Family background
George Richard Parkes was born at Wool, Dorset, England on 9 July 1846, the son of William Parkes and Charlotte Blathman. He arrived at Sydney as a steward in the crew on the ship Avoca on 8 August 1870.
Parkes married Ellen McGovern (1851-1891) at Sydney on 17 April 1871 and they had 2 sons and 4 daughters. They lived at 71 Walker Street, Redfern. Parkes died at his Redfern residence, which he named ‘Dorset’, on 17 September 1905 and was buried at Waverley Cemetery. He left a will and his estate and assets were assessed at £4,912.
Occupation & interests
George Parkes was a self-employed carrier of horse-drawn carts and drays. Parkes was a member of the Redfern Bowling Club and in 1901 he was selected in the Australian team of bowlers to compete in England.
Community activity
George Parkes was a justice of the peace (JP).
Local government service
George Parkes was an alderman for Surry Hills Ward in 1891. In 1896 and 1903 he was mayor and returning officer.
References
‘Advertising’, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 February 1891, p.9, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13812732