Henry William Poad

The following is an excerpt from his obituary which was published in the Ararat Advertiser on 7 May 1919  "came to Ararat in 1856 and continuously resided in the place from that time.  Mr Poad followed his trade as Blacksmith ... his forge was on the Canton Lead, just at the rear of Mrs. Bloy's residence.  He was,  however engaged in mining operations and 'furnished' claims by supplying a working mate.  On 9 August 1882 Mr.Poad was appointed as blacksmith for the Ararat Asylum for the insane and retired from the service 31 August 1891, he has since lived in Barkly Street East.  He was a man of powerful physique and a robust constitution and he bore the burden of many years with unflagging spirit until quite recently.

Rev H.E. Noltenius of Holy Trinity Church of England conducted the service at the grave. The coffin bearers were Messrs D.B.Morris, M.Delaney, H.White and T Patterson. MrJj. Dunn carried out the funeral arrangements. In connection with Mr.Poads death the fact may be recalled that the gold fever never quite left him, for he retained an active interest in mining operation in the district all through his life. He was a director the the old Canton Reef Company" the rest of the obituary is very lengthy and tells of the amount of gold taken by Henry from this reef and his belief that much more gold was there to be taken.