Lyn Brandon is the last O'keeffe to be born at Kiltankin Stud, O'keeffes Lane in 1953.

Her grandfather Denis O'keeffe migrated from Ireland at age 14 and settled in Broughton village, arriving around 1879. He married Martha Timbs, the daughter of pioneer Samuel Timbs. Together they had 8 children. They lived in an existing hut on the property when they purchased 3 blocks of land in Jaspers Brush in 1913. Then built a larger home named Kiltankin, which still stands today at the end of O'keeffes Lane, Jaspers Brush. Named after a village Denis migrated from in Ireland. O'keeffes were great breeders of the Illawarra Shorthorn, sharing knowledge & know doubt genetics with the Walsh twins Tom & Ted who are credited with developing the breed.

Lyn's father Patrick ran Kiltankin when his father Denis passed in 1930s. Patrick continued in the development of the Kiltankin stud and running the dairy. He judged dairy cows at agricultural shows all over Australia and entered his bulls and cows across the south coast and at Sydney Royal. He was president of the Berry Agricultural Society during the 1950's twice!

Lyn's recording reflects and personalises their lives and the whole of the O'keeffe clan in O'keeffes Lane. Lyn's son Mathew has continue to breed under the name Kiltankin.

Tune in to the complete recording where I address the true origin of the name Jasper's Brush.

Season 2 : Sponsored by Ian Zandstra from Pyree. A leader in dairying in the Shoalhaven.

Website: theresesweeney.com.au

Henry and Mary Ann Ison migrated to Australia in 1848 and arrived to Coolangatta Estate in March 1849. Henry worked at the estate, in fact his son Robert was born there in 1854. he then moved to a property at Saltwater Creek opposite Bundanon. Henry died in 1887 and his wife in 1905, she was living at Meroo.

Their son Robert, youngest of 9 and gold mined for a bit before farming. He married Alicena Rebecca Hollands in Nowra in 1883. She passed away suddently and he remarried to Catherine Justin in 1893. He fathered 8 children. One of whom was Arthur Charles Stanley Ison, known as Stan and grandfather to the current descendants from Jaspers Brush.

Stan was born in 1891, married Margaret Pheobe Scott in Kiama in 1923. They moved to Jaspers Brush and began farming. They had 4 children, the youngest Ray Ison born 1929 farmed with his father at Jaspers Brush. Inheriting the land after his passing. They had land on both sides of the hwy.

Ray married Valerie Gall, a Berry lass and only child to George Gall and Olive McIntyre. George ran the mechanic shop next door to Berry Bowling Club. Together thewy had 8 children, 7 girls 1 boy. Karen Ison b 1957 reflects on life, farming and her ancestors in this recording.

Season 2 : Sponsored by Ian Zandstra from Pyree. A leader in dairying in the Shoalhaven.

Website: theresesweeney.com.au

Henry Fahl eventually purchased land inJaspers Brush in 1941 after share farming along the river. His family on his paternal side arrived in Australia from Prussia in the mid 1850s. Henry married Charlotte Stuchbury a 4th generation Shoalhaven lass in Nowra in 1935. Henry was born into great privilege & had his own servant as a child but his heart was in dairying and after studying at Hawkesbury Ag. he ventured south to the Shoalhaven district. His family found it difficult to accept such a 'low brow' career. He was highly skilled in his work. Henry as a young boy lived at Collaroy then the family moved to Roseville.

In 1989 Henry passed and his son David inherited the farm. David was similar to his father in abilities and he and Don Barham his neighbour often worked together and shared equipment. The Fahls continued to purchase more land in their surrounds and increase their Friesan dairy herd. David passed away in recent years and is survived by his wife Margaret who still lives in their home and her sons Terry and Jeff also live on land in Jaspers Brush Rd. There is a younger son Mark.

Terry describes the railway side of Jaspers Brush, the swamp, floods, vegetation, cows and drainage. It all makes for interesting listening. Tune in!

Season 2 : Sponsored by Ian Zandstra from Pyree. A leader in dairying in the Shoalhaven.

Therese Sweeney introduces 3 prominent pioneers from Croziers Rd, The Croziers,Faulks and Host families & their migration trail to Jaspers Brush. A childrens author and distant relation to the Host family is also honoured & Therese reads excerpts from her childrens book, Trouble at Turkey Brush (based on Jaspers Brush).

Episode 4 features Colin Host, 80 years of age who is a 5th generation descendant of pioneer Johann Host who grew a successful vineyard & orchards at Broughton Mill Creek in 1862. His son Louis Host went on to farm at Falls Creek for many years then purchased 2 land parcels in Jaspers brush in 1896 & 1900 on what is today Croziers Rd. The property was named, Bellview. Colin's son inherited the property from his grandfather Ken. The family recently sold the acreage in 2025.

Colins wife Lyn and their son Brian also participate in the recording.

Great, Great Grandfather James Barham migrated to the Shoalhaven region in 1829 from Suffolk England. He was a labourer, farmer and timber cutter. Settling in Tomerong with his wife Charlotte Watson. They married in 1843 in a Church of England, Phillip St. Sydney. He bought his first land parcel in Tomerong 1855.

A further two generations were to be born and raised in Tomerong until James,Jenny's grandfather moved to land, purchased at Jaspers Brush. He married Ivy Knapp, from a great cattle breeding family Bolong.

This interview features Jenny Pastor (nee: Barham) daughter of Donald and Una Barham (nee: Ison), the 5th generation Barham twho gre and farmed land in the region. Today, Jenny lives in her grandfathers cottage known as Northcote on 9 acres of the original 80 acres purchased many years ago from the Oke brothers.

# Some of the local indigenous children that attended Jaspers Brush Primary School from time to time were:

The Cruse & Mundy children..

Website: theresesweeney.com.au

Season 2 : Sponsored by Ian Zandstra from Pyree. A leader in dairying in the Shoalhaven.

Photograph: Ray Strong 'Glenbrae' Jaspers Brush by Therese Sweeney.

Introduction: Glenbrae home to 6 generations of Strongs who lived on Strongs Rd.

Ray Strong is the grandson of William & Eliza Jane Strong (nee:Boyd).

Rays grandfather William arrived on the Ocean Empress in 1864 with his cousin Alexander-both were 15. They had grown up together in a densely packed house on Loughros Point, County Donegal Northern Ireland. They then steamed down the South Coast to Broughton Creek Wharf. 40 members, from 6 related irish families had arrived on the Ocean Empress.

William & Eliza had 5 sons and 3 daughters - 2 children dying in infancy. They built a home named Glenview, now known as Strongs Rd.Jaspers Brush. Their youngest born William John Strong b 1888 is Ray's father.

William married Margaret Clelland he passed in 1942. Ray was 6 years old.

Ray's grandfather William became an astute cattle judge and cattle breeder. His bulls and heifers were famous and a great success in the show ring. He had one of the best shorthorn milking herds in the Illawarra. He was a committed member of the Berry Wesleyan Church & passed in 1916 age 68. His wife Eliza Jane passed away 3 years later age 75. They are both buried at Berry cemetery.

Ray Strong sadly passed away peacefully on 1st November 2025, age 90.

Presented by Therese Sweeney, Historian & Podcast presenter / producer.

Photograph: Jaspers Brush Post Office 1951 -Southern side of Princes HWy

Themes: the name Jasper is in contention, cedar cutting, land owners, the Berry Brothers & Wollstoncraft, timber exports, early butter & milk trade, roads, school, hall, railway, land owners after new sub division 1892. milk 1920s Nowra Milk Co-op.

References:

1. Notes & documents from 1997 Jaspers Brush school reunion committee. Including details and photos of pioneering families.
2. Various maps held by the Ison family of Berry, Jaspers Brush etc.
3. Sales map of Coolangatta & Berry Estates-undated (1893-1908) with Railway Line Jaspers Brush region.plus other information;
4. Roads & Maritime Services Report Berry-Bomaderry 2013
5. As above.. Gerringong to Berry 2006
6. Alexander Berry The Laird of Shoalhaven, Royal Australian Historical Society Journal Volume 27 Part 1 1941
7. Royal Australian Historical Society Journal V 46 No 2, 1960 by A.K. Weatherburn.
8. The first SubDiv. Sales of Shoalhaven Estates, The property of the late David Berry Esq. 1982. 79 pages.
9. Spotted Gum & ironbark-An environmental History of the South Coast NSW forestry. by Leith Davis University of Western Sydney PHD thesis 2020.
10. Regional Histories of NSW, Heritage Office. Dept. Urban Affairs & Planning, 1996.
11. Trove-various press articles.
12. 12. Shoalhaven by W.Bayley '65 & '75 Ed.

First century of Dairying in NSW by Frank McCaffrey 1909.

Season 2 : Sponsored by Ian Zandstra from Pyree A leader in dairying in the Shoalhaven.

Laurel Kellett (Nee:Davis) has dairy farmed for 70 years, born at Meroo Meadow. Today she is 86 years of age.

Samuel Thomas Davis B Portland England in 1835 married Susan Anthony on 17 August 1886. They migrated to Australia on the ship Hindostan leaving from Liverpool and arriving in Sydney on 12 August 1887. Susan was pregnant with their first child.

They were of methodist faith and lived at Milton, on Sth Coast and had 7 children there: John Davis b1857, Sarah Davis B 1860, William Davis B 1862. Edward B 1863, Robert B 1866 & Caroline B 1868.

Youngest son Robert married Selina Knapp in 1890. Selina b Nov. 1868. They too had 7 children.Stella B 1891, Oswald B 1893, Dorothy B 1896, Dulcimer B1899 (known as Dulcie), Raymond B1902, Leo B 1906 & Merle 1910. Leo Davis, the youngest son is Laurel’s father who later farmed with his father Robert at Meroo. Robert Davis, Laurels grandfather moved up to meroo in January 1923, Leo was 16. Robert was Influenced by Uncle Jim Knapp who informed him there was a farm for sale. James R Knapp (Jim) ran the cattle stud Swanlea in Bolong,

Leo Davis farmed at Meroo with his wife Minnie, they married in 1923,They are Laurel Davis’ parents. Laurel married Harry Kellett whose family date back in the region from the late 1820s.

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Season 1: Supported by Turf Co Jaspers Brush https://turfco.com.au/ &

McGoldrick Estate Agents Berry https://mcgoldrick.com.au/