HISTORY

Phoebe Hannah Murray (Granny Reilly) was born in 1887 in Kerang and was one of eleven children. Her father, James Francis Murray was born in Ireland in 1840, went to sea at age 15 and in 1863, jumped ship at Port Melbourne by sliding down the anchor chain. They were commonly called “Anchor Rats” at the time. Her mother, Frances Park was born in England in 1854 and sailed to Australia with her parents on the “Balnaguith” in 1857. James and Frances were married in Hay, NSW in 1870.

James and Frances made their way down towards the Murray River, crossing at the junction of the Murray and Little Murray at Campbell’s Island. They built a handsome cottage from mud bricks, grew fruit trees and vines and all that could be eaten. They had poultry and a cow or two and tea, sugar and flour could be bought from the paddle steamers.

Phoebe was born in Kerang in 1887 and was named after the ship her father sailed to Australia on. Frances Murray was an experienced midwife and naturally, Phoebe inherited the talents of her mother, curing everyone whether man or beast. At a very early age, Phoebe and her mother would ride out on horseback to attend the sick, using tried and tested natural remedies and techniques which had been handed down from generations before.

They made a modest living from cutting wood and selling it to the paddle steamers. Phoebe cut wood with her father and many a time crossed the river by boat in the middle of the night to load the steamers, a dangerous venture as Phoebe had never learnt to swim. Phoebe married a local labourer, William Gifford and had two children, Rose (Pictured Right) and Olive however they later divorced. Phoebe then went on to marry Myles Reilly, a local farmer, in 1918 and had a further four children, Frances, Patrick, Kathleen and Thanetta.

Over the years of hands-on farming experience, Granny Reilly created her own natural blends and recipes to maximise nutrition for her stock and poultry and cure any ailments they may have. She became well known for her abilities and people came from all over for her advice and remedies.

The natural remedies used over 100 years ago have been passed down the generations and are still used today to improve the health and well being of horses and other farming stock.

Left: Phoebe “Granny” Reilly, was born in Kerang in 1887 and died in 1971, aged 84

Below: Phoebe and Myles Reilly baling hay, in and around the 40’s

Above Left: Phoebe Reilly and grandson Lindsay

Above Right: Phoebe and Myles Reilly

Below: Phoebe Reilly and daughter Rose. This photo was taken by Sir John Madden, Circa 1904, at a dairy farm near Kerang The portrait hung for many years in Australia House in London.

Below: Pages from the animal remedies book of Phoebe and Myles Reilly