Roy Wellington Alexander

Roy Wellington Alexander (1891 - 1983)

This picture does paint a thousand words, for the future, for all of us, thanks to the generosity of Roy Wellington Alexander and Dick Jaensch, proud residents of Mount Barker.

What an era this Mount Barker pioneer’s son lived in!  In his early years, Roy worked on his family’s farm on the outskirts of Mount Barker. Throughout his lifetime, he saw the major mode of transport go from his beloved horse (as pictured) to steam trains, cars, buses, trucks and aeroplanes.  Throughout his life journey, Roy maintained one love; the love of the land.  

Roy’s property supported a large number of stock and, with the help of his long-time employee, Dick Jaensch farmed merino sheep. When times were tough, Roy relied on Dick to help him, so when he passed away in 1983, he helped Dick out by bequeathing his property.  

Roy and Dick had the same passion for the land. When Dick passed away in 2015, he left a legacy encouraging young people to work on the land. The property had been sold years earlier with the progression of the township of Mount Barker. Dick wanted the young people of Mount Barker to benefit, and he wanted the name of Roy Wellington Alexander to live on through the eyes of the many, many young scholarship beneficiaries.