Obituaries Australia

A very likeable gentleman, who had a fine record of public service, was Mr. Richard Grainger Benaud, of 297 High Street, Penrith, who died in Nepean District Hospital on Monday, July 6, at the age of 93 years, after a short illness.

He was the first secretary of Nepean A.H. and I. Society, back in the nineties, the first president being the late Mr. Cadden (bank manager).

Mr. Benaud was born at Taree and was the son of Sea-captain John Benaud and of Catherine Benaud.

He lived his young days in Grafton and there learnt his trade of a watchmaker from his uncle, Mr. Steber, and became a master of his craft.

Mr. Benaud came to Penrith in July, 1887, and opened a business as watchmaker and jeweller in portion of premises that stood on the site of the present Park Garage.

In addition to being an official of Nepean A.H. and I. Society, he was interested in other local activities, including river regattas. He was a keen rower, and on one occasion, with the late Mr. Ernest Pulton (afterward of Wellington) he won a double sculls race against another local pair.

He was married in the C. of E., Leichhardt, to Nellie Hill, of Penrith, who survives him. He was in business in Penrith at that time.

From Penrith Mr. Benaud removed to Parkes, where he bought out a business that included hairdressing, as well as watchmaking, and jewellery, but for the hairdressing he engaged a barber.

Leaving Parkes he took up residence at Port Macquarie and was there for about three years, when he went to Coraki, where his brother, Mr. Lou Benaud, the proprietor of the "Richmond River Herald", (since defunct) had died.

MAYOR OF CORAKI

Mr. Benaud was an alderman of Coraki for about 16 years and was mayor for two terms. He took much interest in river regattas up there and was a secretary in the sport.

Mr. Benaud was at Coraki for 28 years. He left there for Grafton, and later returned to Penrith, conducting a watchmaking business in High Street on the site of Mrs. Elston's present business.

Later moves were to Cootamundra, Punchbowl, Bathurst (living next door to Ben Chifley's home), and Shortland, Anally, returning to Penrith about two years ago.

He leaves two sons — Lou (living at Parramatta and teaching at Auburn) and John (postmaster at Waterloo, recently of Gundagai). A daughter Gladys (Mrs. Syd. Hollier) died last year. Her parents had been living with her for some time.

Son Lou, himself a very successful grade cricketer, is the father of Richie Benaud, a member of the Australian XI now in England. Richie is one of six grandchildren.

The funeral took place on Tuesday, July 7, leaving St. Stephen's Church, Penrith, after service for Penrith general cemetery, C. of E. portion. Last rites were conducted by the Rector, the Rev. A. E. Hodgson.