Hon, Sir James Mitchell, KCMG
- Position
- Ex Premier
- Postnominals
- Knight Commander (Order of) St Michael and St George
- Committee group
- Executive; Historical, arts and science and pageantry (chair)
- Year of death
- 1951
- Plaque number
- FB9
- Dedicated by
- Kings Park Board on 29 September 1929
- More information
Biography abstract:
James Mitchell (27/4/1866 - 26/7/1951) was born in Bunbury and entered the service of the Western Australian Bank in 1885.
He was first posted to Geraldton, then Northam in 1890 where he established himself as the bank manager, active in community affairs, a justice of the peace and keen horseman with success in farming.
He entered Parliament in 1905, after winning a seat in Northam.
James Mitchell strongly believed that Western Australia should be opened up for farming and that men without capital should be entitled to take up land. This policy led to the opening of the wheatbelt and small farming districts of the south-west, with Mitchell being regarded as the major architect of WA's rural growth between 1905-30.
He held office of Premier (1919-24), during which time his Government commissioned the statue of John Forrest, who was his mentor and friend.
Mitchell's second term as Premier (1930-33) ended when a landslide election left him out of office and Parliament.
Premier of the day, Phillip Collier, appointed Mitchell Lieutenant-Governor, an office he held until 1951 and the last three years as Governor.
There are reports that he was often seen strolling along St George's Terrace, outside Government House, bowler hat on his head with his watch and chain across his ample belly; he would greet the people of Perth or give threepence to a child for an ice-cream and took a genuine interest in people and their affairs.
The Mitchell Freeway in Perth is named in his honour.
The Hon. Sir James Mitchell KCMG was an executive member of the Western Australian Centenary Committee (Chairman Historical, Arts, Science and Pageantry group) in 1929.