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Bloss Sutherland (right) and a man from Holland on a drilling rig in Borneo -
Bloss Sutherland and George York look on as a group of native labourers mix cement.
Father, community leader, soldier, International Driller - Bloss Sutherland bore many titles during his lifetime.
Before Sutherland ever set foot on the international oil fields he had already seen his share of foreign travel. He enlisted and served in the First World War under the 18th Battalion in France. After returning to his home in Oil Springs, Sutherland worked in the local oil industry before turning his sights back to foreign lands.
Interview with Norm Sutherland, Part 1
Duration: 2:20 - Transcription
In 1920 Sutherland took a job in Miri, a city on the island of Borneo. He spent several years working in Borneo (modern Malaysia) and elsewhere in Southeast Asia before returning to Oil Springs.
Interview with Norm Sutherland, Part 2
Duration: 2:23 - Transcription
Despite already serving in Europe and drilling in Southeast Asia, returning to Oil Springs did not mark the end of Sutherland’s story, rather it signalled a new chapter. After returning home in 1932, Sutherland purchased a 33-acre property, setting up 42 oil producing wells. While this property didn’t make Sutherland rich, in 2006 he grossed about $700 each month. Wealth didn’t concern him - when asked about his wealth Sutherland remarked, “I manage to buy the groceries.”
Sutherland cared about his community, devoting much of his time to supporting Oil Springs and Petrolia. He served on local town councils for 15 years, spending five years as deputy-reeve and 10 years as councillor. Sutherland even ran as a mayoral candidate.
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