Acclimatisation Society [...] Cultivation of the Olive, The Queenslander, Brisbane, 2 December 1871, p 11, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27268639:

Mr. Bernays said that since their last meeting he had the pleasure of being introduced to the Rev. Dr. Ricci, a Roman Catholic clergyman recently arrived from Italy, who was greatly interested in the cultivation of the olive and other productions of Southern Europe, and was very anxious to see them established here. With the aid of an interpreter he (Mr. Bernays) had two conversations with this gentleman with very satisfactory results. He requested him (Mr. Bernays) to write and explain what the society desired, and what they were willing to do in return. The result was that Dr. Ricci had put himself in communication with two or three of the leading scientific institutions in Rome and South Italy, and he (Mr. Bernays) anticipated some good results from it. The rev. gentleman had sent for a list of products which would suit the colony, and he had undertaken to get them selected by the most competent men, and sent out at a very moderate cost. He might mention that since Mr. Harding had brought up the subject of olive cultivation, the society had been endeavoring to obtain information for the colonists concerning it, and in the course of time it was their purpose to distribute a number of plants.

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Brisbane Courier, 21 January 1875, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1393811:

In marked but pleasant contrast to the rumoured lock-out at the stations, comes the authenticated intelligence (says the Darling Downs Gazette) that the proprietors of Westbrook station have secured the services of an eminent botanist Dr Ricci, for the purpose of carrying out improvements of a comprehensive character on certain portions of their run. The contemplated improvements will afford employment to a large number of laborers, and if successfully established will be attended with advantages of which we have no conception or idea at the present moment. The greater portion of their property is freehold. It is their intention to ascertain the extent to which certain portions can be made available for purposes to which they appear most admirably suited. With this view it is their intention to form on the land, once known as the Drayton race course, an extensive vineyard, a large olive garden, and a mulberry orchard of sufficient extent to test thoroughly the experiment of establishing the industry of sericulture in the Darling Downs district. The vineyards and gardens will embrace about eighty acres of land; but provision has been made for the extension of either portion, as Dr Ricci may think fit. The land will be thoroughly trenched under the Doctor's supervision, and we are glad to be in a position to state that he is most sanguine of success. He will devote the whole of his time to the superintendence of the works in connection with the respective undertakings, and his engagement is permanent.

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Toowoomba Chronicle and Queensland Advertiser, 19 October 1875, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212666191:

At the invitation of the Hon. P. J. Jennings, one of the owners of Westbrook station, a number of gentlemen from Brisbane and Toowoomba attended a pic nic at Westbrook on Saturday last. A special train came up from Brisbane with about forty gentlemen, and arrived at Toowoomba about eleven o'clock, and, after taking up the gentlemen invited from Toowoomba, started for Oakey Creek railway station, which they reached at two o'clock. Vehicles were in attendance and conveyed the guests first to Oakey Creek, where the meat preserving works of the Hogarth Meat Preserving Company are established, and where lunch was supplied. At four o'clock all started for Westbrook station, where the rites of hospitality were performed by Mr. Jennings, who bid his guests a hearty welcome to his station. In the evening there was a large dinner party. The health of the host was proposed by Dr. O'Doherty with his usual flow of humour and hibernicisms, to which Mr. Jennings responded. The Hon. W. Hemmant in the course of a brief but admirable speech hinted that their host, Mr. Jennings, would likely be appointed one of the honorary Queensland Commissioners to the Philadelphia Exhibition. On Sunday the whole of the beautiful country around Westbrook was well inspected, and the new cultivation grounds laid out by Dr. Ricci for the culture of the olive and the vine were also visited. This work is progressing very satisfactory indeed under Dr. Ricci's supervision, and considerable areas have been trenched, six, four, and three feet deep, and trees and vines planted. The laying out of the grounds will occupy fully two years, and it is intended to plant out 90,000 vines, the ground being admirably adapted for vine growing. On Monday a special train conveyed the visitors to Toowoomba and Brisbane, and they expressed themselves as having thoroughly well enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Jennings and the invigorating breezes and charming scenery of the Darling Downs.

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Dr. Ricci, The Telegraph, Brisbane, 7 February 1876, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169493774:

Dr. Ricci.—We regret to learn that Dr. Ricci, who is known to many of our readers in connection with the introduction of the olive at Westbrook, is very ill in Brisbane, where he arrived from Sydney on the 29th January. Dr. Ricci has undergone a serious operation at the hands of Drs. Hobbs and O'Doherty, for a very painful and dangerous carbuncle.

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Improvements on Westbrook Station., Brisbane Courier, 28 June 1877, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1364640:

Recently (writes the correspondent of The Gazette) I had occasion to visit that magnificent pastoral establishment, Westbrook, the property of Messrs Shannahan and Jennings. The food for stock on that portion of the run that I rode through was sufficiently plentiful, although considerably dried up. There are some twenty-five acres in a paddock within about 200 or 300 yards of the homestead under cultivation with wheat, I think, of the white lammas variety. It looks well, but to my mind the ground is hardly sufficiently drained to carry off excessive rains. In this paddock is the vineyard in course of formation, and, through the courtesy of Dr. Ricci, I am enabled to send you the following few short particulars in connection therewith:—In the vineyard, and bordering two sides of the paddock, in two rows about forty feet apart, are planted olive and mulberry trees alternately, of each sort 250 trees, or rather cuttings, for they (although they look remarkably well) have not yet attained to the dignity and stature of trees. In planting olive trees, care must be taken, Dr. Ricci informed me, not to plant them too close to one another, hence the reason of a mulberry tree being planted between each olive tree and its neighboring olive tree (forty feet being between each tree). On each side of each olive tree, and of each mulberry tree, at a distance from two to three feet from the butt of the tree, is planted a grapevine cutting, and Dr. Ricci informs me that it is his intention, when the olive and mulberry trees attain a sufficient growth, and throw out branches, to train the vines through the forks of each tree, and interlace them with the vines planted against the neighboring trees, so as to form festoons of grape-bearing vines from one tree to another. This method cannot fail when it is carried out to have a most pleasing effect, besides utilising the ground to its greatest capability. Dr. Ricci, who seems to me thoroughly conversant with the subject, tells me that he trusts, if all goes well, in five years hence the olive trees will be bearing fruit, and then the process of extracting the oil or utilising the fruit, will be commenced. It is devoutly to be hoped that this expensive venture of Messrs Shannahan and Jennings may be attended with the success it deserves, as it will, no doubt, form the pioneer undertaking of developing another new industry, viz., the manufacture for home use and for exportation of olive oil of first-rate quality, and which will form another important item in addition to the already well-known producing capabilities of this much favored colony. As regards the vines, I may mention that upwards of 15,000 are already planted, and there are some 7000 more cuttings to be planted. Trenching is going on for the planting of the cuttings. Dr. Ricci tells me he contemplates making an attempt this year at wine-making. He says the quality of the wine will be dependent upon the quality of the fruit. It is therefore to be hoped the vines are of the right sort, of which I have no doubt. From what Dr. Ricci tells me I do not see any insurmountable difficulty in any farmer cultivating the olive and the mulberry tree, and that without very much ground being absorbed by their cultivation, for if a space of three feet clear is left on each side of the trees, the farmer can plough up the intervening ground —thirty-four feet in width—between the rows, and sow or plant as he thinks fit barley, oats, lucerne, wheat, corn, potatoes, or any other crop.

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Brisbane Courier, 30 June 1880, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article884171:

Yesterday a telegram was received from Jondaryan announcing the death, that morning, of Dr. Ricci, of East Prairie. The deceased gentleman was an Italian, and was brought to the district to lay out an olive orchard and vineyard at Westbrook for Messrs. Shanahan and Jennings. After completing this work he took up a selection on East Prairie, and was laying out a vineyard, with olive trees, when stricken down by death. In him Queensland loses a most useful colonist. He was an educated gentleman, with extensive information which included much of great importance to our future development. -Chronicle, June 29.

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Brisbane Courier, 1 July 1880, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article903364:

A Correspondent writes as follows:—"Dr. Ricci, whose death you recorded in your issue of yesterday, was the Rev. Dr. J. Ricci, a Roman Catholic priest, who with several other Italian clergymen arrived in Brisbane about ten years ago. He was much respected by those who were personally acquainted with him, but after a short residence in Brisbane he withdrew from the ministry in consequence of differences with the ecclesiastical authorities of this diocese. He was, as your contemporary remarked, a gentleman whose death deprives us of a valuable colonist."

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Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser, 3 July 1880, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148730376:

Dr. Ricci, who recently arrived from Italy to cultivate olives on the Darling Downs, died on Monday last.

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Brisbane Courier, 1 July 1880, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article903168:

In the Supreme Court of Queensland. Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.
In the Will of Euginius Ricci, late of East Prairie, Darling Downs, in the Colony of Queensland, Selector, Deceased.
Notice is hereby given that, after the expiration of fourteen days from the date of the publication hereof, application will be made to the said Honorable Court that Probate of the Will of the abovenamed Euginius Ricci, deceased, may be granted to Richard James Barry, of Toowoomba, in the said colony, Saddler and Harness Maker, the sole Devisee and Executor named in the said Will.
Dated this 7th day of July, A.D. 1880. Richard Dodd, Margaret-street, Toowoomba, Proctor for the said Richard James Barry.

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Auction Sales, Darling Downs Gazette, Toowoomba, 4 April 1881, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article177629094:

Preliminary Notice. 640-acre Selection at Jondaryan. Highly Improved and Cultivated. J.S. Mc Intyre has received instructions from R. J. Barry, Esq., Trustee in the Estate oof the late Dr E. Ricci, to sell by public auction, on an early date. Dr. Ricci's Selection, containing 640 Acres, with 5-room Hardwood House, Kitchen, Servants' Room Store Room, and other buildings. The land is divided by 6-wire fence into 5 paddocks—15 acres cultivated, 10 acres under vines and fruit trees, 1/2 acre vegetable garden, &c. Good Well and other Improvements. Further particulars in future issue.

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Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, p 97:
Fr Eugenio Ricci

Eugenio Ricci was born in Italy about 1817.(1) He was ordained a priest in Italy, and apparently had a turbulent story in his native country.(2) He had at one time been an aide to the Apostolic Nuncio in Madrid. He arrived on the same vessel, Polmaise, as fellow Italian priests Giuseppe Pompei, Michael Antonini and Osteste Terdozzi on 19 September 1871.(3)

Rev Dr Chris Hanlon writes:
He is referred to as Dr Ricci, though the nature of his degree is unknown. He served as an army chaplain in Italy before coming to Queensland. In height he was 6ft 3in tall; was broadshouldered and physically developed in proportion. In personality, he was a firebrand; describing Cani as 'una pazza bestia, tirannia ed ignornate –animale in effigie umana.' Later he was to sue Bishop James Quinn.(4)

Sr Anne McLay writes at length on Ricci in her biography of Bishop Quinn:
Many of the (Italian) malcontents were unfairly influenced by the real villain of the piece, a turbulent priest Eugenio Ricci, one only too glad to flee from Italy where his political activities had made him the target of the Sesta, one of the many revolutionary societies of the time. Ricci became the focus of Italian reaction to Quinn's rule and Irish nationalism, both clerical and lay.

Quinn had not formally accepted the refugee Ricci into the diocese. Ricci had preceded the main party from Italy, however, and had been accepted by the Vicar General. Annoyed that Cani had not given him an important parish immediately, Ricci began a campaign against the vicar, whom he described as 'a mad ignorant beast of a fellow, tyrannical, barbaric and ignorant'- 'an animal in human form'. He wrote letters to the two daily papers calumniating Cani and other priests – letters the papers refused to publish. …

No wonder Quinn found on his return 'confusion'. He soon held a Diocesan Synod and this decreed that certain of the Italian priests be excluded from the diocese and sent back to Europe if they so wished. Ricci was excommunicated for laying violent hands on Vicar General Cani. Quinn sent a long vindication of Cani to Propaganda to counter Ricci's charges.

Ricci had, indeed, been far from silent about Brisbane in his letters back to Italy. In May 1873, he also commenced a legal action against the bishop for £1,000 allegedly owing to him. Ricci's lawyer declared that far from Ricci suing Quinn, the reverse was possible and the bishop could successfully proceed in law against him. … Cani wrote to his brother in Rome that Quinn had actually done more for Ricci than he had done for the others, and more than another bishop would have wished to do.(5)

Fr Ricci spent some time working with Italians in North Queensland.(6) He took up 240 acres just 50 kilometres from Toowoomba, visited Fr Dunne when he visited Toowoomba.

Dunne did not approve of Ricci's 'rubbishy' principles but was happy to entertain him in his presbytery whenever he called into town. Ricci became seriously ill towards the end of 1880 and sent one of his stockmen to fetch Dunne. He died at his window looking for some sign of his friend who arrived shortly afterwards.(7)

Eugenio Ricci who never married died from heart disease on 28 June 1880. He was buried in the Jondaryan cemetery by Fr Denis Byrne of Dalby on 29 June.

Footnotes
1. His age is given as 54 years when he arrived in Brisbane in September 1871.
2. Yvonne Margaret McLay, James Quinn – First Catholic Bishop of Brisbane, 1979, pp. 92-94.
3. Polmaise, ship's log.
4. Rev Dr Chris Hanlon, Paper on Fr Ricci, 2016, BAA.
5. Yvonne Margaret McLay, op. cit.
6. Dr Chris Hanlon, op. cit.
7. Neil J Byrne, Robert Dunne - Archbishop of Brisbane, 1991, p. 106.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.