Grace Gladis (Gosper) Bishop (1923 - 2014)

Grace Gosper was born 19th January 1923 at Rylstone one of 11 children to Agnes and Arthur Gosper. As a young baby she travelled from Camboon (near Rylstone) on a horse drawn Dray to Ossory Yarrabin on the Mudgee River. Her brothers Frank, Rob and LLoyl drove a mob of horses and cattle at the same time along Market Street and through town to Ossory – their new home. She grew up at Yarrabin helping her father and brothers mustering sheep out of the hills and feeding horses other animals. Grace walked or rode a horse some 5 miles each day to attend Yarrabin School. The school teacher Athol Lees at that time lived at Ossory with the Gosper family. These were very happy days for Grace and she reflected on them often. When Grace was about 12 years old the BISHOP family moved from Nevetiere to the property BIMBAJONG. Fred and Daisy Bishop bringing with them a daughter Hazel and 3 boys Vance, Nev and Rex. From that day on Grace and Rex were inseparable it was to become a devoted and loving partnership which would last forever. They were married on the 5th of January 1942.

Grace had 5 children Paulette, (then a still born baby girl) followed by Mary, Beverley and Myself.

Her grandchildren, Carol, Louise, Danny, Ben, Sarah, Renee, Naomi, Sam, Adam, Dayne and Krystle and 20 great grandchildren.

Grace was nicknamed “GRIT” as a child by her family members because of her determination and her ability and willingness to have a go at anything.

Her love and affinity with all animals was quite extraordinary, she would raise and nurture and nurse many many animals yet her most treasured were her sheep and jersey cows which she milked most days.

Grace loved farm life and rarely went to town she was self-sufficient making all her own clothes, producing her own meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables.

Her motto’s were - Waste not Want not! - I would like it but, I don’t need it! And that - Hard work never hurt anyone! She would be up every morning before sunrise feeding and checking her animals long before most people were out of bed even well into her 80’s.

As a young girl she would arrange flowers and clean the Yarrabin Church every Sunday. Her faith and belief in God were taught to us from a very early age.

Grace was the matriarch of this family, she was the last of 11 children to pass.

Words which describe her best Salt of the Earth Gracious Grace True Grit Grace A Remarkable Woman

Mum, you have left an indelible mark on our lives. I am so grateful to have known you and to have had you as a mother! You will be sadly missed by all that have known you. I would like to thank sincerely the management and staff at Pioneer House and Nona McLean for her help love and devotion to Grace over the last of her years.