Weekes emigrated to Sydney in 1837 and had established successful ironmongery and wine importation businesses by 1855.
Philosophically a liberal, he became politically active during the 1840s and 1850s and opposed the conservative constitution proposed by William Wentworth.
[1] At the first election under the new constitution Weekes contested the seats of Cumberland (South Riding) and Northumberland Boroughs.
[2] Weekes was the Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales in the second government of Charles Cowper between April and October 1859.
[2] He was a strong advocate of legislation to restrict Chinese immigration and opposed state aid to religious schools.