Rix (Cr) Penton
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1886 |
| Place of birth | Bayswater |
| Principal occupation | Baker |
| Date of death | 5 Jan 1936 |
| Place of death | Willaston, South Australia. |
Penton Rix was Councillor for Willaston Ward in 1935 - 1936.
CR. PENTON RIX.
The death of Cr. Penton Rix, at his home at Willaston, early on Sunday morning, was totally unexpected by his friends and caused a great shock. Virtually a young man — he was 49 years of age — in recent years he gave his services in the interests and welfare of the town, and his energy together with his acumen made him a valuable asset to Gawler. It is strange, however, that the deceased always had a premonition that he was not long for this world, and his friends have since recalled the forebodings which he made known to them. An injury sustained in the bakehouse led to a complication of trouble, and although specialist aid was secured Death's claim could not be disputed.
Mr Rix was born in the Port Adelaide district, his father had a bakery there, and therein he learnt his trade. Later, he associated himself with his brother in a bakery at Prospect, and then he came to Gawler taking over the established premises of Levick, where he remained for several years. Realising that business must prosper, Mr Rix secured property at Willaston, and he established the first machine-made bread factory in the district. The innovation fulfilling his belief, the profits accruing were expended in plant and property until the factory became as up to date and efficient as any city organisation.
Attending strictly to his business, he maintained his interests until his family had grown in years and taking his son into partnership, he released himself to some extent and accepted the invitation as a candidate for Council honors in Greater Gawler. Opposed by two well-known residents, he topped the poll and became a representative for Willaston ward. New to Council work Mr Rix refrained from really active participation until he was sure of his ground, and then he accepted positions on various committees and showed that his ambitions were beyond Ward factions — he was an ardent advocate of Gawler.
Mr Rix proved a valued member of the Finance Committee, his careful husbanding of finance and resourcefulness in aiding ratepayers to overcome their difficulties made it that with his confreres the Council, at last, was lifted out of its slough of despond and a credit balance was established for the first time since the amalgamation of the areas. As the people's representative he did not spare him nor proffer excuses, he accepted whatever duties were put upon him, and did especially good work in tree planting, Xmas Cheer, etc. He was instrumental in bringing the City Gardener to Gawler to confer with the Council relative to tree planting and existing trees, and the pollarding of great growth in the Willaston cemetery was undertaken as his commission. So useful was he proving as a townsman that his sphere of activities was extending, and it is a sorry loss to Gawler that he had to go— a life far from completed, judged from the human aspect. His remains were interred in the Willaston Cemetery on Monday when the coffin was borne to the grave amid a profusion of floral tributes. The bearers were Councillors drawn as representative of the six wards of the municipality and were—Crs. Ey, Pannan, Filsell, Dwyer, Noack, and Antwis; and an especially handsome floral tribute was sent from the Council over the signature of the Mayor (Mr Wm. Rice). The burial service was read by Rev. J. Leslie Asser (Baptist).
There is left the widow and four children— two sons and two daughters. 1
(Research by Allen Tiller).
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