Chisholm's Blacksmiths

Mr Billy Chisholm established the first blacksmith business in Bungaree. The business was between where Sophie Boyd's and Don Sheppard's houses are now, opposite the Morning Star hotel.

Frank Hanrahan said, "it was made of corrugated iron and built right up to the fence line at the front."

Mr William (Billy) Chisholm operated at the forge, with Matt Ryan as striker and assistant. The striker's job was to swing a heavy hammer to beat the hot iron which the blacksmith held with tongs. The blacksmith would tap the iron with a small hammer to show the striker where to hit with the large hammer.

Billy Chisholm was a builder of wagons and drays and carried out repairs on farm implements, and he also shoed horses.

Kevin Hanrahan remembers that Billy Chisholm was also a wheelwright, his work included 'cutting and shutting' - making the metal tyre fit tight on a wooden wheel.

Eddie Keeble reckoned that Billy Chisholm was the hardest worker in all of Bungaree.

Mr William 'Billy' Chisholm

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