The famed Woakwine Cutting at Thornlea was the focus of the latest monthly meeting of the Millicent-based South East Family History Group.

Millicent retailer Christine Agnew explained the actions of her late father Murray McCourt to a gathering of 30 interested people.

The Woakwine Cutting is considered an outstanding example of engineering and was built between 1957 and 1960.

Accomplished by just Mr McCourt and his workman Dick McIntyre, a D7 tractor was principally used to make a cutting through the Woakwine Range to drain the McCourt family swampland for farming.

Although some in government circles were wary at first, the Woakwine Cutting was a success as it allowed large areas to be more productive.

The Woakwine Cutting was achieved when Mr McCourt was aged in his 30s and as he was raising a family of three daughters and a son with his wife Rosemary (nee Thompson).

Ms Agnew also reflected on the busy teenage years of her father.

“At the age of 13, he rode on horseback and helped to drive a flock of 1500 sheep from Woakwine at Thornlea to other McCourt family land at Mount McIntyre,” Ms Agnew said.

“Back in those days, sheep and cattle suffered from what was called coast disease and had to be moved around.

“We now know it was due to a copper deficiency.”

Before he turned 20, Mr McCourt had volunteered for the AIF during World War II and had seen active service in Borneo.

Ms Agnew was the last guest speaker at the SEFHG in 2022.

As is customary, a Christmas party will be held at the Millicent research centre on November 24 while there is no monthly meeting in December.