Hans Irvine

Hans William Henry Irvine (2 August 1856 – 11 July 1922) was an Australian politician and vigneron.

Early life

Irvine was born in Melbourne on 2 August 1856 to flour-miller John William Henry Irvine and Mary, nee 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 (d. 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 viticulture. 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 travelled 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 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 resistent 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.

Politics

In 1901, Irvine was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council, 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.

References

• Dunstan, David (1983). "Irvine, Hans William Henry (1856 - 1922)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 2008-03-29.