Hermann Rieck

Hermann Rieck (c. 1837–1921) was a pioneer farmer in the Coffs Harbour region of New South Wales, Australia, and the founder of the banana industry in the region.

Early life Hermann Rieck was born in Delmenhorst, Oldenburg, Germany c. 1837. He was reported to be from a wealthy family which had a publishing business. He was a non-commissioned officer in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, being involved in the German invasion of France, including the sieges of Metz and Paris.

Move to Australia He came to Australia c. 1878-1879. He also took on various minor occupations to gain experience in the colonies, including book peddler, builder’s labourer and stock and station roustabout. He then went to the land agent’s office in Kempsey to select a block of land to settle and was given 80 acres north of Pine Brush Creek at Korora. He established a farm where he experimented with a variety of crops, including sugar cane, maize, fruit, tobacco and pumpkins, as well as running livestock. He pioneered a method of clearing plots for cultivation by using pigs to dig up and manure the soil. He obtained Cavendish banana plants (then known as ‘Fiji bananas’) from Queensland and planted them on his Korora property. By 1894, he had 6 acres (2.4 ha) planted. He initially had great difficulties in transport and marketing of the bananas. Local people had a negative attitude to his bananas, believing that they were inferior in taste and keeping qualities.

Marriage Wanting to marry, but thinking that no woman would want to come to such a remote place, Rieck advertised in newspapers for a governess to educate his non-existent children. Fanny Cox, who had worked as a teacher in South Australia, answered his advertisement and travelled to the area by ship. Despite this unconventional start to the marriage, it was reported to be a happy one. While they were away, the Rieck farm was managed by Fanny’s brother, Tom Cox.

Final years By 1913, Hermann Rieck had failing health and was advised to live in a colder climate. They moved to Munich, Germany, where they bought a house in the village of Deisenhofen. where she lived in difficult financial circumstances.

Places named after Rieck There are several places in the Coffs Harbour area named after Hermann Rieck, although some of them have misspelled his name as ‘Reick’. These are:

• Herman Reick Avenue, Korora

• Reicks Close, Sapphire Beach

• Riecks Point and Riecks Point Beach, Sapphire Beach

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