non-fictionThis family history details the background of the Beardmore family in Australia and focuses on the life, adventures and achievements of the author, John Edwin Beardmore. It tells of his childhood experiences as well as his many travels around parts of Australia and especially Queensland. A biographical study of the life of Edwin James Beardmore as told by his son John. Edwin James Beardmore was a successful pastoralist and served as a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 3 August 1957 until his retirement on 17 May 1969. He was awarded an MBE for services to State and Local Government. Born in Victoria in 1891, he moved to Queensland in 1914 as a stock-dealer at St George and lived the remainder of his life in that area of the State. He served on the Balonne Shire Council for 15 years and was its Deputy Chairman for eight years. He died in Brisbane, Queensland on 8 April 1985. Politics and the desire to help others were part of Eddie Beardmore's heritage and when he entered Parliament it was a case of like father, like son. His father, Mr Henry Beardmore, was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly many years earlier after serving on the Wodonga Council for 20 years, including five terms as President. Henry then won the seat of Benambra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly at a by-election on 20th April 1917. Henry Beardmore died in Wodonga on 29 August 1932beardmore family, pioneers australia

A volume of 275 pages including text and photographic images. A biographical study of the life of Edwin James Beardmore as told by his son John. Edwin James Beardmore was a successful pastoralist and served as a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 3 August 1957 until his retirement on 17 May 1969. He was awarded an MBE for services to State and Local Government.A revised edition of the Edwin James Beardmore Story. A biographical study of the life of Edwin James Beardmore as told by his son John. Edwin James Beardmore was a successful pastoralist and served as a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 3 August 1957 until his retirement on 17 May 1969. He was awarded an MBE for services to State and Local Government. Born in Victoria in 1891, he moved to Queensland in 1914 as a stock-dealer at St George and lived the remainder of his life in that area of the State. He served on the Balonne Shire Council for 15 years and was its Deputy Chairman for eight years. He died in Brisbane, Queensland on 8 April 1985. Politics and the desire to help others were part of Eddie Beardmore's heritage and when he entered Parliament it was a case of like father, like son. His father, Mr Henry Beardmore, was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly many years earlier after serving on the Wodonga Council for 20 years, including five terms as President. Henry then won the seat of Benambra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly at a by-election on 20th April 1917. Henry Beardmore died in Wodonga on 29 August 1932edwin james beardmore, beardmore family

non-fictionA biographical study of the life of Edwin James Beardmore as told by his son John. Edwin James Beardmore was a successful pastoralist and served as a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 3 August 1957 until his retirement on 17 May 1969. He was awarded an MBE for services to State and Local Government. Born in Victoria in 1891, he moved to Queensland in 1914 as a stock-dealer at St George and lived the remainder of his life in that area of the State. He served on the Balonne Shire Council for 15 years and was its Deputy Chairman for eight years. He died in Brisbane, Queensland on 8 April 1985. Politics and the desire to help others were part of Eddie Beardmore's heritage and when he entered Parliament it was a case of like father, like son. His father, Mr Henry Beardmore, was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly many years earlier after serving on the Wodonga Council for 20 years, including five terms as President. Henry then won the seat of Benambra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly at a by-election on 20th April 1917. Henry Beardmore died in Wodonga on 29 August 1932edwin james beardmore, beardmore family, queensland politicians

Mrs Jessie Beardmore, wife of the Shire President, Mr Henry Beardmore, was invited to switch on the electrical current at the power house in Wodonga on 15th January 1912. This was not the official opening of the newly installed system which took place a few weeks later. Disagreement existed amongst Shire Councillors about the official opening, several of them including Mr Beardmore believing the opening should only take place when the scheme was completed. However Dr Schlink, Mr D. M. Stavely, Cr Twomey and Mr C. Holloway, Engineer for the Electric Lighting Company, arranged a small ceremony to turn lights on for the first section of the scheme. This included street lighting along Sydney Street between South Street and the Shire Hall as well as a few business houses and private establishments, with the balcony of the Terminus Hotel illuminated by over 100 lights. Other areas and buildings were connected over the following weeks. Mr Beardmore was not present at the beginning of proceedings but joined the crowd in the street. During a small number of speeches, credit for his work to instigate and further the introduction of electricity to Wodonga was given to Councillor Twomey, referred to as “the father of the scheme”. This item is significant because it records the first connection of electricity to Wodonga in 1912.A hand written letter addressed to Mrs Beardmore of Wodonga. A portrait of Mrs Beardmore is also included. A transcript of the letter is included below. Wodonga 15 -1-12 Mrs Beardmore Wodonga Dear Madam, Mr Holloway, Engineer for the Electric Lighting Company, has invited me to invite you as the wife of the Shire President to switch on the electric supply for the town at the power house not later than 8.30PM (this evening). Hoping that you and Mr Beardmore can make it convenient to attend. I remain yours sincerely, R. H. Schlinkbeardmore family, electricity in wodonga

Henry Beardmore was a significant contributor to Wodonga and the state of Victoria. He was born in Melton on 7th February 1863 to Edwin James Beardmore and Flora McDonald. He grew up in Benalla and became a butcher at Glenrowan before taking up land at Leneva near Wodonga, Victoria. On 15 July 1885 Henry married his first wife, Agnes Annie Lee and they had two sons and two daughters. Agnes died in 1892. In 23 August 1893, Henry married Jessie Muirhead and they had six sons and four daughters. Henry represented the Green Hills riding on Wodonga Shire Council from 1898 to 1922, including terms as President from 1900-01, 1903-4, 1908-10, 1911-12, 1914-17. In 1922 Mr. Beardmore retired from the Wodonga Council due to his increased workload in State politics. Henry Beardmore was a Freemason including Master of the Wodonga Lodge from 1906 to 1907, and was an active member up until his death. From 1905-1915, Henry Beardmore leased “De Kerilleau” homestead with the exception of 1907, when Mr W. Huon was in residence, and after he died there in 1907, the Beardmore family returned. Henry Beardmore won the seat of Benambra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly at a by-election on 20th April 1917. He continuously represented the Benambra electorate as a Nationalist and United Australia Party member for more than 15 years. He was a strong advocate for country development and decentralisation, but he declined to join the Country Party. He held the seat of Benambra, up to the date of his death, and was returned unopposed on four occasions. He was an Honorary Minister in 1924 and for a short time in 1929, Minister of Railways, Minister in-charge of Electrical Undertakings and Minister of Labour. He was a leading supporter of Kiewa Hydro-Electric Project and opponent of Yallourn coalfield. Henry Beardmore died in Wodonga on 29 August 1932. His last residence was on the corner Elm Street and Beechworth Road.This photo is significant because it depicts an important local and State politician and member of the Wodonga Community.A black and white formal portrait of Henry Beardmore.henry beardmore, wodonga council, benambra - victorian politics