Mr. John Dunne (69), one of the best known figures in the Western District, died yesterday, at his residence, 14 Como-avenue, South Yarra, Melbourne. Mr. Dunne was only ill a short while, and on Friday or Saturday last an attack of pleurisy developed into pneumonia and caused his death.
In his early life Mr. Dunne and his brother Joe had a cattle station in Charleville, Queensland. He first went to Netley in 1890 as overseer and was there for about 30 years. He retired from the management eight years ago, and was succeeded by Mr. Donald McLennan, his nephew, who was on the station for 16 or 17 years.
On leaving the management Mr. Dunne became trustee for the estate of the late John Dunne, who was his uncle, and was on the board of management in Melbourne. He last visited Broken Hill about two months ago, when he met Mr. K. A. Buttenshaw, Minister for Lands. Mr. Dunne was at Netley in the peak period of that station. It was noted for its stud sheep and cattle and thoroughbred horses. At one stage Netley carried 65,000 sheep, 2000 head of cattle and between 300 and 400 head of horses, over a hundred of those being thoroughbreds.
The late Mr. Dunne leaves a brother Jim, who lives in Victoria, and a sister Mrs. M. Harris, of Sydney. Mr. Donald McLennan was at Appin Station to-day, having arrived from Sydney, and he paid a tribute to his late uncle.
At Western Darling Picnic Race Club meetings Mr. Dunne was always a popular figure and keen to win races with Netley bred horses. On one occasion he had the pleasure of seeing Netley owned or bred horses win every race on the programme.
The funeral will take place tomorrow, leaving his late residence, South Yarra. The flag at the Broken Hill Club was to-day flying at half mast out of respect to his memory.
'Dunne, John (1864–1933)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/dunne-john-14307/text25373, accessed 9 November 2024.