Arthur Champion Groom (1852-1922) William Henry Groom (1833?-1901) Member for Flinders (Victoria) 1901-1903 Member for Darling Downs (Queensland) March to August 1901 rthur Groom was born in Harefield, illiam Groom was born in England. In March 1901 he successfully stood as a AVan Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). WHe was transported to Australia for seven Protectionist for the seat of Darling Downs A successful stock and station agent and years in 1849 after being convicted of stealing. in the House of Representatives at the first auctioneer, Groom represented the Gippsland He was conditionally pardoned in October federal election. Already in his late sixties at area in the Victorian Legislative Assembly 1849 and worked in the Bathurst and Turon the time of election, and with many years of 1886-92. areas in New South Wales. He became parliamentary experience behind him, Groom assistant manager of a local business and was invited to speak first in the Address-in- Groom was elected to the House of correspondent of the Bathurst Free Press Reply to the Governor-General on the first day Representatives as a Freetrader for the and Mining Journal. In 1854 he was sentenced of sitting. He died in August that year, the first Victorian seat of Flinders at the first federal to road labour for three years after being member of the federal Parliament to die in election in 1901, and retired in 1903. Despite convicted of gold stealing. On his release he office. His son Littleton Ernest Groom his close proximity to the seat of parliament, migrated to Queensland where he set up as succeeded him as member for the House of Groom often absented himself from the House a storekeeper and auctioneer at Drayton. Representatives for Darling Downs. to attend to his business interests. Groom’s business enterprises prospered On retirement from politics in 1903 Groom and he became the sole proprietor of the was a member of a syndicate which Toowoomba Chronicle which became the purchased a northern New South Wales most powerful newspaper in the Darling property, the subsequent improvement and Downs area. He was the first Mayor of subdivision of which proved a great success. Toowoomba in 1861, an office he later held He then looked further north and established five times. In 1862 Groom was elected to the himself as a special agent for the Queensland Queensland Legislative Assembly seat for government for the sale of land. He settled Drayton and Toowoomba, which he held in north-west Queensland, where he died almost continuously until 1901. in 1922. The electorate of Flinders was named after Matthew Flinders (1774–1814), explorer of The electorate of Darling Downs was named after its locality. The Darling Downs district Australian waters. was named after Sir Ralph Darling, a Governor of New South Wales..