These two family portraits – one of Clunie Bain Hoschke and the other of Frederick Amandus Hoschke, were presented to the Coffs Harbour Regional Museum as part of a small but significant collection of items. The items were presented in 2017 by family members Ian, Doug and Fred Hoschke, the most recent of several donations to the Museum.

The other rare items were a 1925 Speedwell Cycles medallion, an iron bassinet purchased secondhand in 1907, and an illuminated address. 

Illuminated addresses were “A popular way to mark a special occasion or outstanding service.” This particular address was presented to Amandus Hoschke in 1909 by the Orara citizenry on the occasion of his departure to Germany to visit his origins. It is beautifully rendered, with a photograph showing the main street of Coramba as well as one of Amandus himself and stylised signatures for all of Hoschke’s peers. The wording starts:

Dear Sir, On the eve of your departure on a well earned holiday trip to Germany, your many friends in the Orara, Bucca Creek and Coffs Harbour Districts…

The Clarence and Richmond Examiner covered the story of Amandus Hoschke's trip in some detail, including this comment on 6 April 1909: “The friends of Miss Mary Hoschke will regret to learn that she is ill, and it is thought an operation will be necessary. Mr Hoschke sen. is arranging for a trip to Germany”. [See also April 29 and May 8 articles.] 

On 20 April 1909 “The proposal to give one of the pioneers of the district, Mr. A. Hoschke, sen.. of Upper Orara, a send-off, prior to his departure for Germany, meets with general support here, and Coff's Harbour will be well represented on the occasion.”

The farewell event was held on 10 May 1909 at Coramba: “A send-off, in the form of a well represented smoke concert, was tendered to Mr. A. Hoschke. sen., of Upper Orara, on Monday evening last, on the eve of his departure for Germany.”

“Messrs. McLean. Smith, Martin, MacNamara, Gale, Pritzler. and Cochrane also spoke, the latter gentleman presenting Mr. Hoschke with a beautiful illuminated address in album form, showing, various photographs of the district, and one of the recipient.”

“In replying, Mr. Hoschke said that it was one of the proudest moments of his life to think that he was held in such esteem by his many friends, as had been evidenced within the last few days and at the gathering that evening.” 

On 28 October 1909, Mr Hoschke returned from his journey: “Mr. Hoschke arrived home on Thursday, and is looking the better of his trip to Germany. His many friends are pleased to welcome him back to the district.”

 Why did Amandus receive this illuminated address?

“Mr. Sherwood, in proposing the health of the guest of the evening, referred to Mr. Hoschke's early pioneering experiences, and showed the great pluck and upright honesty of practically a young man in the little settled district of the Orara. As one who was foremost in everything that went for the best progress of the district, and one who had worked hard for the attainment of such. Mr. Hoschke was a citizen to be proud of. It afforded him the greatest pleasure to wish him bon voyage on his well earned holiday trip to his native country.”

Amandus and Mary Ann Hoschke arrived in the Orara district in 1886. He and his wife were two of the first settlers in the Upper Orara. He died on 27 March 1928 and the Grafton Daily Examiner says:

“A tireless worker and a good neighbor [sic], he was always ready to give a helping hand to any: good cause. He visited Germany before the war, and prior to his departure he was given a big send-off and was the recipient of a presentation at Coramba. He returned home disillusioned; his old land had changed completely.”

“Our Upper Orara correspondent, writes of the late Mr. Hoschke: — "He possessed all the qualifications for a pioneer, being hard working, industrious and intelligent above the ordinary. By dint of hard work, together with his family, he gained a competence, and had been living in retirement for some years. He was greatly respected by all who knew him and the settlers who came after him speak in the highest manner of the helping hand that he was always willing to extend to any one in need of assistance, although at times hard pressed himself. In the passing of Mr. Hoschke the district loses one of its grand old men. He retained all his faculties till within a few days of His death. His memory was as clear as possible and it was a pleasure to converse with him."

The Coffs Harbour Advocate of 27 March 1928 states: “Mr. Amandus Hoschke, who has been seriously ill at his home at Upper Orara for some weeks, died at a quarter past three this morning. He was one of the first settlers on Upper Orara, a man of industry and scrupulous honesty…”

"Deceased came to this district fully 40 years ago and made his home on Upper Orara, where he took up land and made a success of farming. Much of the pioneering work in that district was done by him. He was a hard worker and a man ever ready to do a good turn where it was needed. His wife, who ably assisted him in the pioneering work and the rearing of a large family, died a few years ago.”

The family's story is told in Settlers at Orara – the Hoschke Family in Australia by Ian Hoschke, 2014, and online at The Hoschke Family in Australia.