Above: Jessie in 2020
Jessie Pollock of Moruya will celebrate her 103 years of living in the Eurobodalla this 7th November, 2020.
Norm Moore (below), local Moruya Historian, told the Beagle "Jessie is the longest living pioneer of Moruya's gold rush days.
"Part of her life when living at Dwyer's Creek, was to help husband,Bill, in his work of maintaining the Donkey Hill mine thru out WW2.
"Part of Bill's work was to operate a steam driven pump to drain water from the mine. "Jess" would check the the mine was drained and then -in order to keep him company- sit on a bag nearby & knit while he worked to replace damaged mine props. This was often at the 600 ft level of the mine.
"The post war period saw returning miners choosing to select one of the many 'surface' jobs then available - leaving the mine- still with its rich ore content not worked - allowed to fall into disrepair.
"Jessie moved into town to live in an area she knew as Gundary. The name was derived from Gundary Station, built on land "squatted" by WT Morris in 1835. (it was in the area - directly opposite Moruya Hospital)
"There were then two towns divided by a 'lagune' or swamp. (now Gundary oval). Gundary was once 'envisaged' as to be the main business area.
"Jessie loved her "Village of Gundary" as she did with her volunteer work with Moruya Hospital Auxilliary - where she gave 40 years of her "now 103" to her beloved organization.
A recent publication dealing with the history of Moruya and Louttit's Quarry written by Norm Moore was sold with the addition of a $6 levy and given as a donation to M&DHA and in gratitude for Jessie's service.
