Robert Herbertson

Robert Herbertson (1852–1940) was a politician in Queensland, Australia. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]

Robert Herbertson
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Port Curtis
In office 27 August 1904 – 2 October 1909
Preceded by	Jason Boles
Succeeded by	Edward Breslin
Personal details
Born	Robert Herbertson (1852-01-04)4 January 1852 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Died	1 March 1940(1940-03-01) (aged 88) Ormiston, Queensland, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Ministerialist
Other political affiliations	Opposition
Spouse(s)	Mary Hannah Brear (née Clunes)
Occupation	Miner, publican

Early life

Robert Herberston was born on 4 January 1852 in Hobart, Tasmania, the son of Andrew Herbertson and Christiana (née Stewart).[2] His father was a botanist and head gardener to the Duke of York in England and later to Sir John Franklin, (a Governor of Tasmania). Herbertson was educated in Hobart.[1]

At age 17 he went to Victoria to try his luck on the goldfields. Later he went to Melbourne, where after managing a brick and tile company, he became a public works contractor.[1] In 1878–1879 he was one of ten expeditioners who undertook an ill-fated search for gold in New Guinea; he maintained a diary throughout the trip.[3][4]

Acting upon medical advice, he came to Queensland, and for a time ran a hotel. He also was a mining investor and a sawmiller.[1]

Politics

Herbertson took a keen interest in local affairs and was for some years an alderman of Gladstone and served as mayor for one term. He was also a member of the Calliope Shire Council, where he was twice chairman.[1]

Herbertson was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly on 27 August 1904 as the Member for Port Curtis. He held the seat until 2 October 1909, when he was defeated by Edward Breslin.[5][6]

Later life

Herbertson died on 1 March 1940 in Ormiston, Queensland where he had lived for many years. He was 88 years old.[1][2]

References

1. "Mr. R. Herbertson Dies at 88: Former Mayor of Gladstone". The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 – 1947) (SPORTS FINAL ed.). Brisbane. 2 March 1940. p. 6. Retrieved 21 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
2. "Former Members Bio". www.parliament.qld.gov.au. Queensland Parliament. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
3. "Sketcher". The Queenslander. 5 November 1921. p. 11. Retrieved 22 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "AN ADVENTUROUS VOYAGE". The Brisbane Courier. 5 November 1921. p. 12. Retrieved 22 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
5. "Part 2.15 – Alphabetical Register of Members of the Legislative Assembly 1860–2017 and the Legislative Council 1860–1922" (PDF). Queensland Parliamentary Record 2015–2017: The 55th Parliament. Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2015.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
6. "Representatives of Queensland State Electorates 1860-2017" (PDF). Queensland Parliamentary Record 2012-2017: The 55th Parliament. Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2015.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)

Further reading

• Herbertson, Robert (1878), Diary, retrieved 22 November 2015 – diary of the New Guinea expedition

Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Jason Boles	Member for Port Curtis 1904–1909	Succeeded by Edward Breslin