Hi Jean,
http://interactive.ancestry.com.au/8767/STSRG9_1925_1927-036...1871 UK Census, has Samuel HOLMES, listed as an "Iron Stone Miner".
This is a good match, to the father and son HOLMES duo, of miners, in the 1890's, 1900's, at Braidwood.
NSW State Records - Register of Auriferous Leases:
HOLMES Samuel Braidwood 569 25 May 1893 10098 [7/3154] 1538 - Other names: Garret
HOLMES Samuel Braidwood 29 965 7 April 1899 10098 [7/3156] 1539 - Other names: Carter; Receipt issued to: Lessee
HOLMES Samuel Braidwood 32 1143 18 December 1901 10098 [7/3157] 0 - Receipt issued to: Lessee
HOLMES Joseph Braidwood 32 1143 18 December 1901 10098 [7/3157] 0 - Receipt issued to: Lessee
27 March 1897, Braidwood mining ...
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/100711318?searchTerm..." krawarree&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales|||l-decade=189
Ellen STAINER/SMITH, had a son (with Mr CONSTABLE??), at Moss Vale, in 1897. Then a daughter born in Albany, in 1900. Moss Vale, is not that far from Braidwood. Maybe, Ellen SMITH, and son Ernest SMITH, made the trip to Albany, along with William HOLMES and Lettice HOLMES, between 1897 and 1900.
Mary