Robert Alfred McEachern
Robert Alfred McEachern
Date of Birth 5 August 1867
Place of Residence Launceston Tasmania Australia
Spouses Name Ethel Randall Salier
Childrens Names Marie Ursule, Gwen Salier, Harry, Nancy & Brenda Salier

Robert Alfred (Alf) McEachern was born on 5 Aug 1867, the second of six children of Robert William McEachern (1837-1885), of Irvine & McEachern, wine and spirit merchants, and Clara Diana Mackay who married on 28 Apr 1863. All the children were born in Launceston, and Robert was educated at the Church of England Grammar School.

He married Ethel Randall Salier on 6 Feb 1893 at 'Melbourne Lodge', Hobart. They had five children: Marie Ursule, born 10 Sep 1895; Gwen Salier, 9 Apr 1897, died in 1991; Harry, 1 Jul 1899, married Winifred Ryan of Melbourne in Oct 1944; Nancy, 30 May 1901; and Brenda Salier, 18 Feb 1903.

Robert was an accountant at the Commercial Bank of Tasmania (later acquired by ES&A) from the time he left school until his retirement in 1927. His obituary notes that he was an outstanding amateur actor and also possessed a good baritone voice. He was a member of 'The Muffs', playing major roles in their productions. He was a foundation member of the Launceston Operatic Society and served as secretary of the Queen Victoria Hospital and Child Welfare Association. He died on 7 Aug 1937 aged 70 at his son-in-law's residence, Sisters Creek, and was buried at the New Public Cemetery, Wynyard.

Robert's aunt Ursula Collins and six cousins are also pictured in the Launceston Family Album.

Marion Sargent & Prue McCausland Mar 2008