Mary Ann McLear - Dromana & District Historical Society

 

 

Mary Ann McLear (1808–1884) was an extraordinary pioneer whose resilience and determination shaped the history of Dromana and the broader Mornington Peninsula. Her journey from a widow with five young children to a successful landowner and community member is a testament to the strength of women in early colonial Australia.

Mary Ann McLear’s story begins in 1850, when, after the death of her husband, she moved to Dromana with her five children, whose ages ranged from 12 years old to a few months old. With little more than her children and a deep resolve, Mary Ann embarked on a new life in the rugged, largely uncharted landscape of the Mornington Peninsula. The loss of her husband could have been a devastating blow, but Mary Ann’s determination to build a future for her family was unwavering.

She leased land on Jamieson’s Survey, near what is today the Dromana Drive-in, and began the daunting task of cultivating the land. Her first crop was wheat, a vital commodity in early colonial life. By applying the practical skills she had learned as a farmer’s wife in England, Mary Ann worked the land, often single-handedly, to grow and harvest crops that sustained her family.

In 1860, Mary Ann’s fortunes improved when she purchased better land nearby and called it Maryfield—a name that would become synonymous with her determination and vision. On this property, Mary Ann had a four-room wattle-and-daub house built, a symbol of her resilience in the face of adversity. The home was modest but practical, reflecting her self-sufficiency and the hard work that went into building a life from the ground up.

At Maryfield, Mary Ann was largely self-sustaining, growing a variety of fruit trees and vegetables that contributed to her family's needs. The land was her life’s work, and she devoted herself to it tirelessly. In addition to farming, Mary Ann also found success as a partner in a drapery business with Charles Graves, further solidifying her role as a determined and resourceful woman who managed both domestic life and business ventures.

Mary Ann’s property, Maryfield, remained in the McLear family for over a century, a lasting legacy of her hard work and dedication. She had transformed from a grieving widow to an accomplished landowner and respected figure in the community, securing a future for her children and for future generations.

Mary Ann’s story is not just one of personal triumph, but of the broader role women like her played in the early development of rural Australia. Her experience reflects the many sacrifices and hardships endured by women who helped shape the fabric of local communities. Her ability to navigate the challenges of life on the frontier while raising her children and sustaining a growing farm demonstrates the often-overlooked strength of women in colonial Australia.

 

 

Image 1: Mary Ann McLear     Credit: Dromana and District Historical Society