HOPE, George (1814-1884)George Hope was among the
founders of Geelong College as a member of the first Geelong College management committee in 1861.
He was born at Morebattle, Roxburghshire, Scotland on 20 September 1814, studied at Edinburgh University and travelled briefly to Canada. Returning to Scotland in 1838, he and his brothers decided to go to Australia. George sailed on the ship 'North Britain' arriving in Sydney on 6 January 1839. He then overlanded to the Port Phillip District and with his brothers acquired the property, 'Sutherland Creek' on the Moorabool River, which later became known as 'Darriwill'. He was also in partnership with his brother,
Dr Robert Culbertson Hope, in 'Barwonleigh' and 'Lake Wallace Station' near Edenhope.
His interests spread into New South Wales and South Australia. He was part owner of 'Toogimbie Station' on the Murrumbidgee River from 1862 to 1873, 'Beemery' and 'Belalie Stations' near Bourke, NSW and is alleged to have held the licence to 64 square miles of country on Guichen Bay (Robe) in South Australia. After the disolution of his NSW partnership in 1877 he retained 'Beemery Station'. He purchased 'Gnotuk Estate' for his sons, James and George.
He married Marianne Hassall (1827-1911), daughter of the Rev. Thomas Hassall in 1852. They had 9 children - seven sons and two daughters. His brother, Robert, had married Marianne's sister, Catherine. According to Alexander Henderson, Marianne and Catherine Hassall were grandaughters of the
'Rev Samuel Marden, Senior Chaplain of the Colony of New South Wales (c.1794), Father of the Church in Australia, and founder of the Christian Church in New Zealand.' George Hope died at 'Darriwill' on 25 April 1884.
The Argus newspaper published his death notice:
'On the 25th inst., at his residence, Darriwill, George Hope, aged 69.' His sons,
James Hassall Hope (1856-1903), George Rowland Hope (1861-1920), Dr Edward Culbertson Hope (1864-1935), and
Dr William Waugh Hope (1866-1942), were all educated at Geelong College.
His brother,
Robert Culbertson Hope (1812-1878), was a member of the Geelong College Corresponding Committee which undertook to promote the College in 1861.
Sources: The Argus (Melb) 26 April 1884 p1; 'Hendersons Australian Families' pp267-274.