Robert Pacey Pioneer

[Bob Pacey]

This article appeared in the local paper some time ago. The poem is written by my late auntie Pat Little ( Nee Pacey ).

The Pacey family of Rockhampton has strong ties with the pioneers who settled the Rockhampton and Gracemere areas. Robert Pacey a stockman was the son of Irish convict Patrick Pacey. Robert came to Rockhampton with the Archer Brothers in 1856 as a stockman and housebreaker. Robert was also one of the first settlers to purchase town allotments in 1958 which he later sold to Sir Montague Manning in 1861.

He also acquired agricultural land in 1862 and established the Pacey dairy property, Windmere, located between Nine Mile and Gracemere which supplied Rockhampton residents with milk for many years. The property is now owned by the Acton family as Paradise Lagoons.

Unfortunately Robert was drowned in the Fitzroy river at 18-mile island in 1868 at the age of 29, while assisting James Archer to move cattle. He was buried in the Archer Private cemetery at Gracemere where his headstone still stands.

Robert’s wife Flora was left to care for her five children and in 1869 she bravely attended the Land Court and was successful in obtaining additional land in the Gracemere resumption.

Robert Pacey

His name as Robert Pacey he was tough and down to earth.
He sailed across the ocean from the country of his birth.
He chose this land Australia to start a brand new life
He met a true and gentle girl; asked her to be his wife.

This lass, Flora McDonald was Scottish born and bred
She gave to him her promise that soon they would be wed.
He met up with the Archer boys those pioneers of fame
As he had worked with cattle, head stockman he became.

Exploring land, these fine brave men found and named this town
Rockhampton’s such a lovely spot they thought they’d settle down.
Bob then returned from whence he came; brought back with him his wife
Once more they crossed the rugged land to a whole new way of life.

One happy day his wife gave birth to the first white baby boy.
Born at Archer’s home of Gracemere their hearts were full of joy.
They found a spot and settled down on the banks of a lagoon.
With gum trees growing straight and tall wildflowers all in bloom.

They started then to build their home the land they had to clear.
Of hand-cut slabs they built the house and called it “ Windmere “.
Though work as hard and hours long, T’was good to be alive.
They faced each day with faith and hope; of children they had five.

As time went by they had their share of both good and bad luck.
Happy in the home they‘d made and then disaster struck.
In that river called the Fitzroy, Bob‘s destiny he found.
While crossing cattle with his boss Robert Pacey drowned.

Flora watched him laid to rest in Archer’s cemetery.
She knew she had to raise alone their precious family.
Through many years have passed since then somehow I seem to know
The spirit of that fine brave man still watches Rocky grow.

And we the Pacey family would like to make it clear.
We’re mighty proud descendants of that Rocky pioneer.

Pat Little ( C )


Robert Pacey ( The Sixth )

[Heather]

You should be proud or your pioneering history Bob. They bred them tough back then. Didn't have a choice I suppose.

Heather

[Bob Pacey]

I wrote a poem a little while back for the McNeil famiy reunion and their family travelled for four months to get to the Yeppoon area then one of the ladies in the group gave birth four weeks after their arrival. Now that was tough as she already had a couple of young kids in tow as well.



Bob