Robert BECKETT
Member for East Yarra Province (Jun 1913 – Jun 1917)
Non-Labor
Solicitor. Born 28th November 1862, London, England; son of Robert, printer, and Eliza Bartholomew. Married 30 April 1903, Sydney, New South Wales, to Ethel Anna Wells; one daughter. Deceased 2nd June 1917, Surrey Hills. Box Hill cemetery.
Arrived in Victoria 1867. Aged 10 was employed in Walker and May printing house; returned to school and matriculated. Office boy for legal firm Malleson, England & Stewart; came under notice of Joseph Hood who secured him articles with Abbot & Eales; admitted solicitor 1889; co-partner with Abbot & Eales 1891-96, Abbot & Beckett from 1897, Abbot, Beckett & Stillman from 1916; president Law Institute 1908-09; comr. MMBW 1904-16; vice-president Swinburne Technical College; chairman Municipal Building Regulations conference, Outer Suburbs Tram conference; Methodist Sunday School superintendent for 30 years; his wife a former missionary to China.
Boroondara shire councillor 1892-1902, president 1894-95; Camberwell (shire 1902-05, borough 1905, town 1906, city 1914) councillor 1902-17, president 1903-04, mayor 1907-08.
Non-Labor.
Non-Labor. M.L.C. for East Yarra Province June 1913-June 1917 (deceased). Contested Eastern Suburbs (Legislative Assembly) 1897. Consolidation of Laws committee 1914-15. W.C. Angliss committee 1915.
