Farming in regional areas means your neighbours become all-rounders — they’re the people you do business with, your teammates in sport, and the friends you have around for dinner and a few drinks. So, where you live, matters!
One of Ramsey Bros’ longest standing customers, Ray Elleway was just 18-years old when he moved with his family to Kielpa in 1958. Although Ray’s parents didn’t know many people in the area, it didn’t take long for them to feel the open arms of a small country town.
“At the time, my father’s uncle was running the farm. When he asked Dad to come on as a share-farmer, our family packed up and moved to the farm where I still grow cereal and farm sheep,— Ray says.
“It was a big move, as we didn’t really know many people there. So, we were pretty surprised when a couple of days after we’d arrived, the whole family was eating breakfast at the table when a truck rolled in and there was a knock at the door.
“I remember it well … Lloyd Ramsey was the door to welcome us to the district. He had boxes of groceries under his arm, and a drum of petrol and a drum of kerosine for our refrigerator on the back of his truck. Lloyd had the grocery store and fuel station in Kielpa. We didn’t really know him yet, but that was all about to change!
“Mum and Dad were so grateful. We hadn’t had time to go to the shops yet or find our way around the district and in one visit, he’d made us feel so welcome. I’ll never forget it.—
“That, of course, was the start of many dealings with the Ramsey family over the past sixty or so years. Dad went on to do a lot of business, buying most of his farming machinery from Lloyd and Fred Ramsey … only recently, I found sales docket from 1963 for a new tractor and plough — all in Lloyd’s handwriting!
“When it came time for our family to venture into owning our own land, we even bought the Ramsey’s original family farm. Dad dealt with Lloyd and Fred Ramsey, not just in business, but in the community — playing footy and tennis … and of course, they became good friends. Lloyd even sold me my first tennis racquet … but there’s another thing I can thank him for,— Ray says with a smile.
“He had a lovely lady working for him in his shop in Kielpa, named Aileen. I first met her playing tennis and when I realised she worked in Lloyd’s shop, I found any excuse I could to go into Kielpa,— Ray chuckles.
“Aileen and I have been married for 55 years now — we have three kids, six grandchildren, and a whole lot of wonderful memories of a life created here in this beautiful little country town. I’m still farming on the Kielpa property with my son, David, and there’s not a day that I’d turn back.—