of Tongala, also at Jerilderie, which would become the home of Graham and Mary Wells and the One Oak Merino Stud. During the 1970s, the Wells focused on trading sheep, with significant numbers on stock routes as well as expanding operations by leasing more land. Whawoon at Hay was leased from Andrew Mills, son of celebrated stud breeder Neilson Mills. Graham Wells remarked, “we thought Jerilderie country was good, until we leased Wawhoon”. Sheep numbers at this time in the operation were nearing 30,000, plus cattle, with over 800 bales of wool being produced each year. However, adversity struck the Wells’ on 10 December 1965, when a particularly nasty Riverina day saw a devastating storm destroy Ross and Irene’s home and start a fire which ravaged part of Wawhoon. The Wells brothers were faced with several setbacks in business and family, alongside a change of government, which challenged the family’s resolved. Andrew Mills wished to allow the Wawhoon property to recover and asked the Wells family to finish their lease. Seeking to find a new home for their sheep, Alby secured lease country in and around Lake Bolac. Ross, Irene and family relocated back to Victoria running 13,000 wethers, while Graham stayed in New South Wales to look after the Jerilderie interests. The Whitlam Government had also come to power and changed tax laws, dropping many agricultural concessions. This left the Wells family with a tax bill of $1.30 on the dollar of their earnings when provisional tax was applied. Undeterred by life’s challenges, the Wells family continued to acquire country in the Jerilderie area. They purchased 8000 acres for $22 per acre as part of The Yanko and then secured 16,000 acres of Bundure known as “New Camp”, which is now the home of One Oak Poll. A defining moment arrived in 1976 when Don Ewan, who was the manager of Goolgumbla, approached Alby to see if he would be interested in purchasing the Willandra stud. The sale consisted of 4000 mixed age ewes and lambs as well as 1800 young ewes and rams. This acquisition facilitated a partnership split, with Ross taking ownership of the Willandra Stud and Graham stepping into the role of studmaster of One Oak. With their split, Ross and Graham were now both wellpositioned to make their mark on the stud Merino industry. The Wells’ brothers and their wives who were instrumental to the success of Willandra and One Oak studs– Irene, Ross, Mary and Graham Wells. – 39 –
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