Obituaries Australia

Walter Hall, n.d.

from Pastoralists' Review, 15 November 1911

The death of Walter Russell Hall, of "Wildfell," Pott's Point, Sydney, takes from us one more of the fast-diminishing band of sturdy pioneers who came to Australia in the early fifties in search of the "Golden Fleece."

The late Mr. Hall, after a few years' gold digging at the great historic "finds" of Victoria, with varying success, settled down as one of the pioneers of transportation of those early days. He soon became the leading proprietor of the ubiquitous "Cobb and Co.," and by his energy, capacity, and foresight acquired what was considered in the early seventies a large fortune.

Then his brother Tom acquired from the Morgans a controlling interest in the Mount Morgan Mine, which turned out to be one of, if not the richest gold producer the world had then seen. Tom Hall took Walter and others in with him in this venture, and from that time onward great riches flowed on the Halls.

Walter Hall, though he loved Melbourne and its old associations, and often visited it, made Sydney his home. Of late, however, increasing age kept him from leaving Sydney. His death creates a great gap in that city, where he was well known and as well liked by all classes. At various times he contributed large sums to public uses, and his own and his wife's private benefactions were numerous and constant. He was a good sportsman, identified with coursing in its early days, and always with racing.

He was a member of the committee of the Australian Jockey Club almost continuously for forty-five years (and right up to his death). He is known to have amassed great wealth, and is understood to have left very handsome bequests to charity in New South Wales and Queensland.

He was in his eighty-first year when he died, and only ten days previously he had been present at Randwick, and greatly enjoyed meeting there hosts of his old friends. He leaves a widow, but no children. He was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery.