Friedrich Hagenauer

[2][3] In 1863 Hagenauer established Ramahyuck Mission on the banks of the Avon River near Lake Wellington to house the members of the Gunai people who survived massacres and attacks in west and central Gippsland.

The name combines "Ramah", the home of Samuel in the First Book of Kings, with "yuck", an Aboriginal term reputedly meaning "our place".

The mission sought to discourage all tribal ritual and culture, [citation needed] and replace it with Christian values and European customs.

Hagenauer appears to have encouraged her to come to his mission to teach but the covert plan was for her to marry one of his star converts.

Bessie's parents were both Aboriginals whereas Hagenauer's convert and her husband designate, Adolph Donald Cameron, was a half-caste.