20 Facts About Alexander Forrest

Alexander Forrest CMG was an explorer and surveyor of Western Australia, and later a member of parliament.

Several of his expeditions were conducted alongside his brother, John Alexander Forrest, who became the first Premier of Western Australia.

In later life, Alexander Forrest served in the unicameral Legislative Council from 1887 to 1890, representing the seat of Kimberley.

Alexander Forrest was mayor of Perth on two occasions, from 1892 to 1895 and from 1897 to 1900.

Alexander Forrest was born at Picton, near Bunbury in Western Australia, the fourth of nine sons of William and Margaret Alexander Forrest.

Alexander Forrest was educated at the government school in Bunbury under John Hislop, then completed his education at Hale School in Perth.

Alexander Forrest explored areas of Western Australia under contract to the Survey Department, particularly the Kimberley region, during the 1870s and 1880s.

Much of his exploration was done with his brother John Alexander Forrest who became the first Premier of Western Australia.

In 1874, Alexander Forrest was part of another party again including brother John which took a more northerly route from Geraldton to the east to the Murchison River.

In 1879, Alexander Forrest led his own expedition of eight men from De Grey River to the telegraph line into the area now known as the Kimberley.

The coast was then skirted to the Fitzroy River which was followed for 240 miles ; but Alexander Forrest's progress was then stopped by mountains which appeared to be impassable.

Alexander Forrest eventually worked round the southern end of the range and discovered some valuable country.

Alexander Forrest published his Journal of Expedition from De Grey to Port Darwin in Perth in 1880.

In 1891, through a syndicate comprising Charles Crossland and George Leake, Alexander Forrest commenced the subdivision of what would later become the affluent Perth suburb of Peppermint Grove.

Alexander Forrest was associated with the first of three quarries that exist on the edge of Greenmount Hill.

In 1887, Alexander Forrest became a politician, entering the Western Australian Legislative Council as the first member for the seat of Kimberley.

Alexander Forrest was then elected to the Legislative Assembly for West Kimberley in 1890, and held the seat until his death.

Alexander Forrest was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George on 15 May 1901, in preparation of the forthcoming royal visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York.

Alexander Forrest died on 20 June 1901 at Perth of complications arising from kidney trouble.

Alexander Forrest was survived by four of his five children, and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.