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For Peace, Order and Good Government: The first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia
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9 May 1901
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Members of the First Parliament

Lt. Col. Cyril St Clair Cameron

Lt. Col. Cyril St Clair Cameron (1857-1941)

Senator for Tasmania 1901-1903 and 1907-1913

Cyril Cameron was born at Fordon, Tasmania. He was the younger brother of Donald Norman Cameron, Member of the House of Representatives for Tasmania (1901-03, 1904-06). The brothers represented opposing groups in the first Parliament, Cyril being a Protectionist principally, while Donald was a Freetrader.

Cameron was elected to represent Tasmania in the Senate at the first federal election in 1901. He was defeated in the elections for the Senate in 1903, having attended less than a third of parliamentary sittings in Melbourne, largely due to his active participation in the military forces. He commanded the Australian Commonwealth Corps at the coronation of Edward VII in London in 1902. In 1906 he was again elected to the Senate and served from 1907 to 1913.

As a career soldier Cameron saw active service in the Afghan War, South Africa and World War I. At the outbreak of the First World War he went to London and was appointed to Headquarters Imperial Staff as assistant adjutant-general and was adviser to General Birdwood. He took part in the Gallipoli landing in 1915.

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