32: W D Sara Saddler

 

William Dingle Sara came to Learmonth in 1882, setting up business in a shed on this property making and repairing horse harnesses.

William was a community minded man being active on several committees, including being a foundation member of the Learmonth ANA and its first secretary in 1887. He also audited the financial statements for the Learmonth Presbyterian Church for about seven years.

He was the local agent for "The Argus" newspaper & "The Australian Journal"  as well as "The London & Lancashire Insurance Co.". Learmonth people in the later part of the 19th century must have been very fond of reading and keeping up with current events, as in 1897 all of the following papers were available from various businesses in the town by subscription: The Argus, The australasian, The Leader, Once a Week, Ballarat Star, The Courier, The Weekly Times and the Southern Cross.

W. D. Sara was the proprietor and publisher of the "Learmonth Thunderer", published on the 24th June 1897 as part of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

When William died at Learmonth on the 6th of June, 1914 at the age of 53 he had been a saddler in Learmonth for 32 years. 

 
  Return to sites list
 

© 2021 - Learmonth and District Historical Society