Obituary


Following a lengthy illness, the death occurred at St. John of God Hospital this morning of Mr. Roger (Rody) Horan, a well-known Goulburn figure. The late Mr. Horan was 77 years of age and had been a resident of this city practically the whole of his life.

He became ill eight months ago and had been an inmate of St. John of God Hospital ever since. Born in Tipperary County, Ireland, he came to Australia at the age of two years with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs Thomas Horan. As a young man he learnt the bootmaking trade, being apprenticed to a Goulburn bootmaking firm, and for several years followed this occupation.

He was a member of G. Company of the old Goulburn Volunteers, which was one of the first military units formed in Goulburn, and was a recipient of the Long Service Medal. He enlisted for the Soudan War, but received his discharge before leaving Australia.

While encamped at Liverpool during military manoeuvres, he was knocked down by a horse. His spine was injured and he became paralysed, and after a month’s treatment in St. Vincent’s Hospital he was sent back to Goulburn as incurable. After five years confinement in bed he made what was regarded as a remarkable recovery, but was unable to do laborious work and devoted the rest of his life to collecting for charitable institutions.

It is stated that during his life he collected thousands of pounds for the orphanages and other institutions. He lived for many years in Victoria Street, later, acquiring a property in Clifford Street, where he took up residence.

A life-long friend paying a tribute to the late Mr. Horan to-day described him as a most industrious, honest and sober man, whose life was a pattern to all those around him. He was a member of the Hibernian, Holy Name and St. Vincent de Paul Societies.

He is survived by a widow, six daughters and one son—Mesdames Pierce (Sydney), Krausharr (Sydney), O. Martin (Sydney), Fay (Newcastle), McCallum (Sydney) and Miss M. Horan (Goulburn) and Mr. Percy Horan (Goulburn).     Link 

(Thomas Horan was a wood carter of Lithgow St, Goulburn.)