James George Lee Steere


Sir James George Lee Steere was a Western Australian politician and a prominent member of the six hungry families.

Biography

Early life

James Steere was born on 4 July 1830 in Ockley, Surrey, England. He was the third of six sons of Lee Steere of Jayes, who was a leading resident and landed proprietor in the county, and his wife Anne, Watson. He was educated at Clapham Grammar School.

Career

He became a midshipman in the merchant service and was at sea for fifteen years. His last position was commander of the Devonshire, well-known East Indiaman.
Early in 1860, he emigrated to Western Australia and leased 100,000 acres of land in the southern part of the colony. In 1867, he was one of the first elected members of the Western Australian Legislative Council, won his seat again in 1870, and was then chosen leader of the elected members. In 1880, he lost his seat by one vote but almost immediately became a nominee member. He was made a member of the Executive Council in 1884 and two years later was elected Speaker. In 1890, he was elected a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly under responsible government and was unanimously elected Speaker. He held this position for the remainder of his life.
He represented Western Australia at the federal conventions of 1891 and 1897, and was a member of the constitutional committee on each occasion. He was knighted in 1888, and created a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in the New Year Honours list January 1900. He was regarded as an able, upright and hardworking member of the community. A good constitutional authority and an able Speaker, he was held in great respect by all parties in the house and by the public generally.

Personal life

He married Catherine Anne Leake, daughter of Sir Luke Leake, in 1859. They had 15 children, 11 of whom outlived him.

Death

He died in Perth, Western Australia, on 1 December 1903, and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. Artist Florence Fuller posthumously painted his portrait, which was acquired by the Art Gallery of Western Australia.