Obituaries Australia

One of the stalwarts of the Hawkesbury, Mr. John Dunston, of "Warren Ave," Grose Vale, passed away on Monday morning last at the ripe age of 78 years. Some time ago he suffered a severe heart attack, from which he never properly recovered, although he was able to get out and about until a few weeks ago, when a second seizure overcame him, and he passed peacefully away as above stated.

The late John Dunston was a genial soul and a fine specimen of Hawkesbury manhood. He was a big man in the true sense of the term — a man of splendid physique and one of the district's best known and most popular citizens. A native of Kurrajong, he lived in the district all his life, and was a successful orchardist.

He was keenly interested in sport, especially the turf, and was a member of the Hawkesbury Race Club for many years, one of the founders of the old Kurrajong Racing Club, and took a prominent part in the activities of the Richmond Trotting and Racing Company. For over 40 years he was a member of the Council of the Hawkesbury Agricultural Association, and was for 26 years a Vice-President. He was also a member for many years of the Royal Agricultural Society. He took a keen and active interest in many local organisations, including the Grose Vale Progress and Parents and Citizens' Associations.

The late John Dunston was twice married. His first wife was Miss Christina Dunstan, of Wilberforce, who predeceased him some years ago. The issue was a family of one son and 4 daughters, viz. Mr. Horace Dunston (Grose Vale), Alice (Mrs. A. S. Middleton, Ashfield), Stella (Mrs. Beales, Rockdale), Ruby (Mrs. S. Hoskisson (Glebe Point), and Ileen (Mrs. T. N. Powell, Wyong). After the death of his first wife, the deceased married Miss Phoebe Robinson, of Kurrajong, who also survives. Mr. William Dunston (Sydney) and Mr. Henry Dunston (Grose Vale) are brothers and Mrs. Jenner (Kogarah) and Mrs. Williams (Orange) are sisters of the deceased.

The respect and esteem in which the deceased was held throughout the district was evidenced by the large and representative gathering at the funeral on Tuesday afternoon, when the remains were laid to rest in St. Stephen's Church of England cemetery, at Kurrajong.