Obituaries

James Punch

1839 - 7 December 1880

By Judy Chant James, known as Jem, was the third of eleven children born to Peter Punch and Catherine (nee Hurley). He was their first to be born in the colony of New South Wales (prior to federation), following their migration from Cork, Ireland, in 1837. Jem was born at Brisbane Waters, just north of […]

Ella May McFadyen

26 November 1887 - 22 August 1976

By Judy Chant Ella May McFadyen was born on 26th November 1887 in Sydney, NSW. She was the second of seven children born to fire-and-brimstone Presbyterians, Donald McFadyen and Mary (nee Wilson). Donald became General Manager of NSW Fresh Food and Ice Pty Ltd, prior to taking up the office of Mayor of Five Dock. […]

Ailsa Joyce Breen

24 March 1924 - 22 March 2020

Ailsa Breen’s long life began in challenging circumstances in working class Wales in the 1920s. At the time of her passing, almost 96 years later, she was a much loved matriarch of a large and happy family in Sydney. It was a life which spanned the major events of the 20th century. The Great Depression, […]

Iris Lancaster

19th July 1935 - 22nd January 2019

When Iris Lancaster was born in a dirt-floored house in Wyee in 1935, the midwife told her mother that she should take her new baby home and get ready to bury her, as the prospects for her survival were slim. But with a determination and resilience which characterized her entire life, Iris survived and outlived […]

John Dengate

01 November 1938 - 13 August 2013

John Dengate was the closest heir to the legacy of Henry Lawson that this country has known. He was a free thinker, poet, artist, teacher, songwriter, singer and street busker, ever ready to recite or sing, and always ready to take the mickey out of politicians, misguided business leaders and any visiting sports team. In […]

Barry Vivian Wollaston

15 September 1931 - 22 July 2017

This little excerpt from Barry’s last message gives a sense of the practicality, curiosity and happy attitude with which this unique man approached his life and which helped him face his death.

Richard Trevaskis

1961 - May 8 1997

The short life of Richard Trevaskis was a classic and tragic story of precocity which turned into addiction, a life which burned so brightly but with an intensity which finally and prematurely consumed life itself. It was a waste of significant talent in photography, art and theatre as Richard continued, against the warnings of his […]

Maureen Enid (Meg) Colquhoun

27 October 1930 - November 2004

Maureen Enid Glastonbury was born in the Victorian city of Ballarat on October 27, 1930, but Maureen was destined to remain a name reserved for officialdom. Instead, family and friends took the initials of her full name and came up with the name with which she marched through life: Meg. The Glastonbury family were headed […]

Des Colquhoun

31 March 1931 - 05 June 2005

For several decades through the 1960s to 1980s Des Colquhoun was synonymous with newspaper journalism in South Australia. As a feature writer, then editor in chief and finally as a daily front page columnist for the Adelaide Advertiser, Colquhoun was for a time one of the best known people in his home state. His love […]