Andrew Walker Fairley KBE CMG (1884 - 1965)

Born 28 Jan 1884 in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Mineta Lenore (Stewart) Fairley — married 18 Apr 1934 in Canterbury, Victoria, Australia

Died 15 Apr 1965 at age 81 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Andrew Fairley KBE CMG is Notable.

Andrew Fairley KBE CMG migrated from Scotland to Victoria.

Andrew Walker Fairley was born on 28th January 1884 in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. He was the fifth son of James Fairley, a draper, and Mary Agnes Walker. ^[1] The family arrived in Melbourne in 1886 and settled in Shepparton the following year. Andrew was educated in Shepparton and, later, at Devon College, Launceston, Tasmania.

Upon arrival in Shepparton, James obtained work in a grocery store, which he later purchased and expanded. When he died in 1907 the business, a prosperous department store, continued under the control of his sons John Frederick, William Walker and Andrew. Fred and Andrew also formed a separate business partnership which dealt in land subdivision, operated a large orchard and a grazing property, and built retail premises for leasing. Andrew became well known in Shepparton for his drive and business ability.

Andrew Andrew was an active worshipper in the Shepparton Baptist Church throughout his lifetime.

In 1921 Andrew was asked to act as financial adviser to the Shepparton Fruit Preserving Co. Ltd (later the Shepparton Preserving Co. Ltd or SPC Ltd) and was made a director. The co-operative canning company had been established with government assistance in 1917 but after some successful years was facing financial difficulties. Until it again became profitable, Andrew refused to accept salary or expenses. In 1924 he became chairman, and in 1926 managing director. Under his guidance, SPC became one of the largest co-operative fruit-canning plants in Australia. By 1929 all government loans and interest had been repaid and the company began to pay substantial annual bonuses to grower-shareholders. One of the many local organisations to benefit from Andrew's philanthropy was the Baptist Church. He worshipped regularly, and his fellow directors became accustomed to his biblical quotations.

In 1927 Andrew became first mayor of the Borough of Shepparton, and in 1948-49 the first mayor of the city.

Andrew married Mineta 'Minnie' Stewart on 18th April 1934 in Canterbury, Melbourne. ^[2] There were no children.

During the Second World War Andrew was appointed to the Commonwealth Tinplate Control Board, and was commissioned to organise a scheme of vegetable production and canning in the Shepparton district.

In the New Year Honours 1946 he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for his services to the fruit industry and municipal government, ^[3] and the State of Victoria, and created Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the New Year Honours 1951 in recognition of service to the public service in Victoria. ^[4]

Aged 81 years, he passed away on 15th April 1965 in Melbourne and his ashes placed in Shepparton Public Cemetery. ^[5] He was survived by his wife. Andrew left an estate valued for probate at £421,462 ($842,924), the bulk of which was used to establish the Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation for the benefit of registered charities in Victoria.

Sources

1. ↑ Scotland'sPeople Birth Index #481 / B / 40 1884
2. ↑ Victoria Marriage Index #6199/1934
3. ↑ Australian Honours: CMG; accessed 23 Dec 2023
4. ↑ Australian Honours: KBE; accessed 23 Dec 2023
5. ↑ Victoria Death Index #7628/1965; registered at East Melbourne

See also

• McLeary, A. 'Fairley, Sir Andrew Walker (1884–1965)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, published first in hardcopy 1981; accessed online 23 Dec 2023.