Philip Fysh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Sir Philip Fysh KCMG
Postmaster-General of Australia
In office 10 August 1903 – 27 April 1904
Prime Minister	Edmund Barton Alfred Deakin
Preceded by	James Drake
Succeeded by	Hugh Mahon
Premier of Tasmania
In office 29 March 1887 – 17 August 1892
Governor	Robert Hamilton
Preceded by	James Agnew
Succeeded by	Henry Dobson
In office 9 August 1877 – 5 March 1878
Governor	Frederick Weld
Preceded by	Thomas Reibey
Succeeded by	William Giblin
Personal details
Born	Philip Oakley Fysh (1835-03-01)1 March 1835 Highbury, London, England
Died	20 December 1919(1919-12-20) (aged 84) Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia
Political party	Protectionist (to 1909) Fusion (from 1909)
Spouse	Esther Willis ​ (m. 1856⁠–⁠1912)​
Relations	William Willis (brother-in-law)
Occupation	Merchant

Sir Philip Oakley Fysh KCMG (born March 1, 1835 – died December 20, 1919) was an important Australian politician. He was born in England and moved to Tasmania in 1859. There, he became a successful merchant, which means he bought and sold goods.

Sir Philip served two terms as the Premier of Tasmania, which is like being the leader of the state government. He also played a big part in the movement to unite the Australian colonies into one country, known as the Federation. After Australia became a nation, he was elected to the new federal parliament. He served as a minister in the first Australian government.

Early Life and Business

Philip Oakley Fysh was born in Highbury, London, England. He went to school in Islington. When he was only 13 years old, Philip started working in an office that dealt with stocks and shares. Later, he worked for a shipping company that had connections to Australia.

In 1859, Fysh decided to move to Tasmania. He quickly became a leading merchant in Hobart, setting up his own company called P. O. Fysh and Company. He also became a successful hop-grower and orchardist, meaning he grew hops (used in brewing) and fruit.

Political Career in Tasmania

Fysh was a member of the Protectionist Party, which supported protecting local industries. He served in the Tasmanian parliament in different roles. He was a member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council (like an upper house of parliament) several times between 1866 and 1890. He was also a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly (the main law-making body) from 1873 to 1878 and again from 1894 to 1899.

Philip Fysh became the Premier of Tasmania and Chief Secretary in 1877. He held this top job until 1878. He returned to these important positions in 1887 and served until 1892. He also worked as the Treasurer, managing the state's money, from 1894 to 1898. After that, he was appointed as the Agent-General for Tasmania in London, representing Tasmania's interests in England.

Helping Australia Become a Nation

Fysh at the 1891 Australasian Federal Convention

Sir Philip Fysh was very involved in the movement to create the nation of Australia. He represented Tasmania at important meetings called federal conventions in 1891 and 1897. These meetings were where the leaders discussed how Australia would become one country. He was also part of the Australian group that went to the British Parliament to watch the federal bill (the law to create Australia) being passed.

Federal Politics in Australia

In 1901, after Australia became a federation, Fysh was elected to the new Australian House of Representatives. He represented the Division of Tasmania. In the first Australian government, he was a "minister without portfolio," which means he was a minister but didn't have a specific department to run at first.

In 1903, Tasmania was divided into five separate voting areas. Fysh was then elected to represent the Division of Denison, which included Hobart. From 1903 to 1904, he served as the Postmaster-General, in charge of postal and communication services. He retired from politics in 1910.

Later Life and Legacy

Fysh in 1915

Philip Fysh was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1896. This is a special honour given by the British Crown. He passed away in December 1919 at the age of 84. He had five sons and four daughters. His wife, Esther Kentish Willis, was the daughter of William Willis, a straw-hat maker from England. Esther's brother, also named William Willis, became a judge and a Member of Parliament.

Honours

The suburb of Fyshwick in Canberra, Australia's capital city, was named after Sir Philip Oakley Fysh.

See also

• Barton Ministry