Shumack News

I've had word from Marilyn Shumack of Wagga Wagga, whose husband Keith is a descendant of Lily Alice Dennis. Lily met her husband Richard John Shumack, six years her senior, when he was posted briefly as a student teacher at the school near Maryvale where she was a student. Their romance was a similar story to that of Lily's teacher uncle James, and his wife Varah. The five Shumack children were Richard (who died in infancy), Lilian, Victor, Aubrey (Bob) and John (Jack), all born in NSW country towns. Marilyn says that the Shumacks eventually settled in Harden and their son Victor Shumack lived nearby, on the 'Sunnyside' farm on the outskirts of Murrumburrah.

Marilyn provided more details of the major car accident in 1957 (see page 139 of my book). Family members were on their way to visit Thomas Grenfell Dennis, who was in hospital in Dubbo. Thomas' son Frank, sister Anne and brother-in-law Jesse Longhurst were killed when their car crashed into a tree. Before anyone was able to tell Thomas of the tragedy, he died, not knowing anything of it.

I wish I had known about Marilyn and Keith prior to publication of the Dennis book, as they are avidly interested in their family history and have collected many details and interesting photos, including several 'new' photos of the family of George and Ann Dennis of Wellington. Anyone with an interest in this particular Shumack 'line' should definitely contact Marilyn and Keith.

Read the complete story of the Dennis family in From Buryan to Bondi, available online at BookPOD.