Ernest William Cansdell

Commercials History of the Nimitybelle - Early 1900's This store was contained in the same building, and was built by E.W. Cansdell. He also bought the property Highland Grange, and had the Cummins house built for his own residence. He was also responsible for the planting of the avenue of pine.

About the same time he bought the Rockdale property in his son Les's name.

He conducted the store for many years in conjunction with his auctioneering business. During his absence from the store it was managed by Mr. Sam Wilson. At this time the Wilson family lived in the old home that Alf Tozer demolished to build his home on the site. It was during the years that Cansdell conducted the store that he had the Federal Hotel built. He also had several houses built and acquired a lot more. He eventually sold all his interest in Nimmitabel and moved to Lake Cargellico. On leaving Nimity, he sold the store to John Fakhry.

Early Residents - Ernest William Cansdell

Cansdell, together with Austin Chapman, was the owner of 28 acres of land subdivided as the Blue Mountains Estate. Ernest is thought to have built the home now named Banool c1908, which is still located at Martin Place, Linden. The home is referred to on subdivision plans of the time as ‘the bungalow’.

In January 1914 the Nepean Times reported that he had a successful land sale at Linden, and that property agent Mr J.T. Wall purchased the home for Mr J.J. Anderson.

Cansdell, born in NSW c1863, married Charlotte M. Hyland in 1888, and the couple had several children. He died in 1933.

Charles Stuart Cansdell, a city magistrate and acting judge of the Western Districts in 1884, is thought to have been related. Other city magistrates of the time were Thomas and Alfred Broughton, and Michael and Robert Chapman. J.J. Anderson, R. Southouse, Frederick Marks & Mr. McIlwraithe were subsequent owners.

"The star attraction might have been buried somewhere under the altar but that was not going to stop Nimmitabel celebrating the 150th anniversary of the day the foundation stone was laid for the oldest existing Catholic church in the Monaro.

The St Andrew’s church community came up with a new commemorative plaque to do the foundation stone’s job and hosted a gathering that far surpassed early expectations.

Close to 150 people came from as close as Cooma, Bombala, Bega and Nimmitabel itself, and as far as Sydney, Canberra, Goulburn, Lake Macquarie and Moree, for Mass celebrated by Cooma parish priest Fr Paul Huthnance and to chew over memories at a reunion lunch.

Among them were descendants of E W Cansdell, the local storekeeper, auctioneer and tobacconist at the turn of last century whose family donated the Sacred Heart statue behind the pulpit."

RE HOUSE IN MOSMAN

Mr Murphy said the home was originally purchased by Ernest and Charlotte Cansdell in 1908.

“He was a Stock and Station Agent and a storekeeper in the Eden-Monaro district, near Cooma,” he said.

“It’s the reason why the estate is known as ‘Monaro’.

“Descendants of Ernest and Charlotte Cansdell still reside in Mosman and Cremorne today.”