William David Beazley (7 October 1854 – 28 June 1912) was an English Australian politician, who was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Collingwood from 1889 to 1904, and for Abbotsford from 1904 to 1912.

William Beazley
10th Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
In office
16 September 1903 – 1 June 1904
Preceded byDuncan Gillies
Succeeded byFrank Madden
Member of the Legislative Assembly for
Abbotsford
In office
1 June 1904 – 28 June 1912
Preceded byDistrict established
Succeeded byGordon Webber
Member of the Legislative Assembly for
Collingwood
In office
28 March 1889 – 1 June 1904
Preceded byWilliam Guard Feild
Succeeded byDistrict abolished
17th Mayor of Collingwood
In office
1899–1901
Preceded byE. Wilkins
Succeeded byClifton Wheat Smith Aumont
In office
1894–1895
Preceded byJohn Gahan
Succeeded byJ. E. Kimberley
1st President of the Collingwood Football Club
In office
26 February 1892 – 28 June 1912
Vice PresidentG. Baldie, J. McDougall, Dan Reddan, Bill Strickland
Preceded byPosition established[a]
Succeeded byAlfred Cross
Personal details
Born
William David Beazley

(1854-10-07)7 October 1854
Kennington, London, England
Died28 June 1912(1912-06-28) (aged 57)
Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia
NationalityEnglish Australian
Political partyLabour
OccupationEstate agent

Biography edit

Beazley was born in London to William and Elizabeth Beazley, and arrived in Melbourne as an infant in around 1855. He worked as a saddler and harness marker, and in around 1886 was an estate agent. In March 1889, he was elected as one of two members for Collingwood in the Victorian Legislative Assembly. In 1904, the seat became a single-member electorate, and Beazley was elected for the new district of Abbotsford. In addition to his positions in the Parliament of Victoria, Beazley also served as mayor of Collingwood on two occasions during his parliamentary term, from 1894 to 1895 and from 1899 to 1901.[1]

His appointments included Chairman of Committees from 1897 to 1903, and Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1903 to 1904. He also served on two royal commissions into state banking and old age pensions.[1]

Beazley was also the Founding President of the Collingwood Football Club, and a key person involved in establishing the Club.

Beazley died in office on 28 June 1912. Gordon Webber was elected to replace him at a by-election on 26 July.

Notes edit

  1. ^ Although the role of President was established, Beazley was associated with the precursor club to Collingwood: Britannia Football Club.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "William David Beazley". Re-Member. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 18 July 2017.

External links edit

Business positions
New title President of the Collingwood Football Club
1892–1912
Succeeded by
Alfred Cross
Victorian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by
William Feild
Member for Collingwood
1889–1904
Seat abolished
District created Member for Abbotsford
1904–1912
Gordon Webber
Preceded by Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
1903–1904
Succeeded by