They evolved out of the post-Federation years, overcoming four of the greatest challenges
of human history, which were the Spanish In uenza of 1919, the Great Depression and the
two World Wars. Against these greatest of dif culties these Australians accomplished the tasks
necessary for survival, and succeeded in rearing six children. This genealogy is dedicated to
the memory of Robert Archibald Rockwell and his wife Octavia Corelli O'Sullivan, but the
material also honours the ancestors that came before them. The research was undertaken
to preserve family memories and old stories, verses, photographs, traditions, pedigrees and
such otsam and jetsam that might be otherwise hopelessly lost. The aim in recording and
publishing these details is to have done some justice to the memory, labours and hardships of
the ancestors from whom we descend. The lineage of Rockwell, Bantin, O'Sullivan, Shoveller
and their associated families continues today, with the blood of these forebears owing at this
very moment through the bodies of their descendants, all immensely proud and thankful for
the foresight and courage they have inherited.
While much of the detailed history of the ancestors in these pages shall remain buried in
the sands of time, I hope in this publication to have shone a light upon the fascinating lives of
a few, for its the past that tells us who we are. In this work I hope to have rescued from the
waters of oblivion the lovingly collected material contained in these pages, and desire it to be
of benefit to those who are passionate about these families, the people, the historic events they experienced and their many captivating stories and anecdotes.
