Stephen Thomas MOYLE

   Research Notes:

Australian Electoral Rolls...

In 1903, 1909, 1914, and 1919, Stephen Thomas Moyle, of independent means, and wife Jane Moyle, home duties, were living in Learmouth.

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"Used all his money to purchase 320 acres near Donald in Victoria (Australia). He tried hard to succeed as a farmer, but droughts and rabbits ruined his hopes and rendered him penniless.

In spite of his financial and personal problems, Stephen Thomas MOYLE played an important role in the growth of the farming community at Laen North. He was a founder member of the Presbyterian Church at Laen North; in 1880 (31 Mar) he became a trustee and secretary to the newly-formed North Laen Cemetery, and remained its Honorary Secretary until 1894.

In June 1885, Stephen was elected auditor for Donald's first Farmers' Co-operative Society for which position received some remuneration.

In April 1887, debts forced Stephen to sell his farm. However, the Moyle famiy stayed on at Laen North to look after the farm for its new owner who did not wish to live there.

In November 1888, Stephen was elected secretary of the Laen branch of the Victorian Farmers' Protection Association.

In the early 1890s Stephen and his sons began breeding greyhounds and training them; and on 22 Jun 1894, the local paper reported the winner of a coursing match was trained by S. T. Moyle.

Stephen Moyle was the first farmer in the Donald district to conduct an interesting agricultural experiment, as reported in the "Donald Times" of 17 Sep 1901:

"Mr. S. T. Moyle, of Jeffcott, has undertaken the testing of a variety of different seed wheats for the purpose of ascertaining as far as possible, which variety is best calculated to stand the conditions under which wheat is grown in this district.
On Friday last our agricultural representative visited Mr. Moyle's farm for the purpose of inspecting the wheats in the early stages of their growth, so that a better idea of their value could be obtained when they are harvested.
Mr. Moyle has in addition to the wheats commonly grown in this district, procured 17 different varieties from the Dookie College so that the test will prove their capabilities as against the district wheats.
These plots are unmanured and each grain is sown nine inches apart so that each plant will have full and equal opportunity for development. In each row a hundred gains have been planted....
The experience gained from Mr. Moyle's experimental plots of the different varieties of wheat should be of great value to our district farmers; and will afford a good testof which wheats are most suited to the conditions of farming in dry areas."

Stephen Moyle farmed in the Jeffcott area until 1902.

Stephen was initiated in August 1908 into the Freemasons Lodge in Learmonth." ⁴

   Marriage Information:

Stephen married Jean Alexandra CLARK, daughter of Alexander CLARK and Janet McGREGOR, in 1868 in Victoria, Australia ¹. (Jean Alexandra CLARK was born on 14 Mar 1846 in Stirlingshire, Scotland ⁵ and died on 7 Mar 1933 in Learmonth, Victoria, Australia ⁶.)