CHAMP, WILLIAM THOMAS NAPIER (18081892)

was born at Maldon, Essex, England, on 15 April 1808, the son of Captain Thomas Champ and his wife Mary Anne Blackaller. He was related on his mother's side to the well-known Napier and Lawrence families. Educated at the military school, Sandhurst, he entered the army at 18 as an ensign and rose to be adjutant. He came to Sydney with his regiment in October 1828 and went to Tasmania in the following year. Towards the end of 1830, as a lieutenant, he took part in the attempt to segregate the Tasmanian aborigines. Champ afterwards resigned his commission and was appointed an assistant police magistrate. He succeeded Captain Booth in charge of Port Arthur.He held this position for some years and then retired on a pension. While not neglecting discipline Champ endeavoured to treat the convicts with humanity. In 1852 he succeeded H. S. Chapman (q.v.) as colonial secretary, and held this position until responsible government was established in 1856. In September of that year Champ was elected as one of the representatives of Launceston in the legislative assembly, and retiring from his position of colonial secretary, received a bonus of £6000 instead of a pension. On 1 November he became premier and colonial secretary in the first Tasmanian ministry, but resigned a few weeks later on 26 February 1857. Shortly afterwards he was offered the post of inspector-general of penal establishments in Victoria. He held this position until the end of 1868 when he retired on a pension. While in charge of this department he introduced woollen weaving, the making of mats and other industries into Pentridge gaol, and showed general ability as an administrator. He also took much interest in the volunteer forces in which he reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel. After his retirement he lived in the country. In 1871 he represented East Bourke boroughs for a short period in the Victorian legislative assembly. He died at Melbourne on 25 August 1892. He married in 1837 Helen Abigail Gibson.