Obituaries Australia

Labor loses a foremost stalwart by the death of Comrade Richard Henry Gill, who died at St. Vincent's Hospital last Monday afternoon at the early age of 50. He was characteristically active and cheerful up to a few days of his final illness, which was, no doubt, due in a large measure to the strenuous part he played in the Continuance campaign. At the A.N.A. Fete he was most energetic in looking after the sports in the arena, and this probably hastened the relapse which ended in death. In union circles Dick Gill, as he was affectionately known, was prominent as secretary of the Liquor Trades' Union and as a member of the Eight Hours Committee. Also he was a leading member of the A.N.A. and League of Victorian Wheelmen. In addition, he usually played an important part at the Easter A.L.P Conference as chairman of the Agenda Committee of the Central Executive. Outside strictly Trades Hall circles, he very earnestly and effectively served the Labor Movement in furthering the fulfilment of the Municipal Platform, which owes its present shape in the Constitution largely to his influence. He became a Port Melbourne councillor, and was twice Mayor of his native municipality.

"Dick" Gill was a worker of irrepressible energy and irreproachable sincerity. It was useless to tell him to "go slow." Such a policy to him, personally, seemed impossible. Accompanying his industry was a consistent geniality, which made him a cheerful companion either at work or play. His loss is the cause of very widespread sorrow, and many regrets have been expressed at the departure from our midst of "A good man one where we all must go."