Obituaries Australia

By the death of Mr. John O'Reilly, Senr., shortly before midnight, the Labor movement has lost a staunch supporter and Sydney its oldest dancing master. Mr. O'Reilly, who was born in Ireland 73 years' ago, came to Australia with his parents at the age of two years. So soon as he was able, he took up dancing and later followed it as a profession, being, perhaps, the best known dancing teacher in Australia. For years he officiated as judge of the Australian and New South Wales dancing championships, and also for the 2BL old-time dancing competitions. He had been asked to officiate in Melbourne during the recent Centenary celebrations, but illness prevented him.

Suffering from an internal complaint, the late Mr. O'Reilly was forced to give up his work some time ago, and he was confined to his home in Goodwood St., Kensington, where he gradually became worse and passed away just on midnight.

All his life he had followed Labor's banner and was a member of a number of A.L.P. branches. He is survived by a widow, four sons, and two daughters, and six grandchildren. His eldest son is Mr. F. J. O'Reilly, ex-M.L.C., secretary of the Hairdressers' Union.

The funeral, which will take place in the Botany Cemetery to-morrow, will be carried out by Labor Motor Funerals Ltd.