Patrick Durack
Encyclopedia
Patrick Durack was a pastoral pioneer.
His family were struggling tenant farmers from Magherareagh near Scarriff
in County Clare, Ireland who moved from Ireland to New South Wales
in 1853. Two months after arriving in New South Wales, his father, Michael was accidentally killed. He settled his mother and siblings, and moved to Victoria, he returned 18 months later with ₤1000.
On the 31 July 1862 he married Mary Costello, only daughter of Michael Costello, a native of Co. Tipperary and his wife Mary Tully, a native of Co. Galway. Patrick and Mary had eight children (two of whom died in infancy), including Michael Durack
.
Goulburn provided insufficient outlets for Durack's energy, land hunger and organizing powers. Along with his brother Michael and brother-in-law John Costello, they set out to establish a property in South-west Queensland in 1863. Drought conditions almost killed the men, but they continued around the country pegging claims to some 17,000 square miles.
Durack and his brother Michael trekked across the north of the continent from their property on Coopers Creek in Queensland
which they left from in 1879 along with 7250 breeding cattle and 200 horses to the Kimberley region of Western Australia
near Kununurra
where they arrived in 1882. The 3000 miles (4,828 km) journey of cattle to stock Argyle Downs
and Ivanhoe Station
is the longest of its type ever recorded.
In 1885, he retired to Brisbane. Later that year he purchased gold-crushing machinery from Sydney and began mining on the Kimberley goldfields. In 1889 he learned that financial disaster had overtaken his Queensland interests. He died in Fremantle
on 20 January 1893.
His family were struggling tenant farmers from Magherareagh near Scarriff
Scarriff
Scarriff or Scariff ) is a large village in east County Clare, Ireland, situated in the midwest of Ireland. The town is on the West end of Lough Derg and is best known for its harbour. The Scarriff Market House is easily recognisable, and it is therefore often used to represent the...
in County Clare, Ireland who moved from Ireland to New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
in 1853. Two months after arriving in New South Wales, his father, Michael was accidentally killed. He settled his mother and siblings, and moved to Victoria, he returned 18 months later with ₤1000.
On the 31 July 1862 he married Mary Costello, only daughter of Michael Costello, a native of Co. Tipperary and his wife Mary Tully, a native of Co. Galway. Patrick and Mary had eight children (two of whom died in infancy), including Michael Durack
Michael Durack
Michael Patrick Durack, was a pastoralist, and Western Australian pioneer. He was the son of Patrick Durack and Mary Costello, both Irish-Australians....
.
Goulburn provided insufficient outlets for Durack's energy, land hunger and organizing powers. Along with his brother Michael and brother-in-law John Costello, they set out to establish a property in South-west Queensland in 1863. Drought conditions almost killed the men, but they continued around the country pegging claims to some 17,000 square miles.
Durack and his brother Michael trekked across the north of the continent from their property on Coopers Creek in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
which they left from in 1879 along with 7250 breeding cattle and 200 horses to the Kimberley region of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
near Kununurra
Kununurra, Western Australia
Kununurra is a town in far northern Western Australia located at the eastern extremity of the Kimberley Region approximately from the border with the Northern Territory. Kununurra was initiated to service the Ord River Irrigation scheme....
where they arrived in 1882. The 3000 miles (4,828 km) journey of cattle to stock Argyle Downs
Argyle Downs
Argyle Downs is a pastoral lease and cattle station located about south east of Kununurra in the Kimberley region near the border of Western Australia and Northern Territory. It is operated by the Consolidated Pastoral Company....
and Ivanhoe Station
Ivanhoe Station
Ivanhoe or Ivanhoe Station is a pastoral lease and cattle station located just north of Kununurra in the Kimberley region of Western Australia....
is the longest of its type ever recorded.
In 1885, he retired to Brisbane. Later that year he purchased gold-crushing machinery from Sydney and began mining on the Kimberley goldfields. In 1889 he learned that financial disaster had overtaken his Queensland interests. He died in Fremantle
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
on 20 January 1893.