A quiet strength, a ready kindness, and a life spent in service to others—these are the threads that remain when all else fades.
Elizabeth Postle, daughter of Thomas Postle and Mary Slack, was born in 1832 at Wakefield in Yorkshire, England, and baptised at Sandal Magna. At twenty-eight, she left her homeland behind, boarding the Prince of the Seas in 1859 and arriving at Hobsons Bay the following February. Listed as a housemaid, she began work in Geelong for William Roadknight, committing to three years of service for a modest wage of £25.
In 1862, Elizabeth married Edward Johnson Belyea, an American-born carpenter whose work drew them to the Stony Rises district near Colac. There, they built not only a home but a life grounded in hard work and family. Their first son, Herbert, was born in Geelong, followed by four more boys in Colac—Ernest, Edgar, Clement and Everest. They also opened their home to a foster child, Lucy, raising her as one of their own.
Edward established himself as a builder and contractor, his business near what is now Colac East State School, later moving to Pollock Street. Through the years, Elizabeth’s presence was a constant—supporting her growing family and quietly shaping the community around her.
In April 1895, after a long and painful illness that left her bedridden, Elizabeth passed away. She was remembered not for wealth or status, but for her generous spirit. Described as “large-hearted,” she was ever ready to help those in need—a friend to the sick, the struggling, and a quiet supporter of the Salvation Army; a lifetime of caring.
Research by Meryl Ritchie
Story by Lynette Genua

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