Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), Thursday 24 July 1919, page 3


DEATH OF BURNETT PIONEER. The death occurred at Glen Elgin last week, of Mr. Patrick McCallum, the oldest male resident of the dis trict (says the Nanango "News.") The deceased gentleman, who was 78 years of age on May 12th, was born at Botany, New South Wales, and came to Nanango district with his parents and family 64 years ago. Mr. McCallum's people went straight to Mondure, and he being a young, active man, and fond of horses, soon found congenial employment as stockman, shepherd other station work on the properties of which Nanango was the centre. He started in the mail business about 58 years ago being on the line between Taroom and Good's Inn, Nanango, for Mr. Jacob Booth. This run took about four days each way, the distance being about 250 miles. The Brisbane mail in those days was made up at Nanango for Taroom and other western places. Mr. McCallum's first contract on his own account was between Nanango and Gayndah, which he held for over 30 years. He also ran the mail at different times to lpswich, Esk, Jon daryan, and Gympie. He transferred the active part of the work to his sons about 15 years ago. Mr. McCallum found time to do his share of public work and for 25 years off and on he

was a member of the Nanango local government body, being one of the first members, and having gone through the chair. Mr. McCallum was the oldest mail contractor in Australia, and at the time of his death held two con tracts in the Nanango district. On two occasions over 50 years ago, he was stuck up by the bushranger, the Wild Scotchman—once at the very gate of Nanango. To those who knew him well, Pat McCallum was a lovable per sonality. It was seldom indeed that anything was permitted to ruffle the serenity of his soul, and he was pre pared to listen with toleration to any side of the question that was advanced. In addition to an aged wife, he leaves the following family, for whom the deepest sympathy will be felt:—Wal lace (employed at the Government serv ice, at Dunwich), Bruce, Malcolm, A. J. C. A., Nigel, S.B., Mrs. P. Mc Cabe (Petrie) and about 30 grandchil-dren. (The late Mr. Patrick McCal lum was a brother of the late Mr. Alex McCallum a well-known resident of Linville, and a large property owner at Toogoolawah. Both Messrs Alex and Pat. McCallum ran the mail services from Ipswich to the Burnett district, their respective places of rendezvous being at the blacksmith's establishment of the late Mr. Hugh A. Campbell then residing at the corner of East and Limestone-streets.)