William Butcher

In 1876, Butcher's father joined with other Victorian investors in forming the Murchison River Squatting Company.

In 1878 Butcher took part in an exploring expedition that aimed to find a shorter route to port from the Lower Gascoyne district, where he later purchased land.

He sat as a Liberal after 1905, holding the seat until the election of 3 October 1911, when he was defeated by John McDonald.

The by-election was a crucial one for John Scaddan's Labor government, with Butcher's win erasing its two-seat majority.

The brothers accepted this offer and in March 1910 the sale of Avondale occurred for the total price of £51,494/12/6.

William Butcher as a young man
William Butcher in his later years