Jack Fidock
Jack Fidock was an early farmer in Woodanilling who took a great interest in local sporting bodies, especially cricket and the Woodanilling Golf Club. He was also the foundation Chairman of the Woodanilling Co-operative where he remained until his retirement at the shareholders meeting in 1938. He and his wife retired to Albany that same year.
WOODANILLING VALEDICTORY
MR. AND MRS. J. H. FIDOCK HONOURED.
Great Southern Herald
18 December, 1937
The many friends of Mr and Mrs Fidock, in the Woodanilling and surrounding districts gathered at the Woodanilling Hall on Wednesday evening of last week in order to bid them farewell on the eve of their departure.
Mr Fidock was retiring from active farm life after a period 33 years at Woodanilling, during which time he had taken a keen interest and active part in all matters pertaining to the advancement of the town and district.
When the Woodanilling Co-operative Store was founded some twenty years ago, Mr Fidock was elected Chairman of Directors, a position he has held ever since and will continue to hold until the annual shareholders meeting in 1938. His keen business acumen and farsightedness materially helped the growth of the firm from its small beginning to its present extensive dealings and sound financial position.
For many years Mr Fidock has been on the committee of the Katanning Agricultural Society, and for the past five years has been a councillor of the W.A. Wheat Pool.
He has always evinced a keen interest in sport, especially cricket and golf which has received his material support. In March of 1934 he convened the first local meeting of golf enthusiasts, and on the formation of the Woodanilling Golf Club was elected president. To help the game he placed at the disposal of the club one of his fallowed paddocks, and with the help of other members, formed a temporary nine-hole course.
Later he was instrumental in securing a more suitable site, on which the present course was planned by Messrs F. C. Wingrove and E. H. Nicholas, of Katanning.
During the evening, Mr R. S. Bell, Chairman of the Woodanilling Road Board, presented Mr and Mrs Fidock each with a handsome travelling case on behalf of all their friends.
Referring to Mr Fidock’s long association with Woodanilling. Mr Bell eulogised his many stirling qualities, and the active part he had taken in the welfare and progress of the district. Expressing deep regrets that he was leaving the district, Mr Bell wished Mr and Mrs Fidock many years of health and happiness and assured them of a warm welcome should they decide to revisit Woodanilling.
In responding, Mr Fidock thanked all present for their kindly thoughts and expressions assuring them that lie found it hard to part from his old associates and many friends. He was proud to have been associated with the growth of the Co-operative and to have held the position of chairman from its inception to the present day, and glad of the opportunity to give support to the various sporting bodies.
In conclusion, Mr Fidock drew a comparison between conditions in Woodanilling and those which existed 33 years ago when there was little or no sport and none of the present-day popular forms of entertainment. The farmer, his wife, and family found the only means of social life to be a visit to their neighbours on Sunday and travelled in the old spring cart and buggy.
The balance of the evening was devoted to dancing and vocal items, followed by a dainty supper served by the ladies.
Mr and Mrs Fidock subsequently left for Albany where they will their home during the summer months.
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Jack Fidock
Jack Fidock. Jack Fidock.