Obituaries Australia

George Debney, n.d.

from Pastoralists' Review, 15 October 1908

The hand of death has robbed the Bowen district of a very estimable and highly honourable gentleman in the person of Mr. George Leonard Debney, of Woodlands Station, says the Port Denison Times of the 5th instant. The deceased, who has been ailing with an affection of heart for some years, contracted influenza a few weeks ago, and this accelerated his death, which occurred early on Tuesday morning last. Mr. Debney settled in the Bowen district in 1902, in which year he acquired Woodlands, and devoted his attention to the breeding of horses and cattle. He was not long a resident of this district before he was chosen as a representative for No. 3 division of the shire of Wangaratta, on the Wangaratta Shire Council, which position he held until quite recently, being eventually forced to resign through ill health. Quiet and unassuming in manner, the deceased displayed many sterling qualities, and his honourable and straight forward bearing won for him the esteem of all classes of the community. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, and it was with feelings of much regret that the news of his death was received. Every movement having for his aim the advancement of the district received his heartiest support, and his purse was always open for objects of a charitable nature. Prior to his arrival in Bowen. Mr. Debney was a grazier in South Australia, in which state he was born. Subsequently he came to Queensland, and purchased a station at Birdsville, on the Diamantina River. This property, called Monkira, he held until he was compelled, through the ravages of the drought, to sell out, at a great loss, to Mr. S. Kidman. While at Birdsville the deceased identified himself with a number of public bodies and was for years chairman of the local shire council and rabbit board. At the time of his death he was sixty-five years of age. He has left a widow, two daughters, and four sons, all of whom are grown up. The eldest son is manager of Burleigh Station, near Richmond, and the eldest daughter is married to Mr. W. S. Scott, of Proserpine. As evidencing the esteem felt for the deceased the funeral, which look place on Wednesday, was largely attended by the leading residents of town and district, and a number of wreaths were placed on the coffin. The burial service at the grave was conducted by the Rev. J. Kirke.