Career

He became a drover and miner after leaving school and worked in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia before settling in Broken Hill. On 31 December 1906 he married Rosalie Bryksky, with whom he had two daughters, one who died aged 10 years, the other being widowed after five years of marriage and later re-marrying.

From 1912 to 1922, Horsington was secretary of the Broken Hill branch of the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Union. He also served as director of Broken Hill Hospital ^[10] and as a Broken Hill City Alderman.

Death and legacy

He died at Waverley in Sydney^[10] on 23 July of that year. A large number of New South Wales newspapers reported his passing.^[12]

On 24 July 1947, the Barrier Miner, a Broken Hill newspaper, published:

MR HORSINGTON DIES IN SYDNEY

Former member for Sturt in the State Parliament, Mr. Edward Matthew Horsington, died at Waverley Memorial Hospital, Sydney, yesterday. He was 69. Born and educated at Maryborough, Victoria, Mr. Horsington worked on pastoral properties and, on mines in Queensland, Western Australia, and New South Wales before entering the State Parliament over 24 years ago. He was prominent in local union circles before Parliamentary election and was Secretary of the local branch of the F.E.D. and F.A. for some years. An extremely popular official, he took part in the civic life of the city and served as a city alderman. During nearly a quarter of a century in the State Parliament as member for Sturt, Mr. Horsington was a keen advocate of the needs of the people of the West. He never wavered in his advocacy of the Darling River Water Scheme, and at the ceremony connected with the turning of the first sod visiting Parliamentarians paid a tribute to his work. During his long term in Parliament, Mr. Horsington was only elected unopposed on one occasion".^[13]

A much more detailed obituary appeared in the Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill), Thursday 24 July 1947, page 3.^[14]

Edward Matthew Horsington's remains were buried in the South Head Cemetery, Vaucluse, Waverley Council, New South Wales, joining those of his wife, Rosalie, who had died nearly a year before him.^[15]

In September 1951, a section of the Silverton Highway on the outskirts of Broken Hill, was named Horsington Drive, to commemorate his work, and 180 trees donated by industry were planted as an avenue. Whilst the trees appear not to have survived, the stone cairn related to the naming and planting remains in situ.^[16]