What is behind the names Hoppy, Stokeld and Brushbox?

In commemoration of Hu Che-Em, born in Guangzhou (then known as Canton), China in 1873 and arrived in Australia in the 1890’s. Hu was a well-known market gardener in the Bayswater area and traded for many years under the name ‘Hoppy Chong’. Information on Hu from the Bayswater Historical Society is below: 

“Hu began work at dawn and often went on until dark, except for an afternoon nap, lying on the floor in the breezeway, his head on a wooden pillow. This is further substantiated in Anne Atkinson's 1991 thesis on Chinese labour: ‘Another characteristic of Chinese market gardening in Western Australia was that it was labour intensive. The success of market gardening, although it required simple technology, depended on a high seasonal labourforce and skill in soil and water management…In the metropolitan area, the busy season started in spring when the soil was fertilised, and seeds planted. Additional labour was then needed to transplant seedlings into raised beds and protect each plant from the sun by a piece of bark. The most labour-intensive task on the gardens was watering. Seedlings were watered twice daily, and beds weeded regularly. These tasks started at sunrise and lasted through to sunset, at times continuing with the aid of lanterns.’ Therefore, often Chinese market gardeners had no time outside of this work to participate in social gatherings and were very integral into the soil and water management of local areas where they worked.” 

Above information was provided by the Bayswater Historical Society.

In commemoration of Frances Jane Stokeld, born in 1861 to Alfred Carpenter and Mary Ellen Powell. Frances and her husband, Stephen Stokeld lived in Bayswater for over 30 years until her passing in 1936. During her life, Frances worked within Red Cross circles, and was associated with the R.S.L. Bayswater Ladies’ Auxiliary. Frances resided at 6 Burnside Street, Bayswater, which is located approximately 160m from the Catt Court ROW entrance. A 1936 newspaper acknowledge Frances Stokeld’s achievements following her death: 

“One of Bayswater’s oldest residents in Mrs. Frances Stokeld passed away on Wednesday last after a brief illness. For over 30 years she and her husband had resided in Burnside-street, and over that term the deceased lady had made many friends. During the war period, Mrs. Stokeld was a diligent worker in Red Cross circles, and in later years had been associate with the R.S.L. Bayswater Ladies’ Auxiliary. Throughout a long and useful life she maintained a cheerful outlook under all circumstances, and she never counted the cost if her services were required by anyone in need.” 

 Information source from Wiki Tree and Trove.

Lophostomen Confertus, also known as the Queensland Brushbox tree, is an evergreen, fast growing tree that is native to Australia. It has white fluffy flowers in spring and summer, and leathery dark green leaves. Brushbox trees can be found at Halliday Park, which is located approximately 140m from the Catt Court ROW entrance.