History of ' Wallah'

"Wallah" was purchased in 1924 by a Company formed by H.T. Sanderson, Sir William Angliss, and others, who also owned numerous properties in Queensland of which H.T.S. was Managing Director. H.T. Sanderson bought out the other shareholders in "Wallah", and his son Lionel (Lin) Sanderson, who had just left school in Melbourne, took on the task of running the property.

There was much to be done - rabbits had over run the land in millions and eradicating them became the first priority, with rabbit drives conducted using dogs, and by building rabbit proof boundary fences. When the rabbits were controlled the property was stocked with sheep, and a woolshed built using timber cut on the place. This was built by Lin's uncle, Percy Sanderson, and is still in good shape today although sheep have not been run since 1957.

Crossing a local waterway after 8 inches of rain.

Aberdeen Angus cattle were introduced in 1934; a novelty in those days, and a stud formed with the purchase of 3 cows and calves from New Zealand. Embassy 5th of Mangatoro being the first sire of note, and the first of many Royal Show champions. Wallah Angus Stud cattle have been introduced in studs throughout Australia, and L.T.Sanderson was President of the Angus Society three times, and the first Australian invited to judge at the Perth (Scotland) Show and Sale in 1949.

A Merino Stud was also maintained, and rams exhibited at all the local shows, being transported by a Model T. Ford. The disastrous flood in 1955 drowned many of the Stud Rams, and L.T.S. made the decision to sell the sheep, and only run cattle.

After the second World War, the government policy of resuming land at a very nominal price for Soldier settlement meant that 3000 acres of the best country were taken and divided into three properties. The remaining land was split between L.T.S. and his two daughters Rania and Lyndall. In 1969 L.T.S.sold his share to his son-in-law Lionel Manchee, who moved to "Wallah" after the sale of the Manchee property "Yamburgan" at Dirranbandi, Queensland.

The Nandewar Ranges

The Yamburgan Shorthorn Stud which was founded in 1947 was then relocated to “Wallah” in 1969, which prompted many remarks in the district about missing the black cattle! John Stewart Manchee was the founder of the Yamburgan Stud and Lionel took over the Stud in 1958.

The Shorthorns prospered and the Yamburgan Stud won many ribbons at Shows and Sales. In the following years the shorthorn became popular and Yamburgan sold many bulls into up and coming studs and formed the base of many successful stud herds. Lionel and Rania’s son, John Manchee, returned to “Wallah” after school and college to help run the family business. His vision was to produce commercially orientated cattle which led to the commencement of the annual On-Property Yamburgan Shorthorn Bull Sale in 1995.

Another generation has been installed in the Wallah homestead, where John Manchee and his wife Elizabeth (nee Kirkby) and young son, Nick and daughter, Sophia reside.

John and Liz are enthusiastic Stud breeders of both Shorthorn and Santa Gertrudis cattle and confident of the future continuation of life on the land.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
s