He was born to Indigenous parents in the Wilcannia district in 1867 and after his parents died when he was eight years old, was raised by the family of EW Donnelly of Gnals Station along with several other children.

They all came to Borambola Station, just across the Murrumbidgee, in 1889 after the death of its owner, John Donnelly who had also previously purchased most of Junee North Run.

Wickey was an outstanding athlete in his 20s and won many foot races against professional runners, among them a $150 handicap at Broken Hill.

He was an excellent horseman in all disciplines including race riding and steeple chasing.

Around 1900, he rode Rackstraw into second place in the Australian Grand National at Flemington.

George worked for JWC Beveridge at “Tenandra Park” and “Billabong” for some 40 years.

He married Fanny Fitzgerald, one of the other young persons raised by the Donnellys and raised a family.

Descendants of that respected family are still well represented in the district.

On September 28,1936, Wickey, then in his 70’s and mounted on a grey horse, led the parade through Junee which celebrated the Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary) of the incorporation of the then Junee Municipal Council.

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