Grazier

Walter Manifold was the son of Thomas Manifold, a pioneer grazier in the western district of Victoria who had represented Warrnambool in the Legislative Assembly in 1861. He was educated partly in Melbourne and partly in France and Germany and qualified as a solicitor, although he never practised.  He became a grazier, first purchasing Pine Grove West station, near Echuca with his brother James, before part-owning 750 sq. mile Sesbania station in North Queensland with his uncle Peter Manifold from 1876 to 1884, and then Wollaston station near Warrnambool which was later sold for soldier settlement. In 1885 he married Fanny Maria Smith. Manifold was a trustee of the Guardian Assurance Company, a president of the Melbourne Club and from 1923-1928 a member of the Melbourne University Council.  Retired as President in 1923 due to ill health and in early 1924 resigned his seat. He died three years later at Toorak.