Obituaries Australia

Thomas Willsallen, n.d.

from Pastoralists' Review, 13 April 1911

The late Mr. Thomas Polk Willsallen passed away full of years at his Sydney residence, Uig Lodge, Point Piper, at the ripe age of seventy-six years on the 8th March last. He came out to Australia seventy-two years ago with his mother and step-father, having been born at Ballina, Ireland, and his first experience of pastoral life was gained forty years ago, when he went into partnership with his step-brother, the late Mr. E. G. Higgins, of Kickerbell, Quirindi, who died a few months ago. Mr. Willsallen was certainly one of the pioneers of the Liverpool Plains, where he first settled some forty years ago on Gunnible Station, about four miles out of Gunnedah. Later on he acquired Rangari Station, about twenty miles from Gunnible, and Toolebuc Station in the Winton district, Northern Queensland. He also at one time owned Kercargo Station, in the Walgett district, and Mundowey and Cuerindi Stations, in the Manilla district, but these he sold some years before his death. He leaves a widow and three sons (Messrs. Edwin Herbert, T. L., and P. S. Willsallen) and two daughters (Mrs. J. M. Antill and Miss Daisy Willsallen). All his sons are interested in pastoral pursuits. Mr. Willsallen always took a keen interest in the growth and welfare of Gunnedah and district, and was generally noted for his generous disposition and gifts to all charitable institutions. He was for many years (until ill-health compelled him to retire from all active pursuits, and live at his Sydney residence) president of the P.A. and H. Society, Gunnedah, and the Gunnedah Hospital, for which latter institution he built a fine brick women's ward, now known as the Willsallen ward. His remains were conveyed to Gunnedah, and interred in the family vault there, and the cortege at the funeral was a lengthy one and fully representative of the district. The deceased gentleman had been ailing for the last two years, and the end was not unexpected. His death is much regretted by a wide circle of friends.