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Gore Family
Katie's first impression of the Gore family is recorded in her 'Journal of a trip to Warwick'. This was a journey through the Darling Downs she and Walter made soon after their marriage, during which Katie met some of the people in the surrounding area as they rode 'from one delightful station to another'. She met Mr and Mrs St George Richard Gore and their daughters at Lyndhurst station, situated about three miles from Warwick. Their son Francis took over the management of Yandilla on his father's death in 1871. He and his wife, pictured here, became close friends of the Humes.
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Journal of a trip to Warwick - October 30 - November 15, 1866
... But how shall I describe the Gores? That original family, who even here are considered very peculiar! They are of very good Irish family, but made their money here. The Pater is an aristocratic looking man, with white beard. He is Postmaster Genl. - one who is more desirable as friend, than foe. Mrs. G. is kind, & ladylike & has brought up a large family, & 'roughed it' in her time, & does not now have things as nice as she might.
A certain amount of unnecessary 'Hugger mugger' is perceptible in the household. The Miss Gores are decidedly 'fast' as you may judge from their being called the 'Warwick Flashers'. (Bonnin, p. 26)
 White Cedars, Yandilla,
Mr Hopkins, Mrs F Gore, Katie, Mr F Gore, Mr Gerard Gore [c. 1880]
Photograph album Vol. 1, p. 52 |
Ramsey Family
The Hume's had many local acquaintances but getting to know people with whom they had common interests and values took Walter and Katie some time. After the initial round of visiting which Walter and Katie made in the month or so after their marriage, social interaction became infrequent. Due mainly to geography and the difficulty of travelling without a buggy, Walter's frequent absences also contributed to Katie's quiet life. Therefore she was particularly pleased to be invited to Eton Vale, the home of the Mr and Mrs Robert Ramsay, at a time her husband was working in the area.
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Drayton, Queensland ... June 14th 1867
"My dearest Loaf,
Mrs. Ramsay is a regular Scotch-woman in appearance, but she speaks very purely, she is still young, under 40, decidedly. She was a Lindsay-Carnegie - a good family I believe. She is lady-like & sociable, with a good deal of humour. Mr. Ramsay is about to stand for Western Downs at the coming Election. He is about 50, quiet & gentlemanly. What I like about them is that they seem high principled - there is none of that sordid money-getting spirit one sees so much of here." (Bonnin, p. 64)
Hodgsons & Ramsays,
Photograph Album Vol. 3, p. 14(b). |
Gregory Family
Augustus and Frank Gregory, well known as explorers, Queensland surveyors and public servants, were influential friends of the Humes. Walter's 'Australia Scheme' depended on Frank Gregory's offer to train him as a surveyor. In 1865 Walter's younger sister Marion married Frank Gregory making the relationship familial. Augustus Gregory gave the bride away at Walter and Katie's wedding, acting the role of patriarch. The relationship had negative as well as positive aspects which were occasionally mentioned in the letters.
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Drayton, Nov. 23rd, 1869
"My own dear Mother,
The Colony gets more & more democratic, as the population increases, & this party cries out loudly against the Gregories whom they call obstructionists, & accuse of favouring the Squatters etc. There is a great hue & cry against them at the present moment, & of course Walter comes in for some of the odium, so that his connection with them, instead of being an advantage, as formerly, is now quite the reverse, & will be much more to his disadvantage if this democratic spirit increases, as it seems likely to do, for if this goes on, the Surveyor General will probably lose his appointment, & is pretty sure to be succeeded by someone who will reverse his policy completely."(Bonnin, p. 163)
Katie Hume, Frank and Marion Gregory, Albert and Bertram Hume, and two Gregory boys at Harlaxton, [c. 1879]
Photograph Album Vol. 1, p. 66. |
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