DUNSTAN, Nanny

Nanny Dunstan nee Collins the daughter of William Collins and Grace Keding, imaged to South Australia with her husband John Dunstan on the William Prowse arriving in Adelaide on the 20th August 1854.  They then travelled overland to Ballarat, Victoria a few months prior to the Eureka uprising, where they settled and most of their children were born.  Nanny lived with her husband, John, a miner and her children.  Their house was on the south west corner of Durham and English Streets, Ballarat.  Nanny would have been among many invisible support roles play by Eureka woman.  She would have been privy to personal conversations regarding her husband John’s membership in the Miner’s Association as well as his involvement in the local MUIOOF Lodge.

Nanny died on the 16th December 1910, aged 78 years and was buried with her husband.  At the time she was living in East Street.  John had predeceased her being buried on the 27th September 1882 aged 49 years.  Their grandson William was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery at Gallipoli during WWI.  Keith Dunstan, prominent Melbourne author and journalist, is a great grandson.

Nanny and John are buried in the Ballarat New Cemetery, Weslyan A Section 18 Grave 38