Welcome to the July edition of the Hoschke Family Reunion newsletter. Hope everyone is keeping warm and snug, the cold is setting in here in the Orara Valley and the citrus are sweet, have you had any frosts at your place yet?
📚Article of the Month – This month Ian has explored some of the organisations that existed in the community specifically to benefit their members. It’s an interesting look at a time when there was less provision for people in need by the government of the time and a reliance within the community to look after themselves.
🗺️ Site map – A comprehensive site map of our website so you can see all of the articles we have published over the last 14 years, always open to feedback if you have anything to add!
📸 Photo of the month – Orara Public Hall, scene of many events!
📆 This month our decade in review is 1950 – 1959
Article of the Month – Community Organisations
At Upper Orara there were the usual local organisations such as the P&C (Parents and Citizens) to support the primary school, the Recreation Ground committee to manage the sports ground, similarly a Hall Committee for the local public hall and, of course, the local bush fire brigade. The following organisations were among those that were popular in the Orara Valley area and were for the benefit of the members.
In Australia during the early 1900s, the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows (GUOOF) was one of the country’s largest friendly societies. Its primary purpose was to provide financial security, medical assistance, and social support to members and their families at a time when there was no government-funded welfare system, Medicare, or universal aged pension. Members paid regular subscriptions into a common fund. For many families, the benefits paid from these funds meant the difference between financial security and poverty if the main wage earner became ill.
The Odd Fellows were much more than an insurance scheme. Local lodges became important centres of community life, especially in country towns. Members often formed lifelong friendships through their lodge. They organised picnics, dances, sports days, fundraising lectures and debates. Members were encouraged to help one another regardless of wealth or social status. The Grand United Order promoted friendship, love, truth and mutual aid.
Like many fraternal organisations of the era, meetings included ceremonial rituals, passwords, and degrees of membership. These traditions weren’t intended to be sinister—they were designed to reinforce shared values and create a sense of belonging. Members often wore elaborately embroidered collars, sashes, jewels or medals indicating office and aprons on ceremonial occasions. These are the colourful items often seen in old photographs.
In country districts such as the Orara Valley and Coffs Harbour, lodges were especially important because government services were limited. If a farmer broke a leg, developed pneumonia, or suffered another serious illness, he might be unable to work for months. The lodge could provide weekly payments while neighbours often helped with harvesting or caring for stock. Holding office within the lodge was considered an honour and reflected a person’s standing in the community.
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MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY – UPPER ORARA.
The first meeting of the newly formed Mutual Improvement Society was held in the hall on Wednesday evening, Mr. J. J. Boultwood was elected president, Mr. A. A. Hoschke, sen., vice-president, and Mr. A. H. Kerr secretary and treasurer. The society has a membership numbering about 25, and are to hold fortnightly meetings, and orators of no mean order are on the warpath.
APA citation UPPER ORARA. (1902, August 8). The Raleigh Sun (Bellingen, NSW : 1898 – 1918), p. 2. Retrieved July 30, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127666946
MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY
The above Society met in the hall at Upper Orara on the 31st December. Rev. J. W. Dains occupied the chair. The business of the evening was a mock election. Mr. E. Hoschke and Mr. A. Boultwood were independent candidates for Friday Creek, Mr. Boultwood being elected. Rev. J. W. Dains as Socialist and Mr. Jas. Osborne as Liberal were the candidates for Upper Orara, Mr. Osborne being elected. Mr. Alf. Thomas Liberal and Mr. R. Barr Independent were the candidates for Dairyville. Mr. A. Thomas being elected.
The meeting was a great success, and the speeches were all well worth listening to, which shows that the members have an interest in the Society. Mr. Jas. Osborne was elected Premier and Mr. Alf. Thomas Leader of the Opposition. It was decided that at the next meeting a debate on “Compulsory Military Training” be held, and to which everybody is welcome. The meeting closed after a very enjoyable and profitable evening being spent, by the Rev. J. W. Daine pronouncing the Benediction.
APA citation MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. (1909, January 5). Clarence and Richmond Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1889 – 1915), p. 2. Retrieved July 30, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61534480
Upper Orara Mutual Improvement Society
The usual fortnightly meeting of the Upper Orara Mutual Improvement Society was held on Thursday. The President (Rev. J. W. Dains) occupied the chair. Mr. Jas. Osborne resigned his position as Premier, and Mr. Marshall was called on to form a Ministry.
Mr. F. Parker was elected Vice-President. The business of the evening was then entered upon, viz.: Impromptu speeches. Several interesting subjects were discussed, among them being, “Which are the most instructive, papers or books.” “That unionism be abolished,” “Should bachelors be taxed.” “That local industry should be supported,” and “The Broken Hill lockout; is it justifiable.” The Premier then moved that the debate for next night would I.e. “Is the lockout at Broken Hill justifiable.”
APA citation DISTRICT NEWS. (1909, February 16). Clarence and Richmond Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1889 – 1915), p. 2. Retrieved July 30, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61536475
Mutual Improvement Society
The usual fortnightly meeting of the Upper Orara Mutual Improvement Society was held in Dunvegan Hall on Thursday last, when there were 22 present. The business of the evening was a debate on “Which is the Happiest, Married or Single life.”
The Premier, Mr. E. Hoschke, opened, and contended that married life was the happiest. He stated that it was human nature that people should marry. He referred to Adam, who in the beginning of the world found that it would be much happier if he had a partner, so Eve was created.
Mr. Wm. Bailey led the Opposition and contended that an unmarried person was much more happy than the married person. If married life were the happiest why was it that in almost every paper a person picked up there were dozens of accounts of divorce cases.
Grafton Argus and Clarence River General Advertiser (NSW : 1874 – 1875; 1879 – 1882; 1888; 1892; 1899 – 1922), Monday 23 June 1913, page 2
GUOOF (Grand United Order of Odd Fellows)
It appears that a Lodge was created at Orara by 1912 and was active from the 1920’s onwards.
Advance Orara Lodge, G.U.O.O.F
On Thursday last the Advance Orara Lodge, G.U.O.O.F., held their annual ball under very unfavourable weather conditions. The evening fined up, but as night came on the rain poured down, keeping on all night.
About fifteen couples put in appearance and had a real good time; supper was served on the stage, the Oddfellows’ wives having charge of the tables. These were laden with eatables of every description. The music was supplied by Messrs. T. Smith, C. Sharpe and F. W. Walsh.
APA citation – Upper Orara. (1913, June 23). The Grafton Argus and Clarence River General Advertiser (NSW : 1874 – 1875; 1879 – 1882; 1888; 1892; 1899 – 1922), p. 2. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235413330
G.U.O.O.F. – Grand Secretary’s Visit
Bro. G. H. Sands, Grand Secretary of the Grand United Order of Odd fellows, was in Coffs Harbor on Monday, and attended a meeting of the Coffs Harbor lodge the same evening. The distinguished visitor, who has just completed a tour of Queensland in the interests of the Order, is now visiting the Northern Rivers, where he has delivered many interesting addresses on friendly society work. Bro. H. Hunt presided over a good attendance, and extended a hearty welcome to their grand secretary, Bro. Sands.
The Grand Secretary, on rising to give his address, which was of an instructive and lengthy nature, was enthusiastically received. He expressed his pleasure in visiting the “Undaunted” branch, and at the attendance present. Most people, he said, laboured under misapprehensions concerning friendly societies, and were coder the impression that the only benefits received were those of medical attendance and sick pay.
In sick benefit last year, they paid out £51,000, apart from funeral donations. However, apart from these benefits, being a member of a friendly society was of distinct educational value. On the floor of a lodge room men learnt to speak; they learnt how to put their thoughts into words and discuss affairs. Speaking of other advantages, the speaker said that no matter where one went one would find in any country where the English language was spoken, branches of the G.U.O.O.F. Any member leaving Coffs Harbor could go to any place, and ongoing to the door of a lodge room the right band of friendship would be extended to him. He reminded them that a person was not brought into a society so much to increase the branch as for his own individual benefit. The G.U.O.O.F. was established in the year 1844 with only four members.
Now the number of members was about 40,000, and they had to their credit & capital of £425,000. The friendly societies of New South Wales were on a good financial footing. Continuing, the speaker touched on the establishment of a national insurance, in which they had an interest. Personally, he was not in favour of a national insurance scheme, as he thought it was too early to put it into effect in this young country. Should, however, the scheme be adopted, he thought that a large proportion of the work would be placed in the hands of the societies, as the Government recognised what a powerful machine their organisations were. They were paying a sum of £16,000 a year for medicine, and were now trying, in Sydney, to advance a drug company of their own, and import their own drugs. Speaking on the Friendly Societies’ Act, he said that they did not feel that the societies were given sufficient power, and they felt justified in saying that they had a right to say what they woold do with their reserves.
He was pleased to say that the medical officers were working amicably with them. Continuing, Bro. Sands urged more members to avail themselves of their insurance funds. This fund, he said, had been in existence for over 20 years, and policies could be obtained at the lowest premium. Further, he advised them all to take full advantage of the hospital fund. For 2s 6d per annum they guaranteed that the amount of 20s would be paid to any member while an inmate of either a private or public hospital. In conclusion, the speaker said he was confident that their May Campaign would not only mean a marked increase in their memberships, but there was every prospect of new branches of the Order being formed everywhere. (Applause).
Bro. Wm. Reedy moved a hearty vote of thanks to their Grand Secretary for his able and interesting address and hoped all would think of what Bro. Sands had said. Bro. R. Wadey seconded the motion, which was carried amidst acclamation. The Grand Secretary responded. An adjournment was made to Byrnes’ Cafe, where the grand secretary and visiting brethren from Orara were entertained at supper.
APA citation – G.U.O.O.F. (1924, April 30). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 – 1942; 1946 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188552610
Site Map
This is a great opportunity to remind everyone that our reunion website has over 100 pages and over 90 posts that have been curated over the last 16 years as a resource for our family. Check out the list below and we invite everyone to contribute if you find a page that you would like to add to or expand on!
Photo of the Month – Orara Public Hall
Did you know the hall has it’s own Facebook group? Check it out, the Orara Valley community continues to rally around each other and share good times!
1960
Colin Hoschke was invested as Vice Captain at Richmond High School Windsor Gazette He would go on to top his year in Mathematics I and would go on to gain a Commonwealth Scholarship the following year.
Hoschke grandsons continued to excel in serving the public:
Geoffrey Edward Hoschke qualified for promotion as Officer Grade 3 with then Department of Customs and Excise. Commonwealth Gazette.
Barry Norman Hoschke was promoted to Lieutenant (on Probation) with the University of NSW Regiment. Commonwealth Gazette
Mr & Mrs Les Hoschke, accompanied by their two sons Robbie & Les, have returned to Austinmer, where they have spent their annual holidays doing a spot of fishing and swimming. Windsor Gazette.
Death of Frederick Harold George Smith, son of Carlson and Edie Smith nee Hoschke aged 22.
November 1960 saw the sad passing of Helen Mary Hoschke, the widow of Amandus Ludwig Hoschke who had passed away 37 years earlier. Helen had raised their daughter alone and continued a long successful career in teaching, quite an inspiration for the time. Helen was 77 and passed away in Hornsby, NSW.
1961
January of 1961 began with the sad loss of a Hoschke granddaughter, May Ethel Tait, aged only 42. She had been living with her sister and mother.
Max Hoschke, grandson of Frederick Amandus Hoschke, wed Hilda Delilah Clark in Coffs Harbour.
In 1961 young Jill Hoschke wrote an account of the pioneering days of the Hoschke family, to mark the 100th birthday of Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour High School Beacon
After a childhood fraught with health worries including Asthma, Mary Gertrude Isabel Tait nee Hoschke passed away in September 1961, aged 72. She had outlived her husband and two of her daughters and was mourned by two sons Edward and Robert, her surviving daughter Jean and a grandson Peter.
The marriage of two of Arthur & Jean Hoschke’s sons were celebrated in 1961, Arthur Grahame Hoschke & Madeline Alice Adams were married on the 7 Oct 1961 • Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia. Two months later the marriage of Eric Grahame Hoschke & Elaine Claire McDonald was celebrated on the 9 Dec 1961 • Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
1962
Another of Arthur and Jean Hoschke’s sons Douglas Grahame Hoschke married Lillian Margaret Turnbull in Coffs Harbour in 1962.
1963
Sandra Lynette Hoschke was appointed Clerical Assistant with the Repatriation Department. Commonwealth Gazette
Edward Thomas (Ted) Hoschke, now in his early 80’s, retired from his position as Trustee for Laurieton School of Arts. Commonwealth Gazette
Frank Hoschke was appointed Clerk for the Department of Territories, Northern Territory. Commonwealth Gazette
1964
Geoffrey Edward Hoschke was awarded a one year Scholorship to complete a Bachelor of Arts at the University of New England as an Officer with the Customs and Excise Department. Commonwealth Gazette
Ernest Carl Hoschke one of the last remaining sons of Amandus and Mary Hoschke sadly passed away in Murwullimbah, NSW in June 1964. He was aged 78. He had been returning from a trip with his grandson Paul.
A few short months later, Ernest’s older brother August Frank Hoschke would pass away in Coffs Harbour in August 1964, aged 92. Frank’s wife had passed away some 17 years earlier and he was missed by his children and their families.
Death of Kenneth Carl Hoschke, son of Cleive (Pat) & Valerie Hoschke, aged 29. Kenneth tragically passed away suddenly and was mourned by his parents and brothers.
1965
Frederick Graham Hoschke was appointed as an Honorary Ranger with the NSW Forestry Office in Taree, NSW. NSW Government Gazette
Frank Hoschke was appointed Teacher Grade 2. Commonwealth Gazette
1966-67
In 1967, Douglas Graham Hoschke resumed one acre of land that had been reserved as part of survey for a new road, which was later not needed. His father Arthur Charles Hoschke resumed 2 acres of land, along with Mary Ide who resumed 2 roods. NSW Government Gazette
In September of 1967, Hulda Minnie Ide nee Hoschke passed away aged 75, leaving only two of her siblings, sisters Jessie and Annie alive. Her husband Robert Ide had passed away 22 years earlier and she left three sons and 11 grandchildren to mourn her loss.
Winds of Change in the Territory – Frank Hoschke was teaching on Melville Island in the Northern Territory and was featured in an article about the benefits of education in Indigenous communities.
1968
Graham & Madeline Hoschke has part of their land at Sapphire resumed for the construction of a road. NSW Government Gazette They would resume part of this land a year later.
Alfred Hey Rogers died on 17 October 1968 in New South Wales when he was 58 years old. Alfred was married to Frances Mary Joyce Hoschke.
1969
In April, the valley was rocked by the tragic death of Michael Bruce Ide, son of Bruce and Vera Ide, aged 14.
Death of Allan Frank Davis, son of George and Jessie in Grafton, NSW aged 70. Allan had never married and as the oldest surviving son when his father passed away, he took responsibility to for looking after the family. He would pass away 7 months before the sad loss of his beloved mother.
In September of 1969, the sad passing of Jessie Caroline Davis nee Hoschke occurred at the age of 93, almost 50 years after the passing of her husband George. Jessie’s motto of “Do what you can with what you have and don’t waste time worrying over what you haven’t got.” continues to inspire today.
Til next time!
