Hay, Sir John, 1816 – 1892

Sir John Hay (1816-1892), pastoralist and parliamentarian, was born at Little Ythsie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, son of John and Jean Hay. He was educated in Scotland and came to Australia with his wife in 1838. Hay settled at Welaregang on the Murray River and was elected the member for Murrumbidgee in the first NSW Legislative Assembly in 1856; he held the seat until 1859. He was elected member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seats of The Murray (1859-1864) and Central Cumberland (1864-1867). Hay was Secretary for Lands and Works (1856-1857) and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (1862-1865). Hay was appointed to the NSW Legislative Council (1867-1892) and was President of the Legislative Council (1873-1892).