PETERS, Elizabeth Caroline Williamina

Name – PETERS, Elizabeth Caroline Williamina
Born – 22/02/1852
Died – 15/02/1922
Location – No 4 Anglican Section
Mother – Marie Cath Margretha Boysen
Father – Gustave Adolph Steinmeyer

Notes – Elizabeth was born to Marie Cath Margretha (nee Boysen) and Gustave Adolph Steinmeyer in Altona Holstein, Denmark on the 22nd February, 1852. It is believed her family arrived in Melbourne when she was two years old.

Her mother was a trained opera singer, who was trained by her governess. She made her debut in Australia as Madam Steimeyer in 1858. She also played the piano and is listed at the University of Sydney as a colonial violist in the Austral Harmony.

Elizabeth’s father Gustave was naturalised in 1868 when he was 41 years old. Elizabeth had siblings of Gustave, Sarah, Charles and Otto.

Elizabeth married William Peters in 1877 at Kyneton Victoria. They had 10 children Mary 1879, John 1880, Willamine 1881, Grace 1883, David 1886, Robert 1887, Katrina 1888, Elizabeth 1889, Daisy 1891 and Ivey 1893.

William died when he was 61 yrs old and the youngest girl was under one year old. William was a very forward-thinking man. He was wealthy and he was going to look after his family even if he wasn’t there.

Elizabeth was a woman of great compassion and community spirit. While she lived at Newham, Victoria with William, she raised her children and was active in raising funds for the church.

Her newly placed plaque on her grave states – In 1910 Mrs Peters formed the dramatic and concert company which performed in nearby towns. Mrs Peters piano was transported by bullock dray and over the next two years helped to fund the building of the Columboola Community Hall (now relocated to Miles Historical Museum).

Imagine how much joy this lady gave to the people in the district. This was in a time before radios and records. Music would have been a huge rarity in the area at the time. Her mother must have had her taught the piano in the hope that she would use her talents to brighten the lives of others, and she did!

Newspaper Article – Read here.

War Service File  –

Learn more about the Tara Cemetery here.