BENSTEAD
Tryphena Lucelle Willesee
3 August 1860 —
AKA: née Rains, Trephina, Triphena, Tryphina, Tryphinia
Additional Information
Special Achievements
Tryphena Lucelle Rains married William (Bill) Benstead in 1881. After managing Undoolya Station for five years, Bill became manager of Barrow Creek Pastoral Company, setting up home at Stirling Creek near the Barrow Creek Telegraph Station. Four years later, Tryphena, their son Bertie and her sister Cornelia joined him at Stirling Creek despite the fact that he was advised that Central Australia was not a suitable place to bring a white woman, a decision he was criticised for.
The journey of 1920 kilometres consisted of 640 km by narrow gauge train from Adelaide to Hergott Springs (Maree), then 1280 km overland by horse and buggy following wheel ruts. Tryphena drove her own buggy all the way, no small feat considering many of the horses had never been in harness before.
She is thought to be the first white woman to live in the township of Stuart. In 1889, the Bensteads bought land and built the first hotel, called The Stuart Arms.
Tryphena had three children including Lucelle (Lulu) who is claimed to be the first white child born in the town (in 1891) and who went on to become an internationally famous singer.
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