Obituaries Australia

One of the most prominent pastoralists in Victoria, Mr. John Augustus Bostock, O.B.E., of Preston, Mansfield, died at his Melbourne residence, Kensington Road, South Yarra, on 23rd August, at the age of 79. The late Mr. Bostock, who was born at Warrnambool, Vic., spent the early years of his life on his father's property, Coomete, Mortlake, Vic., and on stations in Queensland. He returned to Victoria in 1900 to manage Preston, Mansfield, and later acquired a major portion of the property for himself when it was sold in 1916. In the early 1920's he purchased further land at Deniliquin, N.S.W., and was associated with Sir Clive McPherson in the property, Roto, near Hillston, N.S.W. He was also interested in Eynesbury, near Melton, Vic.

For more than 20 years Mr. Bostock was a member of the Mansfield Shire Council, of which he was a former president, and for a number of years was a member of the council of the Graziers' Association of Victoria. Until his retirement two years ago, he was a director of the Pivot Phosphate Company. He was a tireless worker for the Mansfield hospital, and this year the Queen awarded him the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to the hospital. He is survived by his widow and one son. Another son was killed on active service at New Britain during the second World War.