Australian Dictionary of Biography

  • Tip: searches only the name field
  • Tip: Use double quotes to search for a phrase

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

George Henry Bennett (1850–1908)

by Chris McConville

This article was published:

George Henry Bennett (1850-1908), brewer and radical politician, was born in Buckie, Banffshire, Scotland, son of George Bennett, schoolmaster, and his wife Margaret, née Young. He arrived in Victoria with his mother in March 1855, joining his father who later became town clerk of Collingwood. After education at St Patrick's College, he began work with a carrying firm which he managed when only 19. After managing the Victoria Sugar Co. he joined Timothy Lane who had operated a porterbrewing business, known as the Excelsior Brewery, in Collingwood and Richmond from about 1877. When larger firms captured much of the market the partners turned to manufacturing aerated waters and cordials at Richmond. From August 1883 Bennett carried on the business alone. By 1902 his well-equipped factory included stables for fifty-six horses.

Bennett lived at Richmond and was an enthusiastic promoter of local cricket, football and athletics clubs. Long-connected with friendly societies, he held high office in the United Ancient Order of Druids. In 1880 he became the youngest councillor in the colony when he was elected to the Richmond town council; as mayor in 1886-87, he helped to restore faith in an administration maligned because of financial mismanagement. In May 1889 he was elected with W. A. Trenwith to the double-member seat of Richmond in the Legislative Assembly, and was undefeated in the next seven elections. A liberal and protectionist, he joined the radical wing in opposition to the Deakin-Gillies government. He opposed its handling of the maritime strike and constantly supported measures favouring the working class.

Bennett was president of the Licensed Victuallers' Association for some years, and continually stressed the need for lower duties on liquor and extended trading hours. His support for measures such as the eight-hour day sprang as much from an understanding of the benefits to employers as from sympathy for the lot of the worker. He chastised fellow employers for antagonism towards trade unions, claiming that 'the employers had obtained all they wanted without coercion'.

Bennett found it increasingly difficult to reconcile his position as a successful industrialist with duties to a working-class electorate. A stubborn opponent of female suffrage, he reneged when confronted by local support for the issue. In 1903 he risked his majority by crossing the floor to vote for the railways employees strike bill: while still professing sympathy for the workers, he maintained that 'if the House allows them to do as they like they will defy the country'. He never held ministerial office but acted as Speaker and chairman of committees.

Bennett held emphatic views yet his integrity and humaneness were unquestioned. His political vision was uncomplicated; his radicalism owed little to ideology and his success was due to a whole-hearted involvement in the local community. However, his paternalism and faith in the common interests of labour and capital grew increasingly irrelevant.

Bennett had married Jessie Mill of Collingwood on 25 September 1879 at St Ignatius' Church, Richmond. He was an active Catholic. On 8 September 1908, aged 58, he died of pneumonia at his home and was buried in Boroondara cemetery, survived by his wife and two of their three daughters. His estate was valued for probate at £17,573. His bust stands outside the Richmond Town Hall, and bears the inscription:

Formed on the good old plan,
A true and brave and downright honest man.
A tear for pity and a hand open as day for melting charity.

Select Bibliography

  • J. Smith (ed), Cyclopedia of Victoria, vols 1-2 (Melb, 1903, 1904)
  • Parliamentary Debates (Victoria), 1903, 198
  • Australian Brewers' Journal, 20 Feb 1907, 21 May 1910
  • S. M. Ingham, ‘Political parties in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, 1880-1900’, Historical Studies, no 15, Nov 1950
  • Richmond Australian, 7 Aug, 25 Sept 1880, 6, 20 Aug 1887, Sept-Oct 1908
  • Leader (Melbourne), 18 May 1889, 28 Feb 1903
  • Age (Melbourne), 9 Sept 1908
  • Argus (Melbourne), 9 Sept 1908
  • M. G. Finlayson, Victorian Politics 1889-94 (M.A. thesis, University of Melbourne, 1964).

Citation details

Chris McConville, 'Bennett, George Henry (1850–1908)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bennett-george-henry-5209/text8767, published first in hardcopy 1979, accessed online 29 March 2024.

This article was published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 7, (Melbourne University Press), 1979

View the front pages for Volume 7

© Copyright Australian Dictionary of Biography, 2006-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1850
Buckie, Banffshire, Scotland

Death

8 September, 1908 (aged ~ 58)
Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation