Lucy Gray collections

Lucy and Charles Gray

Lucy Waters married Charles Gray in 1868, a former officer in the Merchant Marines and later Captain of his own vessel, Gertrude. Soon after they travelled with Charles' brother Mowbray to Queensland, to join Robert Gray at Hughenden Station. They remained in Queensland until 1876 until concerns for Lucy's health saw them relocate to New Zealand, where she died in 1879.

Lucy recorded her experiences in Queensland in a journal and diary, which include studied illustrations and observations of the pioneering and frontier life at that time.

Her significant works were donated by Charles' descendants, to the State Library of Queensland in the 1960s and have formed the basis of a number of thesis and published works.

Robert and Lottie Gray

Robert Gray, was born at Hughenden Manor, Buckinghamshire, he served with the British Army from 1857 to 1862 until he married Charlotte 'Lottie' Grayson in 1862.

Hughenden Station was first established by Ernest Henry in 1863, in partnership with his cousin Robert Gray; in 1865 Henry sold his share to Robert's brother Charles Gray. 

After Charles and Lucy left, Robert wrote frequently, his letters are full of the activities of the district, climate, drought, financial worries and stock reports. Having struggled through the droughts of the late 1890s and early 1900's Robert and Lottie retired to live in England in 1912, he published his 'Reminiscences of India and North Queensland 1857-1912' the next year. 

Like other early pastoralists in the district Robert Gray was known to have collected a number of prehistoric fossils, and Aboriginal artefacts, some of which were donated to Australian Museums, others are held in private collections.

• OM85-02, Robert Gray Papers
• OM75-123, Lucy Gray papers

Eva and Mowbray Gray

Helen Evangeline 'Eva' Roberts married Mowbray Gray in 1880 in Hobart, they lived on Hughenden Station until their house at Wongalee was built. They had four children, three born in Tasmania.

When the property was advertised for sale by Mowbray in 1882, it comprised 210 square miles, and included 3,200 sheep, 1700 head of cattle and about 25 horses, they returned to England in 1892.

The collection consists of a bound photocopy of Eva Gray's illustrated diary, 1881-1891 dedicated to her first son Norris, which relates to their life at Hughenden, Glendower and Wongalee Stations.

Also included is a bound manuscript: "Frontierswomen: The Journals of Eva and Lucy Gray" compiled by Anne Allingham, with editorial comment.

M 364, Eva Gray and Lucy Gray journals