Recently, one of our members was in a group discussion about how and what are interesting stories.
It was suggested she ask around in the local establishments for anyone who could remember a story being told that related back to Canungra.
On asking a local this question, he said “I do remember a story that Lewis told me about a fellow who lived in an isolated hut on the western slopes of Tamborine Mountain and was very well known in Canungra”.
The story goes that Billy had not been seen in town all week, so Lewis saddled his horse and off he went to find him.
Two more sources have since commented that it was Tom Luback who was going to shelter at Billy’s from the rain who found him dead in his shack.
Eddie Cavell being the closest neighbour and, on the scene, also.
As this story sounded interesting, further research found that Billy was very well known in town, donating fruit he had grown to the locals.
He was also known in the horse community in Beaudesert and records show he entered his horses into the Maryborough Show in 1917.
On relaying this story to other interested parties, we discovered that Billy was nicknamed ‘Ping Pong’ because of the way he bounced when riding his horse.
Locals did not know that “Billy or Jimmy” was James Arthur ‘Jim’ Abberdan and was married to Lilian Adelaide Saunders Abberdan in 1917, and had three children that we know of.
In 1921 Jimmy was made insolvent after his unsuccessful banana farm venture, which left him with a sum of 703 pounds in debt.
In 1926 Jimmy was discharged from insolvency while working for Mr Frank Oxenford of Oxenford.
In 1949 Jimmy was living at Mundoolun Station when his wife Lily, from whom he had been separated since 1925, went through the courts to claim back- maintenance.
It would appear that the Magistrate showed some leniency as Jimmy served a term of one hour sitting in the dock to atone for his arrears of maintenance.
He had told the court that he was only earning three pounds per week and had been paying maintenance for 24 years.
“As he left the Court, he waved his old hat in an appreciative gesture towards the Police Sergeant – who had told him he could leave”.
Jimmy Abbberdan is buried at the Mundoolun Church Cemetery and his grave is marked ‘In Memory of our Father 1879 -1961’.
We have since been told some interesting yarns about Billy but would love to hear more.
If you have a story of old, please let us know at canungrahistoryinc@gmail.com
