"That's no ghost, that's my dad," exclaims John Feehan of Hackett.
And with that short statement, one of the region's longest-running mysteries was all but solved.
For years, folk around Bungendore and beyond have whispered about the ghostly figure that mysteriously appeared in a 1949 photo that was proudly displayed in the front bar of the town's Royal Hotel for many decades.
With the advent of the internet, the image was closely scrutinised the world over. In fact, one website named it in the Top 101 ghost photos of all time.
While some paranormal afficionados speculated it may have been the lingering spirit of a former publican, sceptics were convinced it was a double exposure.
However, according to John, both theories are wrong.
"The 'ghost' is actually my late father Harold Feehan (1911-1991) of Braidwood, who would have been about 38 at the time the photo was taken," claims John.
"The photo definitely wasn't a mystery when it was taken", explains John, "but we are now three generations later and most who knew it was Harold in the photo are no longer with us."
John explains that as his dad worked as a wool classer and sheep dealer. While the wool classing took place in shearing sheds, he'd often meet local farmers in the Top Pub (Royal Hotel) at Bungendore to finalise a sale of stock.
"During these meetings Harold would park his green V8 Ford Mercury out the front of the pub and keep his two well-behaved kelpies (Bing and Crosby) in the boot," adds John.
"The reason sheep breeders liked doing business with Harold was that they could avoid paying trucking, saleyard costs and commission that other stock and station agents charged," explains John. "Harold also did business at the Tarago (Loaded Dog) and of course at the Braidwood pubs."
John sometimes joined his dad on these business outings, however he has no recollection of the day the photo was taken. And can you blame him? It was 75 years ago!
Now, before you think Harold may have cheekily photobombed the shot after closing a business deal, given the camera technology of the day, it's far more likely he was asked to stand in the photo.
"In the photo Harold is wearing his beloved hat, the same hat he wore for much of his life," reports John, who reveals his family still has the hat squirreled away "in a safe place".
When this column revealed the identity of the photo "phantom" to Gordon McKie of Narrabundah, the only person in the 1949 photo still alive, has was more than a little surprised.
"The name Harold Feehan isn't familiar to me, and I don't recall any of the other drinkers mentioning it was him," attests Gordon. "It was a long time ago and to me he'll always remain the mystery figure in the photo."
But don't try telling that to John.
"I can tell you 100 per cent that was dad," he exclaims, "there's absolutely no doubt about it."
Regardless of the identity of the so-called "ghost", for 75 years the photo has been part of Bungendore's history and provides a snapshot of life in the town's pub in a long (almost) forgotten era. For that reason alone, the photo, which was removed during recent renovations, ought to be reinstalled on the wall of the pub.
I'd drink to that.
Blooming good time
This column's nature fashionista, Rose Higgins of Kambah, is up to her old tricks again.
Regular readers may recall it was the colourful nature-lover who beat a path to the large patch of fluoro yellow moss (Funaria hygrometrica) growing in in Namadgi National Park back in 2020. Then, last year, she posed in the same retro garb at a very red azolla-covered pond in Chapman.
This week she donned her yellow 1950s-style swing dress for a stroll to the magnificent display of daffodils, jonquils and snowdrops at the former Sherwood Homestead site near Uriarra which, due to the warmer end to August, are fast approaching full bloom.
"I just love dressing up to highlight the changing colours of nature," says Rose, who splayed her dress to "imitate a cluster of petals" and who believes that the Sherwood bloom will probably be at its best over the next week or so.
How to get there: There are several ways to access the old Sherwood Homestead site, and all involve driving on unsealed roads and a short walk. The most direct route is via the East-West Road off Brindabella Road. Avoid getting lost by consulting a map before heading out.
Did You Know? After being vacant for many years and undermined by rabbits, the homestead was demolished in the mid-1900s. Some garden fences remained until the 2003 bushfires and "Sherwood" was added to the ACT Heritage Register in 2015. About 150 metres south-west of the homestead site is a small graveyard - the final resting place for Henry Phillips (1913, aged 89) and his wife Eliza (1922, aged 84) who settled at Sherwood in 1863 and planted many of the exotic bulbs and trees that continue to enamour visitors more than 150 years later. Their infant son was also interred here. The burial plot, consecrated as an official Anglican cemetery, is marked by a plaque as well as an oak tree. The original tree was sadly destroyed by the 2003 Canberra fires but was replaced several years ago.
An elaborate toy or a fake weapon?
This column's wandering archaeologist, Mick Hermes of Ainslie, has uncovered another curious find.
Regular readers may recall Mike has previously unearthed cricket belt buckles, antique coins and all sorts of 19th-century oddities in the bush in and around Canberra, especially along old Cobb & Co coach routes.
You may especially remember the dentures, complete with gold fillings, he found half buried in a dry Lake George back in 2011. According to the ACT Forensic Dentist, they probably fell out of their owner's mouth while sailing on the lake in the 1960s.
Mike reports his latest find, which he found just to the east of the ACT "appears to be a percussion cap toy pistol but it is tiny - just 8cm long".
"Percussion cap became the common weapon type in the 1820s or 1830s and [they] were superseded by the 1870s," explains Mike. "This one is cast iron and in three pieces, and only 50 per cent complete."
Mike, who believes it dates from the 1800s, is unsure as to its origins. "Perhaps this one was an elaborate toy for kids?" he surmises.
But he also has another theory.
"Apparently some wealthy women back in the 19th Century would travel with a small but real weapon made of brass and timber in a handbag for protection in public, particularly travelling on Cobb & Co routes," explains, Mike. "Apparently less wealthy women would have a cheap cast iron mock-up."
Mike would love to know if anyone else has stumbled on a similar toy pistol or could identify his unusual find.
Did You Know? The percussion cap is a small metal cylinder with one closed end. Inside the closed end is a small amount of a shock-sensitive explosive material such as mercuric fulminate.
WHERE IN CANBERRA?
Rating: Medium
Cryptic Clue: No doodle here!
How to enter: Email your guess along with your name and address to tym@iinet.net.au. The first correct email received after 10am, Saturday August 31 wins a double pass to Dendy, the Home of Quality Cinema.
Last week: No, it wasn't - as several readers incorrectly claimed - a bird feeder in Weston Park. In fact, due to the fact there are many disc golf courses in and around the ACT - including at Thredbo, Jindabyne, Weston Park, John Knight Park in Belconnen and Eddison Park in Woden - there was a barrage of incorrect entries. However, several eagle-eyed readers, including Angus Fergusson and triumphant winner Mick Gallway of Flynn, were able to identify the landscape surrounding the basket ("hole") on the banks of Lake Tuggeranong, just near the mouth of Village Creek. For the uninitiated, disc golf (sometimes called frisbee golf of frolf) involves throwing a disc (frisbee) through the air from dedicated tee-off areas over fairways and into the corresponding basket.
Melting moments
It might feel like winter left us long ago, but to mark the final throes (at least according to the calendar) of our coldest season, today I announce the winners of this column's longest stalagmite icicle competition.
Runner-up with his circa 320mm-long entry which formed overnight in July from his dripping garden hose in Rivett is Mark Kenseley. However, top gong is awarded to Dave Power of Wamboin who photographed this icicle stalagmite in late July while camping at the Armidale Showground. Heck, it's so long it almost reaches the tap.
- CONTACT TIM: Email: tym@iinet.net.au/ or Twitter: @TimYowie or write c/- The Canberra Times, GPO Box 606, Civic, ACT, 2601
