Vivian Joseph Sleaford^{[1, 2]}

1931 - 2007  (76 years)

• Name	Vivian Joseph Sleaford
  Born	1931	Queensland, Australia
  Gender	Male
  Died	24 Oct 2007	Maryborough, Queensland
  	RYERSON INDEX SLEAFORD Vivian Jospeh Death notice 24OCT2007 Death 76 at Maryborough, late of Emerys Bridge Road (Willowdale) [NB - given names as published Fraser Coast Chronicle, published 25OCT2007
  Personal	2011	Gundiah Gazette
  	Gundiah Gazette News for Gundiah and District Emery's Bridge. A Forgotten Boatshed Sept 2011. by Owen Thompson. Has anyone ever wondered what the old slab shed under the Crow's Ash tree on the western bank of the Mary River is there for? For almost one hundred years, this shed housed each of the ferry boats used by those who lived in the Mt Urah district on the western side of the river. Because of the new high level bridge and modern transport, such as helicopters used in emergencies, the Emery's Bridge Boat Committee has been disbanded, but the shed was left in it's present position for historical purposes. The shed's last resident boat is sadly now rotted away after being attacked by white ants during the long droughts of the late 1980's when it's services were not needed. It was purchased by the residents of this area in the late 1950's to replace a boat destroyed by a flash flood. Built by Barney Meyers and designed for running water, it had provision for two oarsmen but only one was ever needed. That one man could safely row two people and 80 gallons of cream across the Mary on a 10 or 12 metre flood is a testament to the craftsmanship of Barney Meyers. Since the beginning of the last century, there has been a ferry boat housed in that shed. The boat was used often during the wet seasons to transport cream, milk and produce over the river and bring supplies and mail back. During floods residents would gather twice a week to put the boat in. There were some strange loads at times. If it would fit in the boat it came over. Dogs, stud pigs and machinery parts were common fare as was the occasional medical emergency. It also bore witness to the sadder side of life with more than one coffin being carried in and then returned bearing a sombre load. Primary school children received their school lessons by boat when the river was in flood. High schoolers would be transported across the river on a Sunday afternoon, taken to Maryborough where they stayed for the week and then returned home on Friday afternoons to have the weekends at home. The late Mr George James and the late Mr Joe Wade were the early residents who rowed the boat across the flooded river. Mr Wade then taught his grandson, Vivian Sleaford, the art of rowing in flooded streams and at the age of fifteen, Vivian took over as the one the residents depended on to get them across the river, many times in emergency situations. Others who helped out with the oars were Brian Lamke and Fred Dawes and the late Mr Dunbar Lawson. In later years an outboard motor with Brian Lamke at the helm was used instead of oars. When the boat was no longer river worthy, Vivian Sleaford used his own boat and motor.
  Person ID	I4703	Hickey, List, Bundesen, Thomsen, Jensen, Jessen
  Last Modified	20 Aug 2014

  
  

  Father	Hugh William Sleaford,   b. 1906, Queensland, Australia ,   d. 28 Dec 1977, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia  (Age 71 years)
  Mother	Thelma Mary Wade,   b. 24 Oct 1908, Queensland, Australia ,   d. 19 May 1995, Maryborough Hospital Nursing Home, Maryborough, Queensland  (Age 87 years)
  Married	16 Jan 1929	St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Maryborough, Queensland, Australia
  Marriage	24 Jan 1929	Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser, Queensland
  	At St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Maryborough, on January 16, the Rev. J. McPhall officiated at the maarrige of Mr. Hugh Sleaford, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Sleaford, Bauple, and Miss Thelma Wade, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wade, "Willowdale," Gundiah. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a gown of white mariette, bodice beaded in silver and rhinestones, and skirt with floating cascades. She wore a beautiful silk net veil with a coronet of orange blossoms, and carried a bouquet of cream and pink roses, swathed in tulle. Miss Violet Austin attended as bridesmaid, and was flocked in champagne marriette and silk lace, finished with uneven hemline and handwork embroidery, and carried a bouquet of pink and mauve asters. She wore a crown of tulle to match. Mr. Leslie Wide was best man. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the relatives of the happy couple were entertained by the parents, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. J. Bourke (relatives of the bride). The chief feature of the breakfast was a fine three-tier wedding cake. In the evening at the Gundiah Hall, the parents of the bride entertained over 300 guests, at an invitation dance, in honour of their daughter's marriage. Despite the great heat, the gay and happy multitude from all parts of the district, tripped merrily until daylight next morning. Everyone enjoyed the fine dance music supplied by Mrs. E. Kunst and Miss Larsen. The happy couple were showered with congratulations, and the tremendous array of valuable presents, including numerous cheques testified to their popularity. Mr. Lyle Ellis acted as M.C. The honeymoon is being spent in North Queensland The bride travelled in a frock of mauve, with black crepe-de-chine coat, and hat to match. Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser, Queensland, Thursday, 24 January 1929
  Family ID	F1489	Group Sheet

  
  

• Sources

  [S66] Mrs Laurina Collins. [S115] Trove.