Labour Australia

John Nader, n.d.

photo supplied by Anne Franklin

One of the best known personalities in the life of Temora passed from this worldly scene when John Moses Nader was called to the Great Beyond on October 21, at the age of 66 years.

Jackie Nader was known and liked by everyone. His jovial disposition, which was the outstanding trait in a happy character, had made him everyone’s friend.

Born the only child of Moses and Kareemie Nader, in Kispa, Lebanon, 66 years ago, he emigrated from his native land in 1895 when as a lad of 13 with his parents he made the long trip out to Australia. They made their home first at Redfern, but it was not long before good reports of the opportunities existing for the hawker in the rapidly growing country settlements caused them to leave the city and make for Cootamundra, where their fellow countrymen – the well known Deep family – had been successfully settled for some years.

On arrival at Cootamundra George Deep assisted them, as he had done others of his countrymen before, by equipping them with a hawker’s outfit. The family then launched out on what was to be a most successful career trading up through Tumut, Adelong, Gundagai and Binalong. Although greatly handicapped by language difficulties at first, the Nader family soon made many friends among those with whom they dealt, and these friendships remained lifelong. Even in later years Jackie Nader could not return to the hill country without meeting and greeting many old friends of his hawking days.

In the days of his youth when he was courting Nafie Deep daughter of George Deep of Cootamundra, Jackie would often ride his bicycle many miles from Adelong to Cootamundra to see his brother to be. These long trips kept him in fine training for numerous cycle carnivals at which he competed most successfully in those days.

The late Mr. Nader and his bride went to Temora, where they opened a drapery and mercery business. After purchasing his own shop premises Mr. Nader went on to acquire property interests in the town.

Jackie Nader, once the business became solidly established, allowed its control to remain in the capable hands of Mrs. Nader, while he devoted himself to his favourite interest – horses. He did very well breeding and dealing in them and became a recognised authority on ponies and particularly trotting horses. He was a great exhibitor at country shows and soon was a familiar figure in every show ring in this part of the State and also at the Royal Easter Show. He won prizes everywhere and one of his best trotters, White Globe, still holds an Australian record. His horses had competed successfully at Harold Park and he was one of the first advocates for night trotting.