Robert Funnell

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]

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]

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]