Obituaries Australia

Vale! Andrew Hickey. The passing of Mr. Andrew Hickey, which sad event took place at the Wellington District Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, removes from our midst a well known identity of the Wellington and Hargaves district, where he was held in the highest respect by all who had pleasure of his acquaintance. 'Andy,' as he was familiarly known by his many friends, was born at Hargraves 77 years ago, and in his early days he worked as a teamster on the western roads, drawing merchandise from Wallerawang to Bourke, in the days before the railway had reached further than the first mentioned town. Naturally he had during those times met with many adventures, and he had stored in his mind many episodes of the early days, which he used to relate later on. He was also a fine all-round athlete in his day, as well as a good rider, and with his brother Patrick, used to do a lot of riding at the various race meetings in the west, where they met with a lot of success. On the cinder track he was also a success, and met many of the old-time runners, when that sport was so popular in the old days. As a high jumper he was never defeated. After marrying, he came to Wellington, where he has resided for the past 37 years. He was a well-known figure at all race meetings, for he attended to the starting barrier on the various racecourses in Wellington for the greater portion of that time. His health began to fail some 12 months ago, and although everything possible was done for him, it was of no avail, and during his long illness, he suffered in silence with great Christian fortitude, and he passed peacefully away as stated, being fortified by the rites of the Catholic Church of which he was such a staunch member. He is survived by a widow and grown-up family of three sons Messrs Gilbert (Canowindra), Emmett (Wellington), and William (Barmedman). One brother, William, resides in Sydney. After a Requiem Mass, which was celebrated at St. Patrick's Church by Rev. Father Kelly on Wednesday morning, the body was laid to rest in the old Curra Creek cemetery, where so many of our old hands are sleeping their long last sleep. The services at the graveside were also read by Father Kelly. The funeral arrangements were carried out by J. Thompson and Son.