22 Facts About Herbert Brookes

Herbert Robinson Brookes was an Australian businessman, philanthropist, and political activist.

Herbert Brookes inherited substantial holdings from his father, and served as president of the Victorian Chamber of Manufactures.

Herbert Brookes was involved in numerous charities, and was a major benefactor to the University of Melbourne, his alma mater.

Herbert Brookes was born in Bendigo, Victoria, to Catherine Margaret and William Herbert Brookes.

Herbert Brookes assisted his father as a timekeeper and storekeeper, mixing with the adult workers.

Herbert Brookes later went on to the University of Melbourne, graduating with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree in 1890.

Herbert Brookes then returned to Victoria to work in the mining industry, managing a series of small mines.

In 1905, Herbert Brookes moved to Melbourne to work for Austral Otis, a large engineering firm.

Herbert Brookes became a director of the company in 1912.

Herbert Brookes was president of the Victorian Chamber of Manufactures from 1913 to 1917.

Herbert Brookes served on the Board of Trade from 1918 to 1928 and the Tariff Board from 1922 to 1928.

Herbert Brookes was recalled the following year to save money during the Depression.

From 1932 to 1939, Herbert Brookes served on the board of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, including as vice-chairman; he was offered the chairmanship, but refused it due to his inability to secure a guarantee of independence from government control.

Herbert Brookes financed a new wing for the university's Conservatorium of Music, and contributed towards a house for the university's vice-chancellor.

Herbert Brookes was involved in the creation of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Herbert Brookes held leadership positions in the Chautauqua Association, the League of Nations Union, and the English-Speaking Union.

Herbert Brookes assisted with the formation of the Commonwealth Liberal Party in 1909 and the formation of the Nationalist Party in 1917, although he was mainly active behind the scenes and never stood for public office himself.

Herbert Brookes was socially progressive, but considered the Labor Party too extreme.

Herbert Brookes was an advocate of profit sharing, adult education, and equal pay for women, all of which he introduced in his own companies, and campaigned for better working conditions in mines to eradicate miner's phthisis.

Herbert Brookes was a member of the Australian Church, a Melbourne congregational church known for its liberal theology.

Herbert Brookes was widowed in 1899, and in 1905 remarried to Ivy Deakin.

Herbert Brookes was the daughter of Alfred Deakin, Prime Minister of Australia, who attended the Australian Church.