General News
1 October, 2024
THE HUBBLE FAMILY: Pioneering entrepreneurs
How do you come face to face with tragedy and start a new life?

Your transition is so successful that you become a pioneer and head of the district’s major enterprise in your lifetime.
Robert Hubble married Mary Daniels at the age of 21 in Kent, England.
They faced unbelievable tragedy with the loss of seven children (still born). Only Susanna survived.
Mary was ill for eight years suffering a loss of sight and a fatal tumor.
In 1850 Robert remarried to Eliza Fisher.
Two of their children (Emily and Robert) were born in England. He was a carpenter-undertaker.
They arrived at Port Fairy on Christmas Day 1855. A measles outbreak kept them on board.
Two boys were born in Warrnambool — William died at one month, and Edward at 21 of typhoid.
Robert Hubble snr must have thought long and hard before he left the green fields of Kent for the harshness of the Australian bush.
Of course, the chance of instant wealth on the goldfields was the lure!
After a brief stay in the Western District, they headed across country to the goldfields of Maryborough.
Although he found some gold at “Old Man’s Gully” and Alma, it wasn’t a fortune.
Their temporary accommodation was a tent in Barkly Street.
He found work as a carpenter for Mr Edward Harkness.
In 1858 his son John was born in the tent on the site which was to become PS 404.
Ironically he was to become one of the school’s first enrolments.
From his work as a carpenter he established his own furniture business.
This was extended into a carpentry, timber merchant, ironmonger, undertaker and house-shifting business.
Using the proceeds of this business he purchased several houses to ensure financial independence.
They replaced their houses with a fleet of automobiles, the largest in the district.
On retirement he passed on the business to his three sons — Robert (undertaker), John (manager) and William (shop sales).
Hubble Brothers and Company Pty Ltd became one of central Victoria’s best known enterprises.
Another family tragedy was the death of Edward James Hubble, killed in action aged 21 in Belgium serving with the AIF.
John Hubble (Maryborough’s oldest son), was an outstanding citizen.
During his lifetime he saw the town decline and prosper.
His contributions to the community included 59 years with the fire brigade (a service that continues to today), the ANA Society, the gas company, the Masonic Lodge, the hospital board, School of Mines, Commonwealth Bank, Traders Association, cricket and swimming clubs.
In the time when no government assistance was available for those on struggle street, he and his family were generous benefactors.
Robert (Bob) served the community meritoriously as a councillor, he served two terms as mayor (1903-04 and 1912-13).
He also gave a lifetime of service to the fire brigade.
He was a foundation member of the brass band, Masonic Lodge and as a cricketer.
William served the fire brigade for over five years being captain for three years.
Like his brothers he was active in the Masonic Lodge and local cricket.
The significance of serving in the fire brigade is that eucalypts and limited water supply has always had a vulnerability to bushfires.
In 1941 tragedy struck again with the death of John and the accidental death (gun accident) of his son.
The business went up for public sale.
The last of the Hubble buildings were burnt down in the Phelan’s fire in 1973.
Later descendents of note include a mixture of extroverts and achievers.
Horrie Hubble was a brilliant sportsman who excelled at all his pursuits.
Richmond, a VFL powerhouse (led by the legendary Jack “Captain Blood” Dyer tried in vain to coax him to Richmond.
He remained to dominate in the Ballarat League and the district league where he coached Primrose.
I asked Horrie when interviewing him for the Sports Association, who was the best local footballer he had seen?
He replied “You’re looking at him!”
Horrie, in his late 80s, used to do a weekly lap of the town skirting from his home on the underpass, across the golf course, down Gladstone Street into Balaclava Road, past the tower, down Mariner’s Reef Road to home.
For many years Horrie resided at the fire station. He was also a much loved personality at Berger’s Sports store, entertaining all and sundry.
Harold Hubble was a “stollid” character, unlikely to suffer fools gladly. His years at the post office are full of fascinating tales.
Harold’s major contribution to the city was his almost half a century of supervising the track at Princes Park.
Those that followed him soon realised how significant Harold’s efforts were in setting up the Highland Gathering.
Descendants of Robert Hubble snr are still continuing the family’s contribution to Maryborough and district.
Darryl Wagstaff has been the fire brigade captain for 36 years and a member of the brigade for 50 years.
In 1996 Darryl revived the family’s undertaker business.
Sheryl, Darryl’s sister, is an ear, nose and throat surgeon practising in Melbourne.
Gary, the third of the family, has had a distinguished sporting career in cricket and football and can be found on most days working on the wicket at Hedges Oval.
It is interesting to note that the Hubble businesses were purchased by Cliff Phelan and his mother and continued to trade successfully.
Colman & Lardner established on the landmark corner (Colmans) traded for a long time and is now the site of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Ethel Lardner was a sister of the three Hubble brothers.
Horrie’s children, Ian and Jennifer, and Harold’s sons Andrew and Robert, are still active in the community.
Horrie Hubble’s sister, Lorna, through her marriage to Ron Rinaldi linked two of the town’s most significant families.
Victor Rinaldi served as mayor and was succeeded in later years by Barry Rinaldi.
Barry served as mayor and had a long term as a councillor.
Together with his wife Judy, they own the successful womens’ clothing shop “Rinaldis”, with their daughter Linda as manager.