George Rolfe
George Rolfe | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1808 Tenterden, Kent, United Kingdom |
| Died | 18 December 1871 Balaclava, Victoria, Australia |
Hon. George Rolfe (1808 – 18 December 1871) M.L.C., was a merchant and politician in the Colony of Victoria (a state of Australia since 1901).
Early life
Rolfe was born in 1808 in Tenterden, Kent,[1] where his father was a prosperous landholder. George became a merchant in London and, after that business failed, he emigrated to South Australia in 1848, arriving in Adelaide on 24 June 1849. He started a partnership in real estate with P. D. Prankerd, which was dissolved in May 1851.[2] He moved to Victoria, arriving in May 1854,[3] and was the founder of one of the leading mercantile firms in Melbourne, Victoria, of that time.
Political career
Rolfe was elected a member of the Legislative Council for North Western Province,[3][4] from May 1860 to October 1862, and a member for South Western Province January 1867 to March 1867.[5]
On 2 September 1869, Rolfe was appointed Commissioner of Customs in the second McCulloch Government, despite the fact that he was not then a member of either House of Parliament. Robert Byrne moved a motion in the Assembly a few days later, censuring the Premier for having gone outside the House for a colleague. The motion was carried and the Ministry resigned on 20 September. Byrne then became Treasurer in the MacPherson Government, but, on going back to his constituents at Crowlands for re-election following his appointment, was defeated by Rolfe on 5 October 1869.
Legacy
Rolfe was a director of the National Bank of Australia, and was a significant contributor to the foundation of the Alfred Hospital.[1] He was married three times, and had four children from his first marriage. He lived in Balaclava, Victoria and died there on 18 December 1871.[3]
References
- ^ a b Rolfe, George at the Wayback Machine (archived 31 March 2011)
- ^ "Advertising". South Australian Register. Vol. XVI, no. 1654. South Australia. 12 January 1852. p. 2. Retrieved 2 December 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c "DEATH OF THE HON. GEORGE ROLFE". The Argus. Melbourne. 19 December 1871. p. 5. Retrieved 3 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Mennell, Philip (1892). . The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co – via Wikisource.
- ^ "George Rolfe". Members of Parliament. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 1 August 2025.