FEDERATION CONVENTION DELEGATES
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

The following list has been compiled from Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of Ronald Norris, The Emergent Commonwealth: Australian federation, expectations and fulfilment, 1889-1910, Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Vic., 1975.

ABBREVIATIONS USED

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL AUSTRALASIAN CONVENTION, SYDNEY, 1891 and
AUSTRALASIAN FEDERAL CONVENTION, 1897-8

New South Wales

BARTON, Edmund: b. Sydney 1849, d. 7 January 1920. Ed. Sydney Grammar School; Sydney University. NSW Bar 1871; justice High Court 1903-20. QC 1889. PC 1901. GCMG 1902.
MLA Sydney University 1879-80, Wellington 1880-2, East Sydney 1882-7 and 1891-4, Hastings and McLeay 1898-1900. MLC 1887-91, 1897-8. Speaker 1883-7; AG 1889, 1891-3; opposition leader 1897-8.
MHR Hunter 1901-3. First PM of Aust. 1901-3.

DIBBS, George Richard: b. Sydney 1834, d. 5 August 1904. Ed. St Philllp's C. of E. School; Australian College under Dr Lang. Wine merchant and commission agent in brother's firm J. C. Dibbs & Co.; … managing trustee Savings Bank of NSW. KCMG 1892.
MLA West Sydney 1874-7, St Leonards 1882-5, Murrumbidgee 1885-94, Tamworth 1894-5. Treasurer 1883-5; premier and col. sec. 1885; premier and treasurer 1885; premier and col. sec. 1886-7, 1889, 1891-4.

LYNE, William John: b. Apslawn, Tas. 1844, arr. NSW 1875, d. 3 August 1913. Ed. Horton College, Ross, and privately. Pioneer settler Gulf of Carpentaria 1864; clerk in Glamorgan Council 1865-74; pastoralist near Albany 1875. KCMG 1900.
MLA Hume 1880-1901. Secretary for public works 1885, 1886-7; secretary for lands 1889; secretary for public works 1891-4; opposition leader 1895-9; premier and treasurer 1899-1901.
MHR Hume 1901-13. Minister of home affairs 1901-3; acting minister of defence 1902; minister of trade and customs 1903-4, 1905-7; treasurer 1907-8./p>

PARKES, Henry: b. Eng. 1815, arr. NSW 1839, d. 27 April 1896. Elementary schooling in Kenilworth and Gloucester. Ropemaker and apprentice ivory turner in Eng.; farm labourer, employed in iron-mongers and brass founders in Sydney; customs-house officer 1840-4; established business as toy-seller and ivory turner 1844; founder and editor of Empire newspaper 1850-8; importer; representative of financial company 1884-7. KCMG 1877. GCMG 1885.
MLA Sydney 1856, Cumberland 1858, East Sydney 1859-61, Kiama 1864-9, East Sydney 1869-70, Mudgee 1872, East Sydney 1872-7, Canterbury 1877-80, East Sydney 1880-2, Tenterfield 1882-4, Argyle 1885, St Leonards 1885-95. Commissioner of immigration 1861; col. sec. 1866-8; premier and col. sec. 1872-5, 1877-83, 1887-9; secretary for lands 1888; premier and col. sec. 1889-91.

REID, George Houstoun: b. Scot. 1845, arr. Vic. 1852, arr. NSW 1858, d. 12 September 1918. Merchant's clerk 1856-64; clerk in treasury department 1864-78; secretary to AG 1878-90; NSW Bar 1879; high commissioner in London 1910-16; conservative member of House of Commons 1916-18. PC 1897. QC 1898. KCMG 1909. GCMG 1911. GCB 1916.
MLA East Sydney 1880-4 and 1885-94, Sydney-King 1894-1901. Minister of public instruction 1883-4; opposition leader 1891-4; premier and treasurer 1894-9; premier and AG 1899.
MHR East Sydney 1901-10. Opposition leader 1901-4; PM 1904-5.

Victoria

DEAKIN, Alfred: b. Melbourne 1856, d. 7 October 1919. Ed. C. of E. Grammar School; Melbourne University. Vic. Bar 1877; journalist with Age and Leader 1878-83.
MLA West Bourke 1879, 1880-9, Essendon and Flemington 1889-1900. AG, vice-president board of land and works, commissioner of water supply 1883-6; chief sec. and commissioner of water supply 1886-90; minister of health 1890.
MHR Ballarat 1901-13. AG 1901-3; acting PM 1902; PM 1903-4, 1905-8,1909-10.

GILLIES, Duncan: b. Scot. 1834, arr. Vic. 1852, d. 12 September 1903. Ed. Glasgow High School and Academy. Office worker Glasgow; storekeeper Geelong; digger Ballarat 1853; member first Ballarat Mining Board 1858; working partner in Great Republic Mining Co.; agent-general for Vic. 1894-7.
MLA West Ballarat 1861-8, Maryborough 1870-7, Rodney 1877, 1877-89, Eastern Suburbs 1889-94, Toorak 1897-1903. President of board of land and works and commissioner of crown lands and survey 1868; commissioner of railways and roads and vice-president of board of land and works 1872-75; commissioner of crown lands and surveys, president of board of land and works, and minister of agriculture 1875-7; commissioner of railways and vice-president of board of land and works 1880, 1883-6; minister of public instruction 1884-6; premier, treasurer, minister of railways, and minister of mines 1886-90; speaker 1902-3.

HIGGINS, Henry Bournes: b. Ireland 1851, arr. Vic. 1870, d. 13 January 1929. Ed. St Stephen's Green, Dublin; Melbourne University. Primary-school teacher, Fitzroy; Vic. Bar 1876; councillor Melbourne University 1887-1924; justice High Court 1906-22; president Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration 1907-20. KC 1903.
MLA Geelong 1894-1901.
MHR North Melbourne 1901-6. AG I904.

ISAACS, Isaac Alfred: b. Melbourne 1855, d. 11 February 1948. Ed. Yackandandah State School; Beechworth Grammar School; Melbourne University. Teacher 1870-5; clerk in crown law department 1875-81; Vic. Bar 1880; justice High Court 1906-30, acting chief justice 1925, 1927, chief justice 1930; GG 1932. QC 1899. PC 1921. KCMG 1928. GCMG 1932, GCB 1937.
MLA Bogong 1892-3, 1893-1901. Solicitor-general 1893; AG 1894-9, 1900-1.
MHR Indi 1901-6. AG 1905-6.

PEACOCK, Alexander James: b. Creswick 1861, d. 7 October 1933. Ed. Creswick Grammar School. Teacher 1877-81; grocer; manager mining companies Creswick, Ballarat, Melbourne; grandmaster of Freemasons 1900-5. KCMG 1902.
MLA Clunes and Allendale 1889-1904, Allendale 1904-33. Minister without portfolio 1890-2; minister of public instruction 1894-9; chief sec. and minister of labour 1900-1; premier, treasurer, and minister of labour 1901-2; chief sec. and minister of labour 1907-8; minister of public instruction, vice-president board of land and works, and minister of labour 1913; minister of public instruction and minister of labour 1913-14; premier, treasurer, and minister of labour 1914-7; speaker 1928-33.

QUICK, John: b. Eng. 1852, arr. Vic. 1854, d. 17 June 1932. Elementary schooling until age 10; later self-educated and Melbourne University. Employed at iron foundry; journalist with Bendigo newspapers and Melbourne Age; Vic. Bar 1878; solicitor Bendigo 1880; deputy-president Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration 1922-30. LL.D. 1882. KB 1901.
MLA Sandhurst 1880-9.
MHR Bendigo 1901-13. Postmaster-general 1909-10.

TURNER, George: b. Melbourne 1851, d. 13 August 1916. Ed. Model School; Melbourne University. Solicitor's clerk; articled clerk 1875; admitted to practise 1881 and partner in legal firm; member St Kilda City Council 1885-1900, mayor 1887-8. PC 1897. KCMG 1897.
MLA St Kilda 1889-1901. Commissioner of trade and customs, minister of health 1891-3; solicitor-general 1892-3; premier and treasurer 1894-9; minister of defence, vice-president board of land and works 1894-5; premier and treasurer 1900-1; commissioner of trade and customs 1900.
MHR Balaclava 1901-6. Treasurer 1901-4, 1904-5.

South Australia

COCKBURN, John Alexander: b. Scot. 1850, arr. S.A. 1875, d. 26 November 1929. Ed. Chamely School, Highgate; King's College, London. Medical practitioner; chairman various public bodies; agent-general for SA 1898-1901; director, in UK, of English Scottish and Australian Bank, Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Co., Central Insurance Co. KCMG 1900.
MHA Burra 1884-7, Mt Barker 1887-98. Minister of education and agriculture 1893-8.

DOWNER, John William: b. Adelaide 1844, d. 2 August 1915. Ed. St Peter's College, Adelaide. SA Bar 1867; legal partner G. & J. Downer. QC 1878. KCMG 1887.
MHA Barossa 1878-1901. MLC Southern District 1905-15. AG 1881-4; premier and AG 1885-7; premier and chief sec. 1892-3; treasurer 1893.
Senator 1901-3.

KINGSTON, Charles Cameron: b. Adelaide 1850, d. 11 May 1908. Ed. J. L. Young's Educational Institution, Adelaide. SA Bar 1873. QC 1888. PC 1897.
MHA West Adelaide 1881-1900. MLC Central District 1900. AG 1884-5, 1887-9; chief sec. 1892; premier and AG 1893-9.
MHR Adelaide 1901-8. Minister of trade and customs 1901-3.

PLAYFORD, Thomas: b. Eng. 1837, arr. SA 1843, d. 19 Apr. 1915. Ed. Thomas Mugg's School, Mitcham. Farmer; market gardener; orchardist; chairman East Torrens District Council 1861-82; agent-general for SA 1894-8.
MHA Onkaparinga 1868-71, East Torrens 1875-87, Newcastle 1887-90, East Torrens 1890-4, Gumeracha 1899-1901. Commissioner of crown lands 1876, 1877-8, 1878-81, 1885; commissioner of public works 1884-5; premier and treasurer 1887-9, 1890-2; commissioner of crown lands 1892; treasurer and minister controlling the Northern Territory 1893-4.
Senator 1901-7. Vice-president and senate leader 1903-4; minister of defence 1905-7.

SYMON, Josiah Henry: b. Scot. 1846, arr. SA 1866, d. 29 March 1934. Ed. Stirling High School; Moray Training College, Edinburgh. Articled clerk at Mt Gambier 1866, Adelaide 1870; SA Bar 1871; partner in legal firm 1872; president SA Law Society 1898-1903, 1915-19; member Adelaide University Council 1897-1901; owner of Auldana vineyards, Adelaide. QC 1881. KCMG 1901.
MHA Sturt 1881-7. AG 1881.
Senator 1901-13. Senate opposition leader 1901-4; AG 1904-5.

Tasmania

BRADDON, Edward Nicholas Coventry: b. Eng. 1829, arr. Tas. 1878, d. 2 February 1904. Ed. privately and University College, London. Employed in cousin's mercantile firm, India, 1847-8 and later managed indigo factory; civil administrator, India, c. 1858-78; journalist with Pioneer newspaper; agent-general for Tas. 1889-93. PC 1897. KCMG 1891.
MHA West Devon 1879-88, 1893-1901. Opposition leader 1886; minister of land and works 1887-8; premier 1894-8; premier and treasurer 1899.
MHR Wilmot 1901-4. Occasional acting opposition leader 1901-4.

FYSH, Philip Oakley: b. Eng. 1835, arr. Tas. 1859, d. 20 December 1919. Ed. privately, London; Denmark Hill School. Clerk in merchant firm London; founded P. O. Fysh & Co., general merchants and wholesalers Hobart 1862-94; chairman of board of directors of AMP; agent-general for Tas. 1898-1901; hop grower and orchardist Derwent Valley 1910-19. KCMG 1896.
MLC Hobart 1866-9, Buckingham 1870-3, 1884-94. MHA East Hobart 1873-8, North Hobart 1894-8. Treasurer 1873-5; premier 1877-8; premier and chief sec. 1887-92; opposition leader LC 1892-4; treasurer 1894-9.
MHR Denison 1901-10. Minister without portfolio 1901-3; postmaster-general 1903-4.

Western Australia

FORREST, John: b. Bunbury 1847, d. 3 September 1918. Ed. Bishop Hale's School, Perth. Surveyor in survey department 1865; explorer and expedition leader 1860s and 1870s; deputy surveyor-general 1876; acting commissioner of crown lands 1879; acting comptroller of government expenditure 1880-1; surveyor-general and commissioner of crown lands 1883-90. PC 1897. CMG 1882. KCMG 1891. GCMG 1901. Baron 1918.
MLC 1883-90. MLA Bunbury 1890-1901. Premier and treasurer 1890-1901, col. sec. 1894-8.
MHR Swan 1901-18. Postmaster-general 1901; minister of defence 1901-3; minister of home affairs 1903-4; treasurer 1905-7; acting PM 1907; treasurer 1909-10, 1913-14, and 1917-18.

HACKETT, John Winthrop: b. Ireland 1848, arr. NSW 1875, arr. WA 1882, d. 19 February 1916. Ed. Trinity College, Dublin. Irish Bar 1874; station manager 1882; WA Bar 1883; founded Western Mail 1885; editor and part owner West Australian 1887-1916; chairman Perth Public Library 1893; first chancellor University WA 1912-16; chancellor C. of E. diocese of Perth; governor of Perth High School. KB 1911. KCMG 1913.
MLC 1890-4. MLC South West Province 1894-1916.

Queensland

GRIFFITH, Samuel Walker: b. Wales 1845, arr. NSW 1854, arr. Qld 1860, d. 9 August 1920. Ed. private school, Sydney; Maitland High School. Articled law clerk 1863-5; Qld Bar 1867; legal business and land speculator; chief justice Qld 1893-1903; lt-governor 1899-1903; chief justice High Court 1903-19. QC 1876. KCMG 1886. GCMG 1895.
MLA East Moreton 1872-3, Oxley 1873-8, Brisbane 1878-93. AG 1874-8; secretary for public instruction 1876-9; secretary for public works 1878-9; premier and col. sec. 1883-6; secretary for public instruction 1883-5; postmaster-general 1885; treasurer 1887-8; premier, chief sec. and AG 1890-3.

New Zealand

GREY, George: b. Portugal 1812, arr. NZ 1845, d. 20 September 1898. Ed Guildford, Surrey; Royal Military College, Sandhurst, 1826. Captain in regular army, serving in Scot. and Ireland; explored WA 1830s; governor of SA 1840-5; lt-governor of NZ 1845-53; governor of Cape Colony and high commissioner for South Africa 1854-61; lt-governor of NZ 1861-8. KCB 1848.
MHR Auckland West 1874-8, Thames 1878-90, Newton 1891-3, Auckland City 1893-5. Premier 1877-9.

Extracts from Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of Ronald Norris, The Emergent Commonwealth: Australian federation, expectations and fulfilment, 1889-1910, Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Vic., 1975, pp. 211-13, 215-20, 222-3, 224-5, 227.