Robert Funnell
Robert Funnell | |
|---|---|
 Queensland Parliamentary Labor Party, 1935. Funnell is eighth from the left, second back row. | |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Brisbane | |
| In office 11 June 1932 – 3 January 1936 | |
| Preceded by | Mick Kirwan |
| Succeeded by | Johnno Mann |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Funnell 1895 Tweed River, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 3 January 1936 (aged 40 or 41) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Resting place | Toowong Cemetery |
| Political party | Labor |
| Spouse | Aileen Vera Donovan (m.1929 d.1950) |
| Occupation | Station hand, Shearer, Business owner |
Robert Funnell[1] (1895 – 3 January 1936) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[2]
Early years
[edit]Funnell was born in the Tweed River area of New South Wales, to parents John Funnell, farmer, and his wife Mary Ann (née Petrie)[2] and came to Queensland at an early age.[3] They first settled in Woombye before moving to Brisbane where he received his state primary education.[2]
After leaving school, Funnell worked as a station hand, shearer, and sugar worker before becoming an organiser with the Australian Workers' Union.[2] In this role, he represented the union at state meetings and conventions and was also a delegate to the Queensland Central Executive. He later relinquished that position to open fruit businesses in Brisbane.[3]
Political career
[edit]After losing a party plebiscite for the seat of Ithaca, Funnell was chosen to be the Labor Party candidate for the seat of Brisbane at the 1932 state election, defeating the long-standing member, Mick Kirwan.
Funnell retained the seat for Labor[4] as the party won back government after three years in opposition.[5] He held the seat until his death in 1936, and during his term he had been a member of the Public Works Committee.[2]
Personal life
[edit]Funnell married Aileen Vera Donovan (died 1955)[6] on 25 May 1929 and together had two sons.[2] He was a talented sportsman and represented the state in rugby union.[2]
Whilst holidaying at Burleigh Heads in January 1936, Funnell returned to Brisbane to undergo an operation for appendicitis at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital.[3] He collapsed in the theatre, and died before the operation could commence.[3] His funeral was held at St Stephen's Cathedral and proceeded to the Toowong Cemetery.[7][8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Death of Bob Funnell M.L.A." The Worker. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 7 January 1936. p. 9. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d "DEATH OF M.L.A. FOR BRISBANE". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 4 January 1936. p. 19. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "DETAILS OF COLLING". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 13 June 1932. p. 14. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "One of the Closest Contests in the History of Queensland". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 13 June 1932. p. 11. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ Family history research — Queensland Government births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Family Notices". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 4 January 1936. p. 1. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ Funnell Robert — Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search. Retrieved 24 April 2015.