Australian Politician. He served as the Premier of Victoria from 1904 to 1909. He moved with his family from New South Wales, and after schooling, he took jobs as a grocer's boy and in the family market garden. In 1861 he was appointed as Brighton's rate collector, and his public life had begun. Elected to the Moorabbin Roads Board in 1863, he came to be a dominant figure in the local government of Moorabbin and Brighton, and was then elected to the State parliament as the member for Brighton. He visited England in 1907 and was knighted next year. He brought a dynamism and dedication to the role of a politician, but there was always a suspicion that self-interest was not far behind his public spirit. The stress of the investigation by a royal commission of his political decisions may have aided in his death. He had a significant involvement in land acquisition and development. He supported the University of Melbourne and the Public Library and Museum. He married twice: first died young and childless; the second to Elizabeth Huntly, and the couple had two daughters. His daughter, Elizabeth, married G. Bleazby and was one of the first women municipal councilors in Victoria.
Australian Politician. He served as the Premier of Victoria from 1904 to 1909. He moved with his family from New South Wales, and after schooling, he took jobs as a grocer's boy and in the family market garden. In 1861 he was appointed as Brighton's rate collector, and his public life had begun. Elected to the Moorabbin Roads Board in 1863, he came to be a dominant figure in the local government of Moorabbin and Brighton, and was then elected to the State parliament as the member for Brighton. He visited England in 1907 and was knighted next year. He brought a dynamism and dedication to the role of a politician, but there was always a suspicion that self-interest was not far behind his public spirit. The stress of the investigation by a royal commission of his political decisions may have aided in his death. He had a significant involvement in land acquisition and development. He supported the University of Melbourne and the Public Library and Museum. He married twice: first died young and childless; the second to Elizabeth Huntly, and the couple had two daughters. His daughter, Elizabeth, married G. Bleazby and was one of the first women municipal councilors in Victoria.
Bio by: Tim Reynolds
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