Obituaries Australia

Another one of the old western Queensland pioneers has passed on, one contemporary with two have recently died, in the person of Mr. George Edward Bunning, who passed peacefully away at his Randwick (Sydney) home yesterday afternoon, aged 67 years. He had been ailing for some time, and his demise was not unexpected, and his passing was convoyed by wire to Mr. R. H. Edkins from Mrs. Bunning, the latter's eldest sister.

The late Mr. Bunning was born in Kent, England on 25th December, 1868 [1858], and was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bunning, London. He came out to Melbourne in 1876 and three years later, came to Queensland, where he acquired a deep knowledge of the pastoral industry. He managed Darr River Downs from about 1888 to 1904, taking over from his brother who was shot in the station office by an employee. On 26th April, 1892, he married Edwina Marion Huey Edkins, of Mt. Cornish, and there are four sons and 2 daughters of the marriage. One daughter is Mrs. Cooper, of Blackall, and the other, who did not marry, resides at Stanthorpe. One son left last month for England to pursue an art career.

Deceased acquired an interest in Buckingham Downs after he left Darr River Downs, and also owned Bundella and Darrwater, Inglewood, and resided at the latter place for many years till his retirement to Sydney. Before giving up an active business life Mr. Bunning was chairman of Directors of the Queensland National Bank, Ltd., Millaquin Sugar Co. Ltd., Queensland National Pastoral Co. Ltd., Lucknow Pastoral Co. Ltd. and W. H. Cameron Ltd., as well as being a trustee of the Queensland Turf Club. During his associations with the Longreach district he was a prominent figure in the old Pastoralists' Association, the forerunner of the present Graziers' Association. He was also chairman of directors of Francis Campbell & Co. Ltd. from which firm Edkins, Marsh & Co. Ltd. was later formed.