Obituaries Australia

Robert Power, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 November 1914

The death is recorded of Mr. Robert Power, which occurred at the commencement of the month at his residence, Myrnong, Toorak, Melbourne, in his eighty-first year. Mr. Power was born in Galway, Ireland, and in 1840, when he was only seven years of age, came to Melbourne with his father, Mr. Thomas Herbert Power. He was educated at what was then known as the Diocesan Grammar School, conducted by Richard Hale Budd, at St. Peter's, Eastern Hill, Melbourne, and which is now the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, on St. Kilda road. As a young man he gained colonial experience with Mr. John Hunter Patterson, near Kilmore, and later entered into partnership with Mr. G. Rutherford, who was then managing Lake Bolac Station for Mr. Power's father. This partnership founded the well-known Melbourne firm of Powers, Rutherford and Co. He was a partner with the late C. B. Fisher in pastoral properties, and at different times was interested in Kilfera, Groongal, and Benerembah Stations in New South Wales. The last pastoral property he was interested in was Roto, New South Wales, in partnership with Mr. Cappur Webb, which interest he held until a few years ago. Mr. Power retired from the firm of Powers, Rutherford and Co. about twenty years ago, and with the exception of being a member of the Melbourne board of Dalgety and Co. Limited and the Broken Hill Proprietary Limited, he then retired from active commercial life. For many years he sat on the bench in Melbourne as a Justice of the Peace. As one of the original founders of the Victoria Racing Club, Mr. Power will always be remembered as a patron of racing. He was on the committee of the V.R.C. from its inception until a few years ago. As an amateur rider he gained considerable fame, and his name is connected with Adam Lindsay Gordon as the rider of Viking, the property of the latter, in a Melbourne steeplechase. Mr. Power was twice married, and leaves a widow and three children. He was a brother of Mr. Herbert Power, of Toorak.