Ethel Redpath nee Hellings, 1871–1914

Ethel Hellings was born in Avoca in 1871. She was the youngest daughter of Thomas Hellings a bricklayer, and Elizabeth Hellings nee Gay.

In 1880 Ethel Hellings in second class at Avoca State School received a prize. The next year she received a prize in third class.

Ethel Hellings was a member of the choir at the Avoca Wesleyan Church.

On 16 March 1898 Ethel married John Redpath.

Ballarat Star, Saturday 26 March 1898, page 6

WEDDINGS.
The marriage of Mr John Redpath, second son of Mr George Redpath, and Miss Ethel Hellings, youngest daughter of Mr Thomas Hellings, of Avoca, took place at the Wesleyan Church on the 16th inst., the ceremony being performed by the Rev. J. A. Osborne. The church was very tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens by friends and members of the choir, a beautiful wedding bell, suspended from the centre of an artistically arranged arch above the altar, being much admired. The bride, who was given away by her father, carried a handsome bridal bouquet, and looked charming in a dress of rich peacook green plush, the bodice being exquisitely trimmed with white chiffon and ribbon; a veil and wreath of orange blossom being also worn. The bridesmaids, who were attired in cream nun's veiling, were Miss Jenkins (of St. Arnaud) and the Misses C. and L. Morish (cousins of the bride). Mr Leon Hellings officiated as best man and Messrs P. Morish and A. Redpath as groomsmen. Prior to and at the conclusion of the service the choir, with which the bride had for a number of years been connected, rendered excellent selections, and as the party left the church the Wedding March was most effectively played by the organist, Miss Trevens. The happy couple left by the afternoon train on their holiday tour, the bride's travelling dress being of electric blue lustre, trimmed with corded silk and white beaver. The presents received were both numerous and costly.

John and Ethel Redpath had seven children.

In 1914 Ethel Redpath died age 42 at Maryborough Hospital. Her youngest child was just six months old.

Avoca Free Press and Farmers’ and Miners’ Journal, Wednesday 25 March 1914, page 3

Obituary.
Very deep regret was felt here when it became known that Mrs J Redpath had passed away. The sad event occurred yesterday at the Maryborough Hospital after a somewhat lengthy illness. The deceased was a daughter of the late Mr Thos Hellings, who for many years was the leading bricklayer in this town. In her girlhood Mrs Redpath was a prominent member of the local Methodist choir, and her services were highly valued. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends will go out to the sorrowing husband (Mr John Redpath) and the family in their very sad bereavement. Seven children (the youngest being only a few months old) are left to mourn their loss. The deceased lady was a sister of Mr E. J. Hellings and Mrs G. W. Redpath (Avoca). and Mr T. L. Hellings, bandmaster, of Bairnsdale. Mrs Thos. Hellings senr., mother of deceased, resides in Avoca, and she also has the deepest sympathy of everyone, Deceased was 42 years old. The funeral will take place at Avoca cemetery this afternoon.
Members of the Avoca branch of the A.N.A. are requested to meet at Member J Redpath's residence at 3 o'clock this afternoon for the purpose of marching in a body to the place of interment.

Avoca Free Press and Farmers’ and Miners’ Journal, Saturday 28 March 1914, page 2

The funeral of the late Mrs Ethel Redpath, wife of our esteemed townsman, Mr John Redpath, took place on Wednesday afternoon, and was largely attended by friends and relatives. Members of the Avoca Branch of the A.N.A. marched in front of the hearse to the cemetery. Rev. Chas. Angwin, Methodist minister, conducted services at the house and grave. In the course of an impressive address the rev. gentleman referred to the sterling character of the deceased lady, whose chief concern throughout her illness, and indeed, during her last moments of life, was not for herself, but for the welfare of her husband and children. Her life was one of noble self-sacrifice, as was exemplified by the manner in which she cared for her little ones and trained them for taking part in meetings in connection with the Methodist Sunday School, of which they are regular attendants. She desired that they should lead Christian lives, and did all she possibly could to direct them in the path of righteousness. Such was an example of a mother's love, the value of which is inestimable. The coffin-bearers were-Messrs O. F. Thomas, S. D. Mitchell, Jas. Hempseed, L. Yates, Chas. Harvey, and H. C. Classen. The mortuary arrangements were carried out by Mr H. F. Classen.