Sir James George Lee Steere KCMG (4 July 1830 – 1 December 1903)[1] was a Western Australian politician and a prominent member of the six hungry families.
James Steere was born at Ockley, Surrey, England, third of six sons of Lee Steere of Jayes, who was a leading resident and landed proprietor in the county, and his wife Anne, née Watson.[1] After being educated at Clapham Grammar School, Lee Steere became a midshipman in the merchant service and was at sea for 15 years. His last position was commander of the Devonshire, well-known East Indiaman.[2] Early in 1860 Lee Steere emigrated to Western Australia and leased 100,000 acres (400 km²) of land in the southern part of the colony. In 1867 he was one of the first elected members of the Western Australian Legislative Council, won his seat again in 1870, and was then chosen leader of the elected members. In 1880 he lost his seat by one vote but almost immediately became a nominee member. Lee Steere was made a member of the Executive Council in 1884 and two years later was elected Speaker. In 1890 he was elected a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly under responsible government and was unanimously elected Speaker. He held this position for the remainder of his life.[2]
Lee Steere represented Western Australia at the federal conventions of 1891 and 1897, and was a member of the constitutional committee on each occasion. Lee Steere died at Perth, Western Australia on 1 December 1903. He married in 1859 Catherine Anne Leake (daughter of Sir Luke Leake) who survived him with a large family of sons and daughters. He was knighted in 1888, and created Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1900.[2]
Lee Steere was regarded as an able, upright and hardworking member of the community. A good constitutional authority and an able Speaker, he was held in great respect by all parties in the house and by the public generally.[2]