Biography

Known as Paddy. The finder of "Lawler's Field" and a well known prospector of the town that bears his name, having discovered gold there seventeen or eighteen years before. It was a few years later that he received the Government Reward of £200 for making the discovery. Deceased had been ailing for some time and, as he was sixty years of age nd in destitute circumstances, he was induced to make application for an invalid's pension. His papers were on the way when death claimed him. Paddy had been in and out of hospital. Such a visit was reported in March 1913. As far back as September 1912, it was reported that his health had not been of the best and he had been recommended to consult Dr. Sheehy, of Sandstone. On 17 May 1915, Father O'Neill visited Youanmi, lecturing in the evening and celebrating Holy Mass the following morning. Having heard that no priest attended the funeral of Paddy Lawler, who died during the Rev. Father's absence in the Nor'-Westv, he drove to the cemetery in Mr Dan Toomey's new Ford, accompanied by several prominent members of the congregation, and blessed the grave. The genial old prospector, whose name is perpetuated in the Lawlers township, was a practical Catholic, highly respected by all who knew him.