14. Henry Daglish (1866-1920), politician
Henry Daglish was born in Ballarat, Victoria. In 1883 he joined the Victorian Public Service, where he served for the next 13 years. In 1896 he came to Western Australia, settled in Subiaco and became involved in local politics. He was a Subiaco councillor in 1900 and later served as Mayor in 1903-1904 and 1907-1908. In his capacity as Mayor, he twice served as a Trustee on the Karrakatta Cemetery Board.
In 1901 Daglish won the Legislative Assembly seat of Subiaco for the Labor Party. By 1904 he was leader of the first Labor ministry and Premier of Western Australia. However, his premiership was marred by inexperienced ministers, problems with caucus and reliance on five independents. He resigned from the party in 1905 but retained his seat as an independent.
Later he “drifted” into the Liberal Party and became Minister for Works in Wilson’s ministry in 1908. Though he was acknowledged as consistent and sincere, Daglish was defeated by the opposition in the 1911 election.
Henry Daglish’s wife, Edith Daglish (nee Bishop) was awarded an O.B.E. in recognition of her welfare work with returning soldiers after World War I. The suburb of Daglish was named after Henry with perhaps some recognition also due to the community work of Edith.