Perhaps this NSW town should be renamed as “HARDLETHAN” if truth be known but history was very uncertain at this time.
Ardlethan is a small country town in central NSW, not far from Temora. I visited it a couple of years ago and it is now only a short walk from the A39 highway!
My family history tells us that the O’Halloran Family lived in a shack not far from the pub and a General Store. The men were miners and were certain they would find gold or tin in the area. They did but it was too little too late although tin mining became the lifeline for the town.
The O’Halloran men were good footballers, but “Bluey” (Red headed Michael)was a local legend. He was renowned as the best boxer, rugby player, horseman and tennis player etc!
In the 1930s, John Bromwich and Adrian Quist visited Temora and Ardlethan showing the adoring public the Davis Cup and how they played against the UK. History has it that Bluey O'Halloran beat both players in singles matches. This is family folklore and can’t be verified.
Another slice of family history is that Bluey also rode his horse to a dance in Temora. He got very drunk and sat on his horse facing the wrong way for over a couple of miles on the way home. Sadly, he eventually died young in a mining accident in WA.
Our Mother, Moya O’Halloran, walked several miles to and from school every day with her sister, Pat. One day she got her hand caught in a rabbit trap and had to walk home with the trap attached!
Can you see why I think the town should really be called be HARDLETHAN!?
John A. Wilson
Pottsville,January 2024.
Temora: History has it that Bluey challenged both Bromwich and Quist in a one set match. He beat both of them in front of a stunned crowd. This has become family folklore and can’t be verified
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