ORAL HISTORY (AUDIO): WELLS, RODNEY

« Prev Item Next Item »

2008

Subcollections

Overview

Rodney Edwards Lloyd Wells was born in Angelo Street, South Perth on the 1st of August 1941. His father was an Auctioneer at H.E. Wells and Sons, which was owned by Rodney’s Grandfather. Rodney’s first job was with Dalgety and Co a Wool brokering company. After returning from a working holiday in Scotland Rodney obtained his commercial pilot’s license and began working up north on stations. Here he met his wife and wound up buying Frazier Down stations. After the passing of his father, Rodney bought out his uncles’ share of the auctioneering company and managed both. However he soon sold the station and moved his family down to Perth. Rodney discusses how auctioneering has changed since taking over the business and how different lots come into and go out of fashion and worth. He talks about common mistakes auctioneers make and how he had to learn on the job. He discusses how he set up his show floors and the sequencing of lots and why certain things were down in a particular way. He recalls some of his favourite lots and some of the characters that were often seen at the auction house and how the evolution of Subiaco has helped and mirrored how his business has gone. Rodney talks about his time as a councillor and how he felt during this time of great change in Subiaco as well as his time on the business advisory committee. He reflects on how Subiaco has changed throughout his time as a resident and business owner and how he feels living in Shenton Park.

Interviewee: Rodney Wells

Date of Interview: 14 and 22 July 2008

Interviewer: John Bannister

Transcriber: Unknown

Indexer: Alicia Mackenzie

Historical information

Interview Recorded 14 an 22 July 2008

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-43-2014.68

Keywords

Grocer