Publication type

non-fiction

Summary

In 1877 John O'Brien selected Negoura at Swifts Creek, and the O'Brien name has been prominent and well-known in the district since. Pat O'Brien is the third son of John's eldest grandson, Jack (dec) and Clare O'Brien, who have farmed at "Fernlea", Ensay since 1948. He grew up and went to school in Ensay and then to boarding school at St Patrick's College, Sale.
From 1952 to 1965, he worked in the Ensay district as a shearer, contract fencer and general farm hand. He was actively involved in community affairs becoming president of the Ensay Tennis Club for three years and was a foundation member of the Ensay Bowling Club. For 14 years he played for the Ensay Football team and for seven of those years was a delegate to the Omeo District Football League.
After leaving Ensay in 1965 he spent two years in Bairnsdale before moving to Morwell and later Traralgon in the Latrobe Valley. After leading the highly successful Save our Shire campaign from 1983-86, he served two terms on the Shire of Traralgon, becoming president in 1990.
In 1959, Pat married Ann Smyth whose forebears, the O'Rourkes, moved from the Monaro in New South Wales to Gelantipy in the 1830's. So they are both true-blue Gippslanders. They have seven children and nine grandchildren to date and now live in Merimbula.
Conscious that much of the history of his family, neighbours and friends is being lost, he wrote this book because he believes that the stories and characters mentioned are part of our heritage and should not be forgotten. (Back cover)