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 byMick Kirwan
Succeeded byJohnno Mann
Personal details
Born
Robert Funnell

1895
Tweed River, New South Wales, Australia
Died3 January 1936 (aged 40 or 41)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Resting placeToowong Cemetery
Political partyLabor
SpouseAileen Vera Donovan (m.1929 d.1950)
OccupationStation hand, Shearer, Business owner

Robert Funnell[1] (1895 – 3 January 1936) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[2]

Early years

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 Eexecutive. He later relinquished that position to open fruit businesses in Brisbane.[3]

Political career

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

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

  1. ↑ "Death of Bob Funnell M.L.A." The Worker. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 7 January 1936. p. 9. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "DEATH OF M.L.A. FOR BRISBANE". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 4 January 1936. p. 19. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "DETAILS OF COLLING". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 13 June 1932. p. 14. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ Family history research — Queensland Government births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  7. ↑ "Family Notices". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 4 January 1936. p. 1. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  8. ↑ Funnell Robert — Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
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