Alexander Fyfe
Alexander Fyfe | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1826 Scotland |
| Died | 1903-05-02 Preston, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, pastoralist, auctioneer |
| Years active | 1848–1873 |
| Known for | Member of Victorian Legislative Assembly, Victorian Legislative Council, Queensland Legislative Assembly; early gold miner; founder of various institutions in Geelong |
Alexander Fyfe (1826 – 2 May 1903) was a Scottish emigrant who settled in Victoria, Australia, and held positions in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, Victorian Legislative Council, as well as the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
Early life
Originally from Scotland, Fyfe arrived in Melbourne in January 1848 aboard the Stag and established his residence in Geelong. In 1854, he married Jane Nicholson Bailliff.
During his time in Geelong, Fyfe was instrumental in founding several key institutions including the first building society, a bathing facility, the Chamber of Commerce, a fire brigade, a newspaper, the Mechanic's Institute, and organizing the inaugural regatta. He owned four fully rigged ships and chartered an additional eleven. Fyfe held leadership roles as president of the Mechanic's Institute, Victoria’s earliest cricket club, and the Geelong Agricultural Society. He also served as director or trustee for the Geelong Botanic Gardens, Flinders State School, and the Geelong-Melbourne railway company. Moreover, he led the first volunteer regiment as its captain.
As one of the earliest gold miners at Ballarat, Fyfe acted as secretary for the Anti-Gold License Committee and provided financial assistance for Peter Lalor’s legal defense following the Eureka Rebellion.
Politics
In June 1854, Fyfe was elected to represent Geelong in the Victorian Legislative Council and served until its dissolution in 1856.
Following this, he won a seat in the first Victorian Legislative Assembly for Geelong in November 1856 but resigned in November 1857 due to insolvency.
After moving to Queensland, Fyfe became a pastoralist and auctioneer by acquiring land near Peak Downs. He represented Rockhampton in the Queensland Legislative Assembly from June 1870 until November 1873.
Latter life
Fyfe returned to Melbourne around 1873 and passed away in Preston, Victoria on 2 May 1903.