- Michael Durack
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Michael Durack Born 22 July 1865
Grabben Gullen, New South WalesDied 3 September 1950
Perth, Western AustraliaNationality Australian Education St Patrick's College, Goulburn Occupation Politician, Western Australian pioneer Spouse Bessie Ida Muriel Johnstone Children Kim Durack, David Durack, Reginald Durack, William Durack, Mary Durack, Elizabeth Durack Parents Patrick Durack & Mary Costello Michael Patrick Durack, (22 July 1865 – 3 September 1950) was a pastoralist, and Western Australian pioneer. He was the son of Patrick Durack[1] and Mary Costello, both Irish-Australians.
Durack was educated at St Patrick's College, Goulburn along with his brother, John Wallace. In 1882-83, his family went on an expedition to the Kimberley region of Western Australia. On his 21st birthday, he made the first sale of Kimberley cattle to a Halls Creek butcher for £1200 in raw gold.[1]
In 1894, a new shipping trade was established by Francis Connor and Denis Doherty from Wyndham to Perth. The Durack family became one of the main supplier in this market, and eventually merged with their shipping agents to form Connor, Doherty & Durack Ltd, which controlled nearly 600square miles of property on the Western Australia-Northern Territory border. His firm would be a major influence on the Kimberley pastrol industry for the next fifty years.[1]
He negotiated a shipment of 3612 cattle to Natal in 1902, which was long hailed a record overseas consignment of live cattle.[1]
In 1917, he entered the Western Australian Legislative Assembly as the Nationalist Party member for the Kimberley. He became discontented with the Mitchell government, and in 1920 joined the Country Party, subsequently retiring from politics in 1924.[1]
He died on 3 September 1950 and was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery.[1]
See also
References
Categories:- 1865 births
- 1950 deaths
- Australian pastoralists
- Explorers of Western Australia
- Members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
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