Obituaries Australia

John Banner, n.d.

photo supplied by Robyne Ayres

John William Banner (73), a well known resident of the Mullumbimby and Billinudgel districts, died in the Lismore Base Hospital early yesterday morning.

Born in Sheffield, the late Mr. Banner came to Australia in 1885, and to Byron Bay in 1889. He followed the occupation of blacksmith and coach builder with premises on the site of Mr. H. Timperley's garage in Jonson street until he selected land in Billinudgel in 1903. Three years later he was elected to the first Byron Shire Council with the late Mr. John Macgregor as representatives of "A" riding.

The late Mr. Banner was a councillor of Byron Shire continuously until the time of his death. During that period he was president of the shire for one term of five years' duration and two terms each of two years. Together with Cr. T. Armstrong, the late Cr. Banner was congratulated in 1937 on the completion of 30 years' service, which was considered to be an achievement unique in the State. Other councillors have had similar periods of service in local government, but so far as was known, such a joint record on the one council had not been equalled.

The late Mr. Banner moved to the Wilson's Creek district in 1921 and retained his interest in dairy farming until recently when he took up residence in Mullumbimby.

He had been the nominee of Byron Shire Council on the Richmond River County Council for the past 28 consecutive years. He had also been a justice of the peace for New South Wales for the past 30 years, and a member of the Mullumbimby Agricultural Society for 15 years.

During the 50 years of his residence in the Byron Bay, Brunswick and Mullumbimby districts, the late Mr. Banner took a leading part in many matters pertaining to district progress, and his death will be deeply regretted by his numerous associates in public life and the host of friends he made in the district in which he resided.

He was president of the Tweed District Council of the P.P.U. from its inception in 1916 to 1928, and during that period was also a member of the Central Executive. He also took a leading part in the Dairy Farmers' Union, which was superseded by the P.P.U. He was also a member of the Tweed District Land Board for a number of years, retiring about two years ago.

He is survived by a wife and a family of four, three sons, Jack (Murwillumbah), Alexander (Billinadgel), Harry (Coff's Harbour), and one daughter, Marjorie (Mrs. Griffiths, Wilson's Creek).

The funeral will move from. St. Martin's Church of England, Mullumbimby, to-day at 2 p.m. for the C. of E. portion of the Mullumbimby cemetery.

Gundurimba Shire Council yesterday passed a motion of sympathy with the relatives of Cr. Banner. The president (Cr. Jas. Kennedy) said that Cr. Banner was one of the finest men in the district to enter local government. He had also been a member of the Richmond River County Council.