George Wilson Martin

Born June Q 1871 Tottenham, London
Died 16 Feb 1943 Richmond, VIC
Buried Dromana Cemetery

Parents:
Henry Wilson Martin and Emma Martin (nee Mould)

Marriage(s):
(1) Mary Jane Walker (1869-1921), 1d
(2) Alice Mary Renfree (1884-1966), no issue.
George Wilson MARTIN
in 1920
George Wilson Martin came to Gembrook before 1896 to work on his uncle's farm. Within three years he nominated for council, but was defeated in his first attempt. A year later a casual vacancy allowed him to nominate again, and he was going to serve as a councillor for many years, including being Shire president in 1905, and again 1917 - 1918. He was known to encourage the maintenance of main roads.1

Council

RidingDateParticulars
Beaconsfield1899First nominated in 1899, but lost to John Ure
(John Ure 123 votes / George W Martin 117 votes)2
News-Council2 Aug 1899 A vigorous election campaign is being conducted on behalf of the candidature of Mr. Geo. W. Martin, the central Gembrook and Beaconsfield nominee for the Berwick Shire Council. Mr. Martin addressed a meeting of rate payers at the local School-room on Friday evening last when he met with a cordial reception. In the course of an interesting address, he referred particularly to the present system of day-labor, as carried on by the Beaconsfield councillors; the sooner such a system came to an end the better-it was a byword and disgrace. The councillor more particularly responsible for this state of affairs would, he was sure, be the last man to tolerate, were it his own and not that of the unfortunate ratepayer's pocket that suffered. He (Mr. Martin) held it was a sacred trust reposed in each councillor—as the guardian of the ratepayers' money, to see that it was expended to the very best advantage. Beaconsfield representatives were false to this trust, as was witnessed by the work being carried on in their riding. If elected as their representative he would use his utmost endeavors to preserve their interests and work for the general welfare of the shire as a whole. Mr. Martin addresses meetings in the course of the next fortnight, at Officer and Gembrook North.3  
News-Council*22 Aug 1900 Shire of Berwick. BEACONSFIELD RIDING. LADIES and Gentlemen T. CLEMENT FISHER; Esq, having retired in favour of the candidature of GEORGE W MARTIN.
Your vote and interest is respectfully solicited on his behalf. Thomas Clement Fisher4 
News-Council20 Jul 1911 Berwick Shire Council. To the Ratepayers of the Beaconsfield Riding. DEAR-Sir or Madam.—I beg respectfully to intimate to you that I will be a Candidate for reelection in August next. During the seven years I have had the honor of being your representative I have earnestly endeavored to serve your interests faithfully, and trust that my efforts merit a continuance of your confidence and support. As in previous years I purpose taking an opportunity of addressing the Ratepayers upon matters of local municipal interest; due notice of such meetings will be sent you. I am, dear Sir, or Madam, Obediently yours, GEO W. MARTIN.5  
News-Council31 Aug 1911 Berwick Shire. The only riding where a contest took place in Berwick Shire was that of Beaconsfield, where the retiring councillor, Mr Geo. Martin, was opposed by Mr. Meyer, a Melbourne gentleman with land in the Gembrook district. There were no postal votes; the Voting by Post Act not being in force in the shire of Berwick, and the decision of the ratepayers was in favor of the return, by a large majority, of one of the best councillors in the Berwvick or any other shire. The voting was: Martin - Meyer: Gembrook ... 11 18 ; Nangana ... 8 5 ; Cockatoo Creek ... 8 19 ; Pakenham: .. 45 3 ; Beaconsfield .. 52 1 ; Beaconsfield Upper ... 60 0 ; Total Martin 184 - Meyer 46. Majority for Martin ... 138.6  
News-Council*3 Aug 1917 Shire of Berwick. To the Ratepayers of the BEACONSFIELD RIDING.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, The term for which I was elected as one of your Councillors expires through effluxion of time on the 31st day of August next. An Election will be held on Thursday, 23rd August to fill the vacancy thus created, and for which I am a Candidate. It is my intention to take an early opportunity of addressing the ratepayers in the various centres throughout the Riding, and in the meantime, I would respectfully ask you to refrain from pledging your support to any other candidate until you have had an opportunity of hearing or reading an exposition of my views on current council topics, and perused a review of the municipal work I have assisted to accomplish in this State and Shire on your behalf, and which I believe will merit your approbation and a cohtinuance of that generous support you have so kindly given me in the past. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Yours obediently, GEORGE W. MARTIN. "Clovelly", Beaconsfield Upper. 24-7-17.7  
News-Council10 Aug 1917 The Beaconsfield Riding Election. At the Council meeting on Saturday last, Cr James, speaking in regard to the municipal elections, said it would be a loss to the council if Cr Martin were not returned. He did not suggest that he was likely to be beaten, but one could not always say what would be the result of an election. He hoped they would not lose his services. It was due to Cr Martin that so much work had been done around Beaconsfield Upper and Lower, and it seemed a rather ill return for his past services to bring out a man against him. The gentleman who was opposing him might be a good man, but if a man was new to council work it would take some time to learn the business. Cr Martin had proved himself a most capable councillor, an I his knowledge of municipal work was of great value both to the council and the ratepayers. Recognising this, he moved that this council expresses the hope that Cr Martin will be returned. Cr Henty seconded the motion. He said that Cr Martin was a good councillor, and it was a great advantage both to the council and the ratepayers to have a representative living in Melbourne, as it saved the expense of many deputations to the City and helped to get departmental matters attended to quickly. As their representative on the Municipal Association he had also done much good work. Unfortnnately the ratepayers often overlooked the good work done by councillors. Cr Martin had given much time to municipal work, and if he were defeated the ratepayers would lose a valuable man. The President said Cr Martin was an old and tried councilfor, and his knowledge was a valuable asset to the ratepayers and the council. They also benefitted by his residence in Melbourne. No other councillor at the table had a better knowledge of the Local Government Act. As to Cr Martin's work, he could say the roads in his district were a credit to him.
The motion, on being put, was carried unanimously. Cr Martin thanked the members for the motion and for their kind words. He said that during the whole time he had been in the council he had tried to do his duty to the ratepayers and to be faithful to his trust. He had taken a great interest in municipal affairs, and he had done what he could for his riding. Owing to an accident he was laid aside for a time, and important work in Cranbourne shire had claimed some of his attention, but he had attended to the reasonable requirements of his riding. Although a few of the ratepayers were charging him with neglect, in regard to matters not under his control, he believed that the majority recognised that be had endeavored to do his duty, and he hoped to be returned to the council.8  
News-Council17 Aug 1917 Shire of Berwick. To the Ratepayers of the BEACONSFIELD RIDING. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, The term for which I was elected as one of your Councillors expires through effluxion of time on the 31st day of August next. An Election will be held on Thursday, 23rd August to fill the vacancy thus created, and for which I am a Candidate. It is my intention to take an early opportunity of addressing the ratepayers in the various centres throughout the Riding, and in the meantime, I would respectfully ask you to refrain from pledging your support to any other candidate until you have had an oportupity of hearing or reading an exposition of my views on current council topics, and perused a review of the municipal work I have assisted to accomplish in this State and Shire on your behalf, and which I believe will merit your approbation and a continuance of that generous support you have so kindly given me in the past. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, Ladies and Gentlemen, Yours obediently, GEORGE W. MARTIN.
---
Shire of Berwick. BEACONSFIELD RIDING ELECTION CR. MARTIN will Address the Rate payers as under: UPPER BEACONSFIELD, at the Assembly Hall, Monday, Aug. 20, at 8p.m. BEACONSFIELD, at the Public Hall, Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 8 p.m. Shire of Berwick.9  
(Mentioned) News-Council23 Aug 1917 Berwick Shire Elections. On Thursday night last Mr C. P. R. Hurditch, who is standing for the seat vacated by Mr Martin, addressed the ratepayers in the hall, Upper Beaconsfield. Mr James Anderson occupied the chair. Mr W. J. Harvey Smith, J.P., and Mr James Hopkins, postmaster, Upper Beaconsfield, spoke highly of the candidate, and his fitness for the seat at the council, which they trusted would be effected on the polling day. Mr Hurditch, who referred to the need of a councillor, being resident in the district, which he sought to represent, gave as his experience, that on his tour in this election cam paign, he found that one thing might be said in proof of local residence, viz., "that you were always sure to have a good road leading at least to the home of the councillor. Confidence was seemingly held by those assembled, that Mr Hurditch, would head the poll, although it might not be "just a walk over." Mr G. W. Martin, the retiring councillor, addressed; the ratepayers in the Upper Beaconsfield Hall on Monday evening. Mr Percy Anderson presided and in asking Mr Martin to give some account of his stewardship during his past term of office, he thought the ratepayers would continue to support him in the coming contest on Thursday, and he trusted that Mr Martin would again be returned. Mr Martin in the course of his remarks, referred to great improvements that had been made on the roads within the last few years and but for the great war crisis further work would have been done. Those assembled seemed to be pleased with Mr Martin's work in the past and they trusted that the result of the ballot on Thursday, would reinstal him as the district's representative. A deal of questioning proceeded after the address, and it was near midnight when the proceedings closed. Charles Philip Russell (P. R.) Hurditch James Hopkins William John Harvey-Smith10 
News-Council31 Aug 1917 Municipal Notes. Following are the official figures in connection with the elections held last week: BEACONSFIELD RIDING. Geo. W. Martin .. .. 178 C. P. R. Hurditch .. 110. Majority for Martin 68 Charles Philip Russell (P. R.) Hurditch11 

Citations

  1. [S12] Newspaper - SBMJ 26 Jul 1899, 2 Aug 1899.
  2. [S12] Newspaper - 2 Aug 1899.
  3. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), 2 Aug 1899, p2.
  4. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), Wed 22 Aug 1900, p2
    http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70046186
  5. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), 20 Jul 1911, p2.
  6. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), 31 Aug 1911, p2.
  7. [S82] Newspaper - Pakenham Gazette and Berwick Shire News (Pakenham East, Vic.)
     Pakenham Gazette and Berwick Shire News (Pakenham East, Vic.), 3 Aug 1917, p2.
  8. [S82] Newspaper - Pakenham Gazette and Berwick Shire News (Pakenham East, Vic.)
     Pakenham Gazette and Berwick Shire News (Pakenham East, Vic.), 10 Aug 1917, p3.
  9. [S18] Newspaper - Pakenham Gazette (Vic.), 17 Aug 1917, p2.
  10. [S196] Newspaper - Dandenong Advertiser and Cranbourne, Berwick and Oakleigh Advocate (Vic.) 23 Aug 1917, p3.
  11. [S82] Newspaper - Pakenham Gazette and Berwick Shire News (Pakenham East, Vic.)
     Pakenham Gazette and Berwick Shire News (Pakenham East, Vic.), 31 Aug 1917, p2.
Last Edited9 Apr 2021
 

NOTE

Some family sections show only the children who were associated with Upper Beaconsfield.

Some individuals may be featured because members of their family were associated with the Upper Beaconsfield area, even though they themselves never lived here.