George was the first son of Amandus and Mary Hoschke, he was born in Bathurst area in 1871 and came to the Orara Valley with his family when he was 15. By the age of 22, George was the eldest of thirteen Hoschke children.  

In 1901 at the age of 30 George married Ruthetta Maston, known as Ettie – a young English woman who has travelled from Yorkshire as child with her family. Three short years after their marriage, tragedy struck the Hoschke family in January 1905 with George’s youngest brother Arthur passing suddenly after contracting rheumatic fever 6 days earlier. Newspapers reported 11-year-old Arthur’s funeral was “one of the largest ever seen here, testifying to the great esteem in which his family are held”.  

Six months later, further tragedy when George’s wife Ettie passed away aged 28 from acute pericarditis and recurrent attacks of rheumatic fever. This must have been devastating for the family and Ettie and Arthur were buried together in the Coffs Cemetery.  

Six years after Ettie’s death, George married again aged 40 to Elizabeth Aitchison a Scottish lass who had moved to the colonies as a child with her family. George and Elizabeth were married in Brisbane and over the next six years they had three sons John (known as Jack), Colin and Norman and resided mostly in the Coffs area.  

During his life George had many jobs, he worked in a steam-powered sugar mill at Korora, he cut timber with his brother Frank using a pit saw. He was employed for a time on road construction at various locations in the district but by the time his first wife Ruthetta passed away he was dairy farming. 

After successfully carrying out dairying, George joined the board of the Coramba Butter Factory in 1915 and continued as a member until the amalgamation with the Coffs Harbour factory. He was chairman of the board for several years and later was vice-chairman until the factory was sold to Cow and [Gate].  

The P and C Association was one of his interests and he was president from 1907 to 1909. With the late J J Boultwood was one of the prime movers to have the Methodist Church built.  

In 1951 at his 80^th birthday celebration, George was described as the oldest pioneer still residing in the district. He was residing on the farm where he had lived practically all of his life. Friends of Mr Hoschke will be pleased to know that he is at present still enjoying reasonably good health and still enjoys doing an odd job around the farm. 

George passed away 5 years later at the age of 85 and is buried with his wife Elizabeth, who had passed away ten years earlier.  

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Octogenarian Honoured at Orara

Coffs Harbour and District Advocate 6th February 1951

Mr George Hoschke, who attained his 80th birthday this weekend, was tendered a surprise birthday party at the home of his son Mr Norman Hoschke. The guest of honour was toasted in a fitting manner and enjoyed the presence of as many of his relatives could be there.

Pride of place on the tables was given to a large birthday cake decorated and illuminated with 80 candles. Friends of Mr Hoschke will be pleased to know that he is at present still enjoying reasonably good health and still enjoys doing an odd job around the farm.

Obviously moved by the gesture of the members of his family and relatives, Mr Hoschke thanked them one and all and said that he greatly appreciated the thoughtful action of arranging the function in his honour. He would treasure the wishes for his birthday. The many friends of Mr Hoschke will also join with the members of his family in wishing him many happy returns.

Coming to Orara as a youth Mr George Hoschke lived practically all his life on the farm where he is now residing with his son Jack. Keenly interested through the passing years in all matters affecting the welfare of Upper Orara Mr Hoschke will be remembered for his splendid record of work with the Coffs Harbour – Orara Dairy Society of which he was a foundation Director when the factory was at Coramba. He remained a director until the Society disposed of it’s interests to Cow & Gate Ltd.

Another activity which was very dear to him was the work of the Parents and Citizen’s Association of which he was for many years secretary.

A worthy pioneer is Mr Hoschke and he can relate many interesting and exciting incidents in the early days of the district. In fact at the moment, he is the oldest pioneer resident still residing in the district. Finally we would like also to convey to Mr Hoschke the best wishes for many happy returns of his birthday anniversary.

George married Elizabeth AITCHISON in 1911 in QLD, Australia.   They had three children: John William, Norman Frank, and Collin James Black.