Hugh Menzies

Coming from a family of political luminaries, notably nephew Sir Robert Menzies (Melbourne General Cemetery) who became Australia’s longest serving Prime Minister (1939-41, 1949-66); other political relations include Sir Robert’s father, James Menzies (Box Hill Cemetery), M.L.A for Lowan 1911-20 and James’ brother-in-law Sydney Sampson, M.H.R for Wimmera 1906-19.  Hugh was born on 4 September 1857 at Ballarat, Victoria the son of Scottish-born parents Robert Menzies, machinery merchant and Elizabeth née Band.  Educated locally he then had a varied career as a bank manager (Rupanyup), licensee of several hotels in Stawell before being elected to the legislative assembly seat of Stawell from October 1902 to May 1904, but failed to gain re-election when the seat was abolished; in 1908 he unsuccessfully contested the seat of Ararat.  From 1894 to 1906 he served as a Stawell Borough councillor and was Mayor from 1895-96 where he “assisted in the development of the community and in the progress of mining developments”.  “Greatly respected in the district”, Menzies later retired to Melbourne and carried on a newsagency in Caulfield.  Married to Eleanor née Lodge (d 1950), he resided at Vermador - 625 Glenhuntly Road, Caulfield where he died on 13 February 1925.

Monumental Headstone (enlarge image)

Source:

Browne, G., “Biographical Register of the Victorian Parliament 1900-84” (1985).

The Stawell News 18 February 1925.

The Weekly Times 21 February 1925.

The Argus 16 February 1925.

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