Alexander Cameron (pioneer)
Alexander Cameron | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Lochaber, Scotland |
| Died | September 1, 1881 (aged 71) |
| Occupation | Pastoralist |
| Known for | Early squatter in Penola, South Australia; "King of Penola" |
Alexander Cameron (18 August 1810 – 1 September 1881) was a trailblazing pastoralist in eastern Australia, particularly recognized in South Australia, where he gained the nickname "King of Penola".
History
Originating from Lochaber, Scotland, as the son of John Cameron and Margaret Fraser, Cameron received a solid education and initially worked as a shepherd before emigrating to Australia as an assisted migrant aboard the Boyne.
He collaborated with his uncles in driving sheep from Sydney to Port Phillip and subsequently to South Australia. By 1840, he had established himself as one of the earliest squatters in the Penola region. In 1845, he obtained a 48 square mile occupation licence encompassing land that would later become Penola. Since sheep were uncommon at the time, he operated Penola primarily as a cattle and horse station using stock sourced from Victoria. He advanced the property by plotting land divisions and constructing basic facilities including a shanty, store, and homestead. This original homestead was eventually converted into the "Royal Oak" hotel after Cameron built a new home further from the town center. His uncle, known as "Black Sandy" Alexander Cameron, relocated from Tasmania to join him but passed away there in 1858.
Cameron extended his land acquisitions into Victoria by acquiring Chirnside's "Hope's station," a cattle property located at Lake Frome, in 1851.
In 1860, Mary MacKillop served as governess for Cameron’s large household and contributed to educating the children of farm workers. During this period, she encountered parish priest Julian Tenison-Woods before transitioning to a teaching position in Portland, Victoria in 1862.
After selling Penola station in 1864, Cameron retired to Melbourne. Subsequently, a legal dispute emerged concerning his sale of Market Square allotment 18, which was transferred to John Bowden.
Family
On 27 June 1843 in Melbourne, Cameron married Margaret MacKillop; together they had eleven children, six of whom survived them. Following Margaret’s death in 1863, he remarried Ellen Keogh in 1867. The couple resided at Moreland House in Coburg, Melbourne. Cameron died there and was interred at Melbourne General Cemetery. Seven of their eight children outlived him.
Recognition
A full-size statue of Cameron created by John Dowie is located outside the Royal Oak Hotel in Penola, funded through public contributions.