Frances Durack

Duracks camped at the Neal property on the way up north with their big muster. A baby got sick and Fanny Neal went back with one of the Durack's to their base in Goulbourn and ended up marrying Jeremiah [source maurice FitzGerald 29/6/2013].

DURACK.-On September 18, at Beverley, Frances, relict of the late Jeremiah John Durack, devoted mother of Mrs. E. L. Drake -Brockman, of Beverley, P. M. and F. J. Durack, of Wyndham, and John P. Durack, solicitor, of Perth, aged 62 years. R.I.P.
Frances Durack was the widow of “Jerry” Durack, of Dunham station, East Kimberley. Beverley Times called her “one of-the North West pioneers.” Frances had been ailing for some time and they reported she died at the residence of her daughter, Mollie Brockman, at Waikerie, near Beverley. Born in NSW her parents, John and Jane Neal, were amongst the early pioneers of the Bogan, New South Wales district.

In the early 1890’s the Durack’s settled-in the East Kimberley, forming the Dunham Station on leased land.
Dunham Station was known “amongst bushmen was noted for its hospitality.” Frances was described by the Beverley Times as ”a brave and courageous woman who cheerfully and uncomplainingly led the hard life of pioneering, in Kimberley.

The Call said of Frances “At her husband's side Mrs. Durack suffered the many dangers and vicissitudes of Nor' West life in the early days of settlement, and despite her own troubles always had a cheery word and smile for the struggling pioneer and his still braver wife. We can ill afford these gaps, which are increasingly hard to fill.”

1921 'Family Notices', Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), 22 September, p. 27. , viewed 17 Jul 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38865944
1921 'SOCIETY AND SINNERS OTHER', Call (WA ), 23 September, p. 10. , viewed 17 Jul 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article210406389
1921 'Death of the Mrs Frances Durack', The Beverley Times (WA), 24 September, p. 6. , viewed 17 Jul 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201860210

1921 'Family Notices', Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), 22 September, p. 27. , viewed 16 Jul 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38865944