HAWDON, JOSEPH (1813-71) was born at Walkerfield, Durham. He came to Australia as a young man and became one of the pioneer graziers of Victoria, making many explorations on his own account and taking up large tracts of land in different colonies. He was the first settler at Dandenong, Victoria, and the town is now on the site of his home station, which he disposed of to the administrator (Captain Lonsdale) in 1838.

Hawdon and his partner, Bonney, drove the first mob of cattle (300) from New South Wales to Adelaide (Jan-Apr 1838), and were highly praised by Sturt for the achievement. With Gardiner he drove one of the first mobs of cattle overland from Sydney to Port Phillip. In 1842 Hawdon married Emma, daughter of W. Outhwaite, Richmond, Yorkshire.

Hawdon took an early interest in New Zealand, and his reports on the Canterbury block were the means of attracting a number of Australian pastoralists there. In 1851 he sent Joseph Pearson, one of his managers, with a shipment of sheep to establish stations. Pearson explored the upper Waimakariri, took up Burnt Hill for himself and induced Hawdon to take Craigieburn, Grasmere and other runs in the west of Canterbury. The Hawdon river and lake are named after him. In 1866 Hawdon was called to the Legislative Council, but owing to absence in England he was unable to attend. He returned to New Zealand in 1870, and died on 12 Apr 1871. (See R. Campsett and E. W. HUMPHREYS)

Cycl. NZ., iii (p); Acland; Sturt; Grey, Journals; Cant. O.N.; The Press, 13 Apr 1871. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 201

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