Welcome!

Welcome to our April 2025 newsletter, thanks to those who gave feedback on our previous editions, which you can check out on our website.

We are continuing our On This Day posts in real time on our Hoschke Family Reunion Facebook page, so please head over and give us a like if you haven’t already! We’d love it if you would like to contribute a photo or story for your Hoschke ancestor too.

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Article of the Month

This month’s article is from information and photos generously provided by Ernest’s granddaughter Leeta Burville and Trove articles sourced by Ian Hoschke.

Ernest Carl Hoschke

He was still employed here in 1909 as he was awarded a book prize for “For proficiency in Nursing Examination” from the Lunacy Department of NSW.

They resided at Hurstville in Sydney after their wedding and their first child a daughter Phyllis May was born in 1916 in Wollongong, and in 1917 their second child a son Cleive Ernest (Pat) was born in Hurstville.

In the 1920s, Ernest was employed on the construction of the inland telegraph line. He was in charge of the gang that walked from the N.S.W – Queensland border to Armidale. He oversaw the measuring out of 2 chains and a post hammered in the mark the position of the poles. The supplies and equipment were transported by bullock wagons.

He continued to work for the PMG [Postmaster General] as a linesman for the rest of his working life. This position involved the family living in a number of towns across NSW. He was stationed in Sydney when his second son George Edward was born in 1921. Later Ernest and his family transferred to Newcastle from there they transferred to Quirindi.

Postal Linesmen TRAINING PRAISED NEWCASTLE, Tuesday. Praise of the system of training young men to qualify for positions in the service was voiced by several speakers at a social in Newcastle last night at which four members of the Newcastle Linesmen’s Club, who have been transferred to other districts were farewelled. The members were Line Foreman E. Hoschke, who has been transferred to Quirindi, and Trainees H. See (to West Maitland), R. W. O’Brien (to Dungog), and H. R. Williamson (to Quirindi). The three trainees have been appointed linesmen. Mr. Hoschke was presented with a fountain pen and a pencil by Senior Linesman H. D. Toose, on behalf of his fellow club members. FAREWELLED (1935, June 25). The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW : 1894 – 1939), p. 8. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126028606

It is stated in a newspaper story that this move was for the health of his son which we believe would have been George as his suffered badly with asthma. The story says he was well liked by his fellow workers and that he would be missed. He was also station at Wagga Wagga and Armidale. It was in 1946 while Ernest was in Armidale that he retired from the PMG as a Linesman Inspector. On retiring, he received a pension from the PMG, which was rare in those days.

He enjoyed his veggie garden and he was always a person to keep himself busy around the yard. His daughter Phyllis and her husband Bert had 26 acres so there was always plenty to keep him busy. Every Sunday morning he would drive into Tweed Heads, which was about 3 miles to go to the Methodist church, as it was known back then.

At night he loved to play cards, he played cribbage with a neighbour Reg Farnell two nights a week and other nights he would sit at the kitchen table playing patience for hours. His granddaughter Leeta can remember watching from her bedroom window. He never had a television he was happy just to play cards at night.

Ernest was always a loving and caring husband his wife Ellen who suffered poor health during a good part of her life and Ernest cared for her throughout her life. She died from breast cancer in 1962.

In the 1960s his grandson Paul took him on trips to visit his sister’s Jessie at Copmanhurst and Annie at Upper Orara and other siblings at Taree. Tragically, it was returning from one of these trips that Ernest died on 15 June 1964, he was 78.

His grandchildren will always remember him as a loving and caring person, as will all that knew him over his lifetime.

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This Month in History

During April, we remember these family members with love:

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Photo of the Month

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Family Heirlooms

A family heirloom is an object or ornament that has been passed down through generations within a family, holding sentimental value and representing family history and tradition. We would love to hear about any heirlooms that have been passed down through the various family lines. Heirlooms are made or bought with love and passed down and become special to those who follow. We would love to hear about the special heirlooms that have been passed down through our different lines, here is one from Frederick and Clunie Hoschke’s line.

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The Hoschke Collection

Since 2017, Hoschke descendants have been donating items of family significance to the Coffs Harbour Regional Museum, now Yarrilla Arts & Museum. The Coffs Collections project has focused on the digitisation of artefacts held by the museum, which include items donated by Hoschke descendants. 

We are delighted to have several of our donated items now form part of the permanent Yaamanga: around here exhibition on display in Yarrila, which we have listed below. We encourage any family visiting the area to visit Yarrila Arts and Museum in Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour to see the items listed below in person. 

Other donated items are available for viewing online through the Hoschke Collection at Coffs Collections.

>>> Hoschke Collection <<<

Hoschke items as part of the Yaamanga: around here permanent exhibition

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