Robert Walter CONNOLLY

Born 1878 in Greenough, Western Australia ^[15]
Son of Joseph CONNOLLY and Emma BELL ^[15]
Married Harriet GOULD in Geraldton in 1903 ^[15]
Farmer in Walkaway from as early as 1895 until 1922 ^[6]
Purchased Mrs Elizabeth M. SMITH's 1,901 acre Cintra Farm in Dudawa, East Arrino (Lot M805 of Victoria Location 1932) ^[44]
Left Walkaway and shifted to Arrino as he believed it was a better place for marrying off his daughters ^[P121]
Farmer of Cintra Farm in Dudawa, East Arrino 1922-1930 ^{[4] [6] [19] [P121]}
His wife passed away in Perth on 18 May 1926, and at the request of her sisters was buried in Geraldton ^{[29] [P121]}
Attended the Three Springs Agricultural Society's First Annual Show and Show Ball on Thursday 20 September 1928 ^[4]
     Won 1st for the Handicap Trot, 1st for the five foot High Jump and 2nd for Best Turnout in the Ring Events at the Show ^[4]
     Also exhibited in the Swine sections, winning 1st prizes for Berkshire Boar, Berkshire Sow and Three Porkers ^{[4: 29-Sep-1928]}
Following the Arrino Race Club's race meeting attended the evening Ball in the Arrino Hall on Thursday 4 April 1929 ^{[4: 13-Apr-1929]}
Attended the meeting held in Arrino on Saturday 13 April 1929 to discuss the affairs and finances of the Arrino Hall ^{[4: 20-Apr-1929]}
Attended the Three Springs Football Club's Welcome Home Social for two newly wedded couples on 1 November 1929 ^{[4: 9-Nov-1929]}
In about 1929 sold Cintra Farm to Albert F. BOWTELL and moved into the Arrino townsite where he ran an oil agency ^{[P2] [P121]}
Member of the Arrino Hall Committee in 1930 ^{[4: 10-May-1930]}
With Eric H. R. LINTHORNE and William D. S. SMITH he left for a fishing expedition at the coast on 23 January 1932 ^{[4: 30-Jan-1932]}
Received treatment at the Hospital in Three Springs in October 1933 after his hand was severely crushed ^{[5: 10-Nov-1933]}
Travelled to Perth by train in September 1934 to receive treatment for ulcerated eyelids ^{[5: 14-Sep-1934] [4: 22-Sep-1934]}
Returned to Arrino in early December 1934 after spending almost three months in Perth for medical attention to his eyes ^{[5: 7-Dec-1934]}
Won a torch for winning in bridge at the Euchre & Bridge Evening held at the Arrino Hall on Tuesday 28 May 1935 ^{[5: 31-May-1935]}
Attended the luncheon tendered to Primate of Australia Rev. Henry F. LE FANU in Three Springs on Monday 1 July 1935 ^{[5: 5-Jul-1935]}
In October 1935 signed a petition in support of the Three Springs Road Board constructing new tennis courts in Arrino ^{[5: 1-Nov-1935]}
Described "as a real gentleman" who would accompany his daughters and dance with them at local dances ^[P2]
Resided in Arrino until suddenly taking ill and dying from appendicitis ^[P2] at the hospital in Three Springs ^{[4: 30-Jul-1938]}
Father of Cyril, Elvera, Alma, Alice, Ruby and Olive ^[P2]
Died 21 July 1938; buried at the Three Springs General Cemetery in Three Springs (Anglican, Plot 33) ^{[24] [120:11-Aug-1938]}


From The Irwin Index newspaper, Saturday 30 July 1938:
Obituary - Late Mr Robert Walter Connolly - A Popular Arrino Resident
"Quite a gloom was cast over the Arrino and Three Springs district on Sunday last, when it was learned that Mr Robert Walter Connolly had passed away at the North Midlands District Hospital at Three Springs. The deceased gentleman, who was an extremely popular figure, had been a resident of Arrino for about sixteen years, and during that period he made an extremely large circle of friends. The late Mr Connolly was originally farming at Dudawa, but following the death of his wife some years ago he transferred with his family of five daughters and one son to Arrino and established a petrol depot in the township. In common with other members of the family, he always displayed a prominent part in the social and sporting life of the community. He was of a genial disposition, always ready to lend a helping hand in social or public affairs, and more particularly if children were concerned. He was a life member of the Arrino Football Club, and a vestryman of the Anglican church, and his genial and helpful personality will be greatly missed on all sides. The funeral took place at Three Springs on Monday last, the remains being first removed from the North Midlands Hospital to St. James Church for a brief choral service, and the large gathering representing all parts of the district testified in no uncertain manner to the popularity of the deceased gentleman. Following the service at the church the cortege wended its way to the cemetery, where another service was conducted by the Rev. A. J. Toomey. The pall-bearers were Messrs V. Ferguson, C. E. Maley, E. Fawcett, N. Stokes, H. J. Stacey, J. K. Allen, J. H. Bradshaw and L. Hellewell, and the funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr H. E. Thomas of Three Springs. A large number of beautiful floral tributes were laid upon the grave, amongst them being those from the Cousins Family, Daughters, Son (Cyril) and Sons-in law, Marie and Brian (grandchildren), Claude and Florrie [Maley] and family, "Bellaranga," Arrino Football Club, R. Fogarty and family, Mr and Mrs A. Saggers, Mr and Mrs A. Bowtell and family, Mr and Mrs W. G. Jordan, Mr and Mrs E. W. Franklin, The Hoar Family, Mr and Mrs Colin Smith, "Little Friends" in Arrino District, Mr Allan Money, Mr and Mrs J. H. Bradshaw, Mrs [Sara] and Ethel Maley, Mr and Mrs E. J. Pearse, Girls of Three Springs Hotel, Mr and Mrs E. Kennedy, Mr and Mrs V. Tippett, Mr Jack Sheedy, Mr and Mrs H. Sweetman, Mrs E. and C. Dodd, Mr Philip McCagh, Three Springs Road Board, Arrino Tennis Club, Mr and Mrs Alf Hunter and family, Mr Vern Ferguson, Mr and Mrs E. Hunt and family, Mr and Mrs T. K. Allan, Dr and Mrs Mayrhofer, Mr and Mrs J. Turner, Mrs McCagh and John, Mr and Mrs C. F. Thomas jun and family, Mr and Mrs C. F. Thomas sen and family, Mrs E. Turner and family and Miss Carroll, Mr and Mrs H. J. Stacey, Mrs McNeill and family, Mr and Mrs L. Hellewell and Bob and Dorothy, Mr and Mrs S. G. Stokes and family, Mr and Mrs Pearse and family, Mr and Mrs W. Mutter and family, Mr W. B. and E. Sweetman and Mrs Angel. As a mark of respect to the deceased gentleman and his family, members of the Arrino Football Club did not journey to Coorow on Sunday last to fulfil a fixture scheduled to be played against the home club at that centre."


From The Irwin Index newspaper, Saturday 20 August 1938:
Bereavement
"The Sons and Daughters of the late Robert Walter Connolly desire to thank all kind friends and relations for letters, telegrams, cards, floral tributes and expressions of sympathy received in the recent loss of their dear father. Will all please accept this as a person expression of gratitude."

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