McMillan, Sir William, 1850 – 1926

Sir William McMillan (1850-1926), merchant and parliamentarian, was born at Londonderry, Ireland, son of Gibson and Eliza McMillan. He was educated in Ireland and London. He joined the London office of his uncle, Alexander McArthur, who was a merchant. He was sent to Sydney in 1869 and worked for his uncle's company in both Sydney and Melbourne.

In 1886 McMillan was elected president of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce and represented NSW at the London Congress of the Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire. McMillan was elected member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seats of East Sydney (1887-1894) and Burwood (1894-1898). He was Colonial Treasurer from 1889 to 1891. Involved in the federation movement he was a delegate to the 1890 Australasian Federal Convention, the 1891 National Australasian Convention and the 1897 Australasian Federal Convention.

McMillan was appointed K.C.M.G. in 1901 in part in recognition for his work at Federal Conventions. McMillan was a supporter of the Free Trade movement and in 1901 was elected to the first Commonwealth parliament as member for the seat of Wentworth in the House of Representatives. He retired from the parliament in 1903 due to his extensive business interests. [ref:ADB 10]