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.
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 theCoffs 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.
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.” The Gane Progressive Milking Machine
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 reelected 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 plot at The Government experimental plot on Mr. Hoschke’s farm at Upper Orara is being got in readiness. By May Mr. G. Marks, Inspector of Agriculture, has 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.
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
Edward Hoschke bought the Coramba Butchery in February of 1915 and took out an advert advising the community.
The Hoschke family continued to be in the local news this year, the ladies continued to excel at the Coramba Show and Amandus Ludwig was petitioning for the road at Woombah where he was teaching improved.
In March of 1915, George Hoschke’s mother in law Mrs Mary Aitchison, who had been living in the area passed away at George and Elizabeth’s home. She was laid to rest at Coffs Harbour Historic Cemetery.
The local postmaster has tendered his resignation, and arrangements were being made by the Postal Department for Miss Annie Hoschke lo take over the post office in May 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, 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 federeal 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, not 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 fo the service being offered by the brave Anzac’s fighting on the other side of the worked 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, 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, Fre 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: 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.”
