Sir George Grey

Sir George Grey (1812-1898), originally an explorer of the West Australian coast, became governor of the near-bankrupt colony of South Australia in 1840. Although he was popularly resented for his drastic economic measures, over five years he nearly balanced the colony's budget and he did introduce some valuable reforms. The inscription on Theresa Walker's portrait medallion refers to his abolition of harbour rates and port dues, which opened South Australia in 1845 to the ships of all nations. Grey's wilfulness and refusal to work in consultation with his colleagues marred his subsequent terms as governor in New Zealand (where he and his wife caused torment to Edward Eyre) and South Africa, where his volatile idiosyncrasies alienated not only the indigenous inhabitants, but the War Office, the Treasury and the Colonial Office. He was eventually dismissed for defiance of orders.