AFTERTHOUGHTS

 Assembling these notes and memories and carrying out a modicum of research has been for me a very enjoyable experience, perhaps even self-indulgent. It has also convinced me that we Costigans have been very lucky in our choice of ancestors.

 Dreadful though was the Irish famine and wary though I am of simplifying family outcomes in terms of Malthusian and Darwinian theories, there seems to me a touch of the survival of the fittest in that the old Sullivans, Costigans, Dorans, Martins etc. not only survived famine and plague, but moved their families to the other side of the world; perhaps they had no other option, but in fact they did leave their homeland and venture upon that hazardous voyage. They could have gone to England, Canada or America, which in logistical terms may have been easier.

 Old Eugene Sullivan must have had a special quality, for his voyage from America would not have been motivated by hunger – his brothers and other family members seem to have been surviving well enough in that land; was he pursued by the law or gripped by gold fever, did he sense the looming catastrophe of the Civil War, or simply possess an adventurous spirit? Certainly he demonstrated a strong work ethic and above average organising ability in building up a considerable farm from very little.

 If Eileen Costigan is correct in her remark that the Costigans ‘had a bit of money’, perhaps James Costigan saw better opportunities for his family in Australia and had the ability, initiative and resources to organise berths for his large family on two different ships and acquire a farm not too long after his arrival; like Eugene, motivated by more than absolute necessity. Walter Martin, member of a family of talented Scots, left home in his teens, surely not by compulsion, found adventure and fashioned a good and fulfilling life. Thomas Doran, about whom we know very little, resembles James Costigan in that he brought his young family to this land and established a farm; and is commemorated on a substantial granite headstone in the Coburg cemetery.

 If these men were not impoverished Irishmen or Scots they had shown ability in their own country to accumulate some capital and demonstrated gumption and an adventurous spirit by embarking on that long voyage to the antipodes. If they were indeed impoverished their own achievements in Australia and the socio-economic rise of their descendants are quite remarkable.

 Our ancestors had considerable respect for education. Old Eugene and his brothers could read and write, even if their spelling wasn’t precise. Likewise the Costigan and Martin pioneers – something which was far from a universal skill in those days. They also ensured that their children had education, even if it could only be achieved by some sacrifice, with children travelling long distances- from Preston to Heidelberg, South Yarra, the City, when transport was not as easily obtained nor as swift as it is today. Eugene surrounded himself with books and even lined his dunny with newsprint. Books’ were a feature of the Costigan home at Westgarth ‘where various nephews and nieces used to pore over old volumes at visiting time just as Eileen had at Sullivan’s corner house. Joe Costigan put all his surplus income (after providing food and shelter) into educating his large family and had two newspapers – “The Sun” and “The Argus” and, on its demise, “The Age”, delivered daily and bought “The Herald” on the way home from work, subscribed to. ”Time” and the National Civic Council’s “Newsweekly” and bought the pink “Sporting Globe” on Saturdays, even if Fitzroy lost! Joe acquired a considerable collection of books housed in bookcases built by Walter Martin. He once said that he wouldn’t be able to leave his children any money, but that their inheritance would be a good education.
Likewise the Martin home had full bookcases and daily delivery of newspapers.

 We have a sound genetic heritage, a tradition of achievement and inspiring examples of service to our community. From small farmers, labourers, handloom weavers and tradesmen came men and women eminent within their church and in professions such as medicine, education, law and journalism, and exercising influence in their communities at levels as high as royal commissioner and lord mayor of Melbourne. The now middle-aged descendants of the immigrant families of Daniel Costigan, Eugene Sullivan, Thomas Doran, Walter Martin etc., would hope that succeeding generations who read this story will with confidence and pride continue the traditions of their ancestors – the achievement of worthwhile aims (not merely the accumulation of wealth) and the pursuit of genuine happiness.

 Adrian Costigan
Mentone, Victoria
27th August, 2007.