Welcome!
Welcome to our November 2025 newsletter! This month we are look at Amandus and Mary’s third child, Frederick Amandus Hoschke.
đź“Ş Frederick Amandus Hoschke
🌾 Wallaby Jack
✨ Coffs Collections – Gavin Buchanan’s Bravery Medallion
📸 Photo of the Month – 1978 Hoschke Reunion
đź“… This Month in History
Article of the Month
Frederick Amandus Hoschke (1874–1922)
Thanks to Ian Hoschke for this month’s article on his grandfather Fred Hoschke.
Born: 7 June 1874, Bathurst, New South Wales
Died: 4 February 1922, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
Buried: Coffs Harbour Historic Cemetery (Anglican Section)
Spouse: Clunie Bain Manson (1884–1974)
Early Life and Family Background
Frederick Amandus Hoschke was the third child of Amandus and Mary Ann Hoschke (née Drew). He was born in Bathurst, New South Wales, in 1874. In 1886, when Frederick was about twelve, the Hoschke family relocated to the Orara Valley near Coffs Harbour.
In the early years of settlement, transport and supply chains were limited. It was before there was a jetty at Coffs Harbour. When sea conditions prevented ships from unloading supplies, Frederick and his brothers walked overland to [Fernmount on the Bellinger river, where ships delivered supplies,] to collect essentials such as flour and sugar. These experiences reflect the isolation and resourcefulness required of pioneer families in the district.
Work and Community Involvement
In 1899, Frederick won a road maintenance contract, supplementing his family’s farming income. He developed a reputation for exceptional strength, once said to have carried three heavy bags simultaneously while unloading a ship at Coffs Harbour. One under each arm and one over his shoulders. His physical ability also made him a regular participant in local tug-of-war competitions, typically serving as the anchor man.
Frederick was active in community life, holding positions such as Treasurer of the Orara Recreation Ground and Treasurer of the Orara branch of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows, a role he held for about twelve years.
Marriage and the Fairview Property
On 5 March 1903, Frederick married Clunie Bain Manson, daughter of Alexander Manson and Frances Davis, at Upper Orara. The couple were closely linked to the local Davis and Hoschke families — Frederick’s sister Jessie Hoschke had married George Davis, Frances’s brother.
In 1904, Frederick successfully obtained 250 acres of land through a government ballot. The property, named “Fairview,” had previously been part of a forest reserve and required clearing before any crops could be grown.
Frederick and Clunie raised five children at Fairview:
- Elsie Bain Hoschke (b. 1904) – Elsie McPhail
- Arthur Charles Hoschke (b. 1907)
- William Frederick Hoschke (b. 1910) – Bill Hoschke
- Dorothy Nellie Hoschke (b. 1913) – Dot Bains
- Frances Mary Joyce Hoschke (b. 1917) – Joyce Rogers
Although Frederick was a member of the Orara Dairy Co-operative (1909), the family did not operate a dairy on their own property. Oral accounts suggest that Clunie preferred not to run a dairy, and, it is likely, the farm instead supported Amandus Hoschke’s dairy herd. Dairying, while being profitable, requires being there to milk the cows twice a day for seven days a week for most of the year if not all.
Frederick focused on growing fruit and vegetables, selling produce to railway workers during the construction of the Coffs Harbour–Karangi–Coramba railway line. Also, the farmers were known to sell produce to miners in the area. He also reared horses.
Mail Contract and Local Service
In 1911, Frederick commenced work as a mail contractor, operating the Karangi–Upper Orara service. The Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (3 February 1912, p.112) recorded that he was awarded the contract to deliver mail five times per week, using a horse and sulky (a two-wheel conveyance pulled by one horse). He was required to have three horses available to ensure that one was always on hand.
The mail service became an enduring family enterprise. Clunie and their eldest children often assisted, and after Frederick’s death, the mail run continued under Clunie’s management and later their son Arthur.
In 1913 Frederick sold 100 acres of the least valuable part of the farm – at another time he also sold a small portion of six acres – the result was to reduce the size from 250 acres to 144 acres.
Frederick and Clunie were regular participants in local agricultural shows. At the 1913 Coramba Show, Frederick served as a steward, and the couple entered produce and jam exhibits.
Tragic Death (1922)
There are accounts of his death in many newspapers, and several describe him as being in a wagonette pulled by two horses. This had seats for passengers and space for carrying mail, produce and general goods. The implication is that his business had grown from just using a sulky to carry mail.
On 4 February 1922, Frederick drowned while crossing the flooded Wongiwomble Creek near Karangi during his mail delivery. His sister Annie Hoschke and cousin Mrs. W. Dixon were waiting nearby when his horses lost footing on a submerged bridge, overturning the waggonette. [Frederick attempted to free the horses but was caught in the water.] Local resident Gavin Buchanan attempted to rescue Frederick, reportedly holding him above water for some time before being forced to let go. Buchanan later received a bravery award for his efforts.
Newspaper reports described Frederick as “a man of exceptionally genial nature, ever willing to help any good cause, and highly respected by all who knew him.” (National Advocate, Bathurst, 10 February 1922, p.2). Members of the Oddfellows attended his funeral in regalia.
Aftermath and Later Years of the Family
Following Frederick’s death, Clunie Hoschke continued to operate the Karangi–Upper Orara mail service by horse and sulky until her son Arthur assumed the contract, later delivering by motorbike.
In 1928, Clunie married Isaac Arthur Gould at Coffs Harbour. The couple lived in the West Wyalong and Holbrook areas before Clunie returned to the Coffs Harbour district in the 1950s.
Clunie died on 11 December 1974, aged 90, and was buried with Frederick in the Coffs Harbour Historic Cemetery. At the time of her death, she was survived by four of her five children and twenty-eight grandchildren.
Legacy
Frederick’s property “Fairview” remained in family ownership. He was 47 years old at the time of his death. His sister Annie witnessed the tragedy, and family recollections suggest that she was deeply affected by the event, later lending money to her nephew Arthur to take over the family farm.
His son Arthur Hoschke and grandson Doug Hoschke both were dairy farmers on the land, with Doug later repurchasing the 100 acres originally sold by Frederick. The property is no longer used for dairying but continues as a family-owned beef cattle farm, preserving the Hoschke presence in the Orara Valley for over a century.
Primary Sources and References
The book Settlers at Orara (The Hoschke Family in Australia).
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 3 February 1912, p.112 – Mail Contract Record.
National Advocate (Bathurst), 10 February 1922 – “A Sad Drowning Fatality.”
Coffs Harbour Advocate, 14 March 1925 – “Presentation to Mrs. F. Hoschke.”
Hoschke Family Oral Histories (Doug Hoschke, interviews).
Wallaby Jack
Do you know what a wallaby jack is? How about a monkey “Stump Grabbing” jack? Amandus was well pleased with his purchase and is quoted recommending the jack he had purchased.
Coffs Collections
This month we would like to share the medal awarded to young Gavin Buchanan who along with his brother Colin so bravely attempted to rescue Fred Hoschke at Wongiwomble Creek, Karangi in February 1922.
Awards for Karangi Men
“Gavin Buchanan and Colin Buchanan were each awarded a bronze medal and a certificate of merit. On February 4 1922, they endeavored to save the life of Frederick A. Hoschke from drowning in the Wongiwamble Creek, Karangi. Deceased attempted to drive a waggon-ette across the creek, which was in flood. The vehicle was overturned, taking the horses and Hoschke under the water with it. Coming to the surface he tried to swim to the bank, but was carried into the mid-stream by the strong current. Gavin Buchanan went to his rescue and supported him for about 90 yards, but becoming exhausted was forced to release him. Colin Buchanan endeavored to get a rope to his brother and deceased, before the latter sank, but without success. He also endeavored to enter the creek, but was blocked by the undergrowth. However, he got into the creek lower down, and tried to swim upstream to assist in saving the deceased, but the current was too strong.”
BRAVERY REWARDED (1922, September 5). Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved October 18, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194696603
Hardy Bros Ltd., Life-saving medal awarded to Gavin G. D. Buchanan, 1922 (4 February 1922). Coffs Collections, accessed 18/10/2025, https://coffs.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/64944
Photo of the Month
Do you recognise yourself in this photo? Drop us a line as we’d love to be able to list all of the names in this awesome photo!
This Month in History
During November, we remember these family members with love:
2 Nov – Ellen Maude Susannah Hoschke nee Brooks – Born 2 Nov 1915
6 Nov – Herbert Bruce “Bert” Davis – Passed away 6 Nov 1974
9 Nov – Donald Herbert “Bertie” Martin – Passed away 9 Nov 1991
10 Nov – Arthur Henry Charles Hoschke – Born 10 Nov 1893
13 Nov – Jonathon Holdforth “Jack” Baines – Born 13 Nov 1908
14 Nov – Ernest Carl Hoschke – Born 14 Nov 1885
14 Nov – Nellie Edith Davis – Born 14 Nov 1904
20 Nov – Nellie Edith Davis – Passed away Nov 2004 Aged 100
27 Nov – Geoffrey Edward Hoschke – Passed away 27 Nov 1986
28 Nov – Colin James Black Hoschke – Passed away 28 Nov 2003
29 Nov – Helen Mary Edith Hoschke nee Dammerel – Passed away 29 Nov 1960
Til next month!
Discover more from Hoschke Family in Australia
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