Fred Reece

Fred Reece was born on Bangate Station near Lightning Ridge in 1890. He was the son of Alfred Reece, a non-Indigenous bookkeeper born at Dalby in 1845, and Clara, a Murawari woman who passed away in 1925 and is buried at Bangate. The Reece family connection to Bangate dates back to the 1880s, when Langloh Parker and Frederick Yorke Wolseley were co-owners of the station.

Fred married Beatrice Hill in 1916 at New Angledool. They had one son, Eric Reece, who would go on to discover several famous black opals in the 1950s, including Fireball, Bird of Paradise, and Rising Sun, later cut by Mick Bauer and sold to Larry Reynolds.

Fred Reece was a blacksmith, axeman, carpenter, and general handyman. He was also a natural storyteller. A speaker of Yuwaalaraay language, Fred provided important linguistic and cultural knowledge to the Institute of Aboriginal Studies later in life, including in recordings made by Janet Mathews.

In the 1930s Fred operated market gardens near the Narran River, in the ‘50s looked after Harold Hodges’ opal showcases, and in the ‘70s maintained a blacksmithing practice while he was well into his 80s.

He was recognised as Citizen of the Year in 1985, at the age of 95. He named the Barriekneal Housing Company and is remembered as one of the most respected Elders of the district. The centenary of his birth was celebrated in August 1990.

Fred Reece passed away in 1986 and was buried at Bangate beside his mother. A fence was erected around his grave, honouring his wish: “Don’t want kangaroos hopping over me when I’m down there!”

Fred Reece is commemorated in Fred Reece Way, leading from the end of Opal Street to the Lightning Ridge airport.

• Fred Reece @ Find a Grave.

Article: Research by Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: Lightning Flash Newspaper, 28 August 1971, 10 March 1979, 21 June 1984, 31 January 1985, 14 August 1986, 21 September 1989, 23 August 1990; The Lightning Ridge Book, Stuart Lloyd, 1967, p. 44.