Premier George Reid's Kangaroo

Published on 08 October 2024

Image: Caricature of Premier George Reid by 'Hop' and Austin O. Spare. Courtesy State Library of NSW

One of the more unusual residents of The Boulevarde, Strathfield during the late 1800s was a pet kangaroo belonging to none other than the Premier of NSW! George Reid was then in residence at Woodside, a large property on the corner of Woodside Avenue. One day in late 1898 the kangaroo escaped into the neighbour’s property. It was caught by the gardeners who tried to lift it back over the fence. Premier Reid arrived on the scene in his pyjamas to assist when the kangaroo’s claw became stuck in his clothes, shredding both his pyjamas and dignity.

The Sunday Times reported on the spectacle:

‘It was thought that the kangaroo would bring the Premier trouble – not necessarily political, although that is seemingly on hand. Mr Reid keeps (or tries to keep) the kangaroo on his estate in the Boulevard, Strathfield, but although that estate may be sufficient for the modest needs of Mr Reid, the kangaroo has a contempt for its area and its boundaries. It gives evidence of this in a very practical manner by escaping over the garden wall at every opportunity, and as opportunities appear to be numerous, the Premier’s household has all the exercise it needs in hunting and bringing back the wanderer. The other morning, according to a veracious informant, the kangaroo robbed his master of a good deal of dignity, and also portion [sic] of his clothes. It appears the animal went exploring in a neighbour’s garden, was captured by two of the gardeners, and dragged to the dividing fence. Attempts to lift it over, however, did not at once succeed. The Premier appeared on the scene, arrayed in pajamas, and proceeded to assist to haul the kangaroo over the fence. The pet came all right, but in his nervousness one claw stuck in the back of the neck of the Premier’s sleeping suit, and with the descent the garment was split from roof to basement as it were. Mr Reid usually relishes having his back scratched, but he did not on that occasion, and now it is said a dark thought of transferring his pet to the Zoo crosses his mind.’ [1]

The kangaroo had already featured in the Sunday Times a fortnight earlier, portrayed boxing with the Premier.[2]

Sunday Times 23 October 1898 p.7

Sir George Reid often provided fodder for the pens of Australian caricaturists and political commentators. He was also known for his portly stature. Reid served as Premier of NSW from 1894 to 1899 and leased Woodside for a few years from 1898. In her memories of Strathfield from the turn of the century, Irene McEgan recalled that ‘Sir George Reid lived in a large red brick house at the corner of Woodside Avenue and the Boulevarde.’[3] The Woodside estate was subdivided in 1929 with the house itself demolished in 1930.[4]

The Woodside Estate subdivision, 1929. Courtesy State Library of NSW

Sir George Reid lived nearby at Mount Royal from 1904 to 1905, when he became Prime Minister of Australia. Federal parliament was then located in Melbourne so he was obliged to move interstate. Mount Royal still stands as part of the Australian Catholic University (ACU).[5]

Elizabeth Ward, in her memories of Strathfield, remembered seeing Sir George when she was a child:

‘Perhaps the best known citizen about Strathfield was Sir George Reid.  I was quite close to his carriage twice when he was being driven to the station…a four wheel carriage, the driver in the front seat and his lordship sprawled along the back seat.  He seemed to take up all the seat….he was a short very fat man, dressed in top silk hat, coat with tails and he wore pince-nez (I called it an eye glass). Everyone in those days went by train … there were no motor cars.’ [6]

You can read more about the life and extensive career of Sir George Reid in the Australian Dictionary of Biography at: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/reid-sir-george-houstoun-8173

Sir George Reid, 1890 by Gordon Coutts. Courtesy State Library of NSW

Today the Federal Electorate of Reid includes the suburbs of Strathfield and Homebush, paying tribute to the political career and local residency of Sir George Reid. The fate of his kangaroo is unknown.

By J.J. MacRitchie

Local Studies Advisor

References

[1] Sunday Times 6 November 1898 p.7 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/125523391

[2] Sunday Times 23 October 1898 p.7 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/125525675

[3] Mrs Irene McEgan, 1890 https://strathfieldheritage.com/people/memories-oral-history/mrs-irene-mcegan-1890/

[4] Sydney Morning Herald 25 March 1930 p.9 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16636481