Sinclair Wemyss Mackay (?–1932)
Mr. Sinclair Wemyss Mackay, formerly sporting editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, died yesterday, after a brief illness. He was a native of Wagga, of which town his father was a well-known resident, and he was a grandson of the late Dr. Edwin Duffin Allison, and a nephew of Lady Farmer, wife of Sir George Farmer Bart.
After leaving school he entered the local Post-office, and studied telegraphy to such purpose that after 13 months' probation he was appointed as assistant at Booligal. From there he was transferred to Bathurst, and afterwards served successively as operator-in charge at Wilcannia, Deniliquin, and Hay. Mr. Mackay then joined the Queensland telegraphic service, and after working for some time in the Brisbane office, was sent to Bowen, where he spent three years.
Then Mr. Mackay went to Melbourne, but later returned to the New South Wales service, being shortly afterwards appointed postmaster at Merewether. After two years' service there, he was sent to Grafton, thence to Sydney, in charge of the Sydney Morning Herald's direct telegraph line to its Melbourne office.
Keenly interested in all branches of sport, Mr. Mackay became a contributor to the Herald's sporting columns, and 22 years ago he left the telegraphic service and joined the Herald sporting department. He was, until recently, in charge of that department, and he carried out his duties with distinction. In his young days he was an ardent cricketer and footballer, and achieved some local records in athletics. He was no mean horseman, being the first amateur to ride Ben Bolt, which won the A.J.C. Doncaster Handicap, Caulfield Cup, St. Kilda Cup, and many other handicap events.
He is survived by Mrs. Mackay, three sons, Messrs. Eric John, Ernest Wootton (a member of the reading staff of the Herald), and Roderick Allison (of the P. and O. Company's office staff), and one daughter, Miss Elizabeth Mackay.
The funeral will take place this afternoon, leaving the residence, 14 Newcastle-street, Rose Bay, at 3.15 o'clock, for the Waverley Cemetery.
Original publication
Additional Resources
- is appointed telegraph officer at Broken Hill, Sydney Morning Herald, 22 February 1888, p 6
- funeral, Sydney Morning Herald, 15 July 1932, p 15
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Sullivan, Eric Mackay (nephew)
Citation details
'Mackay, Sinclair Wemyss (?–1932)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/mackay-sinclair-wemyss-14487/text25589, accessed 30 November 2023.