My Orphan Grandma

This lady is the reason I commenced my love affair with family history.  

My paternal grandmother, she was always known to us as Violet Dorothy Hopkins and celebrated her birthday on 3 March. Presumably she was born in 1901, exact location unknown.  There is no birth registration for her.  

You see Violet was an orphan and no details exist for her parents no mothers name was listed and the fathers name was "Hopkins", no christian name just a surname.  

What I do know is that Violet had a brother.  She very rarely spoke of her younger years and only mentioned her brother on two occasions that I am aware of.  She told us she was in an orphanage in Townsville and she hadn't seen her brother since she left the orphanage in 1918.  

My Grandmother was a very distant person who very rarely showed much emotion, however on the occasion that she did, you knew in your heart that she happy, proud and loved you in her own special way.  I remember asking her when I was very young "how old she was"  she told "as old as my tongue and a little older than my teeth".  I wished I had persevered more to have conversations with her about her past but she was a closed book and as children we were told not to ask questions! 

I feel as my research has progressed and a timeline has unravelled that I know more about her life now than when she was alive.  It has made me understand why she was so distant and had difficulty showing emotion or affection.  I wonder constantly about the life she had whilst in the orphanage, what circumstances was she exposed to?  All the while not having her parents love or guidance in life. 

After visiting my Grandmother in June 1983 I decided I was going to find her family.

Copy of original application
pg1

Minute Book Entry for the
approval of Violet and Israel 
to be admitted
to the Orphanage

On 12 July 1905 at Mungana, a copper mining township near Chillagoe.  

Violet and Israel were taken from their mother who apparently was in a dying state and the children were destitute.  Sargent Durham of Cairns Police lodged an application to the District Court of Cairns for the children to be made "Wards of the State" on 24 July 1905. 

They were approved by the orphanage board and both placed at Carramar Orphanage in Townsville on 30 July 1905.  

Copy of original application
pg2

I visited the Carramar orphanage in Townsville in 1985 seeking information.  After sifting through page after page of enormous leather bound portfolios I came across two entries.  Folio #424 & #425.  My heart raced in anticipation knowing this page was in reference to my Grandmother and her brother.  

Source: Qld State Archives

The information on both pages was fairly identical.  The only difference was the year of birth.  I immediately commenced the long hard road of trying to find her brother and to piece together a timeline of her life.  

Source: Qld State Archives

The Carramar Children's Home was a goverment run home, located in Townsville.  It was previoulsy known as the Townsville Receiving Depot.  

Both Violet and Israel were christened upon admission to the orphanage as Church of England, at St James Church Townsville and were given the names of Violet Louisa and Israel Ernest. I expect this information was supplied by Tom as he was 5 years of age and would of been able to know this information. 

Source: Anglican Diocese of North Queensland

They were both educated at Townsville Central School from 1905 until 1914.  

Source: Qld Family Historian 
vol 14 No 1 February 1993  Page 29 

An article published in the Northern Miner,  Charters Towers on 02 August 1910 in relation to introducing a "Boarding Out"  system at the Townsville Orphanage states that there were 815 children under the control of the institution, my grandmother and Great Uncle were 2 of these children.  

Information provided to me by the Qld Family Services Department in 1995 advised that at the age of 14, Violet was hired out to Mrs Nicholson of Charters Tower for 6 months, she was then placed with Mrs Christine Brown of Charters Towers for 10 months, then she was hired to Mrs Clark of Charters Towers for approx 7 months.  She was returned to the orphanage on 10 March 1916.  On 6 April 1916, she was transferred from Townsville Carramar Orphanage to an Industrial School for girls at Clayfield.  On 30 April 1918 Violet was released from State Care.  No further information was provided.  

Violets brother was Israel Hopkins, known as Tom.  Toms early life is quite similar to Violets, he was hired to Mr Charles John Burdekin Abbott of Abbottsville, Stamford Line (Winton) on 22 March 1915.  He was 15 years of age.  On 2 Dec 1915, he was placed with Mr James Page of Eton Vale, 40 miles from Bowen.  He was then hired to Alexander JM Terry of Inkerman Station in April 1917.  

For whatever reason, perhaps to escape the memories, both changed their Christian names in adulthood.  Violet became Violet Dorothy and Israel was  now known as Thomas Israel.  Tom married and had 3 daughters of which his first born was named Violet, which I presume was after his sister.  She sadly passed away at the age of 3. 

Source: Qld State Archives
Townsville Orphanage 1879-1918 

There is a time period of 1918 to 1923 where I don't know the exact detail of where Grandma resided, worked or how she survived. We believe she was around the Toowoomba and Stanthorpe areas and worked for a family by the name of Greenups. There is information that she worked for 2 batchelor brothers in Toowoomba at some time.  Grandma did not show up on Electoral rolls until 1930.   The birth certificate for her first born son Gordon Vincent HUNTER, on 5 April 1924 states she was residing at Sunshine Valley, Karara, Qld. My Great Aunt Alice told me that Mrs Joe Smith of Karara gave birth on the same day as Grandma.

  

Marriage Certificate 

Grandma married my Poppa, Robert Patrick HUNTER on 10 Feb 1926 at St Marys Catholic Church, Warwick.  They were attended by Poppa's brother Edwin HUNTER and Alice HUNTER and Father Michael Potter was the officiating clergyman. Grandma's address is listed as Fitzroy Street, Warwick and Poppa was living at Karara. 

On the birth certificate for my Dad, Kevin Leo HUNTER, Grandma was living at Everleigh, Karara.  Dad was born on 8 May 1926 at Welford Hospital in Warwick.  

Grandma's third son, Mervyn Robert HUNTER was born on 18 Sept 1937 at Karara.    Grandma and Poppa continued to lived at Karara up until 1972 when they relocated to 203 Russell Street, Toowoomba, they resided there until their deaths.  

Death Certificate

Sadly, Robert Patrick HUNTER passed away on 20 June 1975 at the Toowoomba General Hospital.  Grandma suffered several strokes in her later years and remained at home for as long as possible.  

She eventually went into Care at Lourdes Home in Toowoomba until her death on 17 September 1985.  The cause of death was  Cerebral Thombosis and Cerebral Atherosclerosis.  Dr J Lockwood was her prescribed medical practioner. 

Grandma was buried with her husband on 20 September 1985 at Toowoomba and Drayton Cemetery.  She was survived by her 3 sons Gordon, Kevin and Mervyn.  

Grandma was an excellent cook and was known for making the best lamingtons, peach balls and gem scones on her wooden stove and fruit conserves.  My favourite being fig jam from the fig trees on the property. She never had a drivers license and would walk extremely long distances. She did amazing needlecraft work and sewing.  I have been gifted her Singer treadle sewing machine which takes pride of place at my home. 

My research is ongoing, now with genetic research and through this process I have confirmed her paternal line and connected with her nieces and their families, that is another story I am in the process of writing.  🧬 🧬 I am still searching for her maternal line, however I am close to solving, I know the family I belong to and the locations they were from, but despite that I cannot confirm which branch I fall from. I will write another blog on this journey, stay tuned 😀

I am honoured to be able to share my research journey and thank my Grandmother for the mystery, as heart breaking and time consuming it is, now 40 years on,  without her....... I would never have found my love of Genealogy.  💖

GLENDA MARY 

Glenda Mary Hunter
Photo: Courtesy of Katarina Silvester Photography 

Today we should be celebrating with cake and drinks, toasting the 49th birthday of my sister-in-law.  However, that did not eventuate as the powers to be had another plan for our beautiful lady.  So instead, I've written a tribute to one of the most selfless, generous, kind, humble, loving and courageous ladies who has made an enormous difference to so many lives.   

On 11 July 1970, a beautiful baby girl entered this world. Rodney and Lynne Sargood of Harold Park, Tambo were given the task of being her loving parents.  Glenda was the second eldest of the Sargood family with Anne-Marie, Jamie and David as siblings.   Glenda's education began in 1976 at Tambo State School of which she excelled in her academic journey.  Glenda had a very keen interest in Pony Club and was successful in the gymkhana arenas with her loved horses of "Blackie"  and "Skyes".  

Glenda was awarded Dux of Tambo State School on completion of her Grade 10 studies.  Other awards that were bestowed to Glenda were the Tambo Young Australian of the Year and the Arthur Con Foo Bursary.  Glenda went to Toowoomba where she was boarding at St Ursulas and in 1987 completed her senior year of education at Downlands College, Toowoomba.  

Longreach became Glendas' home after school where she began her nursing training.  Glenda met the love of her life Joe, when she returned home to Tambo to visit family and friends and romance blossomed around 1990. They moved to Tasmania for a period of time whilst Joe worked in the shearing industry.  During their time in Tasmania on the weekends they toured around taking in the majestic scenery and enjoying each others company.  However, this was not their forever home and they both knew they would return to Queensland where they selected to reside in the western town of Roma.  

On taking up residence at Roma in December 1990 they both secured employment at the Roma Hospital. Glenda loved nursing and spent most of her time working in theatre and in later years Triage and Administration.  

On 15 August 1992 Glenda and Joe were united in marriage at St Ursulas Catholic Church in Toowoomba.  After a wonderful honeymoon in Vanuatu they purchased their first home at Curry Street, Roma.  

Their family grew when a beautiful, curly haired baby girl was born in 1996 and was completed with the arrival of the their beautiful son in 1999.  

After several years Glenda decided to take a chance and change careers.  She ventured into the field of Crisis Housing and the Disability Services Sector.  Glenda continued to nurse on the weekends to keep her nursing status.  

From her childhood days growing up on the family property at Tambo, the love of the land remained with Glenda, which saw them purchasing Bungil View just north of Roma.  Glenda had a very artistic and creative talent and she decided she would buy her own business and venture into the Floral Industry with the purchase of "The Floral Nook".  This business became her new found passion and one she excelled at immensely.  Her commitment to working 7 days a week, working dusk till dawn was immeasurable and she kept soldiering on and never complained.  

As Glenda faced ill health it was time to sell her beloved business she had built up from hard work and lots of love and deep commitment.  Shortly after this, the family decided to move back into town and sold their rural retreat of Bungil View (otherwise known as Hunters Hill!) It was during this time period that Glenda was diagnosed with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer.  For many years, Glenda had numerous operations and again she displayed true spirit, positiveness and strength during the entire journey.  These were her strongest virtues.  She never showed how hard it was for her, instead she took on everyone else's grief.  Glen decided to create as many memories for her and the family as she could and so began the European travel adventures, Concert crawling by attending every possible musical artist that visited Australia! Cher and Shania Twain just to name a few, visits to family and friends and a return journey to Tasmania with Joe.  

I was fortunate to have Glenda and the family visit me and spend some valuable family time together, where we enjoyed the beauty of the Whitsunday Coastline and the rainforests of Eungella in pursuit of the evasive platypus.  

One thing I do know about my sister-in-law is that her love of family never ever wained.  She treated everyone with the upmost respect and always saw good in people she encountered.  One of her strongest loves were her husband and children and the immense love of family.   The children in our families, both Sargoods and Hunters are richer for having an Aunt of this calibre in their lives.  She always wanted to know of their achievements and concerns for their health and always having their best interests at heart and never missed a birthday.   Her love for her nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews was so very deep and they all have been blessed to have an Aunty so beautiful.  

Glenda wanted to put her love of music and  her family together by hosting a "Living Wake".  To accommodate the punters in the family (and there are a few of them!) she combined it with a Roma Race day.  Family and friends travelled vast distances to be there to share in the creation of memories that we will hold dear in our hearts forever.  Along with fine food, a few champagnes, great laughter and the odd bet or two we all partied into the night and sang and danced to honour Glens final wishes.  During the entire weekend, Glens smile was infectious and through the pain, she kept on going, laughing continually and enjoying everyones company.  

The Sargood Family

The Hunter Family minus one

Forever Loved 

Laughter all around

Cousins Reunited

Group gathering by the photographer who wasn't the photographer! 

The one thing Glen taught me through this journey was to be grateful for the blessings I have and to never give up hope.  I know I left it to the very end before I told her how I really felt, I guess we all take it for granted that we have time.  But what is time? It can be taken from us in an instant...and then what? It's too late.. so my advise to you reading this tribute, is to tell those around you that you love them, smile and always be kind, find that inner courage to continue in the journey of life and most of all be humble. And in Glenda's own words "Fake it, till you make it"

I remember saying to her when the weekend of celebrations was ending "Was it everything you hope for?" Her response was "Most definitely, it exceeded it Rose!"

The Hunter Family
Photo: Courtesy of Katarina Silvester Photography 

Sadly our families and friends of the beautiful Glenda Mary were brought together only 4 weeks later to bid our final farewell.  Glenda lost her battle to Cancer on 22 March 2019.  Given her diagnosis, we were blessed to be able to have more time than is usually spared with this type of cancer.  She beat the odds of surviving past 5 years and for that we will always be grateful.   I thank you for being so courageous and giving us all the chance to be by your side.  She will be forever young.

So whilst you may not be here with us, we can still raise our glass, turn up the music and toast the birthday girl, just as you would want us too.  Cheers to you lovely lady.  

In closing I leave you with this: 

My husband had the opportunity to tell Glenda the following:

"Being a punter I can only compare you to Winx.  A truely remarkable girl, a champion with a big heart who is a crowd favourite loved by all.  Glen you inspire me with your courage, dignity and selflessness of placing others before yourself.  Only at the agony of parting are the depths of love really understood.  I will drown in tears.  Love you Glenda, and our families and lives have been truely blessed by your presence"   

I think this sums our girl up perfectly.  Don't you? 

10 Years Without You

Boxing Day 2008 - The one day that is etched in my brain and heart until the day I die. The day I lost my darling Mother, my friend, my confidant ....her time was up.  Born in 1926 aged 82 years and 4 months, one of 16 children, mother of 6, grandmother of 13, great grandmother of 7 when she was called home.  

They say time heals when we are greeted with grief and loss,  one thing I know is that life goes on and we have to learn how to deal with the cards we are dealt with.   A reflection of 10 years without you. 

What you taught me  - sacrifice, gratitude, love of family, putting others before yourself, respect, protection of our children, endurance, faith, the power of prayer, hope and forgiveness,  that two wrongs don't make a right, be the better person and walk away. 

What I admired most - your tenacity, courage - for example, the loss of your father 3 days before Christmas in 1962 yet we never understood the pain you endured and dealing with future Christmases with a sadness in your heart.  At the time you had 6 children one only 6 days old.  The impact you made to peoples lives, the friendships you formed and the devoted love you gave to others and never ever expecting anything in return.  Caring unconditionally for your mother - in - law in her final years when in actual fact you had a life time of reasons to walk away. Your beauty, intelligence and humour.  Your love and pride of family.

My heart bursts with pride when I hear of stories from family and friends that have the utmost respect for you and the difference you made in their lives.  

You have faced many challenges in life - Marrying just after the second world war.  Raising two generations of children - covering births from late 1940 to early 1960's.  Raising teenagers of the swinging sixties to the liberated 70's flower power era. The loss of very dear friends and caring for them in their time of need.  Leaving your family and loved ones to move to central west in the 70's for Dads work.  Raising a family on your own whilst our Dad was away earning  a living. 

What are my memories - Some my earliest memories are the family photos by the old lemon tree, our huge pantry packed with grocery items.  Your massive baking days and the smell of home bakes treats wafting through the house.  Christmas stockings hanging by the fire place.  Our school uniforms hanging near the wood stove  and putting our shoes in the oven so they were warm before we went to school.  When the local horse races were on we used to sit on the verandah around 5pm and we had to pick who had won or lost judging by the looks on the drivers faces as they passed our home!  Teaching us the game of "Ornithorynchus"  We had to make as many words as possible from letters in this word.  Whoever had the most words won! The competition was fierce in the family to always outdo the other siblings.  Reciting your siblings in order of birth, of which I still do to this day.  Bella, Bill, Mag, Jack, Tom, Kev etc.. Our weekly walks to the Warwick Cemetery to pay our respects to your parents and loved ones already passed. The family stories of the past, hence my love of family history.  Volunteering at the school tuckshop, school fairs and sports days.  The excitement I had as a child when coming home on the bus after a day at school and we would turn the corner into Victoria Street and you would be standing at the front gate waving and smiling with happiness.  The days you were laid up in bed with blood clots and so very unwell. 

The marathon 24 hr cooking activity to raise funds for Marilyn when she was an entrant in the Miss Australia quest.  Sitting by my brothers bedside in one of his many bad asthma attacks hoping and praying he did not take his last breath.  Saying the Rosary in the lounge room.  Sunday roast dinners with the local priests.  Reading books by the open fireplace.  The night before Marilyns' wedding in 1973 and all the family home together with singalongs around the kitchen table.  Holding my hand when I went through IVF, not saying a word, but just being there.  The worry you had when I was in labour with my only child- still no words were spoken but now I understand that you were frightened for me and my unborn daughter. The tears you shed each time we had to say goodbye.  The strength you displayed when you were faced with life alone after the passing of our Dad unexpectedly.  The fear you had just prior to your passing, hoping that something didn't happen as it would ruin our Christmases forever and you did not want that to happen.  

Some quotes I still refer to  which now brings a smile and warmth to my heart thinking of you when I hear them today! 

• Sticks and stones will break my bones but names shall never hurt me.  
• Don't do unto others as others do to you.
• The cat can look at the Queen.
• Eat your greens.
• Crusts make your hair curly.
• Be kind
• You will have to come inside eventually and when you do I'll be waiting! (this was when I ran out side whilst avoiding the punishment for my bad behaviour) 

What I miss - your voice, our weekly phone calls, Christmases together, Mothers Day, your guidance and advise, but most of all your presence, (not being here to see your grand daughter marry the love of her life and her other milestones in life). 

The quote below sums up my 10 Years Without You perfectly.  

It has been said that time heals all wounds, I have to disagree.  The wounds remain.    Time - the mind, protecting its sanity- covers them with some scar tissue, and the pain lessens but it is never gone.  Rose Kennedy 

You live on in my life and your blood runs through my veins.  Love and Miss you Mum today and always xo

Stella Maud Buckland, nee Mitchell. 1 Dec 1920 - 30 Nov 2018

Today I had to enter a fact into my family history database and it broke my heart. 

Roseann and Aunty Maud at her 95th birthday in 2015

You see today is supposed to be one of joy and celebration.  My beautiful Aunt was turning 98.  I had some precious time with her only 5 weeks ago and she was fantastic.  Her mind was sharp as she recalled many stories of her past.  Her smile was infectious and she was joking around as she usually does with her very great sense of humour. 

The thought did cross my mind at the time of “will I see this beautiful soul again”?  As we progress through life the older we get we do actually think of this more often.  Why is that?  Is it because we are vulnerable and know that we all have an expiry date?  Yes, I do believe that is the case!  We just don’t want to talk about the loss, we condition ourselves to work through life as it is thrown at us.  We cannot live in fear of the unknown and what is out of our control, we must live for the now and create the most precious memories we can.  But silently we cannot help but let these thoughts creep into our minds from time to time. 

9 years and 11 months ago I had to say goodbye to my Mother.  She was one 16 children and yes, I will admit I do cling to memories that are within my heart, it’s what keeps me going.  And here I am today on 1 Dec 2018 finding myself grieving for my Mothers sister and my beautiful Aunt and her family.   Last night the Angels called her home just hours short of her 98^th birthday. 

This brings back the emotions of my own loss and knowing what my siblings and I had to endure at the time and knowing that my cousins are now faced with this event and have to work through another chapter of their lives.  As I was growing up I never really stopped to think of how my parents coped with loss, they both seemed to have it all together.  I never knew my grandparents on my Mother side.  Grandma Mitchell died long before I was born and I was only 2 when Grandfather Mitchell died.  I was 15 and 25 when I lost my paternal grandparents, and yes it was sad at the time but I don’t believe I really understood what my father was going through at the time.  It was just before I was 25 that I had commenced my family history and I was starting to realise for the first time what this “life” journey was about!

Back to my lovely Aunt.  This lady was and will always be very close to my heart, as I recall the memories of my childhood and her visits to our home.  She would always, and I mean she never ever missed bring me a bag of lollies on each visit except for one occasion she gave me a dollar and said “go around the shops and buy some lollies to share”.  I would have been no more than 7 or 8 years old.  In those days, you could get 5 snakes or red frogs for 1 cent!!  I would return home with this enormous brown paper bag full of lollies and was happy.  Until the lolly police arrived and confiscated the bag!  Mum would then issue a couple of lollies a day to us kids!  There are many, many more memories that I hold dear but this one is my favourite.  You see, even as an adult I would visit her at her home in Toowoomba and when she knew we were coming she would always have a bag of lollies for me! 

My message and reminder to myself today is that Life is precious, we will never get this moment of time back…EVER.  Sit with your loved ones, listen to them, take the photos and videos, hold their hand and gently care for them, capture and cherish your time with each and every person who comes into your lives, friends included. 

May you rest in peace Stella Maud Buckland, nee Mitchell.  Until I see you again .. I hope they have lollies in heaven!! If not I'll settle for a huge hug 💝 Love you forever.