Harry Dove Young


Harry Dove Young, generally referred to as Harry D. Young, was a vigneron and politician in South Australia.

History

Harry was a son of Charles Burney Young and Nora Creina Young, née Bacon, who were married at Swanscombe, Kent in 1851 and emigrated to South Australia on the Flora Kerr, arriving in 1855.
Harry was born in North Adelaide and educated at Aldenham in Hertfordshire and St. Peter's College. In 1887 he became manager of the Kanmantoo Estate and "Holmesdale" cottage, which he inherited on the death of his father, and on which he raised sheep, with some Merinos. Around was planted with grapes and St. George claret was made in the cellars. The vines were uprooted around 1930, despite winning some prestigious awards. A notable occasional employee was the Ngarrindjeri man David Unaipon, who had a cottage on the property.

Politics

He was a longtime member of the Nairne District Council, and for six years its chairman. In 1912 he won the Assembly seat of Murray made vacant by the death of William Jamieson, and retained the seat until 1927 when he successfully stood for the Southern district in the Legislative Council, holding it until forced by deteriorating health to retire in 1941.

Other interests

Harry was a longtime member and chairman of the Onkaparinga Racing Club which runs the Easter program at Oakbank. From 1929 the "Onkaparinga Hurdles" handicap hurdle race was renamed the Harry D. Young Hurdle Race in his honour. He was similarly involved with the Murray Bridge Racing Club. He owned a number of thoroughbreds, but none ever succeeded at Oakbank.

Family

Harry married Anna Theresa Moore, a daughter of Dr. Moore, on 25 August 1904. They had one daughter, Nora Young, who has illustrated books for children. After the death of her father, Nora continued to run Kanmantoo Station in partnership with Ida Smith. Nora represented South Nairne ward on Mount Barker Council for many years, and Ida Smith was a longtime member of the Australian Primary Producers' Union executive council.