26-702: Sir William John Clarke, 1st Baronet (31 March 1831 – 15 May 1897), was an Australian businessman and philanthropist in the Colony of Victoria . He was raised to the baronetage in 1882, the first Victorian to be granted a hereditary honour. Clarke was born in Van Diemen's Land , the son of the pastoralist William John Turner Clarke . He arrived in the Port Phillip District (the future Victoria) in 1850, where he managed many of his father's properties and acquired some of his own. Upon his father's death in 1874, he became
52-455: A burgeoning population and a desire for local governance playing crucial roles. The discovery of gold in the region accelerated its development, transforming Victoria into a vibrant hub of activity and prosperity. The discovery of gold in 1851 near Ballarat and Bendigo marked a pivotal moment in Victoria's history. The ensuing gold rush attracted tens of thousands of immigrants from around
78-642: A centre for higher learning. Cultural institutions like the Melbourne Public Library (now the State Library of Victoria ) and the National Gallery of Victoria , founded in the 1850s, showcased the colony's commitment to intellectual and artistic pursuits. By the late 19th century, the idea of unifying the Australian colonies into a single federation gained momentum. Victoria played a pivotal role in
104-551: A fledgling colony to its emergence as a key player in the formation of modern Australia, Victoria's journey is a testament to the resilience, ingenuity, and spirit of its people. Today, it stands as a dynamic and progressive state, honouring its past while looking forward to a prosperous future. Ralph Waldo Emerson MacIvor Ralph Waldo Emerson MacIvor (c. 1852 – 1 April 1917) was a United Kingdom agricultural chemist, active in Australia , New Zealand and Scotland . MacIvor
130-490: A lecturer. His second wife, Janet, who had been associated with him in philanthropic movements, kept up her interest in them, especially in all matters relating to women, until her death on 28 April 1909. One of their sons, Sir Francis Grenville Clarke , went into politics and was a member of several Victorian ministries. He became president of the Legislative Council in 1923 and held that position for almost 20 years and
156-622: The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne and the University of Melbourne . He was a member of the Victorian Legislative Council from 1878 until 1897, although he was not particularly active in politics. Clarke was born at Lovely Banks (one of his father's properties, near Jericho ) in Van Diemen's Land (later renamed Tasmania ), the eldest of three sons of William John Turner Clarke and his wife Eliza ( née Dowling). Clarke senior
182-507: The Commonwealth of Australia. Situated in the southeastern corner of the Australian continent , Victoria played a significant role in the country's colonial history and development. The Colony of Victoria, established in 1851, was carved out of the southeastern part of the Colony of New South Wales . This separation was fuelled by a combination of economic, political, and social factors, with
208-630: The Rupertswood battery of horse artillery at Sunbury, Victoria . Amongst Sir William Clarke's other public donations are the gift of £2000 to the Indian Famine Relief Fund, of £10,000 towards building the Anglican Cathedral at Melbourne, and of £7,000 to Trinity College, Melbourne University. Clarke also took interest in various forms of sport, his yacht, the Janet , won several races, but he
234-581: The United Grand Lodge of Victoria, an amalgamation of the three bodies that had operated at that time under their own constitutions. In 1885 he had largely financed the building of the Freemasons' Hall at 25 Collins Street. In Clarke's later years, although his interests lay principally in the country, he lived at his town house Cliveden in East Melbourne. He died suddenly at Melbourne on 15 May 1897. He
260-627: The Wimmera. For the next ten years he resided in Tasmania, working the Norton-Mandeville estate in conjunction with his brother, Joseph Clarke. Clarke took some interest in local government and was chairman of the Braybrook Road Board. On the death of his father he found himself with a very large income, much of which he began to use for the benefit of the state. His largest gifts were £10,000 for
286-653: The building fund of St Paul's cathedral and £7000 for Trinity College , Melbourne University . In 1862 Clarke stood against George Higinbotham in the Brighton by-election for the Victorian Legislative Assembly , but was not elected. He was elected a member of the Victorian Legislative Council for the Southern Province in September 1878, but never took a prominent part in politics. In 1862 Clarke assumed
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#1732869678511312-407: The colony's executive government was accountable to an elected parliament , a significant step towards democratic self-rule. The Eureka Rebellion of 1854, a miners' uprising against oppressive mining licenses and lack of representation, played a critical role in shaping Victoria's political landscape. The revolt, though swiftly quashed, led to important political reforms, including the abolition of
338-579: The efficient movement of people and goods. Agriculture also played a significant role in Victoria's economy . The fertile lands of the Western District and the Murray River region became prime areas for sheep farming and crop cultivation. The colony's agricultural output not only met local demands but also contributed to exports, further boosting economic growth. The diverse influx of immigrants during
364-505: The federation movement. Prominent Victorians like Alfred Deakin and Sir Edmund Barton were key figures in the drafting of the Australian Constitution . The successful referendum in 1899 led to the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia on January 1, 1901. Victoria, as one of the founding states, contributed significantly to shaping the newly formed nation. Melbourne served as the temporary federal capital until Canberra
390-536: The globe, including a significant influx of Chinese miners. This rapid population growth catalysed the development of infrastructure, towns, and cities. Melbourne , the colony's capital, quickly evolved into a thriving metropolis, known for its grand architecture and cultural institutions. Victoria's journey towards self-governance began with the establishment of its own legislature in 1851. The Victorian Constitution Act 1855 further solidified its political framework, granting it responsible government. This meant that
416-429: The gold rush era left a lasting impact on Victoria's social fabric. The multicultural population contributed to a rich tapestry of cultural practices, cuisines, and traditions. Despite initial tensions and racial discrimination, particularly against Chinese miners, over time, Victoria evolved into a more inclusive society. Education and culture thrived in Victoria. The University of Melbourne , established in 1853, became
442-772: The largest landowner in the colony. Clarke was made a baronet for his work as the head of the Melbourne International Exhibition , which brought Australia to international attention. He also served terms as president of the Australian Club , president of the Victorian Football Association , and president of the Melbourne Cricket Club , and was prominent in yachting and horse racing circles. Clarke gave generously to charitable organisations, and also made significant financial contributions to
468-506: The management of his father's concerns in Victoria, and on the latter's death in 1874 succeeded to his estates in that colony. In the same year he was appointed president of the commissioners of the Melbourne international exhibition which was opened on 1 October 1880. In 1882 he gave £3,000 to found a scholarship in the Royal College of Music . For many years Clarke bore the full expense of
494-429: The mining license and the introduction of the miner's right, which granted miners voting rights. Victoria's economy flourished due to the gold rush, which not only attracted miners but also spurred the growth of ancillary industries. Banking, transportation, and manufacturing sectors experienced rapid expansion. The establishment of railways and telegraph lines connected remote mining areas with major cities, facilitating
520-641: Was a member of the Victorian commission to the Colonial and Indian exhibition, and in the same year Cambridge gave him the honorary degree of LL.D. Clarke was a very prominent Victorian Freemason and was elected provincial grand master of the Irish Constitution in 1881 and then district grand master of both the Scottish and English Constitutions in 1884. In 1889 he became the very first Most Worshipful Grand Master of
546-451: Was an early Tasmanian colonist, who acquired large pastoral properties in Tasmania, Victoria , South Australia and New Zealand and settled afterwards in Victoria at Rupertswood , Sunbury. Clarke first arrived in Victoria in 1850, when he spent a couple of years in the study of sheep farming on his father's Dowling Forest station, and afterwards in the management of the Woodlands station on
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#1732869678511572-518: Was created K.B.E. in 1926. His son Rupert succeeded him as the 2nd Baronet. The baronetcy of Clarke of Rupertswood is one of only two active hereditary titles in an Australian family. His second son, Ernest Edward Dowling Clarke (1869–1941), was a noted racehorse owner, closely associated with trainer James Scobie . Colony of Victoria The Colony of Victoria was a historical administrative division in Australia that existed from 1851 until 1901, when it federated with other colonies to form
598-714: Was created a baronet in 1882, by Queen Victoria in recognition for his many donations and for his presiding over the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. He married twice, firstly in 1860 to Mary Walker, daughter of the Tasmanian businessman and politician John Walker . He was widowed in April 1871, and in January 1873 remarried to Janet Marian Snodgrass , the daughter of the Victorian pastoralist and politician Peter Snodgrass . He had two sons and two daughters by his first wife, and another four sons and four daughters by his second; he
624-478: Was established in 1927. The legacy of the Colony of Victoria is evident in its vibrant cities, diverse population, and robust economy. Modern Victoria, now a state within the Commonwealth of Australia, continues to be a leading cultural and economic powerhouse. Its rich history, marked by periods of rapid growth, social change, and political development, remains a source of pride for its residents. From its early days as
650-508: Was not very successful on the turf; the most important race he won being the V.R.C. Oaks . He was the inaugural president of the Victorian Football Association , presiding from 1877 until 1882. He was the patron of many agricultural societies and did much to improve the breed of cattle in Victoria. Before the Victorian department of agriculture was established he provided a laboratory for Ralph Waldo Emerson MacIvor , and paid him to lecture on agricultural chemistry in farming centres. In 1886, he
676-406: Was survived by Janet and nine of his children. Clarke was a household name in Victoria. He made a few large donations but his help could constantly be relied on by hospitals, charitable institutions, and agricultural and other societies. He divided one of his estates into small holdings and was a model landlord, and he showed much foresight in allying science with agriculture by employing MacIvor as
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