By Kimberly Grabham.

The Riverine Grazier’s Editor, Tertia Butcher always quotes an African proverb, “When an old person dies, a library is lost”.

Mr John Raymond Kulper was not only a respected, knowledgeable and quiet gentleman, but he was also such a library. Mr Kulper was fascinated by the history of Hay, and strived to work to ensure that it was recorded, and recorded accurately.

Recently, plans for the Riverina Hotel were given to the current publicans.

The plans were created in 1911, for amendments to the building, that were set to be put before Council for approval. The original plans were created on old waxed cloth, much like waxed cardboard with a thin layer of waxed cloth on top.

The Riverina Hotel has a replica of these plans in a lovely frame hanging in the Jolly Jumbuck Bistro. David Sloan, owner operator of the Riverina Hotel, knew and liked John Kulper well.

He was thrilled when John brought in the plans for him.

“It is rare that a hotel has the original plans for the building, and we were pleased to receive them,” Dave said.

“It’s funny how life works out; Kelly my wife, her great great uncle was Christopher Ledwidge. He was believed to have owned the Caledonian in the 1800s, and built the Carrathool Hotel.

Kelly was born exactly 100 years after Christopher Ledwidge passed, and we ended up being the owner operators of a hotel in Hay.”

Mr Kulper discovered the plans years ago when taking rubbish to the local tip, long before the tip was altered to look as it does now.

In those days, you could back your vehicle up to the big craterous hole, and dump your rubbish yourself. “To the side of the hole, were a couple of boxes,” Mal Kulper, John’s son, recalled.

“Out of curiosity, he went over to see what was inside, as what looked like a map was sticking out.

They were plans, for houses built in the area, and for many buildings and businesses.

“He took them home, and began distributing them to relevant residents and business owners around town. It was a great deal of history recovered before it was lost for good,” David Sloan, owner operator of the Riverina Hotel, knew and liked John Kulper well.

He was thrilled when John brought in the plans for him.

“It is rare that a hotel has the original plans for the building, and we were pleased to receive them,” Dave said.

“It’s funny how life works out; Kelly my wife, her great great uncle was Christopher Ledwidge.

He was believed to have owned the Caledonian in the 1800s, and built the Carrathool Hotel. Kelly was born exactly 100 years after Christopher Ledwidge passed, and we ended up being the owner operators of a hotel in Hay.”

Born in Hay, John’s parents were from Hay, and John lived in Hay for the majority of his life. John left Hay to undertake National Service, in the mid to late 1950s.

He enjoyed his time in the National Service, and was offered an Officer’s Scholarship. He declined, as he did not want to leave Hay in order to attend the Officer’s College.

Mal Kulper, John’s son, lives in Darlington Point. He shares his late father’s love of history, particularly of Hay and surrounding areas.

“Both Dad and I were always sticklers for making sure that history is recorded accurately,” Mal said.

“I still research to ensure that it is correct, we both shared the belief that if it isn’t right then it is not history.

“Even if dates are incorrect by a year or two, or if there is false information, it is vital to correct it and get it right. “I remember him telling me stories about people around town, Hay history.

He would recall pubs located where people now live, and all sorts of interesting aspects of Hay that have now changed.

“Down the track, I would research what he had recalled, and find the full story, and it all lined up.

I found it fascinating to read about the same things he told me he had seen and

experienced.” John’s family came to Hay in 1883, the day the Hay Railway opened.

Mal left Hay in 1983, but relocated close enough that he can keep up with everything that is going on in Hay.

Mal said some of John’s passion for history stemmed from learning about his family’s history, and it all flowed on from there.

Mal said that one time, John proved that the marked tree at Marked Tree Point wasn’t the part of history which was widely believed. The belief was that Charles Sturt marked the tree, during his travels up the river.

John later discovered that it was a surveyor’s mark, and that there are several trees with the same mark in the vicinity.

These trees indicate the property lines.

Another passion of Mr Kulper’s was bottle collecting. He became interested in the hobby during the 1970s, and used to find them on old properties.

He also located many in the centre of Bushy Bend. There was also many unearthed at the corner of Coke and Leonard Streets, where an old water treatment plant was located, and down the riverbank.

The Hay Brewery was located at the end of Moppett Street, where the Harrison’s residence was at one time located. Some of these bottles had the word Hay printed on them.

John would take them to bottle shows, show them and swap them with other collectors. Sadly, John died in 2021, a mere seven months after his wife passed.

He died the day before his 86th birthday, on December 27.

Mr Bruce Wall “John and I (Bruce Wall) began our friendship a couple of years prior to John joining our family retail business, Hay Furniture Co., as an employee.

“Our association dates back to around 1959 when we both became speed boat owners.

John joined our family business, initially, on a part time basis, around this time (1960) and as our business activity picked up, John agreed to my request that he join us as a full-time employee.

“He accepted my request, beginning fulltime employment with us in 1962, the year that we opened our new, renovated premises at 167-169 Lachlan Street.

“Thus started a truly friendly relationship.

"“Just after John’s passing was advised, (last year), a member of the public approached me and made the comment “John worked for you for many years Bruce”, to which I answered, proudly, “35 years and we never had an argument”. Lots of discussions, but we never crossed the line.

“John and I were both self-taught in the planning and installation of floor coverings, however, I hasten to add that John’s reputation as an excellent tradesman was very soon established.

“I would like to give just two brief examples here.

“The owner of business premises in Deniliquin, had become aware of John’s reputation as a carpet layer and he approached me to enquire if he could hire John’s services to install (his own new) carpet on a rather elaborate and complex spiral staircase in his two story business premises – such being a measure of John’s high standards. (We did, of course agree to his request.)

“Many years ago, I was approached by a lady customer with a request to install carpet in her rather luxurious new home. “At that time, we had a lead time of about six weeks for floor covering installations, (due to our fast-growing floor covering business) and I subsequently suggested to her that she obtain a quote from a Griffith supplier (heaven forbid), as she would be rather anxious to move into her new house as soon as possible.

“However, my customer responded with “no, I want you (meaning John) to install the new carpet”.

“Needless to say, our lady customer did not have to wait six weeks. During the 18-year period from 1961 to 1979 John came to know another employee at Hay Furniture Co, Perce Stratton - (totally blind, two artificial eyes).

“Perce frequently worked with John, assisting him with all manner of work. John’s patient and friendly nature ensured a wonderful, working relationship with all staff and especially with Perce the blind man. “Such precious memories to hold.”

Below: Left -John Kulper with friend Bill Hemphill in the 50s. John Kulper as many would remember him. Right: Mr Kulper’s father pwned a bike shop, which was located on the corner of Lachlan and Moppett Street in Hay. Far right: Mr Kulper as a child, pictured with a friend.