Charles Rufus Goode

Charles Rufus Goode
Charles Rufus Goode
Born	Template:Birth date; Kyre Magna, Worcestershire, England
Died	August 4, 1913 (aged 69)
Occupation(s)	Pastoralist, politician
Years active	1860–1906
Known for	Pastoralism and political service in South Australia

Charles Rufus Goode (27 April 1844 – 4 August 1913) was a prominent pastoralist and political figure in the early development of South Australia.

History

Originating from Kyre Magna, Worcestershire, England, Goode emigrated to Australia in 1860. His initial employment was at Canowie station under the supervision of the Hon. H. Scott. Subsequently, he engaged in pastoral ventures at Port Lincoln alongside his cousin S. Goode before joining Elder and Stuckey to manage stations in the Far North region. In 1865, he traveled to India with Samuel Joseph Stuckey to procure camels and donkeys—the first such shipment for South Australia—acting as supercargo and overseeing the animals until 1867. By 1868, Goode had established himself in Saddleworth, shifting focus from farming and grazing to auctioneering and agency work. Later, he became a Government tenant within the Bundaleer Forest Reserve.

Goode was actively involved in community governance, holding positions on the Saddleworth District Council, Clare Licensing Bench, Midland Road Board, Saddleworth School Board, Pastoral Board following the 1884 legislation, and the Central Land Board. He was elected to represent the Electoral district of Burra as a member of the National Defence League in the 1896 general election but chose not to seek re-election three years later. In 1900, he assumed management of Canowie station but retired due to health concerns in 1906.

Family

Charles Rufus was the son of William and Catherine Goode from Kyre Magna. Several family members migrated to South Australia during the 1850s and 1860s: his brothers Thomas, William, Henry Abel, and Benjamin Powell arrived aboard the Hope in 1858; Charles followed in 1860; and Matthew came later in 1868.

In 1869 at Port Augusta, Charles married Mary Gardiner (circa 1846 – 1911). Their offspring included:

Charles Henry Goode (1868–1940)
Thomas Gardiner Goode (born circa 1869), who wed Alice Isabel Gillespie; they settled in Tambellup, Western Australia
Hedley H. Goode of Poonda Station, Western Australia
Stanley L. Goode who resided first at Hummocks Hill then Corny Point
(Samuel James) Mortimer "Mort" Goode, who served as district councillor at Wandearah
- (Lindsay) Rufus Goode (1913–1942), an honored A.I.F. soldier killed in combat
Garry C. Goode, president of Wandearah Coursing Club
Wolseley C. Goode based in Jamestown
Mrs G. D. Inglis of Georgetown

Charles Henry Goode

The eldest son of Charles Rufus Goode, Charles Henry Goode (November 1868 – 28 March 1940), was born in Saddleworth, South Australia. With limited formal schooling, he devoted himself to cattle and horse management and spent time working alongside his uncle Thomas Goode. Between 1889 and 1892, he was employed by the Beltana Pastoral Company where he earned a reputation for diligence while driving camels and transporting wool near Queensland’s border.

In 1892, he purchased land at Bundaleer, close to properties developed by his family members. He played a key role in founding the Jamestown Racing Club; his family owned notable racehorses such as Tostig and Prince Edward. He actively participated in local sports clubs and agricultural organizations and was recognized as an expert judge of bloodstock and shorthorn cattle.

In January 1897, he married Charlotte Marion Inglis from Georgetown, daughter of pastoralist George Inglis. She passed away in 1898 shortly after childbirth. Subsequently, Charles Henry served with the Fifth Imperial Bushman's Contingent during the South African campaign from 1901 to 1902 before returning to Bundaleer.

He married again in 1903 to Annie Florence Richardson, sister of cricketer Arthur Richardson. The couple resided at Bundaleer until relocating to Wandearah West in 1919. Their children included sons Harold (deceased 1922), Lisle (resident of Warooka), Colin (of Wandearah West), along with daughters Alice (married Rex Torr) and Kathleen (wife of James F. "Jim" Stanley). Kathleen and Alice managed the Wandearah post office until its closure in 1928; their mother continued operating it for an additional thirteen years.

References