George Dibbs

Sir George Richard Dibbs KCMG (12 October 1834 – 5 August 1904) was an Australian politician who was Premier of New South Wales on three occasions.

He travelled abroad, and established a branch in Valparaiso in 1865, which involved running a Spanish blockade during the Chincha Islands War.

During his incarceration he was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald as having a suite of rooms, his own manservant to make life tolerable, and a woodworking shop where he made gifts for some 3500 visitors.

Dibbs was perceived by the electorate as the virtuous underdog, Shepherd as the villain, and on his release on 6 May 1881, he found his political popularity restored.

In January 1883 he was given the portfolio of Colonial Treasurer in the ministry of Sir Alexander Stuart, and was committed to continued railway-building although revenue was under pressure due to a suspension of land sales and no new taxation.

[1] The Assembly refused to pass an increase in property tax, so he decided to borrow an unprecedented £14m, giving him a subsequent reputation for extravagance.

When Parkes resigned in October 1891 Dibbs came into power following the 1891 New South Wales election, with Labour support, in a time of great financial stress.

Dibbs was reconciled with Parkes in 1894, but both lost their seats at the election held in July 1895,[12] having been portrayed as reactionary and unprincipled by Reid.

[2][1] Dibbs retired from public life, and was appointed managing trustee of the savings bank of New South Wales.

Keystone set by Dibbs in Colonial Mutual Life Building, Sydney