Cudgegong Valley History Project

Obituary

William Leslie Greenhalgh

One of Coolah’s best known and respected citizens, William Leslie Greenhalgh, of “Oban,” Coolah, passed away in the Coolah District Hospital on Wednesday, January 17. He was aged 79 years and 9 months. He was born at Reedy Creek near Gulgong, being a son of Robert and Emma Greenhalgh and was one of nine children. He went to live in Binnaway in 1909 where he drew a block of land and, in 1910, married Florence Rolt, of Mollyan in Christ Church, Coonabarabran. He lived in Binnaway until 1941, when he moved to Coolah to take over the business carried on by his sons, Ken and Will who had enlisted in the R.A.A.F. and his son Reg who had enlisted in the A.I.F. At the end of World War II the property known as “Ben Craigie” and the butchering business were sold and the stock and station agency and property known as “Oban” was purchased from Mr. Viv Attwood. Mr. Greenhalgh has lived at “Oban” for 11 years, the stock and station business being carried on by his sons William jnr. and Kenneth. Mr. Greenhalgh was a public spirited man whilst a resident of Binnaway district. He took part in all public affairs being a councillor in Coonabarabran Shire for some years and, on retiring, was presented by the councillors and clerical staff with an inscribed gold watch. Whilst in Binnaway he regularly attended the Farmers and Settlers’ Conference in Sydney and had been a keen supporter of the Country Party since its formation. He also represented Coonabarabran, with other members of the Parish, at the annual gathering of Synod at Bathurst during the term of Bishops Long and Crotty and of the Coolah Church of England Parish during Bishop Wylde’s term. Until his illness seven years ago, he took part in public affairs, being a member of the Coolah Shire Council for a few years. He is survived by his widow and three daughters Beryl (Mrs. Roots), Lesley (Mrs. Randell), Lorne (Mrs. O’Leary) and three sons, William, Reginald and Kenneth. All the family except Mrs. O’Leary, of Barraba, live in Coolah. He also leaves four brothers, Arthur (Binnaway), Roy (Baradine), Harold (Coonabarabran) and Keith (Melbourne) and one sister, Mrs. Hilda Kennedy (Melbourne). After a Requiem at St. Andrew’s Church of England at eleven o’clock and a funeral service at four o’clock, the funeral moved to the Coolah Cemetery.