Obituaries Australia

We regret having to announce the death of Mr. M. M. [Mayer Matus] Silberberg, of "Aramac," High-street, Prahran, which occurred suddenly on Sunday evening, 6th September. The deceased gentleman had been spending the evening with his daughter, Mrs. H. W. Levy, and left about 10 o'clock with his son-in-law and daughter (Mr. and Mrs. J. Englander) for the Balaclava Station. Knowing the deceased suffered from a weak heart, they walked slowly, and were sitting on the seat awaiting the arrival of the train when, without the slightest sign of pain, he suddenly expired. Dr. Amess and Nurse Manaton happened to be on the station, and were immediately in attendance, and did everything possible, "but God's finger had touched him, and he slept."

The funeral, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, was largely attended, the service being conducted by the Rev. J. Danglow. The deceased leaves a widow, three daughters and four sons to mourn the loss of a devoted husband and a loving father. The two elder sons are in business in Melbourne, one a solicitor practising at Hamilton, and the youngest is Medical Registrar at the Melbourne Hospital. Mr. Silberberg, who was of a quiet and kindly disposition, was well known and highly respected throughout Victoria, and a most regular attendant at Synagogue.

He had been a resident of Victoria for fifty-six years, arriving in this State when ten years of age, and for over thirty years carried on business at Branxholme and Condah in the Western District. On his retirement, about six years ago, he was the recipient of a handsome presentation of plate from the people of the district, which he highly prized, as showing the esteem in which he was held—he being the only Jew in the district.

The "Hamilton Spectator" writes as follows:—Deep regret was expressed in Hamilton yesterday morning when a telegram was received by Mr. S. I. Silberberg announcing that his father—Mr. M. M. Silberberg—had died suddenly 0n Sunday night. The deceased gentleman, who was sixty-six years of age, was well known throughout the Western District, where his many good qualities had won for him a host of friends, and the news of his death will occasion widespread regret. During the past couple of years the late Mr. Silberberg had suffered from heart disease, but he had recently enjoyed good health, and his end was, therefore, unexpected. For about thirty-two years Mr. Silberberg was engaged in business in this district, and when he retired six years ago he took up his residence in High-street, Prahran, where he remained until the time of his death. During the time he lived in Branxholme Mr. Silberberg was recognised as one of the leading business men of the Western District, and he also took a prominent part in everything calculated to advance the interests of the place in which he lived. For fourteen years he represented the east riding in the Portland Shire Council, and was President of that municipality during the inauguration of the Commonwealth. He was the Secretary of the Cemetery Trust for about eighteen years, and acted in a similar capacity for the Improvement Society since its inception. He was one of the founders of the Debating Society, which was the forerunner of the Mechanics' Institute. A representative requisition was presented to Mr. Silberberg some years ago, asking him to stand for Parliament in opposition to Sir Henry Wrixon, but owing to his time being so fully occupied with his business engagements, he declined the honour.