1870 – 2003
John Patrick and William Quirk migrated from Tipperary to the Kyneton district and to the Moorilim area in 1870. John and Patrick took up a property along the Muddy Creek, which they later divided. In 1913 Patrick died and his family moved to Finley. William also moved to N.S.W. John married Margaret Dwyer of Kyneton and remained at Muddy Creek where they raised two sons and three daughters. Their son (Frank) Patrick Francis carried on farming until he retired to Shepparton with wife Eileen. Their youngest son Gerald and wife Margorie are still farming the property some 133 years on. Frank’s younger brother drowned in the Muddy Creek on the way home from school when he was 8 years old.
Frank and Eileen’s brothers and sisters were educated at the Catholic School behind the church. Frank later went to Assumption College Kilmore. His sisters were educated at Kyneton by the Mercy Sisters. Mary became Sister Cecelia and Margaret became Sister Bernard. Katherine married P.F.Flynn and was the mother of Len, Pat and Marie. Frank died 6th September 1985, aged 96 and was before his death the oldest Assumption College student alive.
On April 6th 1920 Frank married Eileen Mary Keady at Moorilim before Father Kavanagh. Best man was Gerald Keady and bridesmaid was Helen Quirk. Eileen Keady was the daughter of Councillor Michael Keady and Anne Monaghan.
Eileen had 4 brothers; Jim was a Light Horseman in World War 1 and is buried in Ypres in Belgium. Tom resided in Melbourne. Gerald farmed at Caniambo while Leo farmed on the old home property. Gerald married Josephine Kelly (Cis) Gerald’s sons carried on farming at Caniambo; their only daughter Anne McCluskey lives in Shepparton.
Eileen died 5th August 1977 aged 79. Both Frank and Eileen are buried at the Murchison cemetery. Frank and Eileen reared 2 daughters and 3 sons, Aileen, Jack, Ray, Mary and Gerald. Aileen married Ron Hendry (dec.) and has 2 girls and 2 boys and now resides in Queensland. Jack lives in Shepparton.
Ray married Margaret Cochrane of Ararat. They reared a daughter and 3 sons. Anne, Paul, Des and John. Mary married Frank Woodman of Tatura. They reared 2 sons and 3 daughters. Mark, Chris, Jennifer, Kaye and Damian. Mary died August 5th 2002. Gerald and Margorie raised 2 daughters and 3 sons Brian, Joan, Maureen, Denis and Tim. Ray and Margaret retired to Shepparton and son Des farms the property bought from the Mackie’s. Gerald and Margorie farm the old home property.
Although the early Quirks had more to do with the Moorilim area than Arcadia the next generation were more involved with Arcadia. Both Ray and Gerald’s children went to Arcadia school and played tennis with Arcadia.
Ray, Gerald and Des are involved in Fire Brigade and community affairs. Gerald was on the Shepparton Agricultural Society and is a Life member, has been LT and Capt Arcadia Fire Brigade, President Arcadia School, member V.F.F. and Arcadia Land Care.
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