25 Facts About Alexander Peacock

Sir Alexander James Peacock was an Australian politician who served as the 20th Premier of Victoria.

Alexander Peacock's interviewer commented that 'This short, sharp experience made a vivid impression upon him, and doubtless formed the flame of rebellion against sweaters and sweating'.

Alexander Peacock was distantly related to the family of the politician Andrew Peacock.

Alexander Peacock was prominent in the Australian Natives' Association and the movement for Australian federation in the 1880s and '90s.

Alexander Peacock was a man whom it was difficult to dislike.

Alexander Peacock was famous for having what Webb called a laugh 'of appalling noisiness'.

In 1889 Alexander Peacock was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the seat of Clunes and Allendale, near Ballarat, which he held for 43 years.

Alexander Peacock was Chief Secretary in both the governments of Sir George Turner from 1894 to 1899 and 1900 to 1901, being Minister for Public Instruction in the first and Minister for Labour in the second.

In 1897 Alexander Peacock was elected as one of the Victorian delegates to the Constitutional Convention which wrote the Australian Constitution.

Alexander Peacock was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1902.

Alexander Peacock stayed in opposition during Irvine's ministry, but in 1907 he returned to office as Chief Secretary and Minister for Labour in the government of Thomas Bent.

Alexander Peacock was Minister for Public Instruction in the government of William Watt in 1913, and in June 1914 Watt resigned so he contest a seat in Federal Parliament, Alexander Peacock became Premier, and Treasurer, at the head of a Liberal government.

Alexander Peacock was a very durable politician and by 1920 he was back in office, as Minister for Public Instruction and Minister for Labour in Harry Lawson's Nationalist government, positions he held until 1924.

Lawson resigned and Alexander Peacock was again chosen as leader of the Nationalist Party and became Premier for the third time.

Alexander Peacock immediately brought in a bill to reduce the disproportionate representation of country areas.

Dissent grew from within the party and Alexander Peacock called an election, at which Labor emerged as the largest party, though well short of a majority.

Alexander Peacock resigned again, and was succeeded by a minority Labor government led by George Prendergast.

Alexander Peacock returned as Minister for Public Instruction and Minister for Labour in John Allan's Country Party government, holding these positions until 1927, when he left ministerial office for the last time.

In January 1901, Alexander Peacock married Millie Gertrude Holden in Port Fairy.

Millie, Lady Alexander Peacock was active in community organisations like the Red Cross, and carried much of her husband's local electoral work, earning the title 'the deputy member for Allandale'.

Alex Alexander Peacock joined the Creswick branch of the Australian Natives' Association in 1881, and became branch secretary in 1882, a position he held until 1901.

Alexander Peacock was always an active office holder in the association, expanding its membership and branches in the 1880s, and leading it into an increasingly public role in the 1890s, especially in area of Federation.

Alexander Peacock learnt his brand of 'advanced Liberalism' in ANA lectures and debates: a commitment to full democracy, including woman suffrage, and to active state intervention in the interests of public welfare.

Alexander Peacock served as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria of Freemasons from 1900 to 1905.

Alexander Peacock pleaded heavy parliamentary commitments when he retired as Grand Master in 1905.