Ernest Hutchinson was born on the Athelstone market garden property on the south bank of the River Torrens that his grandfather had pioneered in about 1850. 'Mick' was the middle of nine children. While he was attending the Athelstone School, Mick's chores were light but various including collecting morning wood in the Black Hills above the property and delivering milk to neighbours. He left school as soon as he was allowed and stayed on the property, working the black soil, 'planting and reaping' vegetables and combating pests. His hobbies included shooting rabbits and other game in the Hills. Mr Hutchinson married in 1922 and moved into a house that bordered his father's property. During the 1920s Mr Hutchinson worked in partnership with his father but in 1932, after several very lean years, he decided to quit market gardening and found security working for the Electricity Trust. Mr Hutchinson had two daughters.

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