1936-2023
Father
Mother
Siblings
Norman John, Clifford George, Ronald Edward, June Elsie, Gordon Bruce
Kenny’s Life
Kenneth William Strudwick (Kenny) was born at Tullamore, the fourth son of Jack Strudwick and Thelma Doust. His family were share-farmers and clearing/tank sinking contractors when farming permitted. The family purchased Slapdown in the late 1930s and settled in the beautiful homestead.
Kenny commenced and completed his schooling at Fifield with Bruce and June. They usually travelled to school in a horse and sulky.
On leaving school, Kenny earned the nick name of ‘Darky’, probably due to his Welsh heritage and the hours he spent in the sun when helping to work the family farm. Like his elder brothers he learned the art of shearing and became a very accomplished and popular shearer throughout the district. Darky gained a reputation of a good and honest worker, never complaining if the sheep be too wet or the bog-eye too hot. He just stuck at the job. He and his brothers often sheared the sheep of neighbours at the Slapdown woolshed.
Following the death of his father in 1959 and, with his brothers having left for their own farming pursuits, Kenny, along with his brother Bruce took over the running of Slapdown, farming and stock, under the guidance of their mother, Thelma who was an accomplished rural woman herself. Her father had died when she only 10 and her mother had continued to manage their farm as well as raise a very young family.
Kenny was easy-going and was widely regarded as a top bloke who enjoyed beer, a bet and a hand of cards. He was also a very keen sportsman. He excelled at Rugby League, being regarded as a speedy winger, playing for Fifield of course. He also represented Fifield at inter-town cricket competitions. Later he became a very competent lawn bowler, representing Tullamore for many years.
Kenny did not mind a beer or two. Slapdown used to host the Christmas for most of Fifield as well as family and friends, the hospitality was legendary. His niece, Marion remembers Kenny playing with the kids on the old dray near to the house. As the night wore on Kenny would commence his ‘snake dance’, twisting and winding his body with great ease. I remember watching Kenny win resoundingly at the ‘Limbo Rock’ on these occasions where he would glide effortlessly under very low bars. Perhaps his years of shearing made his body so agile.
Kenny and Ron Roberts became partners in the purchase and racing of pacers. Together they had several winners. Their most successful horse was ‘Junior Paleface’ of ‘Paleface Adios’ blood, a champion pacer from Temora. ‘Junior Paleface’ won several local races as well as one win at Penrith and two and Harold Park.
In the mid 1990’s Kenny moved to Parkes with Faye. They had a wonderful life together. Kenny was regarded very fondly by Faye’s children, who continued to look after him when their mother died. He continued shearing at the odd shed and playing bowls at the Railway Bowling Club. He enjoyed a good social life there and was kept busy gardening and green keeping at the club.
Kenny and his brother, Bruce were constantly together, working, fooling around, enjoying themselves. Dad and his two brothers farmed together, did stock work together, plant maintenance and generally enjoyed each other’s company. They were constant and very welcome visitors at Merrimee.
Kenny’s morning ritual consisted of sitting in his car, in the carport, reading the Daily Telegraph and listening to John Laws on the car radio, every so often the car battery would go flat so he would just connect the battery charger to it and continue.
He bred hens, of which he was extremely proud. He became very attached to them and took pride in the prodigious number of eggs they produced, sharing them with neighbours and friends.
Kenny’s humility, his regard for others and his love of his family was enormous.
Authored by Leah Burnheim in collaboration with my wonderful Strudwick cousins and Kenny’s friends.