Life Story

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Mary Morrison was just twenty-eight years old when she married Stephen Blundy in 1883. Stephen, a fifty-one year old farmer, had previously worked land at Briagolong before moving to Yaugher, where he established a hop farm along the Barwon River. His property became central to the small but growing community.

 

Generous in spirit, Stephen donated part of his land to the Anglican Church at a nominal cost, and when a school was later established nearby, it too stood beside the Blundy farm.

 

Mary and Stephen quickly became well known and respected in the district. Their home was a gathering place, and in December 1888, when the new church opened, a picnic was held on their property. There were games, contests, and a shared meal prepared by local women—an occasion that reflected the warmth of the community they helped build.

 

At home, Mary’s life was filled with the demands of a growing family. In just over two and a half years, she gave birth to three children—Cyrus, Elizabeth, and Alfred. After a short pause, Florence and then Catherine followed. But alongside this growth came deep sorrow. In December 1889, young Cyrus died on Boxing Day, only four days before Catherine was born. Within weeks, tragedy struck again when little Florence died in January 1890 at just eighteen months old. Both children were buried in the Colac Cemetery, though no records now remain to mark their exact resting places.

 

Grief and exhaustion took their toll. After a three-month illness, Mary died in October 1890 from cardiac failure and bronchitis, aged only thirty-five. She lay in an unmarked grave for seventy-six years until her daughter Elizabeth was buried with her in 1966 and a headstone was finally placed. Stephen never remarried and remained at Yaugher until his death in 1927, aged ninety.

 

Research by Merrill O’Donnell

Story by Norma Bakker

Narrated by Deb Baillie
 
© 2026 Colac & District Family History Group Inc. 
All rights reserved. 

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Life stories have been researched and compiled by the Colac & District Family History Group Inc. and its independent contributors. This material must not be copied or reproduced without permission. AI tools have been used to assist. 

 

For more information, please contact the Colac & District Family History Group Inc.