Hilda Agnes Beeby was born on 26 July 1903 at North Wangaratta, the youngest child of Samuel and Grace Beeby's family of 7. There were 3 brothers and 3 sisters.
She was raised on the family farm at Londrigan where they all lived in a two-room cottage. The area was called Carraragarmungee which was later named Byawatha. The property was on the Old 3 Chain Road to Sydney. The mixed farm grew crops and raised chickens and ducks.
These were killed and dressed and sent to the Victoria Market, along with the fresh eggs. They also had hives of bees. The honey was collected in four-gallon drums which also were sent to market.
The children would often fossick for amethysts at Specimen Hill, about a five-mile walk, from their home.
North Wangaratta School was a walk of 3 and a half miles, cutting across the paddocks. The whole family did their schooling there... all left school at 14.
Angela discovered this photo recently in the cellar of the Vine Hotel, North Wangaratta. It was marked as being taken c. 1910-1911. Mum believed the girl with the partly obscured face was Ethel, next to the teacher, Mr. Kidd. In my opinion, it could be either Hilda or Ethel, but there is no other person in the photo who could be the other sister. What do you think?
Hilda was only one who attended high school. She went on to attend Teacher's College, which was at the same time as her sister Ethel went to Melbourne doing domestic work.
Hilda's first posting as a teacher was at Forrest, her second posting at Elliminite. She also used the schoolhouse to take Church on Sundays.
Hilda married Albert Oakley (who she always called "Oaky") on 11 October 1933. Hilda did relief teaching during World War 2 at Swan Reach and Johnsonville.
They used the Soldiers Settlement Fund to purchase a farm at Johnsonville after Albert returned from war.
The farm was called "Oaklands", you can still see the original sign at the gate when driving by.
The farm's boundary was Salt Creek, and at one stage the farm was on both sides of the highway.
Hilda was renowned for doing the large page sized crosswords, which seemed to be completed in a matter of minutes.
Hilda would name all the lambs on her property and knew each by sight.
Hilda would name all the lambs on her property and knew each by sight.
I can vaguely remember as a child walking down the hill to the creek where there was a small boat moored.
I remember the Model T Ford (?) sitting in the garage, was it ever used, I used to wonder. I also remember seeing a possum clinging to a wire screen on the outside of one of the windows in the front room one night.
I recall being fascinated by the cane pram in one of her front rooms. I believe Hilda did have twin babies who were stillborn. Interestingly, hers were the only multiple births we could trace in our family lines when my daughter gave birth to triplets 20 years ago.
Hilda's husband, Albert, died suddenly 11 August 1956, aged 60 years.
Hilda took over the running of the farm with the assistance of her brother Bob. Bob died in 1970 and is buried in Bairnsdale cemetery.
Hilda was well into her 70s when the farm was sold and she moved to Lindenow South.
She died aged 90 on 3rd September 1993 at a nursing home in Bairnsdale. She was buried at the Bairnsdale cemetery on 8th September 1993.
We are seeking descendants of the extended family who have a like-minded interest in family history who wish to keep in touch with a view to sharing information, photos, anecdotal stories, etc.
I am descended from Grace Dewsnap who married Samuel Beeby.
I am descended from Grace Dewsnap who married Samuel Beeby.
A Google Group has been set up. If you are a member of the extended family and wish to join, please let me know.
http://dewsnapspeed.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/peter-george-dewsnap-grace-speed-common.html
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