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 4 January 1852 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Died	1 March 1940 (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