People Australia

Mrs. Fred D. Bird (Lucy Clara)

Descendant Henry Hopkins, Merchant, “Westella, ” Hobart, who arrived in Tasmania in 1822. It was in those far off days after the long war with France, in which Tasmania received so many of her best colonists, that Henry Hopkins and his wife, then young people, arrived in Hobart. Mr. Hopkins had been a merchant in England and brought out capital to the State, which he very soon saw a way to increase, for in the same year that he arrived it occurred to him to try the effect of sending Tasmanian wool to England, and he arranged for twelve bales to be sent Home. This laid the foundation of Australia’s enormous woollen trade of to-day. That trade too went ahead with marvellous rapidity, for, long as was the distance and lengthy the voyage, in a very few years 500 bales went out and steadily each year the number grew, and this astute merchant as soon as the Hentys started their stations in Victoria went over there and bought land and wool to great advantage.

Born, Murdeduke, Winchelsea, Victoria. Daughter of Arthur Hopkins, Murdeduke, Winchelsea, Victoria, and Lucy Rout—born in England. Wife of Frederick Dougan Bird, M.B., Ch.B., M.S., F.R.C.S., Hon.; served in Great War as Consulting Surgeon to the Mediterranean Forces; awarded C.B. (military division), 1917. Family, son, Dougan; daughter, Dorothy Clare.

HOBBIES. Sketching, Wood-carving, Copper-work, Weaving, Spinning and Gardening.

ACTIVITIES. Was for many years an official and member of the following: Ladies’ Benevolent Society; Executive, Victoria League in Victoria; Past President of Hospitality Committee, Victoria League Club; Past President, Royal Melbourne Golf Club (Associates); Member of Council and one of the earliest on its Roll; original Member of Arts and Crafts Society; Past Member of Melbourne District Nurses’ Society.

ADDRESS. “Douttagalla,” Toorak Road, South Yarra, Melbourne,