Here is the last in Linda Fisher’s Pioneer Series about her great great grandparent’s, Lawrence Carter Holmes and his wife Emma. A pioneer couple in South Gippsland in the late 1800’s. These stories have been written in a ‘faction’ style…a bit of fiction around a base of facts, to make a story.
The Holmes family taken on 9 April 1900, 8 months before Emma’s 51st birthday, when this story is set.
In previous chapters of Emma’s story she has wondered what the future held for her family. Was the move to Australia, away from the comfort and security of family in New Zealand a good idea, or not?
Fast forward to another night, twenty odd years later…the night of Emma’s fifty-first birthday celebration, in December 1900. As Lawrence sat at his desk writing his daily diary entry, Emma sat in her comfortable chair by the fireplace. No need for a fire at this time of year.
Emma smiled as she remembered the events of the evening, particularly the speech given by their eldest son, Will.
Will spoke of many things…the family’s first home in Australia, Castle Comfort at Poowong. That the family had built the home and farm together, with Lawrence often working away from home, clearing land for other settlers to earn an income to feed his family. Emma held the fort at home, with children to look after, animals to feed, and vegie gardens to maintain.
He spoke of the move to Arawata, ten miles away, when Lawrence had been granted 120 acres in 1887, and the family once again slept in tents until the new house was built. The process of clearing land began again.
Will also spoke of his parents’ contribution to the local communities, first of Poowong, then Arawata. Lawrence was heavily involved in the establishment of both towns, in fact he named the town of Arawata after the ship he came to Australia on. Lawrence used his building skills to build some of the original structures in both towns. Shops, the lock up and a church in Poowong. He was also engaged in the cutting of many roads in the area. Furthermore, Lawrence was a member of many committees over the years.
Will talked about his mother, Emma, the bonny pioneer woman that she was, who also contributed much to the community. She was an untrained midwife, often being called out to assist in the birth of local babies. According to her husband’s diaries…forty eight deliveries in less than seven years. She would usually stay and help out for a week or so after the birth to help the new mother recuperate.
All the guests heartily cheered at the end of Will’s speech. Especially Lawrence and Emma’s family, their children and grandchildren. Ten of their fourteen children had survived childhood, the eldest now aged thirty-four, and the youngest eleven. The eldest three were married and had provided Lawrence and Emma with ten grandchildren so far. They were all present at the Arawata Hall that night.
As Emma looked over to her husband, he looked up from his desk, over towards her, and they both smiled…yes, the move to Australia was a good one.
Lawrence wrote in his diary,
“Thank God she lives so long, and does so little harm.”
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