About Thomas McIlwraith
Sir Thomas McIlwraith was for many years the dominant figure of colonial politics in Queensland. He was Premier of Queensland from 1879 to 1883, again in 1888, and for a third time in 1893. In common with most politicians of his era, McIlwraith was an influential businessman, who combined his parliamentary career with a prosperous involvement in the pastoral industry. His eldest brother, John (1828–1902), migrated to Victoria, Australia, in 1853; his youngest brother, Andrew (1844–1932), co-founded McIlwraith, McEacharn & Co in London with Malcolm McEacharn. The government of John Douglas was defeated in 1879 after a series of severe droughts and McIlwraith became premier for the first time. In 1864 he contested the Sandhurst seat in the Victorian Legislative Assembly but won few votes as a free trader. Lady Harriette McIlwraith gave a generous donation of over an acre of land to the then Toowong Council and the McIlwraith Croquet Club was formed 20th September 1923, on this land.
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