George Down

[2] George was also a very keen musician; he was choir master of the Fortitude Valley Methodist Church and "in the 80's was the pillar and mainstay of the Bowen Hills Musical Society"[4] He conducted the Choral Union in the first Queensland inter-city Eisteddfod, which was held in Brisbane in 1888, and was treasurer of the 1913 Brisbane Eisteddfod.

James Matthews to Rebecca, the younger daughter of the late Mr. John Walter Howe, of Brisbane, on May 8, 1872, and the couple celebrated their diamond wedding in 1932.

Of late years Mr. Down was seen only occasionally in the city, but he always made a special effort to attend big cricket matches.

A member of the Booroodabin Divisional Board from the beginning, in 1880, Mr. Down was chairman of that body in 1903, when it was absorbed into the Brisbane City Council.

He enjoyed cricket not only as a spectator but as a player for he was a member of the old Bowen Hills club, and captain of the famous Albert team.

He rendered valuable service as a member of the executive of the Queensland Cricket Association and on his retirement was appointed senior vice-president The decision of the Brisbane Rugby League to return to the Brisbane Cricket Ground for its big matches was a source of gratification to him in his old age, and he told one of his sons that he was glad that he had lived to see that day.

Mrs. Down is life president of the Women's Help Society of the Valley Methodist Church, and in all her husband's interests she gave inspiring help.

Mrs. C. E. Daniels, the eldest daughter, made the cakes for the silver, golden and diamond jubilees of her parents' wedding.

Mrs. Down and 10 of the 12 children of the union survive, namely, Mesdames C. E. Daniels, G. W. Shapley (Port Lincoln, South Australia), F. W. Ash, and R. C. Werry, Miss Ethel Down, and Messrs. W. G., A. E.. W. J., H. E.. and V. R. H. Down.