Person:Andrew McWatters (1)

Obituary for Andrew McWatters:

A popular and highly esteemed gentleman was lost to the community yesterday afternoon when Mr Andrew McWatters died at Pialba while sojourning there in an endeavour to recuperate after a protracted illness. Mr McWatters was one of the few now surviving people who were born at Dundathu when that centre was flourishing in the sixties. He was aged 70 years. Mr McWatters first entered into active life of the community when he joined the staff of the "Maryborough Chronicle". He served his apprenticeship with his brothers, Messrs William and Hugh McWatters, and then transfered to the literary staff of this journal. Thirty years ago he severed his connection with the paper, and took over the duties of secretary of the School of Arts and the Maryborough Technical College, and two years later became secretary of the Maryborough Chamber of Commerce. He retained the secretaryship of the School of Arts and the Chamber of Commerce until his resignation from those bodies a few weeks ago. He relinquished his appointment with the Technical College about 12 months ago when the Government re-organised the education system in Maryborough and embodied the college in the intermediate school. For services rendered the Trinity College of Music, for which he was the local representative for a large span of years, he was made an honorary L.T.C.L., and he also held the honorary degree of A.C.I.S. For many years Mr McWatters was a member of the Doon Villa Bowling Club, and for a period was president of the club. He was also a member of the Golf Club in the days before the present links were acquired. Of recent years, however, he had relinquished sporting activities. He was a member of the Protestant Alliance Lodge, and earlier in his lifetime was interested in Masonic work. His wife (nee Miss K H Whittaker) predeceased him by four and a half years. He is survived by two sons - Messrs Lance (Sydney) and Eric McWatters (Brisbane) - two daughters, Mrs C A Poole (Rockhampton), and Miss Nell McWatters (Maryborough). There are three grandsons. In addition, two brothers survive - Messrs William (Maryborough), and Hugh McWatters (Sydney). One brother, Mr Alexander McWatters (Ipswich), predeceased him by seven years.

Source: probably Maryborough Chronicle

1. ↑ Births in the District of Wide Bay in the Colony of Queensland, Australia, 1869, (son Hugh McWatters).
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Research of Peter Worley, received 8 Jan, 2005.