Herbert Kenny

1858 – 11/7/1927

E.E. Larcombe. 1935. The historical associations of the late Mr. Herbert Kenny. Journal and Proceedings. Parramatta and District Historical Society 4, 129-135.
(Thanks to Darrell Lewis for providing this reference)

pages 133-34:

"About the year 1887 he went on another long trip across Central Australia, still in search of pastoral country.
On this occasion he took a white man and two black boys and twenty horses. The route lay northward along the overland telegraph for a considerable distance before striking westward to the country between the Victoria and Daly Rivers. ..."

Kenny went out to the Victoria River county and then:

"Returning towards the centre of the continent, they tried to take a short cut to the MacDonnel [sic] Ranges, but soon found themselves in difficulties owing to the scarcity of water. They had sufficient for the men, but the twenty horses required a lot to drink, and it looked as if they would have to sacrifice these animals that were the only means of transport back to civilisation.
The anxiety of the leader, Mr. Kenny, may be imagined at this time as he was unable to sleep when, in the stillness of the night, he heard the noise of the flight of a flock of whistling ducks. Round and round they circled and he strained every nerve to listen as the circle grew smaller and smaller before they took the final plunge preparatory to alighting. At last the swoop came, and he noted the direction with a thankful heart, for the discovery of water meant everything to the famished animals.
Next day he had not proceeded a couple of miles before he saw pigeons, which seemed a good sign. Then he saw pelicans and he knew that the water was not far away, and a little farther on he came to the watercourse itself, and rode the horses right into it up to the saddle flaps. The weary and thirsty animals were soon refreshed and, after resting here several days, they were ready to go on.
Taking no further risks, the party now made straight for the Overland Telegraph, which they reached near Tennant's Creek, and thus made their way back to Innamincka safely."

Further information on Kenny:

sons

Herbert Edward Gray Kenny (1888-1979) http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~squeak/Kable/I72.htm

enlisted 1915 aged 27, Light Horse, mother Mrs Rosa Marion Kenny, Riverstone

Jack Arthur Charles Kenny

enlisted 1915 aged 20, mother Mrs Rosa M Kenny, Marsden Park, Riverstone http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm8/23_34_1/pdf/0201.pdf

enlisted 1918 aged 23, father's address The Vineyard, Riverstone http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm8/23_111_5/pdf/0371.pdf

from http://www.nla.gov.au/raam/

Kenny, Herbert
Letter from Riverstone, NSW to A. C. Macdonald concerning the graves of members of the Burke and Wills expedition
23 Sep. 1913
Typescript copy
Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, SA Branch (SRGS) MS 59c