1853 Bernard O'Brien

Youth

Born in Franklin Street Adelaide in 1853, Bernard was educated at St Aloysius College, Sevenhill.

Marriage

Bernard married Miss Mary Ann Miller, daughter of the late Thomas Miller of Gulnare.  They were married August 16th, 1887 in St Luke's Church at Gulnare South.

Children

1. Mary Patricia, B March 17th, 1888, Hookina, D October 11, 1983
2. Martha Jane, B May 10th, 1889, Hookina, D August 2nd, 1971
3. Margaret, B June 2nd, 1891, Hookina
4. Jean (Jane) Caroline, B May 24th, 1893, Hookina, D September 25th, 1977
5. Catherine Honora, B April 16th, 1895, Hookina
6. Nance (Ann), B April 16th, 1895, Hookina
7. Thomas Patrick Zachary, B March 15th, 1898, Adelaide, D August 15th, 1977

The O'Brien family at Glenown, 287 Portrush Road, c 1920

Work

Bernard and Mary Ann moved to the Hookina district after their marriage to take up farming.  At this point, old Hookina (surveyed in 1863) only retained a few buildings and the main activity was at the railway siding established in 1881.

The area is well north of Goyder's Line, and at the time rainfall varied from five inches to 22 inches, but the good seasons initially won out, convincing the government of the day to resume tracts of grazing land, survey Hundreds and release them for wheat cropping.  However floods, drought, soil drift, rabbits and other vermin eventually won out.

The family returned to Adelaide following the drought of 1897, settling at 287 Portrush Road Glen Osmond.  Bernard then took up work as gardener and driver at the Monastery in Glen Osmond, serving under Archbishops O’Reilly and Spence, retiring in 1917. His splendid foresight in laying out the grounds and gardens bears testimony today of his wonderful knowledge of horticulture.

Later life
The home at 287 Portrush Road, situated on a double block, was built by Langleys (plumbers) who continued to occupy their residence over the back fence of this property.  Part of this property (289 Portrush Rd) was given to Tom and Teresa to build their house when they got married.  This was originally 4 rooms: 2 bedrooms, a lounge and an eating/kitchen area.  Later they added a sleep-out as the family grew.  Later still, Tom and Kevin were moved to another sleep-out which was built on the back of his Bernard and Mary Ann's place, again due to lack of space.

Bernard used to bring the cow home from the Arch Bishop’s to milk each day.  The cow walked around the paddock next to the house during the night and went back the next morning.

Profound sympathy was expressed when it was learned that death had claimed Mr Bernard Redmond O’Brien, who died at his residence, Portrush Road Glen Osmond, on July 11th 1933.  His death caused very genuine and wide-spread regret at Glen Osmond, where he was so widely known and so highly esteemed and respected by a large circle of friends, many of whom had known him since he settled at the Glen in 1897 to take charge of the Archbishop’s grounds at the foot of the hills.  Of a lovable and kindly disposition, warmly charitable, and very solicitous for others, Mr O’Brien will be sadly missed by those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and also for his gracious disposition that will long remain a cherished memory to them.

A tribute to the deceased was paid by the Passionist Fathers at St Paul’s Retreat, Glen Osmond, where Requiem Mass was offered for the repose of his soul on July 12th. The Rev Father Ignatius, CP being celebrant of the Mass was assisted by the Rev. Fathers Laurence CP and Alphonsus CP., as Deacon and Sub-Deacon respectively. Also present were Very Rev. Father O’Keefe, SJ., Very Rev. Fathers Stanislaus, Fathers Bede and Osmund (of the Passionist Order), E Robertson, J Whelan and J Considine.

An exceptionally large funeral took place from the church to the Catholic Cemetery, West Terrace, where his many friends and acquaintances paid their last respects to one of South Australia’s worthy pioneers. The pall-bearers were Messrs F Kierce, F Miller, W Philipson and F P Keogh.

Mary Ann died at home in Glen Osmond on September 17th, 1951, aged 80.

Credit

• Obituary, 1933
• Stories from Tom O'Brien and "the Aunts"
• "Hawker, hub of the flinders"; Hawker Centenary Committee, 1980