Иванец Иван Антонович - John Ivanetz was born in Poltava in the Ukraine on 31 March 1897 .
He was a Cossack of the Poltava Province . In 1910 his family moved to Omsk to grow wheat on 1000 acres of newly opened up land . He was well educated, finishing 6th form as an external student at an Omsk grammar school . He was well read , maintaining a good library when in Australia . In 1917 John graduated from an Omsk Ensign ( Army Officer training ) school and after some confusion joined Admiral Kolchak's White Army in Siberia during 1918 . He was wounded 3 times, awarded the Medal of Vladimir, Class iv ( Military Division ), the equivalent to the M.B.E., and was twice promoted for " military Division" .
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| Ivanetz - NAA: BP313/1, IVANETZ J A |
By 1920, John was a second captain, twice commanding armored trains before being forced to cross into China in 1922. John spent 2 years in Manchuria and 4 years in Shanghai before landing at Townsville 4 June 1926 .
He unsuccessfully sought work in the cane fields around Bundaberg, but succumbed to the rigors of campaigning in Siberia. Failing to get work in the Mt Isa railway construction gangs, he returned broke to Townsville.
Getting a loan from a Russian friend, he talked a truck driver into taking him and 9 others, for 10 pound ( $20 ) to Katherine. He arrived during the last stages of the railway work in 1929, earning 28 pounds ($56) for 2 weeks work.
When this ceased he met John Fomin and they decided to take up land along the River. They were turned down once, but later in 1929 got block 97. Together with Droojinin and Zueff, they had one month before the wet to clear the block and plant the crop. 3 bags of seed went in before the rains started - the result an excellent crop. For the first 2 years, John lived in a tent until conditions improved.
In 1935 he, Tokmakoff and Zimin returned to Harbin to find a wife. While there, John married Nadia, a Russian orphan. In 1937, he became naturalized and also became sole occupant of block 97. He was granted the lease in 1938. In 1939 John grew cotton, but floods ruined the seeds. During the war, he grew vegetables and citrus fruit for the army, who helped by providing cheap fertilizer. To assist, John employed aborigines to pick fruit and maintain his land.
After 1946 he recommenced growing peanuts and although he continued to make money from them in the 1950's, by the mid -60's he gave it away. During the dry he used an irrigation system that could pump 10,000 gallons ( 45,000 litres ) per hour from the river.
He was described as being 5' 11", with the deepest set hawk eyes, a lean frame, brown eyes and black hair. He was a quiet man who hid his thoughts. He has 2 children. He was acknowledged to be a good farmer and an honest hardworking man.
Long Johns Creek is a local landmark.
John died at Katherine Hospital on 25 / 1/ 1977.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175157103/john-antonovich-ivanetz
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https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/236250356 - John Ivanetz peanut grower Northern Territory, 30th April 1950 - 30th April
1950 ON 388/Box 066/Item 036 |