Obituaries Australia

After a lengthy illness of some twelve months duration, Mr. Henry Dunston [Dunstan], an old identity of the Hawkesbury and one of the best known and most respected residents of the Kurrajong district, passed away at his residence, 'Curraba,' Grose Vale, on Saturday evening last, at the age of 75 years.

A member of one of the pioneer families of the Kurrajong district, the deceased was a son of the late John and Eliza Dunston; he was a man of quiet demeanor, and enjoyed the goodwill of every man, woman and child with whom he had ever come in contact. Over 40 years ago he was married in Sydney to Mrs. Harriet Dickson, a member of a well-known Wilberforce family, whose first husband predeceased her. Mrs. Dunston died in November, 1933, and her late husband is survived by one son— Garnie. Miss Clarice Dickson (who is attached to the staff, of the Coast Hospital) and Miss Haidee Dickson (Grose Vale) are step-daughters, Mr. William Dunston (Netley Hill, Kurrajong) is a brother, and Mrs. Williams (Orange) and Mrs. Jenner (Kogarah) are sisters of the deceased.

The late Henry Dunston was a man of character and enjoyed the universal respect and esteem of the people. Born on Box Hill Estate, Kurrajong, he never went far from the scenes of his childhood, and lived for many years at 'Curraba,' where he carried on the pursuits of yeomanry and lived a wholesome outdoor life. He was one of those unashamed Christians whose abiding faith and exemplary life were the admiration of all, and an incentive to others to strive, as he had striven, to leave this old world of ours a little better than he found it.

He took a keen and active interest in public affairs, especially the Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association, of which he had been a councillor for a long term and a Vice-President for many years. He was one of the most regular attendants at the meetings, and, in addition to his work throughout the year, rendered yeoman service on the three days of the annual show disposing of tickets in connection with the bullock guessing competition. Indeed, the late Mr. Dunston was regarded as an institution in that respect, and he brought in many pounds to the society's funds. He was also associated with various organisations in the Kurrajong district, and took a keen interest in church matters, being Rector's Warden of St. Stephen's Church of England for many years.

The respect and esteem in which the deceased was held throughout the district was strikingly evidenced by the large concourse of people at the funeral on Monday afternoon, when the remains were interred in St. Stephen's Church of England cemetery, Kurrajong. Prior to the interment, a service was conducted in the church by the Revs. H. Tate and F. H. B. Dillon (two former Rectors) and the Rev. A. N. S. Barwick (the present Rector). A number of beautiful floral tributes were received.