Notes from Elizabeth Wilson, received 6 Sep 2007:
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On arrival in Brisbane on 17th August 1854, Matthew Nunan was 34 years of age, married, Roman Catholic, a labourer, could read and write and had free passage. He travelled with his family - wife Alice aged 34, children, Thomas aged 13, Francis aged 11, Ellen aged 8 and Catherine aged 3 - on the Monsoon.
His death certificate states that he lived in Queensland for 17 years and 40 years in NSW.

Taken from The Tenterfield Independent. Wedesday Jan 15th 1879. Extracts from letters to the editor.
" I am truly sorry that Mr. M. Noonan should have seen cause to send his resignation to the Board, but trust he will give the matter a little more consideration and withdraw the same before the next meeting. Your comtemporary has erred when it alludes to the gentlemen forming the Board, that seven would form a quorum. etc."
Another in the same paper:
Sir - I was not present at the School meeting held at Six mile last week, but from what I can guess matters are not going ahead as freely as they should do. It appears that a number of gentlemen met to tranact important business in connection withe the recently established school, and matters went on smoothly enough until one of those in attendance threatened to resign his position as a member of the Board if more than one of any family held a similar position. This was taken up by Mr. M.Noonan, as himself and two sons were placed on the list as members of the Board, and rather than be the cause of any unpleasantess and illfeeling, that gentleman tendered his resignation. This is to be regretted, as from my own personal knowledge, Mr Noonan, assisted by Messrs. Fooht, Scott, Larracey and others, were the first to move in a school being established, and why one who took little of no part in the affair until it was fairly launched should push himself to the front and make such whimsical objections I cannot comprehend, and by doing so cause hatred and illfeeling to be shown where unity and goodfellowship should exist. All I regret is, why did not Mr Noonan uphold his diginity and allow the one that found fault to resign should he deem fit in place of giving way himself, as I feel sure his services would not be missed. Yours truly, A Resident. Six mile, January 13, 1879.

Obituary of Matthew Noonan/Nunan. Tenterfield Star.
Death has of late removed several of our old residents, the latest demise being that of Mr Matthew Noonan, who died at Sunnyside at 11 o'clock on Friday monring last, after a short illness, the cause of death being senile decay. Mr Noonan was an old and greatly respected resident of the district, having come to Sunnyside to select land as far back as 1870 and was one of the pioneer settlers of the district. He was born in St Laurence, county Limerick, Ireland on May 26th 1820, and was therefore 87 years of age at the time of his death. In August, 1841, he married Miss Alice Marshall at St Laurence, and accompanied by his wife came out to Australia and landed at Moreton Bay in August 1854. He then came to Maryland Station, where he and his family resided for 17 years. He 1870 he left Maryland Station to take up land at Sunnyside, where he resided up to the time of his death. His wide pre-deceased him by 12 years, having died on 17th August, 1895. It seems a strange co-incidence that the month of August was so much in evidence during the whole of the late Mr. & Mrs. Noonan's lives. They were married in the month of August, landed in Australia and both died in the month of August. A family of five (two sons, Messrs. Thomas and Francis Noonan of Sunnyside, and three daughters, Mrs. Brosnan of Killarney, Mrs Murray of Tweed Heads and Mrs. McGovern, Coffs Harbour) survive him. There are 19 grand-children and five great grand-children. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Sunday afternoon. The remains bring laid to rest in the Roman Catholic portion of the local cemetery.

The Intercolonial Courier: Tuesday Sept, 3rd, 1907. Taken from microfilm 6.9.90 at Armidale.

Mr Mathew Nunan.
On Friday at 11am the grim reaper, Death, claimed Mr Mathew Nunan, one of the oldest residents of Sunnyside. The late Mr Nunan, who was in his 88th year was born at Lawrence, County of Limerick, Ireland on 26th May 1820. He was married at the same place to Miss Alice Marshall in August 1841. Subsequently they came to Australia and landed at Moreton Bay, Brisbane in August 1854. They then came to Maryland Station, where the deceased and his family resided for 17 years. In 1870, the late Mr Nunan selected land at Sunnyside, being one of the pioneer settlers of that portion of the district, and continued residing there up until the time of his death. Death was due to senile decay. The deceased was a genial kind hearted old gentleman, and was highly respected. Mrs Nunan predeased her husand 12 years ago. The late Nr Nunan is survived by two sons - Messrs Thomas and Francis Nunan - and three daughters - Mesdams Brosnan (Killarney), Murray (Tweed Heads) and McGovern (Coffs Harbour) besides 19 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren to all of whom every sympathy is extended in the hour of their bereavement. The funeral took place on Sunday and was largely attended. The Rev. J.T. Clancy officating at the church and graveside, while Mr.T.Clarke conducted the funeral obsequies.

Note: Marylands is 45 miles to Border Customs Station - Tenterfield Historical Society.
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