McKenzie Grant
McKenzie Grant | |
|---|---|
| Born | circa 1834 Scotland |
| Died | 15 September 1897 |
| Occupation(s) | Pastoralist, politician |
| Years active | 1852–1893 |
| Known for | Western Australian Legislative Council member, pastoralist in North-West Australia |
McKenzie Grant (circa 1834 – 15 September 1897) was a prominent Australian pastoralist and political figure. He held or leased vast tracts of land in the North-West region of Western Australia and represented constituents in the Western Australian Legislative Council between 1880 and 1887, and again from 1889 until 1893.
Early life
Grant was born in Scotland to parents Margaret (née McKenzie) and George Grant. He migrated to Australia in 1852 amid the Victorian gold rush, initially engaging in mining activities at Bendigo. Following a stint in Queensland, he eventually settled in Portland, Victoria. In 1864, alongside Alexander and John Richardson and other associates, Grant established the Portland Squatting Company, aiming to capitalize on favorable land policies available in various colonies. The following year, the company founded Pyramid Station in the North-West of Australia. After the dissolution of the company a few years later, Grant remained in the Pilbara area, forming a partnership with Charles Harper along the De Grey River. He also secured property holdings near Roebourne.
Politics and later life
Grant entered politics in March 1880 when he was elected to represent the Northern District in the Legislative Council, a position he held until April 1887. Upon acquiring land within the Victoria Land District, he re-entered the Legislative Council in January 1889 as the member for Geraldton. With the introduction of a bicameral parliamentary system in 1890, where the Legislative Council became the upper house, Grant continued his service as an appointee of Governor William Robinson. Due to declining health, he stepped down from his role in July 1893 and passed away in Perth four years later. In 1875, Grant married Jane Hunter Eagar; together they raised six sons and one daughter.