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Canberra Church
Window Dedicated
To Pioneer
Mr. J. E. Shumack, of
Hebden, has returned from
Canberra, where he at-<*>
tended a service at the
historic St. John . tne
baptist Church in- which a
memorial window was dedi
cated to his father, the late "
Samuel Shumack.
Samuel Shumack was one
of the pioneers of the Can
berra district.
About 100 j ears ago the
depression in Ireland drove
seven brothers to migrate to
Australia. Richard Shumack
was the last of the seven to
leave with bis wife and
family.
They sailed in. the-" Ber
mondsey" from Plymouth
and arrived -ii- ? Sydney on-
August 29, 1856, when Samuel
was six years old.
Richard Shumack acted as
assistant surgeon on the ship.
They left Sydney for Dun
tvoon in a dray, the journey
taking three weeks.
Richard Shumack was em
ployed by Robert Campbell
for two years and then
moved to Ginninderra.
By this time Samuel was
eight years old and began
work as a shepherd.
When he was 16 he selected
virgin land, now " Spring
vale," Weetangerra, where
he lived as a farmer and
grazier until the property was
resumed hi 1915.
KEEN STUDENT
Although Samuel Shumack
only attended school for six
weeks, he was a very keen
student and amassed a large
library.
His diary reflected the
intellect of a scholar with a
keen interest in social prob
lems of the day.
He contributed many
articles to the press, mostly
on the early days of Can
berra. He also was able to
supply material for John
Gale's " Canberra."
Former Rector of St. John's,
Archdeacon Robertson went
to Canberra from Sydney to
give the address following the
dedication of the window.
He extended a welcome to
the Shumack family: Mrs. S.
Shumack (Minto), Mrs.
Barnes (Minto), John (Heb
den), Samuel (Sydney), and
Stephen (Maitland)—and to
the many relatives and
friends who attended the
service.
He said that the parish
oners were honoured to have
in the church a memorial to
" the grand old pioneer."
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