• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE4097

McHugh, Selina

(1872 – 1959)
  • Born 23 July 1872, Mallala, South Australia
  • Died 1 May 1959, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
  • Occupation Blacksmith

Summary

Selina McHugh was the first woman blacksmith in the Broken Hill district.

Details

Selina was the seventh daughter of John McHugh and Elizabeth Melbourne. With her nine siblings, she grew up in South Australia and was married in Adelaide to John Frederick Hearn. The couple moved to Silverton, but John passed away several years later, in December 1898. As a widow Selina began work as a blacksmith – she was the first woman blacksmith in the Broken Hill district.

In September 1903 Selina married Joseph Boundy, an early settler in Broken Hill who had established a dairy and a blacksmithing workshop of his own. Their combined blacksmith business remained open until 1931.

This entry was prepared and written by Georgia Moodie.

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