Who is Conway's Father from The Road from Coorain and what is their importance?

Jill Conway's father wanted nothing more in life than to own and operate a sheep station farm in the Australian outback. He and his wife purchased and maintained Coorain through many years of difficulties, and as a result, had a flourishing business. Over the years, however, drought caused his fortunes to dwindle. His death was suspected by many to be a suicide, but this information is never confirmed.