George Gladstone McDonald (abt. 1886 - 1954)

Born about 1886 in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia

Husband of Eliza Jane (Sippel) McDonald — married about 1912 in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia

Died 26 Jun 1954 at about age 68 in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

• An Obituary in Northern Daily Leader (Tamworth) reads:
• Prominent Tamworth Man's Death.
• The death occurred at his residence, 2 Carthage Street, Tamworth on Saturday afternoon of Mr. George Gladstone McDonald, aged 68m a widely known resident of the city and a former Grandmaster of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. He had been discharged late Saturday morning from Tamworth Hospital where he had successfully undergone an operation a couple of weeks before but a thrombosis caused his death less than three hours after his arrival home.
• Deceased was a native of Tamworth, being the eighth son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Donald John McDonald. He was educated at Tamworth Practice School and on leaving entered the bootmaking and boot repairing trade an activity which he carried on throughout his life until his retirement last year. For many years he was engaged in a partnership with Mr. J. H. Holmes, but in later years carried on business on his own account.
• The late Mr. McDonald was prominently associated for many years of his live with friendly society, church, sporting and public activities. From the time he was a young man he had been of member of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, and in the Tamworth District had filled most of the offices. He did not spare himself in his attention to lodge work and for 33 years was Tamworth district Secretary. The Order recognised his 35th year of work in that office eight years ago by presenting him with a grandfather clock. He carried on the secretaryship for another eight years relinquishing the post in 1953. One of the highest tributes for his grasp of lodge affairs and recognition of his ability was his election to the position of N.S.W. Grandmaster for the 1938-39 term. He carried on his duties conscientiously and thoroughly, the work taking him in that year to many parts of the State. He was presented with a framed certificate at the end of his term as a mark of esteem for the services rendered to the Order as a Grandmaster. Furthermore he had been a member of the MUIOOF Board of Directors for 30 years.
• Other organisations with which he had been closely associated included Tamworth District Ambulance. He was a foundation member of the committee. In those days ambulance equipment was much more primitive than it is now, but it was the interest of men such as Mr. McDonald who gave the now great service its start. He was a member of Tamworth Hospital Board for a short term. For some years he was secretary of Tamworth High School Parents and Citizens' Association and was associated with the old Tamworth Practice School reunion organisation. At the time of his death he was an alderman of Tamworth City Council having won his seat at a by-election held on the death of Ald. Edward Cooper on October 13, 1951. At the time of his death he was vice-chairman of the saleyards and commons committees.
• An office in which his services will be greatly missed by the public was that of Justice of the Peace. In the many years that he had held this commission he had helped thousands by his advice and attention to documentary requirements demanded by the law. There were many calls on his time for this work and it was a task he discharged always with the greatest courtesy.
• As a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, he interested himself in the church's work and was a member of the Board of Management.
• The sporting activities in which Mr. McDonald had taken most interest were football and rifle shooting. He had won medals for proficiency in both. When he ceased playing football he turned his attention to the administrative side, being an executive member of the old North Tamworth Club. He was a referee for some years, being the first to referee a Rugby League game at Tamworth, and assisted many others with this activity by supervising their instruction and examination. He was a member of the East Tamworth Bowling Club for many years and was one of the prime movers in the establishment of he North Tamworth Club, of which he was the first president, occcupying the position at the time of his death.
• The late Mr. McDonald's wife was formerly Miss Eliza Sippel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sippel. She predeceased him in 1948. He is survived by two daughters, Ella (Tamworth) and Mrs. B. Shaw (Cronulla) and one son, Mr. Jeffrey McDonald (Tamworth). A sister Mrs. G. Piper (Dulwich Hill), only surviving member of a family of 10.
• Cremation will take place at Beresfield at 12:15pm today (Monday).
• A funeral service was held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Tamworth at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
• In his address at the service, the Rev. A. L. Hewitt said Mr. McDonald won the confidence of Tamworth people with is stirling integrity, conscientious workmanship, thoughtfulness and generosity.
• Mr. Hewitt told the congregation that people dependent on Mr. McDonald for assistance were never tuned away without a kind work.
• He has entered rest most triumphantly because he was a man we all loved and respected. We thank God for the memory of this loving father and husband. He was everybody's friend. M. Hewitt said:
• This worthy citizen was born in Tamworth just 68 years ago, and devoted a life of service to the community.
• In 1933 he received one of the highest lodge orders when he was made

a Grand Master of Oddfellows. He was also a past Master of Lodge Peel and a foundation member of Lodge Calala.

• He achieved these honours by great perseverance and hard work.
• Mr. McDonald, throughout his life, used the gifts which God had given him to assist others, Mr. Hewitt said.
• It was unfortunate that in recent weeks, Mr. McDonald was forced, due to ill health, to abandon many of his activities.
• In the Municipal Council, of which he was a member, and in the many other organisations he showed great fidelity and conscientiousness.
• In his tribute yesterday to the Rev. Flynn, Mr. Menzies said Flynn practised as he preached and preached as he practised.
• Could it not be said then that Gladstone McDonald too preached as he practised.
• Mr. McDonald was always greatly interested in the church and attended At. Andrew's Sunday by Sunday.
• He passed through the Sunday School and was present at the opening of this church in 1909, Mr. Hewitt said.
• He realised how necessary it was, for his own soul, to worship each Sunday.
• Gladstone, indeed, was a man of strong Christianity.
• He often asked us to play his favorite hymn, Number 581, which we are going to sing in a few minutes.
• Mr. Hewitt said some of Mr. McDonald's last words were "Thank God I am home to see the hills.
• Now God has called him to eternal rest among the hills, Mr. Hewitt said.
• Mr. Hewitt expressed sympathy for Mr. McDonald's relatives."

• George has a Memorial at Tamworth General and Lawn Cemetery (Ang. W3).

Sources

• NSW BDM Birth Registration 34027/1886 (Reg. Tamworth)
• NSW BDM Marriage Registration 11401/1912 (Reg. Tamworth)
• NSW BDM Death Registration 15165/1954 (Reg. Tamworth)
• Findagrave.com (Memorial #48588083)
• Obituary - Northern Daily Leader.