Indigenous Australia

As briefly announced in our last issue, the death took place in the Hawkesbury District Hospital on September 27 of the last of the Hawkesbury aborigines, Mr. Andrew Barber, probably one of the best-known residents of the district, in which he had been a popular figure for almost a century.

The question of deceased's age had been a subject of general speculation for some years past (for deceased himself could throw little light on the subject), and the general belief has been that he had passed the century mark. However, careful inquiry from people who knew him most intimately, having grown up with him, as it were, discloses that his age was approximately 93 or 94 years — a fact which will cause a good deal of surprise.

Born at Sackville Reach, deceased was the son of the late John Barber (who, incidentally, married three times, and was the father of some 28 children at the time of his death, deceased being the eldest). The late Andrew Barber (or 'Andy') as he was generally known), married as a young man, his wife predeceasing him some 50 years ago. Of two children, the daughter died while only a young woman, and the son passed away some four or five years ago.

A man who always took a pride in his appearance, who was noted for his temperate habits and his industry, and was invariably most courteous and obliging, the late Mr. Barber enjoyed a wide popularity in the section of the district in which he spent the whole of his long life. Although he was entitled to police rations — the last in the district to possess this right — he disliked availing himself of this privilege, preferring to earn his living by farm work. At this incidentally, few could excel him, for, as one farmer acquaintance put it, deceased could turn his hand to anything, and did as much work as a man and a half. Ploughing, fencing, horsebreaking or any other farm duty he performed with equal facility, and his services were in constant demand throughout his working life by farmers in his district. He probably had not one enemy in his life, and his passing is generally regretted.

The funeral took place on September 29, when the remains were interred in the Church of England cemetery, Windsor, the Rev. C. L Williams officiating.

The mortuary arrangements were conducted by Mr. Chandler, of Windsor.