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William Orr

1843 – 1929

Australian politician

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About William Orr

Lived 1843 – 1929 (aged 85). William Orr was an explorer and politician.

William Orr (13 February 1843 – 6 February 1929) was an Australian politician and mining prospector. According to the Barrier Miner, Orr was "one of the pioneers of [the] mining industry".

Early life Orr was born 13 February 1843, in Bourtree Hill, and is credited with developing the first mines in Broken Hill.

In 1878 Orr married Mary Fraser. They were childless. He was one of the directors of the Mount Lyell Mining Company from 1892 to 1894, holding around 15,000 shares, partially financed and buried at Boroondara cemetery. and was reportedly not survived by anybody. His estate, consisting of over £60,000, was bequeathed to his friends and distant relatives.

William Orr lived at Wanganui Homestead, a prominent Queen Anne House in Shepparton. Wanganui is now a National Trust B Grade House. The homestead was designed by prominent local architect J A K Clarke and built c. 1900, using local bricks.

Orr was described as 'one of the most progressive members of the farming community' and Wanganui 'ranked among the finest and most up to date properties in Victoria'.

Wanganui House was built as a family home, it was located near an Indigenous settlement, and was the place of many family gatherings.

Wanganui is now part of a GOTAFE property. It is the site for Agriculture, Horticulture, Building, Plumbing and Dairy Farming.

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Important facts

Birth century
Positions held
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly

People in William Orr's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Orr's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Orr?

Australian politician

When was William Orr born?

William Orr was born on 13 February 1843 in Ayrshire.

When did William Orr die?

William Orr died on 6 February 1929 in Toorak.

What was William Orr's occupation?

William Orr was an explorer and politician.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Orr

· Wikidata: Q8016377

· DBpedia: William Orr (Australian politician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Orr. https://biography.guide/william-orr-explorer/

MLA: "William Orr." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-orr-explorer/.

Chicago: "William Orr." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-orr-explorer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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