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Welcome to our February 2026 newsletter!

• 🏠 Timber in the Orara Valley
• 📅 A Decade in Time: 1910 – 1919
• 📸 Photo of the Month

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Article of the Month

Timber in the Orara Valley

The Upper Orara Valley contained a large area of scrub, or sub-tropical rainforest, near the river and forested hills around it.  Generally hardwoods on the hills and softwoods in the scrub, much of it red cedar.

Australian Red Cedar (Toona ciliata) is one of Australia’s most valued timber trees, known for its deep red-brown wood, fine workability, and historical importance. Once abundant in the rainforests of eastern Australia, it was so highly prized by early settlers that it became known as “Red Gold.” Its timber was used extensively in furniture, cabinetry, and construction, leading to widespread logging and a decline in natural populations.  (https://www.australianwoodwork.com.au/pages/australian-red-cedar)

Initially the cedar-getters came to the area before other Europeans and hence before infrastructure such as roads and a jetty.  The value of the cedar made it worthwhile to go to all the trouble of transporting it to market.  However, it meant that only the best of the tree was used and much was left to rot away.  Quite wasteful exploitation.

Cedar-getters at Upper Orara

Cedar cutters had entered the Upper Orara basin before 1880.  It appears that the Bradley family of a father and six sons with William Frisby of the Bellinger and several cutters had entered the area and pitched camp a little to the north of the Dunvegan (later Upper Orara) school site.  This would have been about mid-1879.

Forest Ranger Allan investigated the forest resources.  He made his report in January 1880.  “The river is not charted on the map so that I cannot give a definite boundary.  The whole of the country is heavily timbered with fine valuable timbers such as blackbutt, red gum, box, tallowwood, rosewood, beech and cedar.  Also, quantities of brush timber.”

William Bradley and his brother formed a camp on a piece of land immediately below the Upper Orara School.  They drew cedar on a track cut through to Coffs Harbour and surfed it out to boats before the Jetty was constructed.  Mr Bradley had an old identity named Harry Hogan squaring cedar logs.

The cutting of cedar continued.  Bradley had a team of a dozen or so cutters while teamsters Jack Carrall, Charlie Parker and another, all of whom lived in Coffs Harbour, drove teams which hauled the logs to Coffs Creek, about the northern end of Gordon street, they were ‘tilted’ into the stream and floated down to the beach near the present railway bridge and from there hauled out to be loaded onto small ships which stood under the lee of Muttonbird Island.  Later on about 1885, the Bradleys sold their outfit to two sons of the sugar mill owner, James Small, at Korora.  The Smalls drew over a million feet of Cedar from the Orara.  There is no record of the amount that the Bradleys sent away.

In the meantime, other cedar cutters had penetrated the Upper Orara, [William and George] Ellis set up a large camp on what is now Mr Hoschke’s farm along the Karangi road, and his workmen were busily engaged in cutting cedar without opposition in that area.  Mr Duncan and Mr Pike were prominent in the final years of the cedar business in the valley.

James Small and his two sons of Korora and they continued to cut cedar until about 1885 when it was considered that available cedar was exhausted.

Excerpts from ‘The Orara Story’, by England, G. (Undated).

Timber and Uses

After the cedar-getters finished the settlers came and cleared the best of the land.  In the process trees were burnt and or killed by being rung-barked (a circle of bark cut around the base of the tree will kill it).

The settlers used wood for houses, sheds, fences and any where else timber could be utilised.  Initially it was split into slabs or sawn by hand, using a pit saw, and later sawmills were in the area.  The major sawmills were in Coffs Harbour but small mills continued in the valley through the 1900’s.

See Houses and Fences Made of Timber by the First Settlers | Hoschke Family in Australia

UPPER ORARA. SAWMILL DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Seccombe’s sawmill was totally destroyed by fire early on Saturday morning.  A quantity of sawn timber was also burnt. When the fire was discovered it was too late to do anything, as the building was a mass of flame. It had been raining during the night, otherwise more sawn timber stacked nearby would have been destroyed and the cottages would have been in danger, also Saxton and Son’s sawmill, which is only a short distance away. A lot of men will be thrown out of employment by the fire. The sawmill was well equipped, and the loss is a big one.

APA citation UPPER ORARA (1926, September 22). Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved February 27, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article195435260

Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 – 1942; 1946 – 1954), Friday 1 August 1947, page 3

In the early hours of Sunday morning the Upper Orara sawmill was totally destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire is unknown and when discovered had a firm hold. In a short time, the whole of the mill and its contents were destroyed.

APA citation UPPER ORARA (1947, August 1). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 – 1942; 1946 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved February 27, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article185036832

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When we last left the Hoschke family they had been celebrating Amandus’ return to his homeland and the marriage of Amandus Ludwig Hoschke, a young aspiring teacher to a fellow teacher and daughter of a local signalman Helen Mary Edith Dammerel.

As we have read in Ian’s article, the Orara Valley was still strongly influenced by the timber industry in the early 1910s.

• Cedar cutting had largely passed its peak, but hardwood logging remained active.
• Sawmills operated along the Orara River and surrounding creeks.
• Bullock teams transported logs over rough bush tracks to mills and coastal shipping points.

Selectors and farming families continued clearing land that had originally been heavily forested. Dairying increasingly replaced timber as the main long-term economic activity.

Amandus and Mary already had 11 grandchildren, but as you will soon see, their family would continue growing in the next decade with another 17 grandchildren being born, spreading across the state, as we continue up until today!

1910

The new decade began with a celebration when Irene Margaret Hoschke was born in February in Grafton, New South Wales a second daughter for Harold & Alice Hoschke.

Amandus had returned from his trip to his homeland, somewhat disillusioned with the changes that has taken place since he left in the early 1860’s. He was now aged 65 and the Coffs Harbour Advocate reports that by June of this year Amandus had retired and leased his land and stock to Mr J Burling.

In late spring Fred and Clunie Hoschke celebrated the birth of their third child, William Frederick Hoschke, in Orara, NSW.

By December young Mary who had been visiting in the Inverell area, possibly with her older brother Frank and his family, took ill and was unwell enough to have to travel to Sydney for medical attention.

1911

In March, 24 year old Ernest Carl Hoschke began his career with the PMG [Postmaster General] as a linesman where he would remain working for the rest of his working life. 

Shortly before winter Jessie and George Davis welcomed their 7th child Edward Norman (Ted) Davis in Upper Bucca Creek, NSW.

After the sad loss of his first wife, there was much joy in Brisbane on a winter’s day to celebrate the marriage of George William Hoschke (40) and Elizabeth Aitchison (31). Elizabeth was the youngest daughter of the late John and Mary Ann Aitchison, nee Black.

The day before spring in Inverell on the tablelands Selina Mary known as Lina was born. Lina was the third child and only daughter of daughter of Frank and Henrietta Hoschke nee Richards. Lina would go on to be the custodian of many of the family stories that we still tell today.

In November of 1911 Fred Hoschke successfully tendered for the mail service between Karangi and Upper Orara, a role he would hold for the rest of his life.

1912

The women of the Hoschke family featured quite heavily in media reports about the Coramba Show during the beginning of 1912, Clunie Bain Hoschke took first prize for her lemon marmalade and Mary Hoschke won for her cotton crochet piece. This demonstrates that Agricultural shows and church events were central to social life.

In February Harold Hoschke was elected onto the Board of Directors of the newly established Coffs Harbour Co-operative Bacon Curing and Canning Company. Their first decision was to request a meeting with the Directors of the Coffs Harbour Dairy and Refrigeration Company to discuss amalgamation! The amalgamation did not go ahead and the Coffs Harbour Co-operative Bacon Curing and Canning Company would enter liquidation and be wound up by August 1914.

In May Mr. A. Hoschke had the misfortune to have his barn burnt down on Thursday night last, which is a great loss to him, as there was about three months hay in it. There were also celebrations with the birth of John William Hoschke, first son of George and Elizabeth and Nellie Enid Hoschke, daughter of Harold and Alice both born in Upper Orara, NSW.

By August several media reports showed the Hoschke men continued to be on the cutting edge of innovations in farming, including land clearing using explosives! “There is no doubt that in the near future the up-to-date farmer’s plant will not be complete without a kit of blasting necessaries. Mr. Hoschke generously entertained the visitors at lunch, and altogether a very pleasant day was passed.”

1913

In January Amandus retired due to time expired from his position as a Director of the Orara Cooperative Dairy Ltd, a position he has held for some time and he was promptly re-elected at the next meeting!

There was some commotion in early February when it was reported that Mr Harold Hoschke has closed a track through his property to the public, there were representations made to the Dorrigo Shire Council both complaining of the closure and also from Harold stating that he only closed it once a year ‘to prove ownership’ and that he had no objection to traffic using his land as long as the gates were closed.

Continuing the desire to be at the forefront of new innovations there was a Government experimental plot on Mr. Hoschke’s farm at Upper Orara is being got in readiness. By May Mr. G. Marks, Inspector of Agriculture, had been in this district during the past few days, chiefly engaged giving demonstrations in making stack ensilage … on Mr. Hoschke’s farm, Upper Orara, plots of wheat, oats, and rye have been laid down, facing the main road. The local Agricultural Society has acted wisely in procuring the services and advice of Mr. Marks. There is certainly much to be desired locally in the matter of providing winter food for stock, especially where dairying is the principle occupation.

By September of 1913 there was much joy and celebration for the marriage of Minnie Hoschke to Robert Ide. Mr W N Small said had known her from earliest childhood and knew that the best that could be said of any girl could be said with truth of the guest of the evening. He also referred in glowing terms to the family into which she was marrying. Mr Ide had won the respect and best wishes of all he had been associated with.

The birth of Dorothy Nellie Hoschke in early December, daughter of Fred and Clunie in Orara, NSW would have bought extra joy for Christmas. They now had four children.

1914

Ernest Carl Hoschke was promoted to Senior Linemen, Grade IV., Electrical Engineer’s Branch (Cable Jointing Staff), -with increase in salary from £132 to £162, from 21st January, 1914, which would have been welcomed ahead of his marriage a few months later to Ellen Elizabeth Fisher Buckland in Wollongong, NSW.

Also promoted this year to Class IV Teacher was Amandus Ludwig Hoschke, who was teaching by this stage at Woombah School near Iluka.

Amandus & Mary travelled for the marriage of their daughter Mary Gertrude Isabel Hoschke and William David Tait in Wellington, NSW. This celebration was followed some time later by the birth of Edith Elizabeth Mary Tait, Mary and William’s daughter in Wellington, NSW

1915

The Hoschke men continued to embrace new technologies, George installed a Redd milking machine, and was said to be more than satisfied with his new purchase. More than one resident of the locality is thinking seriously of following suit as reported in the local newspaper.

Albert Hoschke has enlisted in the Armed Forces, but was promptly discharged due to a pre-existing ankle injury.

By September Albert’s younger brother Edward and two others from the Orara Valley, however, passed the medical and enlisted in the Armed Forces to fight in World War 1. “In Mr. E. Hoschke, who left for camp by the Fitzroy on Saturday, the district loses one of its most highly respected citizens. Though he bears a German name, Mr. Hoschke has proved himself well worthy of his Australian birth, and not one of his innumerable friends doubts the genuinely patriotic motives that prompted him to enlist, undeterred by the fact that he had been previously refused by the doctor owing to an allegedly weak heart. However, he has succeeded in passing the test at last, and we feel sure he will do his duty. Mr. Hoschke was extended an enthusiastic farewell at Coramba on Friday night.

1916

World War 1 continued to influence even the local news, an article “Of Enemy Birth” where Amandus Hoschke was one of two local men declared an enemy by birth and rendered ineligible to vote in state elections, although they were allowed to remain on the federal electoral roll due to having sons in active service.

Ted wrote a letter to his parents declaring his safe arrival in France, “We arrived safely in France without interference from “tinned fish.” The Red Sea trip was a very pleasant one, and the troops landed in good trim. We had a long railway journey through France, and thereby had a chance of seeing some of the country, which is densely populated, and every bit of land is utilised in some productive way. Australia is like a wilderness in comparison, but the towns do not impress me much. Up to the present, I have not seen anything I would have in preference to Australia.”

By November the same year he had repatriated home, heart trouble was the reason for his home-coming, but no one can say that his heart was not in the right place.

Amandus and Mary and their family celebrated the birth of four more grandchildren in 1916, Colin James Black Hoschke was born in Orara to George and Elizabeth, his unusual middle name Black, no doubt in memory of his maternal grandmother’s birth surname, Mrs Mary Aitchison nee Black who had passed away a year earlier. Phyllis May Hoschke was born to Ernest and Ellen in Wollongong and Mary and William Tait nee Hoschke, welcomed their second child Robert William in Wellington, NSW. The Hoschke family was certainly spreading far and wide across the state.

Sadly, the family also marked the tragic death of Anzac Kitchener Hoschke, premature son of Frank and Henrietta in Coffs Harbour, NSW. His death no doubt in memory of the service being offered by the brave Anzac’s fighting on the other side of the world in World War 1.

1917

1917 began with an outbreak of scarlet fever reported on Fred Hoschke’s farm, at Upper Orara. The patients recovered, and the usual precautionary and disinfecting measures were taken.

Another four grandchildren were born in the family in 1917. Norman Frank Hoschke, third son of George and Elizabeth, in Coffs Harbour, NSW, Frances Mary Joyce Hoschke, youngest daughter of Fred and Clunie in Orara, NSW, Jessie Norma Davis, daughter of Jessie and George Davis in Coffs Harbour, NSW and Cleive Ernest Hoschke, son of Ernest and Ellen Hoschke.

1918

The Hoschke ladies were at it again in the Coramba Show, celebrating wins with their fancy work, jam and jellies. Mrs Amandus Ludwig Hoschke also contributed to the war effort by sewing mittens to be sent to the War Chest in Sydney.

Two more grandchildren were born, Leslie Harold Hoschke, son of Harold and Alice in Orara, NSW and Mary Ethel Tait, daughter of May and William Tait in Wellington, NSW.

1919

This decade ended as it has began, with great success at the Coramba Show for the Hoschke ladies with their fancy work, jams and jellies! A surprise element this year, Fred Hoschke was also in on the action, winning for his runner beans and watermelon.

The marriage of Edward Thomas Hoschke and Margaret Porter happened in Taree, but was widely celebrated in the Orara Valley perhaps as a symbol of the community’s joy at the war ending and soldiers returning home: WELCOME HOME. “An enthusiastic welcome home was tendered to ex-Gunner E. Hoschke and his bride at the Upper Orara Hall on Monday evening of last week by the ladies of the Dairyville Patriotic Association, on whose behalf Mr. W. H. Secomb eulogising his excellent qualities as a resident and the many sacrifices he had made to serve his country.”

Also in 1919, the global influenza pandemic reached Australia and spread into regional NSW.

• Public gatherings were restricted.
• Schools and churches were temporarily closed.
• Local health boards attempted quarantine measures.

The pandemic followed closely after the war, compounding community grief and hardship.

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Photo of the Month

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Til next month!