Christina Billingham

Christina Jane Kathleen Billingham was the first child of Harry and Catherine Billingham,  Born on August 13, 1896 in Nathalia, Christina’s father was a drover and came from a family with strong community links, and who were involved with the establishment of the Country Party, later to become the National Party.

In 1911, and aged only 14 years old, Christina would be forced to take on the role of primary care giver of her five siblings when her mother Catherine died in June following the birth of son Archie.  Harry would continue to work in the local area, taking labouring jobs, but no doubt would struggle raising his young children and a new-born son while grieving for his wife.

Perhaps looking for an escape, or the love that her father was unable to show, in 1913, only two years after the death of her mother, Christina would find herself pregnant.

Single pregnant women (and their children who were born out of wedlock) were taken in be various charitable endeavours in Australia from the earliest days of white settlement.  For the Billingham’s, having a niece in ‘the family way’ at a time when they were building their political and community reputation, Christina would have been a problem and this may have been the main motivation for sending her to Melbourne where she would remain until she gave birth.  This wouldn’t have been a pleasant experience for the young girl with many of these institutions taking a punitive approach to their ‘care’.

On February 25, 1914, Christina would give birth to a baby girl.  She was 17 and on her own and, following the birth would remain in Melbourne working as a domestic.  The baby would be adopted out and Christine would never see her again.  Strangely though, she would live in the same suburb that her child would grow up in. 

Three years later, in March 1917, Christina would marry local jockey, Norman Sinclair, and, whilst the marriage produced four children between 1917 and 1921, it wasn’t a happy one.

In 1924 and now living in New South Wales, Christina would file for divorce from the man who would cause her much pain.

Following their marriage and living in Malvern, Christina would continue to work until two weeks before the birth of their first child in June.  And, according to the papers lodged, appeared to be the primary money maker with Norman reliant on her income. In July 1917, Christina would take Norman to Court to get him to support her and their child.  In August 1917, Norman would be arrested and imprisoned for not paying the court ordered support or the surety of 50 pounds.

Norman would be released from prison on the proviso that he made a home for Christina and they would live together, this time in Toorak with their second child born in July 1918.  During this time, Norman become violent towards Christina and the couple would move again, first to Port Melbourne and then to South Melbourne.  Their third child was born in July 1920.

According to the divorce application, Norman advised Christina that he was sick of marriage, sold all of their furniture and  handed her one pound before he left her with no home.  Leaving her children with a neighbour, Christina would spend the night at the Police Station with nowhere to go.

Again pregnant, Christina would live in a boarding house, going to court again to fight for support from Norman who would promise to make a new home and then renege.  This pattern of behaviour was repeated before Christina became ill and was taken in by the Salvation Army.  Her two older children would be sent to a Children’s Home and Christina would give birth to her last child in September 1921 at the Salvation Army Maternity Hospital in Fitzroy where she would remain for the next ten months.

At this time, Christina would find work on Gunbar Station in Carathool, New South Wales, moving there with her children to begin a new life.  But not before she cut her ties with Norman.

In 1923, Norman had been charged and imprisoned for the indecent assault of a boy.  In addition, he failed to make any effort to financially support Christina or their children.  Christina would lodge her divorce papers in New South Wales on April 16, 1924.

Christina would spend 20 years at Gunbar Station before moving to Parkes in 1943 and then to Sydney, living with her oldest son until her death on May 13, 1972.  Whilst she may never have found a man worthy of her strength, she did have the love and support of the children she fought to bring up in a safe and stable environment.

And the baby girl she gave up in 1914, she would grow up under the name of Imilda Maude Robinson, and marry Edward William Heard.

Christina Billingham 

Born: August 13, 1896 Nathalia, Victoria

Died:  May 13, 1972, Sydney, New South Wales

Birth mother of Milda Heard, wife  of Edward William Heard