Park Laurie

James Park Dawson Laurie
Born	1846 Kangatong station, near Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia
Died	2 December 1928
Occupation(s)	Pastoralist, politician
Years active	1870–1928
Known for	Member of the South Australian House of Assembly; pastoralist in South Australia

James Park Dawson Laurie (1846 – 2 December 1928), commonly referred to as "Park Laurie," was a prominent pastoralist and political figure within the South Australian colony.

History

Born at Kangatong station close to Warrnambool, Victoria, Laurie was the third son of Reverend Alexander Laurie (circa 1817 – 1854). His parents, originally hailing from Lanarkshire, Scotland, emigrated with the purpose of establishing a church in Portland, Victoria, where Rev. Laurie inaugurated a Presbyterian school in 1842.

In 1848, Rev. Laurie departed from his clerical duties to establish the Portland Herald, acting as its sole owner and editor until the paper ceased publication in 1855. During this time, his sons Andrew and Park acquired foundational skills in printing.

Following Rev. Laurie's passing, his widow Janet along with her four sons moved to Gambierton (present-day Mount Gambier) and launched The Border Watch newspaper in 1861. John Watson assumed the editorial role in 1863 and managed the enterprise together with A. F. Laurie for fifty years.

By approximately 1870, Park Laurie divested from newspaper operations to concentrate on pastoral enterprises. He secured leases such as Charkut Station and Laurie Park, and in partnership with A. McEdward of Melbourne, purchased Mailman Station situated on the Lower Darling.

Laurie represented the Victoria seat in the South Australian House of Assembly during two separate periods: 1870–71 and 1873–75. His parliamentary colleagues included William Paltridge and T. Wilde Boothby.

In 1882, he wed Dora Kean; the couple embarked on travels across Europe and America before returning to invest in pastoral lands like Tallageira station and subsequently "Laurie Park" on Mosquito Plains. After selling most of his properties, he settled on a mixed-use farm named "Eurinima" within the Kybybolite subdivision, where he remained until his passing.

Other interests

Shortly after its foundation in 1867, Laurie became a member of the Mount Gambier Lodge of Freemasons and by 1925 was its longest-serving affiliate.

He was elected to the Narracoorte District Council in 1889 and served for 35 years, holding the position of Chairman for 28 years before retiring in 1929.

A keen supporter of horse racing, Laurie owned notable jumpers including Cuttlefish, a two-time Oakbank Hurdle victor, and Guardfish, who won the Warrnambool Grand National Hurdles and placed second in the 1885 Grand National Hurdle Race. His horse Echo achieved multiple wins on flat tracks. Additionally, he fulfilled roles as steward and judge at the Narracoorte Racing Club.

Laurie passed away at Naracoorte hospital aged 82, recognized as the eldest surviving former member of the South Australian House of Assembly.

Family

Offspring of Rev. Alexander (circa 1817–1854) and Janet Laurie, née Nicol (circa 1822–1903):

• Alexander John Sutherland Gammell Laurie (born 2 March 1842)
• Andrew Frederick Laurie (1843 – 11 September 1920), married Emily Barrow (circa 1845 – 29 May 1939) in 1868; resided at "Calula".
  • Frederick John Laurie (18 March 1871 – 24 October 1946), married Elizabeth (died 1944)
• Alexandrina Jessie Laurie (born 1851), married Alexander McEdward (1839–1894) of "Wrattanbullie," Mosquito Plains near Naracoorte; later lived at "Mildura," Kew, Victoria.
• Bunyan Harcourt Laurie (circa 1848 – 10 August 1914), employed as overseer for J. P. D. Laurie
• James Park Dawson Laurie (circa 1846 – 2 December 1928), married Dora Kean (circa 1863 – 1919) from Portland at "Laurie Park" in 1882; their children included:
  • Park Alexander McEdward Laurie (born 1883), served with Australian Light Horse during WWI; attained rank of Major before discharge in 1917; married Doris Thornhill Berry in 1921.
  • Daphne Mary Jessie Laurie (born 1886)
  • Lily Laurel Nicol Laurie (born 1889)
  • Dorothy Annie "Dora" Laurie (born 1895)
• Alex J. Laurie (circa 1856 – 23 May 1917), staff member at The Border Watch

Afterward, widow Janet Laurie remarried Joshua Black and settled at "Corkhill," Bridgewater near Portland, Victoria.