A. C. Habbe

In 1855, he left with his older brother, the painter Nicholas Francis Habbe (10 April 1827 – 11 November 1889)[2] for Victoria, where the goldfields were being overrun by hopeful miners.

In 1858 he was employed by George Coppin, to paint scenes for the comedy An Unequal Match at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne.

[5] His work for the 1880 production of La Fille du Tambour-major at the Melbourne Opera House was highly regarded.

In life he had been called "Crabby Habbe" on account of his cynical disposition, but one biographer said that "like a crab-apple, he was all harshness outside, but a good deal of sweetness within".

[7] Another held that he "possessed a great fund of dry humor, and quiet sarcasm, which made him a most entertaining companion".