Obituaries Australia

Edward Bullmore, n.d.

State Library of Queensland, 185051

The numerous friends and acquaintances of Mr. Edward Augustus Bullmore, of Rockton (Eastern Suburbs), will be extremely sorry to learn of his sudden death, which took place, at his residence, yesterday morning. Mr. Bullmore was in his usual state of health on Tuesday, and, indeed, he visited Harrieville on the day previous, returning home in the evening of Tuesday, at about 6 o'clock. He complained of being unwell during the early part of the evening, describing his indisposition as similar to that caused by indigestion. Nothing serious, however, occurred until a little before 4 o’clock yesterday morning, when Mr. Bullmore showed symptoms of a rather alarming nature. Dr. Geoghegan–in the absence from Ipswich of Dr. Dunlop, Mr. Bullmore's medical attendant–was immediately summoned, but, though that gentleman repaired thither with due haste, the sufferer expired previous to his arrival. The deceased gentleman was born in Cornwall, England, in 1831, and was therefore in his sixty first year at the time of his death. He was educated at Truro Grammar School, one of the educational establishments founded by Edward VI. In 1853, Mr. Bullmore came to Victoria, and subsequently journeyed to New South Wales, where, in the Hunter district, he successfully engaged in farming pursuits. Mr. Bullmore afterwards undertook the management of a station at Walhalla, Liverpool Plains. Subsequently, together with a Mr. Humphreys, he took up land on the Ward River, a tributary of the Warrego, and this was ultimately known as the Oakwood Station, which the deceased gentleman ably managed for many years. In 1877, Mr. Bullmore settled down in his fine residence, Rockton, just outside the eastern boundary of the town, where he has lived with his family ever since. It will be remembered that Mr. Bullmore, since coming to Ipswich, was connected with the Riverbank Sawmill, and this industry was the means of giving remunerative employment to a large body of men. He was also the owner of that beautiful estate, Trelawney, near Harrieville, where extensive dairying operations have been carried on for some years, and where a large staff of men are still employed in the work attaching to a cheese factory. Mr. Bullmore was sworn in as a justice of the peace in 1870; and he sought parliamentary honours on two occasions, making a very creditable contest each time, as he was defeated for the Warrego by Mr. John Donaldson by only thirty-seven votes, while he was also defeated, at the last general election, for the electorate of Fassifern, by Mr. William Salkeld. He was a man of considerable social influence, and strenuously worked to further the interests of the town and district. As showing the lively interest which he took in charitable and other matters, it may be mentioned that he was at one time president of the Ipswich Hospital board (of which institution he was a life member), and he was also president, for some time, of the Queensland Pastoral and Agricultural Society. He likewise filled for a time the post of chairman of the board of trustees of the Ipswich Boys' Grammar School, and was chairman of the directors of a financial institution in Brisbane. He was also, until recently, a member of the Queensland Masonio Lodge, E.O., and his recent handsome present to that lodge of The History of Freemasonry will no doubt be doubly treasured now that the generous donor sleeps the sleep of death. The cause of death was pronounced by Dr. Dunlop to be hoemorrhage of the brain. The deceased gentleman, who was brother-in-law to Mrs. P. L. Cardew, leaves a widow and six children–one son and five daughters–to mourn their sad loss. General sympathy is expressed for the bereaved relatives. Though leaving a fairly large family, Mr. Bullmore was not exempt from domestic loss, as it will be remembered that his two eldest sons preceded him, having been drowned near Humpybong some years ago. The funeral of our departed townsman takes place at 11 o'clock this morning, and elsewhere an invitation is given to his many friends to attend.