WALLACE (Wally) FRANCIS COOKE was born in Singleton NSW on the 14th October 1912. He is the fifth child—of 10 children—of Edgar Cooke (1884-1968) and Evelyn Jane {neé Adaway} (1883-1951); George & John (twins dec’d), Millicent, Edgar, Wallace, Ronald, George, Martha, Richard and Ena. When Wally was two years old his family moved to Thallon in Queensland for his father’s work. When he was older he moved west to Bollon where he met his wife Phyllis (neé Rowe) who came from Brisbane via train to Dirranbandi and then travelled to a property near Bollon for work.

They were married 30th October 1941 in Bollon, and have 8 children—Terry, (an unnamed baby dec’d), Garry, Peggy (Stewart), Kevin, Barbara (Halliday), Lorelei (Brummell) and Peter (dec’d). Wally worked as the ‘overseer’ on Bullindgie Station when he was offered a position to drive the hawker’s van for J.G Hile & Co. In 1949 they moved to Dirranbandi so their children could attend the local schools and Wally bought a corrugated iron home on the corner of Horace and Hannah streets which was known as the Wilgas. They later moved to their home on the corner of Moore and Burke Streets Dirranbandi. In 1959 Wally bought a 1949 Bedford 1½ ton truck from Joe Hile to enable him to do his three ‘runs’ selling merchandise in Bollon, Culgoa and Goodooga. He would be away from the family for weeks on end.

Properties in those days employed lots of people (customers) including ring barkers, stockmen, shearers and of course the property owners and families and getting to town could be difficult. It was exciting to see the travelling salesman especially when there was a ‘do’ on in town. Sadly for the business with progress including bitumen roads came more cars, less property workers and the demise of the business. Wally then took up contract mustering on properties around the Bollon and Cunnamulla areas. He also managed ‘South Plains’ Cunnamulla until illness forced him into an early retirement.

Wally passed away on the 24th May 1983 and is resting in Dirranbandi Cemetery, his wife Phyllis who passed on 9th Sept 2004 rests beside him.

Wally’s parents rest in the Bollon Cemetery; three of his sons Garry, Kevin and Peter (Pancho) are all resting in Dirranbandi Cemetery, along with son-in-law Robert (Bobby) Stewart and his baby Granddaughter Angeleen Brummell.

Sisters resting places: Millicent (Cameron)-St George Cemetery Qld.

Martha (Robinson)-

Ena (Wishard)-Willamette National Cemetery Portland Oregon USA Brothers resting places

Edgar – Bollon Qld

Ronald –

George – St George Qld

Richard – Information shared by Wally's daughter Peggy Stewart (2024).