Ernest Henry Lee-Steere
Encyclopedia
Sir Ernest Henry Lee-Steere, KBE (22 December 19129 January 2011) was a prominent Australia
n businessman. He was particularly noted for his involvement in horse racing
in Western Australia
, becoming chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club from 1963 to 1984. He was also Lord Mayor of Perth from 1972 to 1978.
in the Army/Air Liaison Group, serving with No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Beauforts, 31 Squadron Beaufighter
, RAAF, South West Pacific Area, during World War II
.
Lee-Steere's interest in the sport of horse racing followed his father's; the latter had been Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club (WATC) from 1919 to 1940. Lee-Steere joined the WATC in 1933 and was elected to the committee in 1948. He became Vice-Chairman in 1959 and was Chairman for 21 years from 1963. The headquarters of Racing and Wagering Western Australia
were opened in 1986 and named Lee-Steere House after him, and the Lee Steere Stakes
is a $200,000 Group 2
, three-year-old 1,400-metre Feature race run annually at Ascot Racecourse
in Perth
.
Lee-Steere died on 9 January 2011, aged 98.
of Perth which included Sir James George Lee-Steere
(1830-1903) and Sir Ernest Augustus Lee-Steere (1866-1957). He was the son of E. A. Lee-Steere and his wife Bridget Yelverton O'Connor (the youngest daughter of C. Y. O'Connor
; she was prominent in her own right, as Commissioner of Girl Guides
in Western Australia for about 17 years). He was married to Jessica Lee-Steere (née Venn) for 60 years, and was predeceased by his wife in 2001.
Lee-Steere's daughter Jemma is noted for being partner to Perth businessman Rick Stowe for 10 years from 1980. After the relationship ended, she sued Stowe for $250 million.
of the Order of the British Empire
on 31 December 1987.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n businessman. He was particularly noted for his involvement in horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, becoming chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club from 1963 to 1984. He was also Lord Mayor of Perth from 1972 to 1978.
Biography
Lee-Steere was born on 22 December 1912. He was a Captain in the AIFSecond Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
in the Army/Air Liaison Group, serving with No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Beauforts, 31 Squadron Beaufighter
Bristol Beaufighter
The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
, RAAF, South West Pacific Area, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Lee-Steere's interest in the sport of horse racing followed his father's; the latter had been Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club (WATC) from 1919 to 1940. Lee-Steere joined the WATC in 1933 and was elected to the committee in 1948. He became Vice-Chairman in 1959 and was Chairman for 21 years from 1963. The headquarters of Racing and Wagering Western Australia
Racing and Wagering Western Australia
Racing and Wagering Western Australia, or RWWA is a controlling authority for thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing in the state of Western Australia....
were opened in 1986 and named Lee-Steere House after him, and the Lee Steere Stakes
Lee Steere Stakes
The Lee Steere Stakes is a Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race held under weight for age conditions, for horses aged three years old and upwards, over a distance of 1400 metres at Ascot Racecourse, Perth in November. Prize money is A$200,000...
is a $200,000 Group 2
Group races
Group races are the highest standard of Thoroughbred horseraces in Australia. The Australian Pattern Committee recommends to the Australian Racing Board which races shall be designated as Group races...
, three-year-old 1,400-metre Feature race run annually at Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse, Western Australia
Ascot Racecourse is the major racecourse in Perth, Western Australia, situated approximately 8 kilometres east of the Perth central business district, with the headquarters of the Western Australian Turf Club positioned directly opposite....
in Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
.
Lee-Steere died on 9 January 2011, aged 98.
Family
Lee-Steere was descended from one of the prominent so-called six hungry familiesSix hungry families
Six hungry families was a phrase used in the 1880s and 1890s to describe six of the most prominent and powerful families in colonial Western Australia, with extensive influence in judicial, political, mercantile and social circles...
of Perth which included Sir James George Lee-Steere
James George Lee-Steere
Sir James George Lee Steere KCMG was a Western Australian politician and a prominent member of the six hungry families....
(1830-1903) and Sir Ernest Augustus Lee-Steere (1866-1957). He was the son of E. A. Lee-Steere and his wife Bridget Yelverton O'Connor (the youngest daughter of C. Y. O'Connor
C. Y. O'Connor
Charles Yelverton O'Connor CMG was an Irish engineer who is best-known for his work in Australia, especially the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme.-Early life:...
; she was prominent in her own right, as Commissioner of Girl Guides
Girl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
in Western Australia for about 17 years). He was married to Jessica Lee-Steere (née Venn) for 60 years, and was predeceased by his wife in 2001.
Lee-Steere's daughter Jemma is noted for being partner to Perth businessman Rick Stowe for 10 years from 1980. After the relationship ended, she sued Stowe for $250 million.
Honours
Lee-Steere was made a Knight CommanderKnight Commander
Knight Commander is the second most senior grade of seven British orders of chivalry, three of which are dormant . The rank entails admission into knighthood, allowing the recipient to use the title 'Sir' or 'Dame' before his or her name...
of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
on 31 December 1987.
Further reading
- Lee Steere, Ernest Henry, Oral History OH2533, February-March 1993, Tape 1 [held at J. S. Battye Library of WA History].
- The Lee Steeres, Pioneering Families of WA, in Weekend News, supplement, 28/1/1967, p. 9.