Charles McNess

Sir Charles McNess (born 26 March 1852 in Huntingdon, England – died 21 June 1938 in Mount Lawley, Western Australia) was an ironmonger and philanthropist.

He later he traded in scrap metals, and came to Australia in his mid-twenties, starting in business in Perth as an ironmonger.

[4] McNess retired in 1915 and henceforth spent much of his time in travelling—particularly to Queensland—and distributing his fortune by giving large subscriptions to patriotic funds, hospitals, and religious bodies.

[6] In 1937 he gave about £12,000 to the state government for the construction of a road in memory of his wife, who died in February of that year.

His philanthropy was unobtrusive and generally directed through his close friend, Louis Shapcott, under-secretary to the Premier of Western Australia.

McNess Royal Arcade