Councillor, Mayor & Brighton Cemetery Trustee
Location: Pres*J*142A
Born in 1865 at Burwood, Melbourne, Grant moved to the Brighton locality in his early 20s and went on to become a leading citizen. Urged upon by John Satchwell (q.v.) and many residents to seek election to the local council (1918-45) – such was his popularity that in August 1918 he defeated the sitting Mayor J Hanby and went on to serve two terms as Mayor from 1924-25 and 1935-36. As a trustee of the Brighton General Cemetery (1923-47), Grant represented St. Cuthbert’s Presbyterian Church.
Residing at 70 Halifax Street, Brighton, he died on 24 August 1947 aged 82 whilst walking to visit his daughter in Elsternwick; tributes on his death “were many, conveying the respects of citizens and organisations to one of Brighton’s grand old men, who died as he wished, ‘on his feet’, with the interests of Brighton always at heart”.
Amongst the many groups he was associated with include Brighton Community Hospital, Baby Health Centres Association, Brighton Horticultural Society, Boy Scouts Committee, Brighton Beach Recreation Reserve and Treeplanters Association; the local Southern Cross noting that “it can be truthfully said that Brighton was his hobby”.
Source:
Brighton Southern Cross 29 August 1947.
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