Obituaries Australia

Walter Ralston, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 November 1920

By the death of Mr. Walter Vardon Ralston, general manager of the Queensland National Bank, which occurred on the 14th ulto., Queensland loses one of her foremost business men and financiers. Born in Melbourne in August 1846, he had attained the age of 74, but to within a few weeks of his death he enjoyed good health, and his demise came as a shook to a large circle of private and business friends. His early life after leaving school was devoted to pastoral pursuits in Queensland, and for a few years he managed Mount Hutton Station, in the Maranoa, and afterwards Mount Larcombe, in the Gladstone district. He then returned to Melbourne, where he entered the service of the London Chartered Bank, and later on joined the staff of the National Bank of Australasia. Returning to Queensland in 1874, he obtained an appointment with the Queensland National Bank, and quickly rose in the service until, upon the death of Colonel Drury in 1896, he was appointed to the position of general manager. Those conversant with the history of the Queensland National Bank know that his appointment came at a time which called for a clear brain and cool judgment, and that Mr. Ralston supplied these factors in an eminently satisfactory manner is shown by the sound development that took place in its business. Throughout his career Mr. Ralston retained the confidence and respect of all with whom he associated in financial and commercial circles. It may not be generally known that when the Commonwealth Government decided to establish its bank the position of Governor was offered to Mr. Ralston, who, however, declined it.