Christina
Wilkes (nee Power?)In 1877, Christina Minogue was bridesmaid at the wedding of Don McLeod (the great grandfather of Isobel McLeod, wife of Des Sykes). Some time after this she met Frederick William Wilkes (1849-1916/1920). Frederick, the son of William Wilkes and Selina Cave, joined the Merchant Marine in England. He came to Australia around 1865, and spent time as a merchant marine seaman in NSW. One account has it that he was the son of a wealthy Englishman, who was related to a parliamentarian, but Frederick never returned to England to collect his inheritance. After obtaining a Master Mariner's certificate, William left his ship in Adelaide. Frederick (aged 30) and Christina (aged 19) married in 1879 and lived at Tara with the Minogues. In that same year their first child, Selina Elizabeth Wilkes (25/8/1879 - 12/2/1925) was born. In 1881 William Frederick Wilkes (1881 - 1966?) was born, Frederick citing his occupation as 'river trader'. In 1882 Frederick opened a business in Wentworth as an accountant (in partnership with a land broker). From 25/8/1882 to 12/2/1925 Frederick was Town Clerk of Wentworth, and during some of that time was Secretary of the Wentworth Jockey Club.
Mary (Maysie) Florence Wilkes (1883 - 31/7/1961) was born in 1883, and in the following year, Mrs Wilkes appeared at a fundraising fancy dress ball 'in an evening dress', according to the Wentworth Telegraph and Murray Darling News. In 1885, Bernard Bede Wilkes (20/8/1885 - 1964?) was born.
In 1892, when Selina Wilkes was ten years old, the nuns began in Wentworth. In 1898, "Maizie" Wilkes was listed as one of the prize winners at the end of year prize giving. According to Des Sykes, Selina (his mother) was sent to the Brigidine Convent in Echuca by steamer for her secondary schooling; it took 12 to 14 days to get. One of the prizes she won at the Convent, says Des, was a book called Ferdinand's Adventures. This book is now in the restored St. Ignatius school in Wentworth. Both Selina and Maysie were accomplished pianists.
The earliest photo we have of this family was taken around 1900, and shows 'Gran' Minogue (previous page) with Selina and Maysie (shown left).
Selina Wilkes
Maysie Wilkes