Bush Wives & Midwives

I found this snippet in The Australian Women’s Weekly, Wednesday 30 October 1963.

“Blue Gum Flat To Budgewoi,” the latest volume produced by Charles Swancott, the folk historian of Gosford and neighboring parts, reminds its readers that many of the bush wives used to do their own doctoring. They had to.

Consider Mrs Priscilla Waters, of Yarramalong, born in 1859. She is said to have cured her six-year-old Diana’s lockjaw (tetanus) with hot packs and to have saved her niece’s almost severed hand by stitching it and splinting each finger.

Then there was Mrs Isabella Robley, who died at 100 in 1944. From Ourimbah she often rode on errands of mercy on nights too dark to see the tracks over Mangrove Mountain at Kangy Angy and across to Dooralong.

After she’d returned from one journey her husband gravely announced to the Rev. Mr Moore, who was at the house, “I’m going to divorce my wife.”

The clergyman gasped. “Tut, tut, man. What’s your reason?”

“I can tell you of 28 children she has brought into the world, and none of them is mine.”

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Pioneer Women’s Monument, Jessie Street Gardens, Sydney. Sculptor: Alex Kolozsy

This 3.5 metre bronze sculpture in Jessie Street Gardens at Circular Quay, Sydney was installed for Australia’s Bicentenary in 1988. It was commissioned by the Women’s Pioneer Society of Australasia in recognition of the courage and endurance of Women Pioneers and their vital role in the development of Australia.

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Sources: Wyong Museum & Historical Society Archives; Trove Digital Newspaper Archive, Women’s Pioneer Society of Australasia.

Isobella Robley – Wyong Centenarian

Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners’ Advocate, Wednesday 15 March and Thursday 16 March 1944.

Many Greetings to Wyong Centenarian

WYONG, Wednesday.— The Governor-General (Lord Gowrie) and Lady Gowrie sent greetings today to Mrs Isobella Robley, of Byron-street, Wyong, on her 100th birthday. Blind for 14 years, Mrs Robley was unable to read the greeting telegram. It was read to her by her daughter.

Mrs Robley received scores of presents. Messages included a letter from the Premier (Mr McKell). Mrs Robley had two birthday cakes made for her – one, with 100 candles; and the other sent by the District Pioneers’ Association. From early morning telegraph messengers and postmen were kept busy with greetings.

Of a remarkably bright disposition, Mrs Robley can converse on any subject. She takes a lively interest in the progress of the war.

Although she has been blind for a number of years, there are many little duties she undertakes and carries out efficiently. She has full use of her other faculties, and enjoys good health.

Mrs Robley was born at Stockport, England, and came to Australia when she was 12. Her maiden name was Ranisden. She married Mr John Robley, who died 12 years ago. – Of a family of six, Mrs Garratt and Mr George Robley, both of Wyong, are the only survivers.

“Gran Robley” as she is affectionately known gave her services for many years as a midwife in Ourimbah and Wyong districts. She also did other nursing and first-aid in the early days. She made many trips on horseback on nights so dark that she could not see the tracks over the mountains from Kangy Angy to Dooralong.

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The news of Mrs Robley’s milestone birthday was published in many newspapers throughout Australia. Here’s an article printed in The Mail, Adelaide, Saturday 18 March 1944.

Youth Not Changed Says Centenarian

SYDNEY.— Boys and girls of 50 years ago drank as much as the youth of today, said 100-year-old Mrs Isabella Robley, of Wyong, today.

“Yes, girls lined up at the bars in those days,” she added. “Youth hasn’t changed, and I don’t agree with those prudes who say Australia has gone to the dogs because of its lack of morals and high living.”

Mrs Robley was 100 on Wednesday. She has been blind for 14 years. When a congratulatory telegram from Lord and Lady Gowrie was read to her, she said, “It is simply beautiful for the King’s representative to think of me. Oh, dear, it is wonderful.”

Mrs. Robley’s late husband had the first licences of one Gosford hotel, and two in Wyong, but she has never smoked nor drunk alcohol.

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A report of Mrs Robley’s death appeared in the Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners’ Advocate, Monday 7 August 1944.

Death of Wyong Centenarian

WYONG, Sunday.— Mrs Isabella Robley, who celebrated her 100th birthday in March, died at her home in Byron-street, Wyong, yesterday.

Born in England, she lived in the Brisbane Water district for 88 years. For years she had been blind. On her 100th birthday she received at congratulatory message from the Governor-General (Lord Gowrie) on behalf of the King.

With her husband Mr John Robley; who died 16 years ago, she held the first hotel licence in Wyong. Before, that she held a licence at Gosford.

She was buried in Lisarow Cemetery this afternoon. Rev. F. Ballance (Church of England) officiated.

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 Sources: Wyong Museum & Historical Society Archives; Trove Digital Newspaper Archive.

 

Laudable Loyalty to Royalty

These history notes are contributed to Valley Ventures by one of our members, Max Farley.

Queen Victoria; her son Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII); his son Prince George, Duke of York (later King George V); and George’s son baby Prince Edward of York (later King Edward VIII, later Duke of Windsor).

Many Australians have an interest in Royal doings even today, but it does not match the excitement of 1901 when Edward VII became king after Queen Victoria’s long reign.

Back then there was a Dooralong family one of whom, Vin Earl, was very well known in Yarramalong because he delivered bread to homes along the Valley for 42 years until 1965.

With a surname like Earl, it is not altogether surprising that Vin’s parents, Joseph and Elizabeth, were quite carried away. So much so that they named their next-born son King Edward Earl who was followed by George Albert Earl.

We doubt if new parents of today would call a child King Charles. It would be a dog of a name.

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SOURCES: Max Farley; Photo source Palace Archive