Writer, Jean Schmaal
Above: National Trust Members viewing Large Prints at Leasingham Wines, Clare, in August 1987
Left to right — Ruth Zweck, Jean Schmaal, Joyce Telfer, Sylvia Telfer
Print donated by L. Stevenson
Jean Schmaal was born in Glenelg, South Australia, and educated in Adelaide and Port Pirie.
Jean spent many years in Clare and spent many hours on research for the Clare National Trust branch.
She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the community in 1993 and was a foundation member and the first Life Member of the South Australian Police Historical Society Inc.
Although Jean saw much of her work published in various police journals, she was denied the pleasure of seeing Tales of the Troopers published in book form in 1999. She died in 1998 following a long illness.
The Mail (Adelaide, SA) Sat 7 Jun 1947 Page 5
Miss Elvera Johns, only daughter of the Commissioner of Police (Mr. W. F. Johns) and Mrs. Johns, was married at Bethlehem Church, City, this afternoon to Mr. Hedley Schmaal, of Steelton.
From left — The bridegroom, the bride, Mr. Les Schmaal (best man), and Miss Eilleen Keast (bridesmaid)
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Extract from The Northern Argus 1987:
"Clare resident and writer, Jean Schmaal, has been surrounded by police.
No, she is not an incorrigible criminal but her close relatives and even her husband, Hedley, were "in the force".
"Early in January, Jean will receive a certificate of achievement award from the Australian Branch of the Police Historical Society.
She is being heralded for her literacy contributions to such Australia-wide publications as Police History Book as well as South Australian Police Journal and Australian Police Journal.
"The Australian representative and editor of Police History Book, Ray Bedford, had invited Jean to contribute stories of pioneering police history and legends of crime in the country.
Jean has submitted five stories including
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The Thin Blue Line about pioneer police of the Mid North including Clare, and
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Mooloo about a Corporal George Mason who was stationed at Wellington, South Australia, a busy crossing place for overlanders transporting their stock from the eastern states to Adelaide.
Jean said, "It's fascinating to get the threads of information and put stories together". She finds interviewing aged policemen a great source of stories.
"Boolga," not "Mulga."
News (Adelaide, SA) Fri 30 Jun 1944
FOR years the new Police Commissioner (Mr. Johns) has been affectionately known to members of the force as "Mulga Bill."'
But apparently that nickname is not quite right, for Mr. Johns smilingly told members of the Justices' Association this week that his native name is "Boolga," not "Mulga."
Incidentally, Mr. Johns has had a warm spot for the Australian aboriginal ever since he was saved from drowning in the Roper River in his young days as a police trooper by a native whom he was bringing in to face a theft charge.
"I would sooner have an Australian native at my side in an emergency than any other in the world." is his generous tribute.
The interest probably stems from Jean's notable father, "Mulga Bill" Johns, who was Commissioner of Police in Adelaide 1944-50 (tallest male, centre right)
"He was a history enthusiast and wrote anecdotes himself", said Jean.
"I interviewed him in his old age and wrote up his experiences which were all printed".
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Husband Hedley was a senior constable and son John now works in the traffic branch of the Police Department in Adelaide.
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Even Jean's uncle, John Johns, was a metropolitan superintendent in Adelaide.
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Jean has been writing police anecdotes for 18 years and was made the first honorary life member of the SA Police Historical Society in 1979.
"I've made no money out of all my writing but some of this history is too good to let go", Jean said.
"Hearing a story, checking it out and following it through - that's fascinating!"
Jean said she had kept the Clare Post Office going sending away for information for her stories.
She also wrote for the Clare Branch of the National Trust of which she is a member, and recently had an article printed in "Trust News" on the Nadjuri aborigines.
This Clare supersleuth, whose ears are finely tuned for anecdotes, is a wonderful town asset and must be congratulated heartily."
Clare National Trust Museum 1987
To mark the 10th anniversary of Clare's National Trust Museum and the 25th anniversary of the National Trust in South Australia, Jean collaborated with John Haynes to produce 'Clare - A Backward Glance' an excerpt of which is printed below:—
'Tregeagle'
'Among South Australia's early settlers were some well enough endowed financially to set up breeding studs for fine horses.
Such a man was William Gerrard, who, in the early 1860s, established the well-known Yo-Ho Station near Rapid Bay. He imported valuable blood stock from England. (Rapid Bay for the rapid bays was his motto.)
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Talk of the Hill and Tregeagle were destined to become known throughout Australia.
Gerrard, in 1880, disposed of the whole of his stud at which time Tregeagle went to Martindale, the property of Edmund Bowman, near Mintaro.
'In that same year, Tregeagle was awarded first prize for the best thoroughbred entire in the Clare Stallion Show.
A splendid trophy for this award was the work of Henry Steiner, one of the best-known of South Australia's silversmiths. He had a shop at 106 Rundle Street, Adelaide, in the 1880s.
Tregeagle was a marvellous animal and his progeny was spread far and wide throughout the north.' (John Haynes' illustration of the Steiner trophy follows the article.)
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Read more:
54 Publications by Jean Schmaal
Holdings in the State Library of SA
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1. Footprints on the sands of time
by Schmaal, Jean 1961
Brief history of the Murray Bridge and District Historical Society, and brief descriptions of some of their activities. Also includes short history of the old...
Book
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2. Footprints on the sands of time: scenes from the past in Murray Bridge and surrounding districts
by Schmaal, Jean 1970
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3. Tales of the troopers: stories from the wild colonial days
by Schmaal, Jean; Wakefield Press 1999
Book (Small books), General Reference
4. Pioneers travelling
by Schmaal, Jean;
Murray Bridge and District Historical Society 1970
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5. The Round House at the Murray Bridge
by Schmaal, Jean;
Murray Bridge and District Historical Society 1970
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6. Mobilong: the story of our town
by Schmaal, Jean;
Murray Bridge and District Historical Society 1968, 1st ed.
Brief history of Mobilong and Murray Bridge for school children.
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7. A quaint courthouse
by Schmaal, Jean;
National Trust of South Australia; Clare and District Branch 1987
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8. The Inchiquin story
by Schmaal, Jean;
National Trust of South Australia; Clare and District Branch 1986
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9. The family of Jaensch
by Schmaal, Jean; Australia;
Workskil Inc ; 1996
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10 Mobilong: the story of our town and River Boat Bob
by Schmaal, Jean;
Murray Bridge and District Historical Society 1970, 2nd ed.
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11. The Round House at Murray Bridge
by Schmaal, Jean;
Murray Bridge and District Historical Society;
Workskil Inc ; 1996, Revised ed.
Book , S Australiana Pamphlets
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12. Clare, a backward glance: stories of early Clare and district
by Schmaal, Jean; Haynes, John;
National Trust of South Australia ; More...1980
13. E. Jean Schmaal : SUMMARY RECORD
by Schmaal, Jean 1970
Papers of E. Jean Schmaal comprising historical notes on Murray Bridge, Wellington and the Police Force, George Ezekiel Mason, Wommamukurta, police troopers and Mount Barker, Clare and its constabulary, Adelaide...
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14 Dr William Deveraux [sic] Bain
by Schmaal, Jean 1985
Pioneer of Clare.Journal Article
ASK AT DESK, View:, Citation from published or archival item
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15 "Murder!" it says
by Schmaal, Jean 1984
John Smith, a sailor, was murdered at Kooringa by a German miner, Gottlieb Kiernall. He was buried at Burra Cemetery.
Journal Article Citation from published or archival item
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16 The church among the vines
by Schmaal, Jean 1980
History of Jesuits at Sevenhill with details concerning the
church, crypt and winery.
Journal Article Citation from published or archival item
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17 Frontier days
by Schmaal, Jean 1980
Account of W. Morgan's involvement in a murder case and his later disappearance.
Journal Article Citation from published or archival item
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18 The legends of the lakes
by Schmaal, Jean 1979
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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19 What's in a name?
(web page)
by Schmaal, Jean 1979
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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20 The legends of the lakes
by Schmaal, Jean 1979
Journal Article Citation from published or archival item
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21 Ashton's Hotel : being a brief history of H.M. Gaol, Adelaide
by Schmaal, Jean 1979
Article about Adelaide's first gaol and governor, William Ashton.
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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22 "Murder!" it says : being the story behind the well known 'Murder' headstone at Burra
by Schmaal, Jean 1978
John Smith was murdered by a German miner named Gottlieb Kiernall.
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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23 Rambling around the headstones
by Schmaal, Jean 1977
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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24 Recollections of early royal visits
by Schmaal, Jean 1977
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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25 The way it was at Yardea
by Schmaal, Jean 1977
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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26 But for a camel
by Schmaal, Jean 1976
Journal Article Citation from published or archival item
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27 Extracts from a letter book once used at the former Palmer Police Station
by Schmaal, Jean 1976
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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28 The constable, the horse-thief and the hangman
by Schmaal, Jean 1976
Trooper Harry Edmond Pearce was attacked by 'horse thief' Robert Johnson (alias William Nugent) and died as a result of the wounds inflicted. Robert Johnson...
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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29 Dead men do tell tales
by Schmaal, Jean 1976
Bryan Besley arrived in South Australia in 1851. Inspector of Police at Port Augusta. Citation from published or archival item
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30 The Rainbird story
by Schmaal, Jean 1975
On 11 March 1861, Mrs Mary Rainbird and her two children, Emma and Robert, were found murdered.
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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31 Aboriginal Queen Monarto, and the naming of Monarto
by Schmaal, Jean 1975
Journal Article Citation from published or archival item
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32 Of their bones is coral made
by Schmaal, Jean 1974
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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33 Why McGrath Flat?
by Schmaal, Jean 1974
Also called M'Grath and Magrath Flat (See Mannings, G. From Aaron Creek to Zion Hill. ). George McGrath was murdered by natives in 1842 during an overland trek...
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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34 Lanky "Canna"
by Schmaal, Jean 1974
Lankey, police tracker.
Journal Article Citation from published or archival item
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35 There's gold in them thar hills
by Schmaal, Jean 1974
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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36 In the days of the stage-coach: the story of William Rounsevell
by Schmaal, Jean 1973
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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37 The story of George Ezekiel and the 'Lady Augusta'
by Schmaal, Jean 1973
G.E. Mason was a mounted policeman at Wellington, Sub-Protector of Aborigines. He piloted the first iron steamboat, the 'Lady Augusta', to navigate the Murray...
Journal Article
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38 Time's up
by Schmaal, Jean 1973
Journal Article
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39 The place of the woman's tragedy: being the story of police settlement at Normanville/Yankalilla
by Schmaal,Jean 1972
Journal Article
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40 The trail blazers
by Schmaal, Jean 1972
Journal Article
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41 Payment deferred
by Schmaal, Jean 1972
Martin Malachi was tried and convicted of the murder of Jane Macmenimen and was hanged 24 December 1862. William Wilsen (to whom Jane was engaged at the time)... on page Colonial Christmases
Journal Article
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42 The trail blazers
by Schmaal, Jean 1972
George Hamilton: Police Commissioner, 1867-1882.
Journal Article
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43 'Wommanukurta' - the story of the troopers of Mount Barker
by Schmaal, Jean 1972
Journal Article
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44 An eye for an eye
by Schmaal, Jean 1971
Richard Palmer Pettinger died 4th February 1862 aged 32 years. Ex-police constable John Seaver was tried for his murder and was hanged 11 March 1862 and his...
Journal Article
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45 When big one Queen's piccaninny went walkabout
by Schmaal, Jean 1970
Members of various South Australian Aboriginal tribes greet Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1867.
Journal Article
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46 The old order changeth
by Schmaal, Jean 1970
First woman to be hanged in South Australia, Elizabeth Woolcock was executed 30 December 1873 for willful murder of husband Thomas Woolcock by poison.
Journal Article Citation from published or archival item
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47 The constabulary at Callington 1867-1886
by Schmaal, Jean 1970
Journal Article Citation from published or archival item
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48 Pioneer Home, Callington
by Schmaal, Jean 1969
Old Paech Home (pug, stone and pine). Kitchen at distance from home.
Photograph ONLINE, B 18855, Pictorial Collection
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49 Flour Mill, Callington
by Schmaal, Jean 1969
Old Flour Mill.
Photograph ONLINE, B 18856, Pictorial Collection
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50 Methodist Church, Callington
by Schmaal, Jean 1969
Methodist Church (built 1862).
Photograph ONLINE, B 18857, Pictorial Collection
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51 Pioneer Home, Callington
by Schmaal, Jean 1969
Old Paech Home (pug stone & pine) rear view - portion added later.
Photograph ONLINE, B 18854, Pictorial Collection
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52 The policing of Wellington
by Schmaal, Jean 1969
History of the police station at Wellington built in 1863. Article includes excerpts from "The South Australian" newspaper.
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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53 Who would be a policeman?
by Schmaal, Jean 1968
Article regarding five generations of the Ewens family who were policemen. The first member of the family to join the S.A. Mounted Police was William Robert...
Journal Article, Citation from published or archival item
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54 First Electric Tram at Unley
by Schmaal, Jean 1909
First Electric Tram at Unley.
Photograph ONLINE, B 18807, Pictorial Collection
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55 Thanks, Jean 1980
Jean Schmaal, author of Police Journal articles from 1966, was accorded life membership of the S.A. Police Historical Society. She was the daughter of W.F. Johns, late Police Commissioner and wife of the late Hedley Schmaal.
Journal Article Citation from published or archival item
Magazine article, Includes photograph
Additional family members are named in this article.
Chapter contents:
Part 1 - Crimes and Trials
Ashton's hotel
His Honour, the Judge
The Day They Hanged Magee
Rough Justice
Payment Deferred
Eating from a Tin Bowl at Cox's Creek
The Camel of Death
The Black Springs Murder
Part 2 - Wild Colonial Days
The Camels are Coming
Wommamukurta
The Roaring Fifties
When Big One Queen's Piccanninny went Walkabout
Likfe in the Seventies
The Whipering Wires
The Overlanders
In the Days of the Stage-Coach
Gone to the Diggings
The Story of George Ezekiel Mason and the Lady Augusta
Time's Up
It was Wild, Mighty Wild
Part 3 - A Policeman's Life
'Blacksheep' SA's Policeman-Poet
A Police Station at Moorowie
Trooper Ayliffe
The Eyes Had it
Echunga Diggings
Turbulent Times
The Thin Blue Line
The Policing of Wellington
My Kingdom for a Horse
An Eye for an Eye
The Gallant Constable
To Beard or not to Beard?
Virtue Restored
Law and Disappointment
Clare -- A Backward Glance
Drawings by John Haynes
Text by Jean Schmaal
Table of Contents:
"Paddy" Gleeson, Father of Clare
The Immigrants
There was a Tavern in the Town
From an old Recipe Book in the Clare National Trust Museum
The Church Among the Vines
Pot-pourri
Hill River Stone Wall
First Royal Visit
The Constables of Clare
Rock-a-bye Baby
The Northern Argus: Letters to the Editor as Mirrors of the Times
A True Romance
One Man's Family (Victorsen's)
The Three R's
Did Your Mother Come from Ireland?
The Bridal Trousseau
When They Called "Copper"
Martindale Hall
'Tregeagle'
Farming on the Grand Scale
Lovely as a Tree
Summary of Jean Schmaal's life
Born: JOHNS Given Names: Elvera Jean
Date: 1917-05-05 Sex: F
Father: William Francis JOHNS
Mother: Henriette Eugene ARMSTRONG
Birth Place/Residence: Glenelg
Married: Elvera Jean Johns married Hedley Schmaal 7 June 1947.
1947 'Bride Piped from Altar at Scots Church', The Mail, 7 June, p. 5
They had two sons John Francis b. 1948 and Geoffrey Gordon 1954-1957.
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Writing:
She was a regular contributor to the Victor Harbor times in the 1970s.
They moved to Clare in around 1974.
The Police Journal published a brief article about Jean in June 1980 (see right)
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Hedley Gordon Schmaal died 16 May 1980
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OAM:
Jean received a Medal of the Order of Australia 26 January 1993.
The SA Government Gazette listed her address at the time as 22 Coleridge Crescent, Clearview SA 5085
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Jean Schmaal passed away on 21 July 1998.
A death and funeral notice for her (published 22 July 1998) are attached.
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