said goodbye to his family over the weekend, took communion on Sunday morning, before he met up with his favourite clergy, organised his funeral, and died on Monday evening. He is buried at Heyfield Cemetery.