William Stephens (Australian politician)

William Stephens (1857–1925) was a businessman and politician in Queensland, Australia. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and a Member of the Queensland Legislative Council.

The Hon William Stephens
The Hon William Stephens, Minister for Public Instruction, 1907
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Woolloongabba
In office 12 May 1888 – 28 March 1896
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	Thomas Dibley
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for South Brisbane
In office 28 March 1896 – 28 August 1904
Preceded by	Charles Midson
Succeeded by	William Reinhold
In office 18 May 1907 – 5 February 1908
Preceded by	William Reinhold
Succeeded by	Peter Airey
Member of the Queensland Legislative Council
In office 1 July 1912 – 23 March 1922
Personal details
Born	William Stephens (1857-11-07)7 November 1857 South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Died	30 April 1925(1925-04-30) (aged 67) Southport, Queensland, Australia
Resting place	South Brisbane Cemetery
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Ministerial
Other political affiliations	Opposition
Spouse(s)	Pauline Ann Caroline Effey
Relations	Thomas Blacket Stephens (father)
Occupation	Company director

Early life

William Stephens was born on 7 November 1857 at South Brisbane, the son of Thomas Blacket Stephens and his wife Ann (née Connah).[1] He was educated at Brisbane Grammar School.[2]

Politics

Stephens was elected on 12 May 1888 to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in Woolloongabba. In the 1893 colonial election, he successfully contested the seat of South Brisbane which he held until 27 August 1904, when he was defeated in the 1904 state election. He contested South Brisbane again in the 1907 election and was successfully, representing the electorate from 18 May 1907 to 5 February 1908, when he was again defeated in the 1908 election.[3][4] During this last period, he was Secretary for Public Instruction and Agriculture from 19 November 1907 to 18 February 1908.

In the 1912 election, Stephens unsuccessfully contested Buranda.

On 1 July 1912, he was appointed for life to the Queensland Legislative Council, a position he held until the Council was abolished on 23 March 1922.[3]

William Stephens was also involved in local government. He was an alderman in the City of South Brisbane where he was mayor in 1888, 1889 and 1901. He was a long-time councillor in the Nerang Shire Council, serving a total of 36 years commencing in 1882.[2]

Business interests

William Stephens had many business interests in South Brisbane and other areas, including:[2]

• Kingston butter factory
• South Brisbane Co-operative Dairy Company
• dairy farm at Merrimac

Later life

Following ill health late in life, William Stephens collapsed from a stroke while holidaying at Southport, Queensland on Monday 27 April 1925. He was taken to a private hospital where he died on Thursday 30 April 1925. His funeral left his home Waldheim at Waldheim Street, Annerley on Friday 1 May 1925 for his burial at South Brisbane Cemetery.[1][2] Many prominent citizens attended his funeral.[5]

References

1. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
2. "MR. WILLIAM STEPHENS". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 1 May 1925. p. 10. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
3. "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 12 December 2014.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
4. "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 12 December 2014.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
5. "LATE MR. W. STEPHENS". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 2 May 1925. p. 17. Retrieved 15 December 2014.

External links

Media related to William Stephens (Queensland) at Wikimedia Commons

Parliament of Queensland
New seat	Member for Woolloongabba 1888–1896	Succeeded by Thomas Dibley
Preceded by Charles Midson	Member for South Brisbane 1896–1904	Succeeded by William Reinhold
Preceded by William Reinhold	Member for South Brisbane 1907–1908	Succeeded by Peter Airey