1880-1970
Father
Mother
Siblings
Edward Joseph, Anna Maria, Susannah Ruth, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Martha, June, Jane, Thomas, Laveria, Catherine, Sophia
Married
Children
Gertrude, Mary Rebecca, Elva Myrtle, Ethel Bedelia, Samuel John, Arthur Joseph, Edward Milton, Gwenneth Rita and Dorothy Isabel
Bedelia’s Life
Bedelia was born in Inglewood, Victoria in 1880. Her parents arrived in Geelong on the ‘Bee’ in April 1857 along with her eldest brother Edward. Her father was to be engaged by the railways on arrival however it was recorded that twin daughters had been born in the Ararat goldfields in 1857 also. Joseph was from a Welsh mining family, so it is unsurprising that he found his way straight to the Victorian Goldfields.
Bedelia’s father was from Cardiff, Wales and her mother was from Shropshire, England, her family were involved in agriculture, holding 265 acres of land and employing 5 labourers.
Bedelia was the last child of 15 and was born in the Victorian goldfields. Most of her family were involved in mining. Even though Bedelia was born in Australia she spoke and read Welsh fluently.
Her father died in 1895 and was still unearthing good size nuggets of gold as late as 1890.
Bedelia married John Strudwick in 1898 in Kingower, Victoria. At that stage John cited his occupation as a miner. They had nine children, all born in Victoria.
In the year 1919 Bedelia lost two daughters, two grandchildren and her mother as well as other family members due to the Spanish Flu. Her daughters were salvationist and had been caring for other families who had succumbed to the flu and then contracted themselves.
On arrival in Tullamore in 1927 with her family, Bedelia recreated the family home and established an extensive, beautiful garden at Kingower. Initially there was only a small cottage on Kingower but their son Joe, a builder, built a beautiful sturdy family home for them. Bedelia’s two daughters, Gwenneth and Dorothy won prizes for needlework, music, singing and art at Tullamore competitions, skills that could only be taught by a loving mother.
On their retirement, Joe built Bedelia and John another house in Tullamore, next door to the Presbyterian Church. Once again, she created the most magnificent garden with a huge array of roses – the delight of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren (who used to run around her intricate paths with abandon).
Bedelia was a grand lady, photos depict a sense of fashion and style, her hats were to be coveted. When visiting, even her great grandchildren would sit down to tea in fine bone china cups and the delicate biscuits she made that were absolutely delicious.
Bedelia was well loved and remembered fondly by her family and her community.
Authored by Leah Burnheim