Millar Buzzard

7.0
A Move to Western Australia

After completing his education at Caulfield Grammar School, at the age 17 or 18, Millar travelled many times to Western Australia, from Melbourne and Adelaide, stopping off at Fremantle on occasions. Where he lived between finishing school and his first trip to Western Australia is uncertain.

He sailed on the ship “China” from on 25th September 1905 from Adelaide to Fremantle, “Mongolia” from Melbourne to Largs Bay, Adelaide on 29th June 1906 and then onto Fremantle. [80] On 13th May 1907 he travelled from Fremantle to the Eastern States on the “Riverina”. [81] He returned to Adelaide and again travelled from Largs Bay to Fremantle onboard the “Macedonia” on 7th February 1908. [82] From there he travelled to Geraldton on the “Pilbarra” arriving 5th March 1908 [83] and from Geraldton to Fremantle onboard the “Burrumbeet” on 16th March 1908. [84]

The purpose of all these voyages is uncertain, however, his stepfather acquired Dandagara Station, near Sandstone, in 1911, so Millar could have been looking at stations for him. Also, there was talk of him working for Dalgety, the livestock and property agents in Geraldton, but no evidence can be found of this.

On 25th November 1908, Millar was Best Man at the wedding of Mr. J. T. Quick, at Yarloop, W.A. The Millar family had a major timber mill in the town at the time.

Best Man at Yarloop Wedding 1908

One of the final voyages Millar took, before he finally settled in Western Australia, was from Fremantle to Adelaide on 12th September 1909, onboard the “Yongala”. He was probably going to the Vincent home, “Beaumont House”, in Adelaide.

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[80] Kalgoorlie Miner (WA : 1895 - 1954), Friday 29 June 1906, page 6
[81] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Saturday 4 May 1907, page 10
[82] Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Friday 7 February 1908, page 3
[83] Geraldton Express (WA : 1906 - 1928), Friday 6 March 1908, page 2
[84] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Tuesday 17 March 1908, page 6