In 1962, Ruth Leslie gave an address at Newstead House in Brisbane. She spoke about her family who were early settlers on Cumkillenbar Station and had a close connection to the Bell family of Jimbour.

Ruth Leslie’s grandfather was Samuel Moffatt who was born in Athlone, Ireland in 1833 and 20 years later as a young man he came to Queensland. Ten years later, he married Maria Susanna Panton of Ipswich.

His brother was Thomas De Lacey Moffatt, who was the Colonial Treasurer in the new state of Queensland.

He was married to Mary, a daughter of Thomas Bell, owner of Jimbour Station. He was the owner of many properties and among them was Cumkillenbar. He did a lot to develop the property by building a dam across the creek and establishing a homestead.

However his time was short as in 1864 he died suddenly from a heart attack at the age of 38. It seems that it was then his brother Samuel came to manage Cumkillenbar.

For the next 20 years, Samuel and his wife Maria lived in style in the homestead.

Cumkillenbar was completely self-contained, having all the usual out buildings that go to make up a station homestead, including a butchery and saddlery or leather workshop.

The house had a shingle roof and probably contained a great deal of cedar.

They kept a large staff and grew all their own vegetables having Chinese gardeners to tend the garden. The property was stocked with sheep and cattle with Chinese shepherds in control of the sheep.

The Moffatts were familiar figures at the races, driving a four in hand, with a liveried groom in attendance.

They made frequent trips to Jimbour. Maria was an old friend of Lady Bell as she had been a bridesmaid at her wedding. With the Bells they made trips to the Bunya Mountains by buggy, sending grooms ahead to pitch camp in the hills.

One steep section was known as “the chute” and on descent it was necessary to secure fallen logs to the vehicle to steady the descent.

Their young folk enjoyed the wonderful swimming pool in the mountain creek where happy hours were whiled away.

The Moffatts entertained lavishly and had many distinguished overseas guests.

Notable among these was the Duke of Manchester and Marianne North the well know English artist.

Five daughters were born to the Moffatts while they were at Cumkillenbar. They were Elizabeth, Maria, Matilda, Mary and Josephine.

Mary was Ruth Leslie’s mother. The youngster Jo was adept at climbing tress. She offered to climb a tree and bring down a koala to show Marianne North.

It was believed the artist painted a picture of the feat and it may still be in the “North Gallery” at the Kew Gardens in London.

For Ruth Leslie it was a great opportunity to relate the stories of old Cumkillenbar as told to her by her mother.

It had all disappeared before her time.