Obituaries Australia

William Penzer, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 19 January 1956

One of the oldest and most highly respected graziers in north-western New South Wales, Mr. Walter William Brocklehurst Penzer, died in Sydney on 24th December after a short illness.

The late Mr. Penzer was born at Bundemar, in the Dubbo district, on 7th January 1880. He was educated at All Saints, Bathurst, and Newington College, where he took a prominent part in athletics. After leaving school he was articled to the late Robert Booth, solicitor of Dubbo, with whom he served for four years. Whilst in Dubbo he played polo for the district and distinguished himself as an amateur rider.

He married Miss Helen Annie Strahorn, of Derowie, Dubbo, in 1907 and in 1910, in partnership with his brother, Mr. R. B. Penzer, purchased Lower Quambone, which was sold about 1920 when he moved to Sydney for about five years. In 1926 he purchased Lila Springs and Morton Plains, in the Bourke district, but sold the former property to his two sons in 1936. He later purchased Randwick Downs, over the Queensland border, and retained his interest in these properties until his death.

The late Mr. Penzer was a member of the graziers' council and Bourke Pastures Protection Board for many years and was also a member of the Australian Jockey Club, Royal Sydney Golf Club, Royal Agricultural Society, and the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Mr. Penzer had made his home in Sydney for the past four years, but continued to pay regular visits to the properties. His passing will be felt by a very wide circle of friends, not only for his deep knowledge and experience on grazing matters, but also for his kind and generous nature. He is survived by his widow and two sons, Robert and William.