Hans Irvine
Encyclopedia
Hans William Henry Irvine (2 August 1856 – 11 July 1922) was an Australia
n politician and vigneron
.
on 2 August 1856 to flour-miller John William Henry Irvine and Mary, née Gray. His father had a business at Learmonth
, near Ballarat
. Apprenticed to a printing firm in order to learn lithography
, Hans was soon foreman and acquired a share in the business. He also worked for the Australian Natives Association
. He married Mary Jane Robinson (died 1915) on 7 October 1885 at Ballarat East; the couple had no children.
. In 1888, having sold his interest in the printing trade, he bought the Great Western vineyard and some grazing land, and acquired more land near Arawatta. He traveled to Europe
in 1891 to learn of French
wine-making practices and the possibilities of a British
export market.
Irvine became influential in the wine business in the area, buying two thirds of local produce in the early 1890s and distilling a considerable amount into brandy
. He had 250 acres (1 km²) of storage under the Great Western vineyard as well as Melbourne cellars and a London
depot.
While Irvine's success grew, the Victorian wine industry was struggling. He suggested a conference in 1894 to discuss problems in the industry and supported moves to establish American
root-stocks, which were resistant to phylloxera
, into Victoria. He was the first president of the Viticultural Society of Victoria in 1905; he also produced Report on the Australian Wine Trade in 1892 for the Victorian minister for agriculture.
, and became known as among the most liberal
in the chamber. In 1906 he transferred to the Australian House of Representatives
, representing the seat of Grampians
as a member of the Anti-Socialist Party. Despite this, he supported the Protectionist
Alfred Deakin
, and later joined Deakin's Commonwealth Liberal Party
. He was defeated in 1914.
Irvine retired to South Yarra
in 1918, and in 1922 travelled to England
to seak treatment for a gastric ulcer. He died on 11 July of that year in London
, following an operation; his body was returned to Australia and buried in Great Western cemetery.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician and vigneron
Winemaking
Winemaking, or vinification, is the production of wine, starting with selection of the grapes or other produce and ending with bottling the finished wine. Although most wine is made from grapes, it may also be made from other fruit or non-toxic plant material...
.
Early life
Irvine was born in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
on 2 August 1856 to flour-miller John William Henry Irvine and Mary, née Gray. His father had a business at Learmonth
Learmonth, Victoria
Learmonth is a town in western Victoria, Australia. The town is located on the Sunraysia Highway, west of the state capital Melbourne, near the regional centre of Ballarat. At the 2006 census, Learmonth had a population of 289.-History:...
, near Ballarat
Ballarat, Victoria
Ballarat is a city in the state of Victoria, Australia, approximately west-north-west of the state capital Melbourne situated on the lower plains of the Great Dividing Range and the Yarrowee River catchment. It is the largest inland centre and third most populous city in the state and the fifth...
. Apprenticed to a printing firm in order to learn lithography
Lithography
Lithography is a method for printing using a stone or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface...
, Hans was soon foreman and acquired a share in the business. He also worked for the Australian Natives Association
Australian Natives Association
The Australian Natives' Association , a mutual society was founded in Melbourne, Australia in April 1871. The Association played a leading role in the movement for Australian federation in the last 20 years of the 19th century. In 1900 it had a membership of 17,000, mainly in Victoria.The ANA...
. He married Mary Jane Robinson (died 1915) on 7 October 1885 at Ballarat East; the couple had no children.
Vigneron
Irvine's wealth grew as he invested in various enterprises, including land, mining, and viticultureViticulture
Viticulture is the science, production and study of grapes which deals with the series of events that occur in the vineyard. When the grapes are used for winemaking, it is also known as viniculture...
. In 1888, having sold his interest in the printing trade, he bought the Great Western vineyard and some grazing land, and acquired more land near Arawatta. He traveled to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in 1891 to learn of French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
wine-making practices and the possibilities of a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
export market.
Irvine became influential in the wine business in the area, buying two thirds of local produce in the early 1890s and distilling a considerable amount into brandy
Brandy
Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink...
. He had 250 acres (1 km²) of storage under the Great Western vineyard as well as Melbourne cellars and a London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
depot.
While Irvine's success grew, the Victorian wine industry was struggling. He suggested a conference in 1894 to discuss problems in the industry and supported moves to establish American
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
root-stocks, which were resistant to phylloxera
Phylloxera
Grape phylloxera ; originally described in France as Phylloxera vastatrix; equated to the previously described Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, Phylloxera vitifoliae; commonly just called phylloxera is a pest of commercial grapevines worldwide, originally native to eastern North America...
, into Victoria. He was the first president of the Viticultural Society of Victoria in 1905; he also produced Report on the Australian Wine Trade in 1892 for the Victorian minister for agriculture.
Politics
In 1901, Irvine was elected to the Victorian Legislative CouncilVictorian Legislative Council
The Victorian Legislative Council, is the upper of the two houses of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia; the lower house being the Legislative Assembly. Both houses sit in Parliament House in Spring Street, Melbourne. The Legislative Council serves as a house of review, in a similar fashion to...
, and became known as among the most liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
in the chamber. In 1906 he transferred to the Australian House of Representatives
Australian House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
, representing the seat of Grampians
Division of Grampians
The Division of Grampians was anAustralian Electoral Division in Victoria. The division was created in 1900 and was one of the original 75 divisions contested at the first federal election. It was abolished in 1922. It was named for the Grampian Ranges in central Victoria, and included the towns of...
as a member of the Anti-Socialist Party. Despite this, he supported the Protectionist
Protectionist Party
The Protectionist Party was an Australian political party, formally organised from 1889 until 1909, with policies centred on protectionism. It argued that Australia needed protective tariffs to allow Australian industry to grow and provide employment. It had its greatest strength in Victoria and in...
Alfred Deakin
Alfred Deakin
Alfred Deakin , Australian politician, was a leader of the movement for Australian federation and later the second Prime Minister of Australia. In the last quarter of the 19th century, Deakin was a major contributor to the establishment of liberal reforms in the colony of Victoria, including the...
, and later joined Deakin's Commonwealth Liberal Party
Commonwealth Liberal Party
The Commonwealth Liberal Party was a political movement active in Australia from 1909 to 1916, shortly after federation....
. He was defeated in 1914.
Irvine retired to South Yarra
South Yarra, Victoria
South Yarra is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Stonnington and Melbourne...
in 1918, and in 1922 travelled to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to seak treatment for a gastric ulcer. He died on 11 July of that year in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, following an operation; his body was returned to Australia and buried in Great Western cemetery.