The Story of Bill Andersen told by his daughter Elwin Andersen

Elwin Andersen - Bill Andersen's daughter.

Following the first blog about W.C. Bill Andersen we were contacted by his daughter Elwin Andersen. We were very lucky to have her conduct a talk on her father at the Maryborough library.

She told us “Bill Andersen started working with horses on the Andersen family farm.” She said people thought her father could not drive because he used the horses but “He learned to drive a motor vehicle as a teenager and later held a Motor Vehicle Driver’s Licence for the rest of his life. "Elwin fondly remembers her father  “He worked at several different jobs before starting a carrying business. He drove a delivery truck for J. O’Gorman, Grocer, Kent Street, Maryborough, Queensland during his seventeen years with the firm. He also used a motor vehicle when working his own business as a fruit vendor.  He tended a market garden at the rear of his residence and much of the produce was sold to his valued clients.  The property went through from Woodstock Street to Frank Street.”


W.C. (Bill) Andersen with the Andersen's dog Kim - workshop, stable, feed room, stable water trough to the right (under the cover) 82 Woodstock Street Maryborough, Qld.

Elwin remembers “ I used to assist him in placing the red-hot steel tyre to a wooden wheel.  They had to work very quickly with a hose and buckets so that the tyre would contract and fit snugly to the wheel.This work was done whenever a tyre or tyres wore “thin”.

W.C. (Bill) Andersen checking tyre fitted to the wooden wheel. Replace new tyre when one wears thin. Kim the dog is in the front.

The first of fourteen horses were purchased along with two sets of harness.  “After assembling a forge, he worked as a farrier/blacksmith.  That enabled him to fit replacement shoes to his horses’ hooves as well as doing other blacksmithing work when it was required. He also did some of the repairs to the harness and kept the horses’ rugs in good order.  (Using a bootmaker’s machine to repair the canvas rugs). .” Elwin reflects.

W.C. (Bill) Andersen with Major the horse (shoeing).

After assembling a forge, he worked as a farrier/blacksmith.  That enabled him to fit replacement shoes to his horses’ hooves as well as doing other blacksmithing work when it was required.

W.C. (Bill) Andersen Shoeing Larry 1970.

Bill was very innovative and  a man of many talents.  Elwin remembers a  plumber remarking on a job he had done setting up taps over three wash tubs under his house.  He said “The work was so well done, that the plumbing would probably last 100 years!”

W.C. (Bill) Andersen Major (ex trotter) in shafts.1973.

Within his own carrying business he loaded and delivered groceries for Hetherington’s Grocery Store, Adelaide Street, Maryborough as well as attending auctions and delivering furniture and effects to his loyal customers.  He also removed waste paper for several businesses in the CBD.  For some time, Bill was contracted to the Australian Paper Mills sending them many loads of cardboard for recycling.


W.C. (Bill) Andersen - Larry (ex trotter) in harness number two lorry. Picture. 1972

Bill would consign parcels from the Maryborough Railway Station and deliver various other parcels from there to businesses and to other clients.  One of his special deliveries was to Ted Dawson with aluminium boats from the rail to Ted’s marine business in Kent Street, Maryborough.


His reputation was one of popularity, especially with the children - taking on board at one time, the biggest crowd of 25.

The vehicles were for hire and often used in processions, especially for Marykhanas, hayrides and also for carrying Santa

Bill clocked up more than 60 years of experience with horses, (having owned 14 of the finest during his working life). He is one of the most fondly remember Icons of Maryborough.

More information can be found in the vertical files in Maryborough Local History Room and the images can be found on our library catalogue.

Names of Horses Owned by Bill Andersen:

• Tom purchased from A. Heath
• Vic purchased from J. Glindon
• Prince (1) purchased from C. Wheeler
• Tony purchased from C. Watson
• Dolly purchased from W. Fitzgerald
• Billy purchased from Bert Stellmach
• Jimmie purchased from Frank Mayfield
• Prince (2) purchased from George Buckler
• Joey purchased from Jim Bonner
• Toby purchased from Spence O’Brien
• Minte (Mintie) purchased from Minte Dong
• Snip purchased from Jim McDonald
• Larry Again (re-named Larry) purchased from Ted Koop
• Major purchased from W. Gees

This has been published with consent of Elwin Andersen if any further information is required, you can contact Elwin J Andersen by email as follows:  ejandersen1@bigpond.com

These images are found by searching W.C. Andersen on http://catalogue.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/opac/Default.aspx

Tags: #Billandersen #Frasercoastlibraries #Localhistory #Maryborough #horse #lorry #Elwinandersen