Interview with Jack Daley - Farm Hand, Roseworthy Agricultural College

Abstract

Jack Daley began working as a farm hand at Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1914, continuing through both World Wars and the Great Depression. Jack worked with the horses and stables most of the time, but also milked cows by hand, prepared land for planting, helped build infrastructure (such as the silos) and did anything else required of him. When he began the work day stretched from 5.30 am to 8.30 pm, seven days a week. He earned a pound a week and “keep”, which was three meals a day. Once the Union came to Roseworthy in around 1916 conditions improved quite dramatically, and employees were granted time off and a few days’ holidays per year. Later, in the early 1930s there was a general strike by workers, and to keep his job Jack had to work from 2.30 am for 6 - 7 weeks. He would rise and milk the cows by hand, before setting off to complete his own jobs. Jack spent many years at Roseworthy, and offers great insight into life at the College 100 years ago.