The Harris'
Sir John Richards Harris K.B.E., M.D., M.L.C. was born in Chiltern in 1868. His wife, Lady Jessie Lily Prentice was born at Rutherglen in 1872. The couple married in 1896 at Rutherglen and had three children; Thomas, John and Stewart and the family lived at a vineyard called ‘Trahna’ located near Lake Moodemere.
Sir John Harris
John was educated at Rutherglen State School, Grenville College Ballarat and Monash University where gained his medical qualification. He was a World War I veteran, having served with the early forerunner to the RAAF, the Australian Flying Corps, and saw overseas action (Number 1 Squadron, Palestine).
Following his military service he returned to being a busy medical practitioner at a house in Rutherglen, known widely as Dr. Harris’ surgery or hospital. He also displayed a keen interest in viticulture and was attributed to having produced the first sherry in Australia in 1912.
John’s political career was extensive between the years of 1920 and 1942. In 1920 he won a by-election for the Victorian Legislative Council's North-Eastern Province; he was endorsed by the Victorian Farmers' Union, which soon became the Country Party.
From 1925 to 1927 he was a minister without portfolio. He was expelled from the parliamentary Country Party in 1934 after refusing to sign the nomination form but was soon readmitted. He retained his leadership of the Country Party in the Council, which he had had since 1928 and retained until 1942. He was Minister of Public Instruction and Public Health from 1935 to 1942 and was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1937. John also served as chairman of the Council of Agricultural Education (1944–45) and the State Emergency Council (1939–42).
Lady Jessie Harris
Lady Jessie Harris (nee Prentice) spent her early days at the family property near Rutherglen located at Emu Plains. She was the 4th daughter of James and Mary Prentice. During the war years Lady Jessie was a tireless worker for the Red Cross and other various organisations, working to raise money and rally for the war effort. Due to her extensive efforts and kindly demeaner she was highly regarded and respected throughout the district.
The Harris' Legacy
Lady Jessie passed away in 1937 at the family home 'Trahna' and Sir John died in 1946. The couple are buried within the Presbyterian Compartment at Carlyle Cemetery.
In 1953 their property contents and equipment were auctioned. It’s unknown as to whether the house itself was sold as a Harris descendant remained on the property at the home until at least 1967. There have been three generations of John Harris'.