William Walker (New South Wales colonial politician)
William Benjamin Walker (1820 – 9 January 1889) was a politician, merchant, pastoralist and yachtsman from New South Wales, Australia.
Walker was the second son of William Walker, a prominent merchant in early colonial Australia.[1]
Walker was originally a pastoralist, operating a series of stations in the Bega region, based out of the Kamarooka Estate.[2][3] He was later a merchant in Sydney, operating the firm of William Walker & Co.[4] He built and lived in the Redleaf mansion at Double Bay, which he named after his parents' house in England.[5][6] The property survives, and now serves as the council chambers for the Municipality of Woollahra.[7][8] He served in the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1863 until his resignation in 1867.[9] He was involved in the establishment of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in 1863, and served as its Commodore until resigning in 1867; he was reportedly departing permanently for England.[10][11][12][13] In 1870, he was reported to have been cruising the Mediterranean and to be preparing for the racing season in England.[14] He had also been president of the Anniversary Regatta Committee.[15][16]
He was married to Corentia (née Browne), sister of Rolf Boldrewood.[6] Their second son, Cecil, died in the shipwreck of the Avalanche off Portland in 1877.[2]
Walker died in 1889 (aged 68–69).[17]
References[edit]
- ^ Parsons, Vivienne (1967). "Walker, William (1787–1854)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Family Notices". Australian Town & Country Journal. Sydney. 24 November 1877. p. 41. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
- ^ "Sylvester Browne family". The Newcastle Sun. NSW. 24 December 1938. p. 3. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
- ^ "Community and Environment Committee" (PDF). Woollahra Municipal Council. 26 July 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- ^ "Famous home will become new social rendezvous". Australian Women's Weekly. 23 November 1940. p. 7. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
- ^ a b "Cockshott, Constance (1837–1919)". Obituaries Australia. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- ^ "Present Council Chambers". Municipality of Woollahra. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- ^ ""Redleaf" — Woollahra Council Chambers". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
- ^ "Mr William Walker has resigned from the Legislative Council". Sydney Morning Herald. 1 May 1867. p. 5. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
- ^ "Aquatics". Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Chronicle. NSW. 13 April 1867. p. 3. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
- ^ "Retrospect". Illustrated Sydney News. 16 May 1867. p. 1. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
- ^ "Summary of the monthly news". Sydney Morning Herald. 21 July 1863. p. 5. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
- ^ "Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron". Sydney Morning Herald. 15 April 1867. p. 5. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
- ^ "Aquatics". Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Chronicle. NSW. 18 June 1870. p. 2. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
- ^ "Advertising". The Freeman's Journal. Sydney. 16 January 1864. p. 1. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
- ^ "Mr William Walker". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- ^ "Will of Mr William Benjamin Walker". Table Talk. 10 May 1889. p. 7. Retrieved 5 January 2021 – via Trove.
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