Mackinnon, Donald
Born 29 September 1859
(Marida Yallock near Boorcan, Victoria)
Died 25 April 1932.
(Toorak. Fawkner crematorium)
Parents: David, pioneer grazier, and Jane Kinross, both b. Scotland
Marriage: 19 Aug 1891 Hilda Eleanor Marie Bunny, sister of artist Rupert Bunny; 3s. 2d.
Occupation: Barrister and grazier
Education: Geelong Grammar School, Melbourne University and New College, Oxford, BA.
Career: Called to English Bar 1883; returned to Vic. and called to Bar 1884; assisted Higinbotham in consolidation of statutes; took over Marida Yallock on father's death 1889, also grazing interests in New South Wales, Queensland; chairman Equity Trustees Executors and Agency Company; Commonwealth Dir-General of Recruiting 1916-1918; Aust. Commissioner-General to USA 1923-1924; chairman State War Council 11 years; president Prahran Australian Natives Association 1903, Old Geelong Grammarians, Melbourne Club 1919; chairman Geelong Grammar School Council; founding president Prahran and District Scottish Society 1904; president Vic. Scottish Union 1931; member Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind committee; keen cricketer and president Victorian Cricket Association 1906-1932; president Prahran Football Club; chairman of trustees Scots Church. Son Ewen David Mackinnon MHR 1949-1951, 1953-1956, Grandfather of Donald James Mackinnon (q.v.).
Party: Liberal
Party Note: Leader 1904-1907, president Aust. Liberal party 1927
| House | Electorate | Start * | End * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLA | Prahran | November 1900 | September 1920 | Defeated |
Other seats contested: Prahran 1897, Indi (fed.) 1922, Henty (fed.) 1925
Appointments: Minister without Portfolio Feb 1907-Oct 1908, Attorney-General, Solicitor-General and Minister of Railways Dec 1913-Nov 1915, Assistant Minister of Lands June 1919-Nov 1920. Royal commission Melbourne University 1902-1904, Murray Waters 1909-1910 (chairman), Geelong Harbor Trust 1912 (chairman). Consolidation of Laws committee 1914-1915.
Publications: Contributed articles on legal topics to English periodicals
References: Who's Who in Australia 1906-1927; 'International Press Service Association Who's Who' 1929-35; Melbourne Punch 7 Feb 1907, 4 Jan 1919; Table Talk 4 Nov 1926; Argus, Herald 26 Apr 1932; Smith, J. (ed.), 'Cyclopedia of Victoria', 3 vols, Melbourne, 1903-05, 3; Henderson, A. (comp.), 'Early Pioneer Families of Victoria and Riverina...', Melbourne, 1936; Rollison, K., 'Groups and Attitudes in the Victorian Legislative Assembly 1900-09', PhD thesis, La Trobe University, 1972.
Initial data source: Browne, G, 'Biographical Register of the Victorian Parliament 1900-84', 1985
Last update: 1985 (last date the record was checked and updated)
*The Start date for Members elected after 1900 is the date they were elected. The start date for pre-1900 Members is the date they were sworn in.