NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

GEORGE FLEWIN (1871 - 1937) Australia This story reproduced in full is from The Advocate Newspaper, Friday July 9, 1937. OBITUARY As briefly mentioned in our last issue, the death of Mr. George Flewin of Moe, occurred (suddenly) at Bacchus Marsh on Tuesday evening, 29th June. He was in his 66th year. The late Mr. Flewin was born at Ballarat, and was one of a family of nine, by seven of whom he is survived -- Mesdames Huguenin, Berg, Robinson and Miss S. Flewin (all of Morwell), Messrs R. Flewin (Melbourne), T. and J. Flewin (Bayles). Most of the deceased's boyhood was spent with an aunt (Mrs. Packham) at Miner's Rest, near Ballarat, where he attended school. During that time, his parents left to reside in Morwell, and his father selected land on the Hazelwood Flats more than half a century ago. Later, Mr. Flewin joined his family at Morwell, and worked in his father's brick-yard. In 1898, father and son opened a brick-yard in Traralgon, and here the latter remained for two years, the business being disposed of in 1908. Thirty-five years ago Mr. Flewin was married in St. James' Church of England, Traralgon, to Miss Mary Liddle Williams, a daughter of Mrs. and the late Mr. T.A. Williams, the latter of whom had a blacksmith's business in Traralgon. (Wedding Day picture, right, May 21 1902.) After residing in Warburton and Bacchus Marsh, where he continued the occupation of a brickmaker, Mr. Flewin and his family returned to Traralgon in 1911. Three years later, he went to Rosedale, and, in 1919 to Yarragon. At this time the Electricity Commission's Works at Yallourn were in their infancy and in November 1920, Mr. Flewin started the Yallourn brick-yards. At the end of the year, the family came to live in Moe, and have remained here for 17 years. Mr. Flewin was very proud of the fact that he had made at Yallourn the first hand-made brick, which has his name moulded on it, and we understand, is kept as a memento at Yallourn; also, that his father made the first brick at Morwell, and his gandfather the first at Ballarat, many years ago. Thus he had kept up the family tradition. About two years later, he gave up brickmaking and commenced bricklaying. In 1926, he commenced employment at the briquette factory, Yallourn, where he stayed a few years. Throughout his life, the late Mr. Flewin enjoyed good health. Abour two years ago, his heart troubled him and he consulted Dr. Drew, who found he had an enlarged heart, but, with reasonable care, had nothing to worry about. Some months ago, Mr. Flewin attended the "Back to Bacchus Marsh," and, after coming home to Moe for a short period, returned to Bacchus Marsh, where he stayed with his cousins (Mr and Mrs C. Watson) for four months. During this time, he was engaged in improving their home and in making a concrete channel on their farm. On the evening prior to his death, he had been playing cards with his relatives, and at about 10pm retired to his room. When he put his knee on the bed to get in, Mr. Flewin had one of his heart turns and fell to the floor. Hearing the noise, his relatives went in, and, soon after, he appeared to make the usual recovery. At 3am he had another turn and a doctor was summoned. He did no seem so well after this turn, and at about mid-day on Tuesday, when the doctor returned, Mr. Flewin was taken to the Bacchus Marsh Private Hospital. In the meantime his family at Moe had been advised of his condition, and his wife and only son left by car for Melbourne and connected with a train to Bacchus Marsh, but, at 5pm, when quietly talking to his nurse Mr. Flewin suddenly passed away. Such a peaceful ending was typical of the life deceased had lived. He quietly went about his daily duties, and, apart from his Church and Lodge, had no public interests. He was a faithful member of the Anglican Church and was a regular attendant and communicant. Ever since he came to Moe, he had been a member of the Board of Guardians, and, later, of the Vestry. The deceased gentleman was a well-known figure in the circles of the Oddfellows' Lodge. He joined the Maryvale Lodge at Morwell no less that 47 years ago, and the Nurracan Lodge, at Moe, ten years ago, and was an active worker in the Order right from the start. He went through the chairs of the Traralgon, Rosedale and Narracan Lodges, and was District Grand Master of the Sale District in 1916. He attended the Warrnambol (?) conference and also the district meetings. His remains were conveyed by motor-hearse to his home in Moe on Wednesday, and, on Thursday, were taken to the Holy Trinity Church, where a service was held. The large attendance at the service was a fine tribute to one who was respected by all who knew him. As at the church, Rev. G.S. Gray conducted the service at the graveside, and Bro. H. Jones, P.G., read the Oddfellows' service, which followed. The coffin-bearers were Bros S.J. Stanbridge, PDGM (of Narracan Lodge), A. Huguenin, DGM, a nephew of the deceased (of Morwell), A. Remington, DDGM (of Traralgon) and W. Barber, PG (of Narracan Lodge). The chief-mourners at the graveside were the deceased's only son (Gordon), of Moe, all his sisters and brothers, two nephews (Messrs Huguenin, Morwell, and S. Flewin, of Bayles), a cousin (Mrs Watson, of Bacchus Marsh), and an uncle and aunt (Mr and Mrs I. Henschel, of Morwell). Numerous wreaths and floral tributes were received from the various Oddfellows' Lodges, Vestrymen of the Church, clubs in which Mrs. Flewin takes an active interest, the Girl Guides, of which Miss M. Flewin is captain, and the Railways where Mr. G. Flewin is employed. We extend the sincerest sympathy to the bereaved widow and family -- Dulcie (Mrs Haberman, of Korumburra), Gordon and Margaret (Moe), Grace (Mrs. L. Hopkins, Brown Coal Mine), Olive and Joyce (Moe) -- in their sudden bereavement. Mr F. Halden conducted the mortuary arrangements at Moe.

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