James Gardiner (Australian Politician) - Early Life

Early Life

Born on 12 June 1861 at Papakura Valley, south of Auckland, New Zealand, James Gardiner was born to pioneers George and Mary Gardiner (née Craig). Moving to South Australia early in 1865, Gardiner was initially educated in Port Augusta then Saddleworth. After he left school at age 11, he worked for the South Australian Carrying Company Limited and other commercial companies.

Gardiner then worked in Melbourne for 11 years as an accountant for William Hamilton & Co., a stock and station agency. After leaving the stock and station agency about 1893, Gardiner set up business for himself for two years, then accepted a position with the publisher Gordon & Gotch. Following news of gold strikes in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Gardiner was sent to Perth in 1895 to establish and manage a new branch.

From 1897 to 1899 he served as president of the Western Australian Cricketing Association (WACA). He subsequently served two further terms as president, 1906 to 1915 and 1917 to 1924. Gardiner relinquished his position with Gordon & Gotch to set up his own auctioneering business in 1900 which, as a stock, station and commission agency, promoted suburban and rural land sales. He also pursued land settlement and development, and was foremost in developing land around the Moora region, Western Australia.

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