TEMPLESTOWE.—On Thursday morning Mr. Thomas O'Brien, who for the last 35 years has acted as shire secretary and engineer to the Bulleen and Templestowe shires, died at his residence, Templestowe. His death was the result of an accident, which occurred last week whilst driving on the Studley-road, Ivanhoe, with his wife. He was thrown from his vehicle when rounding a sharp angle in the road, and fell heavily on to the metal. He was 70 years of age, and suffered from shock to the system.
1904 'INCOME TAX PROSECUTIONS.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 31 August, p. 8. , viewed 22 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10337596
It is with deep regret we record the death of Mr. Thomas O'Brien, Shire Secretary, which occurred at his residence, Templestowe, on Friday last, 26th ult., the result of an accident. On Wednesday afternoon of the previous week, Mr and Mrs O'Brien were driving homewards from Ivanhoe, and turning into Studley road too sharply both of them were thrown out. Mrs. O'Brien fortunately only received slight injuries, but Mr O'Brien fell heavily on his hip and side and besides received a complete shock to the system. At first Mr O'Brien seemed to make satisfactory progress towards recovery, but after a few days he began to sink rapidly and passed away on Friday morning.
The deceased gentleman was 70 years of age, and for half that period had filled the position of engineer and secretary to the Templestowe Shire with the utmost credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He was a man justly esteemed and respected.
His remains were interred in the Heidelberg Cemetery on Sunday afternoon last.
1904 'The Evelyn Observer.', Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), 2 September, p. 2. (MORNING.), viewed 22 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60628485
Death of Mr Thomas O'Brien: One of the largest funerals ever held in the district.
The death of Mr Thomas O'Brien, the veteran Shire Secretary and Engineer, of Templestowe, which was chronicled in our last issue (says the Heidelberg News of the 3rd inst.), was learned with heartfelt sorrow and regret by the whole of the residents in this district, and by many beyond, where the deceased gentleman was known and prized as a sterling man. The wide-spread esteem in which he was held was demonstrated by the large assemblage of persons from all parts—many from very long distances —who attended to follow his remains to their place of interment (the Heidelberg cemetery), and to pay a last tribute of respect.
On Sunday morning St. John's Catholic Church, Heidelberg, was crowded with a sympathetic congregation. The deceased gentleman's remains had been placed in the Church, and mass was said for the respose [sic] of the soul by the Rev Father O'Callaghan, who had known him as a loyal parishioner and faithful friend for the last quarter of a century. At three o'clock in the afternoon, part of the burial service was said in the Church and the coffin was then removed to the hearse by the President and councillors of the Templestowe shire. The cortege then moved away, the Church bell solemnly toiling until the procession had passed the sacred building. The hearse was preceded by a number of mourners on foot, and on either side of it were the Templestowe councillors. After the morning coaches there followed over 100 vehicles, the length of the procession being nearly three quarters of a mile. At the cemetery the coffin was carried to the grave by Crs Hunter, Hodgson, Speers, Andrew, and Stiggants, and Mr W. Hunter, who took the place of Cr Lang who was ill in bed. The pall bearers were Messrs. S. C. M'Callum, P. H. Fanning, H. J. Price, John Keany, P. Sheehan, J. Finn, S. W. Gibson, and Jas. M'Lean. The Rev Father O'Callaghan again officiated at the grave.
On Monday afternoon last the Templestowe council adjourned for one week out of respect to the memory of their deceased officer. The late Mr Thomas O'Brien was the eldest son of the late Mr Eugene O'Brien, of Killmallock, Limerick, Ireland. His uncle was a solicitor of Limerick, and our late friend, who was studying for the bar, spent some years under articles to his uncle, but his father, not caring for the legal profession, put his son to study civil engineering until the age of [20?] when he was apprenticed to an engineer for three years. On completing this term he sailed for Australia, and soon after his arrival here he commenced contracting at Kew. He was subsequently (37 years ago), appointed secretary to the Templestowe Road Board. He later became secretary, treasurer, and engineer to the shire of Bulleen. After a number of years the Doncaster portion was severed, and the Templestowe shire was created, for which he acted in the same capacity up to the time of his death.
1904 'DEATH OF MR. THOMAS O'BRIEN.', Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), 9 September, p. 2. (MORNING.), viewed 22 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60628544
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