William Keast (Victorian politician)

William Keast (1866 – 22 February 1927) was an Australian politician and member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the seats of Dandenong and Berwick and Dandenong between 1900 and 1917.

Profile[]

Keast was born in 1866 in Strangways, Victoria. He died on 22 February 1927 in Malvern and was buried in Burwood cemetery. Parents: Stephen Heywood, farmer, and Mary Tynan. Marriage: 3 Apr 1890 with Henrietta Victoria Theodora Brackewagen. Occupation: Produce merchant and stock and station agent. Religion: Catholic. Education: Newstead State School.

Career[]

Worked on father's farm; moved to Melbourne 1889; employed by wholesale produce firm, became manager; in business on own account as chaff and grain merchant 1892; expanded to stock and station agent 1899, many large land sales including Chirnside and Winter-Irving estates and Clarke family; owned station at Hay and bred sheep; president Chaff and Grain Association, Clifton Hill Australian Natives Association; campaigned for Federation.

Party[]

Party: Ministerialist

Party Note: Minister Independent 1900–1902. Supported no-confidence motion against Bent 1908, Liberal

House	Electorate	Start *		End *
MLA	Dandenong and Berwick	November 1900		May 1904
MLA	Dandenong	June 1904		October 1917	Defeated

Appointments[]

Royal commission Grain Handling 1902
Railway Locomotives 1905
Tramway Fares 1910-1911
Marketing and Transportation of Wheat committee 1911
Royal commission Marketing and Transportation of Grain 1912-1913
Housing committee 1913
Royal commission Fruit, Vegetables and Jam 1915
Public Accounts committee

1913-1917

References[]

Table Talk 14 Oct 1909
Melbourne Punch 26 Sept 1912
Age, Argus 23 Feb 1927
Smith, J. (ed.), 'Cyclopedia of Victoria', 3 vols, Melbourne, 1903–05,
Browne, G, 'Biographical Register of the Victorian Parliament 1900-84', 1985