Obituaries Australia

George Payne, n.d.

The passing of Mr. George Arthur Payne, in his 93rd year, removed one of the best-known farmers of the Murray plains. Born in Leicester, England, in 1840. Mr. Payne came to South Australia at the age of eight, and, with his father and other members of the family, first settled in the Angaston district. At the time of the Victorian gold rush most of the male members of the community journeyed overland to the fields. Mr. Payne could relate some stirring incidents of his experiences of those early days. Subsequently he settled on a farm at Cambrai, or, what was then known as Rhine Villa, about 15 miles from Mount Pleasant, and there, with typical courage and hardihood, he built his home, proving himself a pioneering hero in the days when tilling and cultivating the land was a task of greater manual labor than in these latter days of machinery and easy transport. Mr Payne was unfortunate in losing his right arm about 33 years ago, and a later accident fractured his leg. However, despite these physical disabilities, he remained actively engaged in farming pursuits until a few years ago, when his interests passed to his sons, of whom there are four—Mr. George Payne, of Sedan; Hamilton, Douglas, and Arthur Payne, of Moorlands. Mr. Payne was twice married, his widow being Hannah, a daughter of the late Mr. H. Blackham, of One Tree Hill. Four daughters survive— Mesdames Heward, of Hyde Park: Tucker, of Berri; Dollman, of Hackney (formerly of Unley); and Foale, of Mitcham.

Mr. Payne took a very keen interest in public affairs, and was chairman of the Angas District Council for some years. He was a leader in any movement for the welfare of his district, and gave most valuable service to the local Congregational Church, which was first established in his home. The high esteem in which Mr. Payne was held was demonstrated by the great number of mourners who attended his funeral at West terrace.