Reporter BELINDA STRAHORN chronicles Queanbeyan’s pioneering Moore family.  

IF small business holds the key to kick-starting the local economy in a post-covid world, then perhaps the entrepreneurial spirit embodied by the pioneering Moore family of Queanbeyan is worthy of a closer look. 

With 160 years of experience to draw upon, its journey has been from bullockies to bicycle-shop owners, shepherding to shoemaking and even a town mayor. The family, over many generations, were trailblazers in re-inventing themselves and their businesses to deal with changing circumstances.

In common with many others at the time, the Moore family left Ireland during the potato famine in the mid-19th century.

Richard Moore, senior, and wife Margaret (nee Courtney) arrived in Australia on the ship “Champion” on October 5, 1840, as bounty immigrants and, after a short time in Sydney, made the journey to Wanniassa by bullock dray.

It’s hard to imagine a woman, seven months pregnant, undertaking such an arduous journey, said Brian Moore, 80, a fifth-generation descendant of Richard and Margaret.

Holding a photograph of his great-grandmother, Brian said: “She [Margaret] was a stoic lady, as tough as they come. You can’t imagine it can you, travelling here on a bullock team almost ready to have a baby.

“When you look at her photo you can tell that she was as tough as nails, the poor old thing. She had nothing to smile about.”

After working as a shepherd for Col. Thomas Macquoid on his Waniassa (now Tuggeranong) property, Richard and Margaret settled on their own property “Warm Corner”, in the Burra Valley. 

Richard first tried his hand at shoemaking, but found the bullock trade a more lucrative occupation, hauling timber and wool from Queanbeyan to Sydney in the 1850s.

Fascinated by the Moore family history, Queanbeyan history buff Phill Hawke has spent months documenting their journey. He said the rough terrain of Razorback Range – between Picton and Mittagong – made the job of leading the bullock dray to Sydney a hazardous trip. 

“Travelling over rough country and unmade roads, the journey involved crossing the Razorback with the most dangerous manoeuvre going down the range,” Phill said.

The Moores continued in the bullock trade, but it wasn’t to last too much longer as the next generations branched out into new things.

One of the more successful ventures was buying and selling property.

Richard Moore’s son, Richard (junior) known affectionately by his descendants as “Richard the Second”, became a prominent landowner in the area, purchasing “Urila Station” and “Greenhills” near Burra and several blocks in Queanbeyan, later known as the “Moore Estate”.

Tapping into his entrepreneurial spirit, “Richard the Second” – an ex mayor of Queanbeyan – saw an opportunity as a land speculator and sub-divided and sold off his substantial land holdings, which became suburbs in and around Queanbeyan.

A less well-known fact about the Moore family is that they met two future kings of England. “Richard the Second”, met the Prince of Wales (who subsequently became King Edward VIII before abdicating in 1936) on his visit to lay a foundation stone for Canberra in 1920. 

Another family member met the Duke of York, who went on to become King George VI, the father of the Queen, in 1927 on his visit to open Parliament House.

Fifth-generation descendant Janice Moore, 66, recounted a family story about lending a horse to the impending King George.  

“James, who was the brother of ‘Richard the Second’, lent the Duke of York a horse for the duration of his visit. The Duke rode the poor old horse so much, it died,” Janice said.

The family’s contribution to the development of Queanbeyan didn’t end with the buying and selling of land.

Sons of “Richard the Second”, Ernest and Albert, tried their hands at a variety of businesses on Monaro Street, many of which were a first for the region. 

According to Brian Moore: “If there was a quid to make, they made it. They were wheelers and dealers.”

Selling bicycles to start with, the brothers branched out into rural machinery, sporting goods and even sold musical instruments. 

A stock and station agent business came next, then skin buying and in 1906 they opened Queanbeyan’s first jewellery shop, Hammond’s Jewellery.

Four years later the Moore brothers started importing and selling cars.

In carrying out his research Phill Hawke discovered that in 1910 they linked up with the Ford Motor Corporation, moving the cars by rail to Queanbeyan in packing cases. Once assembled and filled with benzine (petrol) they were ready for sale.

The idea for the brothers’ next business venture came from the most unlikely of places – their sister’s wedding, noteworthy for being the first all-motor-car procession in Queanbeyan.

The brothers struck upon the idea of a hire-car business from Yass to Canberra, via Queanbeyan.

Soon after, in another first for the region, the Moore Bros. Garage, opened on Monaro Street, the site of the current Villa Olivo restaurant, with the first kerbside petrol bowser in 1925.

Some years later, the Moore Bros. partnership dissolved bringing to an end a half a century of businesses on Monaro Street, according to Phill Hawke.

“Ernie, known as the Buick King, went on to establish a motor business in Yass, running it until 1932. He died in Clovelly in 1952,” Phill said.

“Albert continued running the garage in Queanbeyan, as well as operating Braddon Motors in Mort Street. He was a generous man who contributed to charities and sports organisations and died in 1954.”

The family’s remarkable history still surprises fifth-generation descendant of Richard and Margaret, Clare McManus, 73, who can’t quite believe what her ancestors achieved from colonial beginnings through to current generations.

“I’m completely blown away by what they did and what they brought to this area; the farms, the businesses, I cannot fathom it all,” Clare said.

“They were incredibly hard-working people and we are so proud of them.”

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