General News
17 December, 2024
Harnath family recognised
A previously unnamed thoroughfare in Pimpinio now celebrates the achievements of two of the district's farming pioneers.
A previously unnamed thoroughfare in Pimpinio now celebrates the achievements of two of the district's farming pioneers.
At the request of local resident Roger Thamm, Horsham Rural City Council voted to adopt the name Harnath Road in memory of Mr Thamm's grandfather, Johann Frederick (Fred) Harnath, and great-grandfather, Johann Harnath.
The newly designated Harnath Road runs between Reinheimer's Road and Drendels Road in Pimpinio and borders the Harnath family farm.
In his submission to council, Mr Thamm wrote: "Johann Harnath was born March 17 1845, and travelled to Vectis East from Lake Linlithgow in the Western District with his brother Martin Harnath.
"The brothers were pioneer settlers who purchased land in Vectis East from 1872 to 1873.
"Martin eventually surrendered his entitlement to the land to his brother Johann, who had full ownership."
After Johann died in 1887 his widow remarried and continued farming the Vectis East property with the help of the couple's son, Fred Harnath.
"Fred was the only Harnath family member to remain in the area," Mr Thamm said.
"(In) 1905 Fred began working at May & Millar Foundry, where he was the head striker for two years before returning to the family farm.
"Fred later sold his inheritance of the Vectis East farm and purchased farmland at Greenland Dam, now Dooen."
This property is still owned by the Harnath family.
"Fred contributed to the Greenland Dam community where possible, often attending social events and following his Christian faith in helping others," Mr Thamm said.
"Notably, Fred helped to arrange a meeting between the district families to discuss installing telephone lines in the area.
"Fred was the secretary of this venture and travelled to Ararat to learn how to connect lines and install phones in homes."
Fred Harnath was also a musician who during World War I played the violin at send-offs and homecomings for service men and women.
"Fred married in 1933 and later welcomed a son, John Graham Harnath," Mr Thamm said.
"John continued to extend the Harnath farms by purchasing land in Pimpinio.
"The properties in Pimpinio and Dooen remain in the Harnath name and are still farmed by John and his (two) stepsons."
Mr Thamm said John was the third generation to farm in the Wimmera and had "a great interest in the land".
John Harnath did national service in 1952 and is today "very interested in military history".
Aftter a Wimmera branch of the National Servicemen’s Association was established he served first on the committee and then as president from 2005 until 2026.
"He also made a significant contribution to the community as a Wimmera Shire councillor from 1973 until 1986; during this time he served as shire president in 1981 and 1982," Mr Thamm said.