Tyson, James

1819 - James Tyson, born on the 8th of April in Australia. He was an Australian pastoralist. He is regarded as Australia's first self-made millionaire. His name became a byword for reticence, wealth and astute dealing.

1845 - First squatting venture with a brother, William.

1846 - Ran out of money and started again

1852 - Started butchering business at Bendigo goldfields

1855 - Sold butchering business for eighty thousand pounds which was split four ways with his other three brothers.

1892 - He offered the Queensland government a loan of £500,000 towards the cost of constructing a proposed transcontinental railway, and at a time of economic depression he took up £250,000 in treasury bills to assist the government.

1893 - He became a member of the Queensland Legislative Council but did not take a prominent part in its proceedings.