Williamstown Notables - Alfred Thomas Clark

Alfred Clark had minimal formal education and worked at scene painting in Melbourne theatres to pay for his education. He signed on as an apprenticed seaman on the Australian coastal ships. He then worked in H.B. Donaldson’s ship chandlery business in Port Melbourne. In the 1864-65 Victorian Gazette he is listed as an Acting Tide Waiter in the Customs Office.

He married Alexandrina Dickson McGregor (1854-1942) on 1st July 1874 in Williamstown. They had seven children, all born in Williamstown and lived in Verdon Street. 

In 1871 he stood and was elected, the member for Williamstown in the Victorian Parliament. He founded The Williamstown Advertiser in 1875, which published critical articles on the then Queen Victoria. Some did not approve of his political stance but he seems to have been regarded something of a hero to the majority of the local community. 

From the start of his parliamentary career, he supported Graham Berry’s “protectionist” policies, arguing taxes should be applied to certain categories of imported goods, especially manufactured goods. This would stimulate new industries and create good jobs at high wages. From 3 August, 1880 to 9 July, 1881, he was the Commissioner for Trade and Customs. It was during this time that improved the lighting along the Victorian coast and bay shipping channels. He standardised the hours of the Water Police and had the Passengers, Harbours and Navigation Laws Amendment Act passed.

In business, he was partner in an auctioneering firm, a director of several insurance companies, involved in two building societies and in control of a land syndicate which is where he made his fortune. He was a Justice of the Peace and President of the Williamstown Football Club.

In 1887 he resigned from the Legislative Assembly to contest the Legislative Council seat of North Yarra but was defeated.

He died at sea on board the Oceana on 19 May, 1888, on his way to London, where he was to put a South Australian Mining Venture on the market. His wife and three children who had been travelling with him returned to Melbourne.