Calvert Family

Undated label for a case of Calvert pears (Tasmaniana Library, SLT)

Free settler William Calvert arrived in 1832, and in 1851 he and his wife Hannah bought land at South Arm. The family prospered, receiving top prices for apples and pears exported to London. Always enterprising, the Calverts ran coastal steamers transporting goods and passengers, provided postmistresses and teachers for South Arm, and built a community hall.

Several Calvert sons and grandsons settled in other areas of Clarence, the Huon and the Channel, and were prominent in orcharding (Reginald), sailing (Hedley), cricket (Snowy and Bob), shooting (Roy) and public life generally: many were justices of the peace, and at one time the twelve Clarence councillors included four Calverts. Three great-grandchildren rose to national fame: Rhodes Scholar Ashton Calvert AC became secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1998, Paul Calvert was made President of the Senate in 2002, and Marilyn Lake, née Calvert, is a leading historian, holding the chair in Australian Studies at Harvard University 2001–02.

Further reading: E Robb, Christopher Calvert and his descendants Hobart, 1985.

Alison Alexander