Obituaries Australia

Randolph Payne, n.d.

photo supplied by Robert Childs

The death of Mr. Randolph George Stewart Payne, of Glen Osmond-road, Frewville, which occurred at his son's residence, Hyde Park, on Monday, has removed one of the oldest identities associated with educational work in this State. The deceased was a native of Leicester, and was born in January, 1842. He received his education at the Leeds Grammar School and at the Pontefract Commercial College. The son of a manufacturing chemist with business connections in many lands, he contemplated following the same calling. In 1857 he came to this State, where he met Mr. John Howard Angas, who informed him that his father, Mr. George Fife Angas, was looking out for a bookkeeper, and the young man agreed to accept the appointment. Two or three years later he was introduced to Mr. J. L. Young. This led to Mr Payne accepting a position on the staff of the Adelaide Academy, of which Mr. Young was the principal. Five years of useful work were followed by a breakdown in health, and the young teacher, who had by this time become attached to education as his vocation in life, went north in quest of renewed vigor, and as a private tutor. A little later he opened a school but health considerations again made it necessary for him to try a change, and he moved to Angaston and established another academy. Acting on the advice of Mr. Hartley, he subsequently accepted an appointment to the Golden Grove school, and in 1878 he opened a newer school at Crystal Brook. A position in the North Adelaide school, under Mr. George Gill, came next; then followed Clarendon, Snowtown (which he opened), Campbelltown, Kangarilla and Wilmington. It was at the last named place that he celebrated the jubilee of his work for education in 1912, after eight months' retiring leave. He was a man of many parts, took a deep interest in his work, and won the esteem of his pupils and their parents. He was a member of the Church of England and a lay reader. He leaves a widow, four sons, and two daughters—Messrs. O. P. L. Payne (Frewville), H. E. H. Payne (Hyde Park), R. C. Payne (Torrensville), and A. R. Payne (Evandale) — and Mrs. Dabovich (Port Lincoln), and Miss Payne (Frewville).