John Costello (pastoralist)
John Costello | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Yass, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | February 25, 1923 (aged 84) |
| Occupation(s) | Pastoralist, Livestock farmer |
John Costello (31 March 1838 – 25 February 1923) was a trailblazer and livestock farmer in the remote regions of Queensland.
Early life
Costello was born in Yass, New South Wales, as the fifth offspring of Michael and Mary Costello. His father, originally from Ireland, arrived in 1837 and initially operated a store before transitioning into grazing. By 1851, the family had relocated to Yass after selling their business and purchasing a 1000-acre property. John quickly established himself as an expert horseman and stock handler.
Pastoral endeavours
In 1863, Costello’s sister Mary wed Patrick Durack. United by a shared goal of acquiring land, Costello and Durack took inspiration from explorer William Landsborough to embark on a journey into southwestern Queensland. Despite facing harsh drought conditions, Costello received steadfast support from his wife Mary Scanlan, whom he married in 1865. Together with Durack, they set up a base at Warroo Springs before advancing northward to Mobel Creek. In 1867, after driving more than 200 horses overland to Kapunda in South Australia and earning £3000, Costello obtained the lease for Mobel Springs, spanning 40,000 acres.
The partnership between Costello and Durack led to the establishment of Kyabra and Thylungra Stations in 1868, starting with a modest herd of 100 cattle. Although drought and economic downturn challenged their efforts in 1869, Costello continued to enlarge his landholdings across the Channel Country, maintaining light stocking levels. The improved weather conditions during the 1870s attracted buyers interested in the vast tracts controlled by Costello and Durack. At that time, Costello held leases encompassing approximately 13,000 square miles throughout Queensland’s Channel Country.
Among the key stations he founded were Kyabra, Davenport Downs, Morney Plains, Currawilla, and Connemara. In 1877, he sold Kyabra to fund investments in a racing stud near Rockhampton and another estate close to Gladstone. By 1879, however, he returned to pastoral life by acquiring Lake Nash Station situated on the border between the Northern Territory and Queensland. While drought impacted his coastal properties, he expanded his holdings further by adding around 2,000 square miles within the Northern Territory.