Henry Gregory – pioneer profile

PEN PORTRAITS  –  Prospector and Politician

With only a comparatively short break the Hon. Henry Gregory. M.H.R has been associated with the politics of Australia for the past twenty-eight years. Like many other successful men in Western Australia, Mr. Gregory was born in Victoria, his native town being Kyneton where he was born on March 15th 1860. Here he commenced business at the age of sixteen, and opened a store as an ironmonger and tinsmith at Rochester, and remained there until 1892. At this time the sensational gold discoveries In the western State were attracting attention all over Australia and the young Victorian decided to join the rush to the fields. In 1893 he landed at Albany and organising a party, proceeded, via Fanny Cove and Dundas to Coolgardie.

Henry Gregory JP and MLA – Mayor of Menzies

This exploit took four months, and doubtless brought much experience to the prospectors, but very little wealth, only 4s.6d worth of gold being found. Following a visit to Kalgoorlie, the future Minister of the Crown decided to open a store at the ninety-mile, and subsequently proceeded to Menzies to engage in business there. From that time on for some years he was very closely associated with the town and in 1895 he was elected chairman of the Progress Committee, and twelve months later was elected the first Mayor of Menzies on its being created a municipality.

The next year, 1897, North Coolgardie became a constituency of the Legislative Assembly, and Mr. Gregory was elected after a strenuous fight. On nine subsequent occasions he secured victory at the polls in this electorate. After four years as a member of the rank and file of the House he was appointed Minister for Mines in the Leake Cabinet and retained this portfolio for nine years under the successive Premierships of Sir Walter James, Sir H. C. Rason, Sir Newton Moore and Mr. Frank Wilson. He was also Minister for Railways under the last three named Premiers.

It is not surprising to find that Mr. Gregory has had considerable influence on the mining industry of the State. Many far reaching changes and reforms were instituted by him. The Kalgoorlie School of Mines was lifted from the realm of immature proposals and established on a high basis of usefulness.  In the years that have passed he has played an outstanding part in the history of the gold mining industry. Under the guidance of the member for North Coolgardie, ten mining Acts  were consolidated into one enactment, and as years went on became to be known as ‘Gregory’s Act.’ He was also responsible for the Mines Regulation Act of 1906, which aimed at the protection and well-being of miners.

Henry Gregory

The Mining Development Act and Inspection of Machinery Act owe their beginnings to Mr. Gregory, and he was also responsible for the introduction of State batteries, which have proved a great help to prospecting. His administration of the State railways was also very successful, and. in 1910, the year in which he assumed control of the department, he effected a saving of £160,000, despite an increase of 500 miles of lines. On several occasions Mr. Gregory was appointed acting Premier, and during the absence in England in 1911 of the then Premier (Mr. Frank Wilson), the Minister for Mines and Railways again carried out the duties of leader of the. State. At the general elections in October, 191 1, Mr. Gregory was defeated by Mr. J. F. Mullany, For two years he was out of active politics, but in 1913 was elected to the House of Representatives as the member for Dampier, which electorate is now known as Swan, and he was returned unopposed at the last . Federal election.

Henry Gregory 1860 to 1940 by Dennis Connelly National Library of Australia

In 1907 Mr. Gregory was awarded the Chevalier Cross of the Crown of Italy and in 1935 he was a member of the Commonwealth delegation to Britain for the jubilee of King George V. For some years he was West Australian representative on the Cricket Board of Control. Mr. Gregory married in 1891 to Ruth Belinda CARTMELL in Victoria and they had a family three sons and a daughter.

Ruth Mary GREGORY born Bendigo 1893
Henry Anthony GREGORY born Perth 1898
Eric Francis GREGORY born Perth 1903
Geoffrey Gerard GREGORY born Perth 1905

Henry Gregory died aged 80yrs  on the 15 November 1940 at Fitzroy, Melbourne, survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter, and was buried in the Catholic section of Fawkner cemetery after a state funeral. His estate was valued for probate at £2341.