Obituaries Australia

George Aiston, n.d.

from Argus (Melbourne), 18 October 1922, p 17

Mr George Aiston, whose untimely death occurred at our local Hospital on Saturday at the age of 64, was a man of mark in particular fields if known to few townspeople here.

On the vast pedal radio circuit initiated by his friend. Rev. John Flynn, his deep and genial voice was familiar and always welcome.

His wide travels in Africa and in the hinterland of Australia, his intercourse with scientists in his serious pre-occupation of anthropologist had enriched his nature, and broadened his sympathies, making his friendship something to cherish.

He acquired Mulka Station upwards of 20 years ago, and from agistment of stock and a store-keeping business, had an income enabling him to give much of his time to his hobby—the building up of large collections of scientific value and of popular interest, principally in the anthropological sphere, but embracing also curios of Australian, African, European and Oriental origin.

Those who have seen his museum at Mulka have been privileged and amazed. Mr. Aiston's known eminence in his pet subject was conscripted by Sir Colin MacKenzie for three months some years ago for the staging and arrangement of specimens in the Museum of Anatomy at Canberra. Mr. Aiston's book, Savage Life in Central Australia, now unfortunately out of print, is a standard reference book, copies of which are highly prized.

The Rev. C. Campbell Crowley, Church of England rector at Peterborough, though scarcely yet received covered from a serious illness himself, undertook a rushed arduous road return journey of nearly 400 miles in order to perform the obseques, and his eloquent tribute at the grave to his "old timer" friend revealed to the sorrowing widow, relatives and friends a depth of feeling and appreciation that was most moving to all who heard it.

George Aiston was here a few weeks and has gone. His passing leaves his peers and the hoi polloi the poorer.

The usefulness of the Flying Doctor Service is again outlined and underlined by his fatal illness, and also the comfort of our great Hospital. His widow voices the feelings of a great ? of city and country folk when she speaks of the boon that those two great institutions are to people in her circumstances.

Numerous floral tributes and wreaths received from outback districts at the funeral of Mr. George Aiston provided striking evidence of the high esteem in which he was held. Mr. Aiston, who was storekeeper at Mulka Station, via Marree, died in the Broken Hill Hospital on Saturday. Prior to the cortege leaving Fred J. Potter and Sons funeral parlor yesterday at 4 p.m. for the Church of England Cemetery, the Rev. C. Campbell Crowley, of Peterborough, conducted a short service. He also conducted the service at the grave. Bearers were Messrs. E. Heywood, D. P. Kiley, S. Hilman, R. E. A. Kitchen, H. L. C. Cotton and C. R. Pryor. Arrangements for the funeral were carried out by Fred J. Potter and Son.