The Benaud Family
Captain Jean (John) Benaud was born in France around 1818. He came to Australia as a sail-maker in 1837, married Emily Kelly in 1840 and had five children. By 1856 Emily and two of the children had died. Jean became a Master Mariner and was well respected in shipping circles. He was well-known around the Manning River and sailed many of the ships from Taree to all ports north and south. In 1858, he married Esther Caroline Powell the daughter of the Harbour Pilot at Harrington. They had four children: Rose Caroline (1859), Richard Grainger (1861), Louis Ferdinand (1863) & Jean Arthur (John) (1865).
Tragically in 1866, when the children were just toddlers, Jean was killed when his horse stumbled and he fell to the ground breaking his neck.
Caroline’s sister, Elizabeth Sarah Powell, married Louis Adolphus Grebet Steber in 1867. A fellow Frenchman, Steber was a well-known violinist and had trained as a jeweller and watchmaker and owned a small store in Taree. They had a daughter Anne in 1868 and a son Adolphe Grebet in 1870. Unfortunately, Elizabeth died during childbirth, and the new infant and his sister were raised by their aunt Caroline.
In 1876, 17 year old Rose Caroline married her uncle Louis and the combined families moved to Rocky Mouth near Grafton where they set up another jewelry shop. Two of Louis’ nephews, Richard and John, were trained as jewellers and watchmakers while Louis Ferdinand joined the Grafton Argus as a cadet journalist.
Louis Grebet Steber had had two children from previous relationships (abandoned), two children with Elizabeth Sarah and then between 1878 and 1894 had seven more children with Rose. As well as his jewellers, he established a music store and tutored in violin and piano to many district students, his nephews and his own children.
In 1877, 16 year old Richard travelled to the Richmond River and set up as a watchmaker in Lismore. His uncle sponsored a store the following year and the business was expanded to sell jewelry as well. In just two years, Richard was able to buy 40 acres near Lismore.
In 1884, after successfully running his uncle’s store in Grafton, 19 year old John followed the family tradition and set up a watchmaker and jewelry store in Ballina. He moved the store to Coraki two years later and took over Mrs Lenos’ fruit store and tobacconist. Trade is brisk and he expands again a few years later, moving directly opposite the wharf on Richmond Terrace.
In 1885, young Adolphe, now an accomplished violinist and musician, sat for his University entrance exam and went to Sydney to study business and music.
In 1886, Louis Ferdinand Benaud comes to Coraki with his wife Mary and young twin daughters, Mabel and Florence, to set up the Richmond River Herald. He is an excellent journalist with a witty, often cutting, turn of phrase and earned the respect of all who dealt with him. Coraki was still a thriving and growing village with all shipping on the river passing by the door. He and Mary added another girl, Annie, to their family in 1887 and two years later a boy, William. The family were very involved with church and community.
In 1887 Richard moves to Penrith where he runs another jewelry and watchmaking store for 8 years. He marries Nellie Hill and moves to Parkes in 1895 where their first child Gladys is born the following year.
In 1891 Adolphe visits Lismore, sets up a music store and joins the local orchestra. In 1992, Rose, Louis Adolphus and the children move to Sydney where they are all heavily involved with musical performances and concerts.
Not long after John opened a second store in Broadwater in 1897, he expanded to add a “sight-testing outfit” and began selling spectacles. This was very successful but tragically he was struck down with cholera and died in 1900 aged just 36. Richard returned to Coraki with his wife, daughter Gladys and newborn son John, to take over the watchmaker and jewellry store that his brother John had been running on Richmond Terrace. Richard ran the store very successfully adding a hair dresser and stationary shop. A third child Louis is born in Coraki in 1904.
Brothers Richard and Louis and their two young families enjoy many prosperous years. They throw themselves headlong into every civic, musical and sporting endeavour from rowing regattas, School of Arts, the orchestra and band, Chamber of Commerce and School Board and founding members of the M.U.I.O.O.F [Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows].
Just two years after arriving in town, Richard runs for the Coraki Municipal Council and wins his first term in 1902. He serves as an Alderman for 8 years and in 1910 becomes Mayor for two terms. He is integral to progressing the interests of Coraki and the whole region, implementing policies to advance and grow the town. Louis uses his respected and far-reaching influence, and many column inches in the Herald, to drive various agendas and equally supports and criticises his brother and politicians in general. He is a founding member of the Ratepayers Association which is used to hold Council to account for its decisions.
Not long after the disastrous fire in Coraki in 1905, which destroyed six wooden buildings along Richmond Terrace, Louis moved the Herald Printery to the main street next door to the Post Office and opposite the Government Wharf. Here he had a commanding view of all the township events and shipping movements. He appointed Mr H.A. McCallum as Editor. A second fire in 1911 decimated an entire block of shops and the livelihoods of the townsfolk were thrown into disarray.
Things were also rapidly changing in Louis Benaud’s household.
Florence marries Alfred Aked in April 1911 with her twin, Mabel as bridesmaid and George Morrison as best man. Originally from Murwillumbah, Alfred had recently taken a post as telegraphist in the Cloncurry Post office in far north Queensland. They had five children in Cloncurry and Brisbane before their sixth child was born in Lismore in 1919 after Alfred was appointed to the post office there. After serving 20 years at Lismore, Alfred was appointed to Ballina as Post Master.
Mabel trained as a nurse and moved to Grafton in 1909 to begin her career. She and George Morrison, whom she’d met at her sister’s wedding, were due to wed in December 1911 but she tragically died from an infection in September.
In 1910 Annie married Harold Johnstone who was a clerk at the Herald. She also trained as a nurse and midwife and joined the Ventura Maternity hospital on Surry Street, Coraki. Annie remained at Ventura her whole career, delivering many of the babies in the district. She inherited a passion for words and an eloquent style, writing many letters to the Hospital Board advocating for the interests of her patients. When she retired in 1951, the Maternity home was amalgamated into Campbell Hospital.
Back: Amy Benaud (nee Livingstone)
L-R: Amy’s mother, daughter
and grandmother
In December 1911, after a tumultuous year and the loss of a child, Louis hands the Herald proprietorship over to his son William, who had been mentored as a savvy businessman from a young age.
William married May Allen in 1913 but less than a year later she died.
Richard leaves the Coraki Municipal Council in 1914 but in a controversial event, when two Councillors resign mid-term, both Richard and Louis are voted in as Aldermen in 1915. Just two years later, Louis is voted in unopposed as Mayor, and remains so for the next 8 years, such is the respect he has earned.
In 1918, William marries a young lady, Amy Livingstone from a prominent local family.
Not long afterwards, Richard’s wife Nellie is taken to Sydney for medical treatment and the family decide to move to Macksville on the mid-north coast in the hope that it would restore her health. Richard had once again purchased another watchmaking and jewelry business.
Their son Jack was working as a postmaster in Woodburn and Bangalow.
Gladys, 22 and Lou, 14 went with their parents and the family settled in Grafton while Lou finished high school. They eventually returned to Penrith in 1923 to be near Nellie’s family.
Louis and Mary remain in Coraki and witness many changes in the district in the next decades. They serve as Mayor and Mayoress from 1917 to 1925 and again from 1927 to 1929. They enjoy visiting their six grandchildren in Lismore from Florence and Alfred with two more, Elmer and Lorne, added by Amy and William.
Louis Ferdinand Branxton Benaud passed away in 1937. His obituary (below) tells the fine tale of his interesting life and achievements in Coraki.
The Richmond River Herald was closed in 1942.
Shortly before his death in 1953, Richard Grainger Napoleon Benaud aged 93 and his wife Nellie aged 85, witness their grandson, Richie Benaud, become a test cricketer representing Australia.
20 years later and continuing family traditions, their second grandson John becomes a newpaperman with Fairfax papers and also represents Australia in cricket.
Courtesy of Trove Richmond River Herald May 1937
DEATH OF MR. L. F. BENAUD. PASSING OF FOUNDER OF “R.R. HERALD.” AND VALIANT FIGHTER FOR RICHMOND RIVER INTERESTS.
“When we see the lessons brought before us by one of our fellow men, it helps us in our own resolves. . . . Here is an instance of living for a definite ideal—the ideal of service to the glory of God and the welfare of his fellow men.” Thus spake Rev. Godfrey Gilbert, Vicar of St. Mary Magdalene’s Anglican Church, Coraki, on the occasion of the funeral service on Friday for the late Mr. Louis Ferdinand Branxton Benaud, and no truer words were ever spoken. For if ever there was a man imbued with public spirit, a man who devoted his life to the betterment of the district in which he lived, and bent his whole energies to improving the lot of those amongst he dwelt, then unquestionably that man was L. F. Benaud, who passed to his rest on Thursday night after an illness extending over several years, but only developing acutely a few weeks ago.
Born at Taree, on the Manning, just within a few days of 75 years ago, he was only a child when his father, the late Capt. Benaud, skipper and part owner of sailing vessels trading to the Manning, Clarence and Richmond in the early days of the North Coast, sustained a fatal fall from a horse, while riding home after visiting a friend at Cundletown. Soon afterwards the family moved to the Clarence, and, as a youth, Mr. Benaud was, some years later, apprenticed to the printing trade on the old Grafton “Argus,” ultimately finding a position on the staff of the “Clarence and Richmond Examiner,” under the late G. H. Varley. Early in the year 1886, rumours reached the young printer that there was a chance for a paper on the Mid Richmond, then practically without press representation, and with many big questions demanding support and ventilation, so hither came the adventurous young man. He spied out the land, and decided to strike out for himself in Coraki. A few months later he arrived back with his wife and young family, secured an office and plant, and right on the eve of the first issue plant and building went up in smoke, the result of a fire that started in the adjoining premises. The blow was a staggering one, but, with the dauntless pluck which characterised his life, and particularly in contentious and bitterly fought issues, he buckled to again, secured new plant, and in due course the first issue of the “R.R. Herald” saw the light of day, in a week of incessant rain in the big flood year of 1886.
In those days Coraki was a very small village indeed. Drainage had not yet been adopted for the low lands, scrub was in evidence on every side, floods were of frequent occurrence, and farmers were experiencing hardships little dreamed of to-day. Under such circumstances it can well be imagined that the lot of the pioneer pressman was a hard and thorny one, but the man himself never flinched from his task. As the bound files of the paper disclose, a newsy, splendidly printed, and well edited paper came out regularly week after week, and there was scarcely an issue, year after year, in which some public project was not being advocated or fought for with all the skill and enthusiasm for which the founder was noted.
Probably the first big fight which Mr. Benaud waged through his paper was in the interests of dairying, coupled with condemnation of cane as a payable Mid Richmond proposition. In spite of public meetings, press protests, and actual boycotts, the deceased gentleman stuck to his guns till eventually he had the satisfaction of winning out—dairying becoming universal from Woodburn upwards, and cane in that area ceasing to be. Stimulated by the late Mr. Bagot, Mr. Benaud next came forward to advocate the adoption of the separator, only to be told he was years ahead of his time and that this time- and money-saving piece of mechanism was merely in its experimental stage. In a very few years, however, he was able to see his views in this direction universally adopted. Not only did he advocate the interests of the primary producer, but he also became one himself, first leasing and then acquiring a property of his own.
One of his longest campaigns was for bar and harbor improvements, and both personally and with his paper he strove for years to secure a reasonably safe port for the district. He eventually saw his hopes partially achieved, but his ideal of a harbor safe for overseas vessels has still to be realised. Having suffered so severely himself, directly and indirectly, from flood losses it is not surprising that he threw himself into the forefront of every campaign for the mitigation of the evils of a general inundation of the district’s rich river flats. He took a very prominent part in the agitation for Tuckombil Canal, and, when that, and the blasting of the Iron Gates in Evans River were completed, led the fight for Tuckean Canal, only after years of agitation to see the ardent dream for years of Mid Richmond public men and producers defeated by politicians by the narrowest vote on record. In spite of that reverse, Mr. Benaud continued the agitation in his paper right up to the time he retired, and up to the very last held that Tuckean Canal was the only real solution for the greatest problem that still confronts the owners of flat land on the Mid Richmond. As a part of a comprehensive flood prevention scheme, he was a firm believer in the Tuckombil-Evans River proposal now being investigated by Departmental engineers, and one of his last utterances on the subject, just a few weeks ago, was that the urgency of the work must be persistently kept before the Government till success is achieved.
When water hyacinth menaced the navigation of the Richmond, Mr. Benaud was one of the first to realise the seriousness of the position. Years before, he had alienated support by advocating the pest’s removal from private lands, but when the river was becoming infested he and a few others established the Hyacinth Board, and finally induced the Government to form the R.R. County Council, on which he served as Chairman till 1926.
As is well known, he led the agitation in Coraki for the introduction of a municipal electricity generation scheme, and, when that was accomplished, turned his attention once more to the possibilities of developing the Moonem coal measures—a project which he had helped to initiate almost 40 years ago. On various occasions he, with others, was instrumental in inducing Government geologists to visit the district, and mining was actually started both at Moonem and Robinson’s Hill, but, unfortunately, the bands of coal were too heavily intersected with shale to make the ventures payable. Later, however, it was discovered that these seams would produce coal admirably adopted for the generation of electricity, and it is now history how he and those whom he induced to join him succeeded in forming a company for this purpose, with a view to supplying cheap electricity to all parts of the Richmond. Unfortunately, just when success was in sight, the financial crisis of a few years ago, combined with some differences with Casino Council, caused the defeat of the project, with considerable financial loss to the shareholders.
In the early days direct connection with the Clarence from Coraki was a live question, and, with others, Mr. Benaud helped to try and discover a satisfactory road towards Maclean, and he later advocated rail connection in that direction, but officialdom in both instances was adamant. He also bore his share in the unsuccessful Tenerfield-Casino railway agitation that was so strenuously fought for over a long period of years; and was the prime mover in the proposed Coraki-Casino line, an undertaking that was referred to the Works Committee by Parliament, but rejected by the Committee. While not succeeding in all his quests, the valiant fighter for district interests, however, was able to secure quite a lot of works for the area by his persistent representation to Ministerial heads, road grants and river bank protection at Coraki being amongst them. In addition his boosting of Evans River as a seaside resort, and his acquisition of property there are familiar to most of our readers.
Though not participating actively in sport, Mr. Benaud always lent his influence to, and supported in a practical manner, the activities of the different local organisations. For close on 20 years he was Secretary of the Coraki Jockey Club, and during his time was able to see it become one of the leading racing clubs on the North Coast, and for a time second only to the Clarence River Jockey Club. He was also a very liberal supporter of the Coraki regattas.
Quite early in his career here he helped to secure the incorporation Coraki as a municipality, and, after his retirement from press work, was induced to stand for election as alderman. He was re-elected for several terms, and filled the Mayoral Chair with distinction for a number of years, devoting a large amount of time to the work involved.
Mr. Benaud, in addition to this, enjoyed the distinction of being one of the oldest members of M.U.I.O.O.F., in the North, joining the Loyal Star of the East Lodge at Grafton in October 1881—when Bro. A. W. Barnier was N.G., and Bro. Philip Emert was Secretary. That area, by the way, was then and for many years afterwards part of the Sydney district. As soon as he came to Coraki he took an active part in forming a lodge, here became one of the foundation members, and sustained his membership to the last.
During the war years he was an ardent worker for and generous giver to all patriotic causes, and at the close of hostilities was a member of the Repatriation Committee which assisted to give numbers of returned men a fresh start in life, the majority of them successfully.
In recent years he was one of the foundation members of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the P. and C. Association until ill health forced his retirement a couple of years ago, and also a most enthusiastic supporter of the J.F.C., being President of the Coraki branch’s Advisory Committee till illness overtook him. The School of Arts and Hospital also found in him a liberal supporter and advocate.
As a member of the Anglican Church he served as Prochial Councillor, Church-warden and Synodsman, and, with Rev. A. S. Homersham, led the movement for the beautiful church which is such a distinctive feature on Church Hill. He was also a guarantor for the Church debt till it was wiped out, and a guarantor for the debt on the Vicarage.
Some years ago the Brisbane “Courier” printed a photo of “Mr. L.F. Benaud, one of the most public spirited men on the Richmond River,” and in a special article said:—”His life has been devoted to the progress of his adopted town and the welfare of the surrounding district. For public spiritedness few can compare with him. What he did is there for the world to see, and what he thought was there for the world to read in his well-known paper which has fought consistently for the welfare of the Mid Richmond, and still carries on as vigorously as ever. . . .” That signal tribute from the leading journal in Queensland speaks for itself.
From this very brief outline it will be seen that amidst his press activities, Mr. Benaud led a very active public and semi-public life, a life characterised by the highest ideals of service and by many acts of charity, for no appeal was ever made to him in vain on behalf of the distressed. To all such appeals he gave freely and with a generous hand. He was a model employer, always prone to overlook the frailties of those who served under him, and in his very long career was known to dispense with a man’s service on only two or three occasions. He was a hard and conscientious worker himself, and ever appreciated that attribute in others. He was able always to secure for his paper the services of contributors and writers of outstanding merit, a fact which helped largely to make the paper what it is to-day. As is well-known, Mr. Benaud took a very deep interest in shipping, and knew personally every skipper and almost every officer on vessels trading to the Richmond and Clarence in the palmy days of the industry, before the railways cut so heavily into the passenger trade. His close contact with those old salts enabled him to become a recognised authority on North Coast shipping, and the “R.R. Herald” shipping column was for years the delight of seafaring men and North Coasters generally.
With the passing of the old stalwart the Richmond has undoubtedly lost one of its greatest champions and sturdiest fighters, though ill-health, of course, had compelled him to slow down considerably in recent years. To the last he retained the gratitude and respect of all who knew him. So marked was this feeling that when, just before he retired from active control of the paper, he was unsuccessfully sued for an alleged libel penned by a contributor, the residents of Coraki and district entertained him at a largely attended function and presented him with a cheque to cover his expenses. For 30 years or more the writer of this sketch has been associated closely with Mr. Benaud, and can bear witness to the fact that no fairer and juster man has ever controlled a public newspaper, and certainly no pressman in the North has ever spared himself less in the public interest. Since 1911 (when he handed over control of the “R.R. Herald” to his son, Mr. W.E.L. Benaud) the subject of this sketch devoted practically all his available time to the benefit of local organisations, very often to the neglect of his private interests. He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters—Mrs. A. Aked, of Lismore, and Nurse Johnstone, of Coraki, to all of whom the keenest sympathy of the district goes out in their loss.
The funeral on Friday was one of the most representative and most largely attended seen here for many years. The Church service attracted a large congregation, Rev. Gilbert, assisted by Rev. Cecil Saunders, Rector of Woodburn, officiating, both at the Church and graveside. In the course of his address Rev. Gilbert said that the one who had passed on was one who had given of his best, one who had lived his life according to an ideal, and one who had not spared himself in service for others; and the lesson thus taught should help the resolves of all. His was a life of action. He was not satisfied just to believe in something, but to try and carry it out, to do things that would have a vital effect on the lives of those amongst whom he lived. He believed in living with a purpose, living powerfully, living adventurously, and living in the power of God, because our own power was not sufficient, whereas the power of God was eternal.
The polished silver-mounted casket, covered with wreaths, was borne from the Church by Messrs. W. Benaud (son), A. Aked (son-in-law), Lorne Benaud, Noel Aked, Louis Aked (grand-sons), and H. A. McCallum (editor “R.R. Herald”). Members of the M.U.I.O.O.F., besides forming a guard of honor at the Church, and also at the cemetery, acted as wreath bearers, while the pall-bearers at the cemetery were P.G.’s Bros. G. Brooks, J. Hile, D. Toovey, E. Sands, C. Newby, and Bro. A., H. Rayner. In addition to representatives of the professional, business and industrial life of the town and district, there were also present Crs. Jas. Allison, deputy-President of Woodburn Shire (President L. B. Williams was absent from the district), L. H. C. Robinson, and A. Apps; Cr. T. W. Green (President of Terania Shire and Chairman of the R.R. County Council); Cr. O. H. McPherson ( Gundurimba Shire); Messrs. F. Paff (President) and H. Ford (Secretary) of the Coraki J.F.C.; E. T. Sheridan (President Coraki P. and C. Association); C. Riordan (President of Coraki sub-branch R.S.S.I.L.A.); ex-Ald. T. J. Brandon (representing the old Coraki J.C.), D. Moriarty (Shire employees), A. D. Arnold (District Manager E.C. Coy), Ballina); J. A. Daley and C. R. Laidman, Alstonville (ex-Directors of Moonem Development Coy); W. N. McPherson (Ruthven), R. Childs (Wyrallah), T. S. O’Connor (Lismore), ex-Sergt. Rutherford (New-castle), O. A. Schulstad, E. A. Wagner, P. S. Malone, Sep McKenzie, T. Loader, (Woodburn), T. Reardon, T. Butler, S. G. Scroop, T. Malone (Swan Bay), Byron Scroope (Sydney) and E. R. Thorold (brother-in-law) of Grafton. Messrs. Will Riley and Son conducted the funeral arrangements.
A large collection of beautiful wreaths came from personal friends, public bodies, and the staff of the “R.R. Herald.”
