Ian's graveside funeral service was held at Eugowra Cemetery on Friday 9th October 2020 conducted by Rev'd Joy Harris.

The Eulogy was read by his son David.

Ian was the son of Walter and Joan Tulloch of "Rawene" Mandagery, he had two brothers Brian and Bruce one sister Jan.

He married Dorothy Tanswell in April 1963 and had three sons David, Simon and Nick, and also raised his nephew Matt from a young age after the death of his mother Jan.

CHILDHOOD

Dad was schooled at home for a couple of years until his parents thought he was old enough to ride a pushbike the 4 1/2 miles to Mandagery school.

Sometimes on the way to school he would stop and do a few laps around the paddock on the back of Bill Mosses plough and then turn up at school late. This was to be the beginning of a lifetime of being late, not that it ever concerned him in the least.

It was at Mandagery school that he first met lifelong friends including Betty Nicholson and others.

He was a bit of a larrikin at school, Betty tells me that he once put a lizard in her lunch box and dipped the pigtails of the girl sitting in front of him into the ink well on his desk.

From there he went onto Parkes High where his sporting achievements were pretty good.

He played rugby league at high school and was senior athletics champion in 1947 holding a long standing record for the 440 yard race.

WORKING LIFE

In 1947 aged 15 he left school and returned to the farm at Mandagery to begin what would be a 67 year farming career. He toiled away at the usual jobs around a grazing property - stock work, clearing, fencing and cropping.

At this time the property was still only fenced into quite large paddocks, relying on creeks and springs for stock water. So he spent the next few years fencing it into smaller paddocks and then dams were put in.

This work involved no modern tools or equipment.

Wooden posts were cut, barked and split on site, post holes dug by hand and fence lines cleared with an axe.

It was hard work but he never wanted to be anywhere else. It's little wonder that his generation of farm workers had a few aches and pains in their old age.

He continued working the farm and played rugby league for Eugowra - often riding his horse to town to play or to get a ride to the game.

He also played cricket for Reedy Creek and rugby union for Parkes.

At this time an 18-year-old first year teacher named Joe Hart came to Mandagery to teach at the school.

Joe and dad became friends, played Rugby Union, went to the local dances and generally knocked about together.

Joe taught dad's sister Jan and others that are still around the area. Joe is almost 90, I spoke to him the other day and he has fond memories of those times.

In April 1963 he married our mother Dorothy Tanswell and together they got on with farm life, built a home at "Rawene"and began raising a family.

He did his mustering and checking of fences on horseback often riding a bay gelding that was quite flighty.

This would often continue to well after dark leaving mum wondering if the horse had thrown him and where to start looking if he didn't come home, but he always turned up eventually.

On weekends he loved to watch his boys play sport and rarely missed a game. He was always full of encouragement and his usual jovial banter which would always get a laugh. He had the ability to fit in with anyone quite easily.

Dad had no interest in expensive possessions and rarely spent money on himself. He just had what he needed and was happy with that, but he was also a very generous man.

Dad had to deal with a couple of family tragedies in his lifetime and in the lead up to mum's death in 2000, he suffered from depression but soon returned to his happy old self.

Life continued and soon there were grandchildren around. They both loved this stage of their lives.

SLOWING DOWN

After mum passed away Simon took over the farm with dad now the offsider, still working everyday, just a bit slower than he used to.

During this time he got involved in other interests:

Eugowra Rugby League Club - helping out with water boy duties with his "magic spring water" as he had done when the boys played.

He also used to take a couple of old fellows that didn't drive anymore to the away games. We thank the Eugowra Ruby League Club for his Guard of Honour today.

Eugowra Lions Club - Dad was the tail twister and later president. I'm told it was quite amusing to watch Dad scratching his head trying to work out how much change to give out when working the entrance gate at the show or the trots.

He received an Australia Day award in 2010 for community service which both he and the family were very proud of.

He also attended church at Reedy Creek and Eugowra, volunteered at the museum and helped out at many events at Mandagery and Reedy Creek.

As I mentioned earlier Dad was often late and sometimes turned up at church when everyone was coming out, not realising it was daylight saving time.

NEIGHBOURS

Most people who know Dad, comment on how friendly and happy he always was and that he was a true gentleman. After he passed away that was a common theme throughout the tributes we received.

During his lifetime he had many fun times with neighbours and other locals and always enjoyed himself to the max.

He was well known for having a good old yarn and a laugh, and sometimes he would talk to someone in the street for hours if he hadn't seen them in a while.

The Welsh family at Waterhole creek were always close and even more so after Mandy and Simon married.

Some years later, the Gibby's from Montana in the United States bought Waterhole Creek/ Sweetgrass, and dad got to know them and often socialised at their Halloween parties and other gatherings.

He would sometimes like to imitate Brit's American accent. I'm not sure who laughed more, him or Brit, but they always had a good time. From then on a banana became a bananarrr and his pyjamas were his pyjamarrrs.

So you can imagine the carry on when his young grandchildren were watching Bananarrrs in Pyjamarrrs at his place. That's the way Grandpa rolled, finding amusement in just about anything.

In mid 2014, aged 82, dad somewhat reluctantly moved into Rosedurnate Nursing Home in Parkes.

At this time Simon and Mandy had decided to move into Parkes and Matt took over "Rawene".

For the first few years at Rosedurnate dad was able to go on a few outings with staff, attend family celebrations and occasionally go with Nick in the stock truck which he always enjoyed.

The last family gathering he was able to attend was the marriage of his eldest granddaughter Kayla and he even managed a dance to celebrate the happy occasion.

The family would like to thank the staff at Rosedurnate for the care and compassion that they showed dad during his time there.

To sum him up, he was a much loved husband, father and grandfather.

A successful wool grower and farmer.

And most importantly a great friend to many who will remember him fondly and someone who gave back to his community throughout his life.

So you can rest easy dad, knowing that the property you loved and spent a lifetime working is in safe hands and I'm sure there's a nice spot for you in heaven with Mum and Isaac.