Frederick John Roberts

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Frederick Roberts, was a farmer and shearer originally from Orford, near Port Fairy.

He married Amy Rowbottom (his "step 2nd cousin") and farmed at Orford, shearing (during the season) across northern Victoria and the Riverina.

At age 51, Frederick purchased a property at Riddells Creek in 1920. In 1926 they moved to Springvale where they built a shop and dwelling (still there 2004), and in early 1928 traded the shop to purchase "The Mansion", Beechworth, staying until 1931.

Stanford and Bessie, the youngest of their nine children, accompanied their parents to Beechworth. Bessie was 13½ years and her schooling was ended so she could work in the private guesthouse that Amy proposed for the property. Stanford re-established the overgrown orchard; 16 acres with approx. 350-400 trees.

The guesthouse venture was not successful and the family income was Frederick’s shearing money and fairly good returns from the orchard fruit and blackberry picking. Both were sent by train from Beechworth to Henry Jones in Melbourne for jam-making.

After selling "The Mansion", Frederick and Amy purchased a dairy farm at Tonghi Creek in East Gippsland before moving to Oakleigh in 1936.