Historical information

Jack Lockett was born in 1891 at Tarnagulla and left school at age of 12. He worked various jobs until World War 1 and volunteered. He served in various campaigns in Europe and later returned home and commenced farming in the Mallee near the small town of Linga. It was wheat but included sheep and cattle. Jack and his wife 'Doll' raised their family on the farm and then retired to Bendigo. Jack Lockett died at the age of 111 and was called by then Prime Minister, John Howard, as a 'priceless national treasure' when presented with the Knight of the Legion of Honour by the French Government.
The area of Linga is situated on the Mallee Highway between Ouyen and the South Australian border. It is 11 kilometres west of Underbool.
Linga may be a derivative of the traditional name Lar-gni (camp of). It was a place to stay and camp - to linger a while.

Physical description

Five photographs of Jack Lockett and his extended family from 1920s to the 1970s.
a Jack and his wife Doll taken in 1923. Note the background mallee scrub.
b Possible copy of the original 1923 photograph of Jack and Doll Lockett.
c Jack and Doll Lockett with grandchildren on the occasion of Doll's 70th birthday, 1967.
d Doll Lockett's 80th birthday in 1977. Jack and Doll Lockett with grandchildren.
e Jack and Doll Lockett in 1950 on their retirement from farming to new home in Bendigo.

Inscriptions & markings

a 'Jack & Doll Lockett, 1923'.
b 'Think this photo taken 1923! Mabel Victoria Ingwersen married 23-9-1923 John (Jack) Henry Lockett'.
c 'Mum's 70th birthday 1967. Jack and Doll with grandchildren celebrating Doll's 70th birthday in Bendigo, 1967'.
d Nan's 80th. Jack and Doll with grandchildren celebrating Doll's 80th birthday in Bendigo, 1977'.
e 'Photo taken 7th May 1953.Leaving the Mallee to retire in Bendigo'.