Neate, Albert

DESCRIPTION

NameNeate, AlbertOccupationAlbion Park Building SuppliesPlace of ResidenceAlbion Park RailBiographyThis is the story of Albert Ernest Neate who came to Albion Park in September 1947. Albert came from a dairy farming background. He left school aged 14 years, and worked on the dairy farms at Robertson, Berry and Richmond NSW. He then worked in Sydney for Ogden Bros. where he was in charge of kiln drying and selecting timber.

During WWII Albert was responsible for the selection and kiln drying of timber for rifle butts and other important war uses in the essential industry of the war effort.

Albert stayed with Ogden Bros. until he came to Albion Park. Albert formed a partnership with his father-in-law George McBeath (who helped with financial assistance) and brother-in-law Vern Traegar, resulting in them buying Upton Brothers Sawmill on the eastern side of Station Road Albion Park Rail near Horsley Creek.

Money was very scarce. The moneybox of Albert's seven year old daughter was used to help pay the furniture removal costs from Belmore to Albion Park.

Albert and his family lived in a house opposite the mill. The house was the office as well as the home.

Post war development saw the demands for housing timber grow and the mill progressed as Albion Park Sawmill. Both Albert and Vern worked on all aspects of timber milling from overseeing and preparing the timber for market.

Albert's love of maths and mental arithmetic prowess, made him wonder why others needed to use a calculator. Even in 1947, Albert was an advocate of the decimal maths system. Nights would see Albert working out lineal and super feet, of logs and timber, as well as income and expenditure. Logs were acquired from all over the area. At first locally, from places like Tongarra, Robertson and Fitzroy Falls, then Berry and eventually the Shoalhaven and further south. Many family days were spent going "bush" with the men, inspecting stands of timber suitable for milling.

In the late 1940's, George McBeath handed over his partnership to his son Keith who had a background in carpentry. The saw milling industry in Albion Park was changing, and logs were harder to get and had to be hauled from far down the coast. The partners seeing the need for change, led to purchase of land at 47 Princes Highway Albion Park Rail, on which was established Albion Park Building Supplies Pty. Ltd.

At this time "New Australians" were coming to the area, and Albert prided himself in understanding Dutch and words of other languages relevant to the industry and being able to help with advice and service. Many were customers and some were employees.

Albert, Vern and Keith continued to access the building needs of the area. A small mill for dressing, breaking down and docking already milled timber, a petrol station and a glass factory were established and some land was leased for a septic tank business.

Albert continued his love of maths, doing the tally sheets, invoices, docket books accounts etc. Having had only 2 years of high school at Bowral (and some of that time with Don Bradman), Albert had great pleasure in being able to work out housing quantities for a top level Maths teacher at one of the local high schools.

Albert continued on as managing director of Albion Park Building Supplies until his retirement in the early 1970's.

Contributed by Glenys Elbourn 2006.

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