Lavinia Aunger

Lavinia Hooper

As a result of a fall, Mrs. Lavinia Aunger, died at Warringa Hospital, Glenelg, on Wednesday 23. The deceased lady was 96 years and 7 months of age, and was born at Alternum, Cornwall, on January 31, 1826. She arrived in this State with her mother and father by the immigrant ship Isabella Watson m 1846, and was one of the oldest identities of the Koolunga district. Her parents were the late Jacob and Catherine Hooper, who resided in Adelaide with their children after their arrival in South Australia.

For three months after she reached the province Mrs. Aunger was employed by Mrs Bathgate at a boarding house, which was situated on the site of the present Grand Central Hotel. Soon .after this she met the late Mr. Simon Aunger, and was subsequently married to him. The couple resided on successive farms, and also at Callington Mines, until the beginning of the gold rush in Victoria. Mr. Aunger proceeded to the diggings, where be and his wife lived for six months. They managed to accumulate a small fortune. When they returned to South Australia, Mr. Aunger was employed in the construction of the Port Adelaide Railway line.

He later took up farming land on the Bremer, and he and his family remained there until 1878. Upon the death of her husband in 1888, Mrs. Aunger proceeded to Clare, where she remained for two years. Most of the rest of her life was spent in retirement at Koolunga.

She had a family of nine children, seven of whom still survive: —Messrs. John and William (Koolunora), and Simon (Franklin Harbour), and Mesdames Hender (Yankalilla), Beckman (Brompton), Reed (Carrow), and Buchanan (Koolunga). There are 37 grand children and 29 great-grandchildren. Included among the former is Mr. Murray Aunger, of motor car fame.

Despite the fact that she had practically no schooling, and was sent to service while still of tender years, Mrs. Aunger had by sheer hard work and determination managed to obtain a grip on things which was truly wonderful.

Her name is on the members roll of the Koolunga Methodist Church, with which she had been closely identified for many years. Although in her latter years she was incapacitated in some measure by failing strength, Mrs. Aunger's mind was still wonderfully alert. She liked to read the daily newspapers, to hear the latest news, and generally to keep abreast of the times.

Observer (Adelaide, SA) - Sep 2 1922

• Year 1922
• Forename Lavinia
• Surname AUNGER, Mrs.
• Parish Or Reg District Altarnun
• Destination Australia, South Australia
• Age 96y 7m
• Occupation
• Notes Obituary in The Register
• Comments born HOOPER

Ref:

• 348572 in the Emigration database

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Billion Graves

• Lavenia Aunger
• Death: Aug 23 1922
• Burial:
• Koolunga Cemetery, Koolunga, South Australia, Australia

Relatives

• Eliza Rose Aunger 1896
• Eliza Ann Aunger 1905
• Simon Aunger 1938

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