The Division of Fawkner was an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. The division was created in 1906 as a replacement for Southern Melbourne, and was abolished itself in 1969.[1] It was named for John Pascoe Fawkner, one of the founders of Melbourne. It was located in the inner southern suburbs of Melbourne, including at various times Prahran, South Yarra, St Kilda and Toorak. It was usually a safe conservative seat, but was occasionally won by the Australian Labor Party.

Fawkner
Australian House of Representatives Division
Created1906
Abolished1969
NamesakeJohn Pascoe Fawkner

The seat is best known as the starting point for the career of future Prime Minister Harold Holt, who held the seat from 1935[2] until 1949, when he followed most of its wealthier portion into Higgins.

Members

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Image Member Party Term Notes
    George Fairbairn
(1855–1943)
Independent Protectionist 12 December 1906
26 May 1909
Previously held the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat of Toorak. Lost seat. Later elected to the Senate in 1917
  Liberal 26 May 1909 –
31 May 1913
    Joseph Hannan
(1873–1943)
Labor 31 May 1913
5 May 1917
Previously held the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat of Albert Park. Lost seat. Later appointed to the Senate in 1924
    George Maxwell
(1859–1935)
Nationalist 5 May 1917
September 1929
Died in office
  Independent Nationalist September 1929 –
2 December 1929
  Australian 2 December 1929 –
May 1930
  Independent May 1930 –
7 May 1931
  United Australia 7 May 1931 –
25 June 1935
    Harold Holt
(1908–1967)
17 August 1935
21 February 1945
Served as minister under Menzies and Fadden. Transferred to the Division of Higgins
  Liberal 21 February 1945–
10 December 1949
    Bill Bourke
(1913–1981)
Labor 10 December 1949
April 1955
Lost seat
  Labor (Anti-Communist) April 1955
10 December 1955
    Peter Howson
(1919–2009)
Liberal 10 December 1955
25 October 1969
Served as Chief Government Whip in the House under Menzies. Served as minister under Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton. Transferred to the Division of Casey after Fawkner was abolished in 1969

Election results

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References

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  1. ^ corporateName=Australian Electoral Commission; address=10 Mort Street, Canberra ACT 2600; contact=13 23 26. "Electoral division names no longer in use". Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 20 October 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "FAWKNER BY-ELECTION". Argus. 18 July 1935. Retrieved 20 October 2023.