Obituaries Australia

Charles Bright, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 August 1915

Mr. Charles Edward Bright, one of the founders in Victoria of the firm of Bright Bros. and Co., steamship and general agents, which developed into the well-known firm of Gibbs, Bright and Co., died in England last month, aged 86 years. He arrived in Victoria in 1853, and continued in business until his retirement from Gibbs, Bright and Co. in 1899, when he gave his attention to financial interests. He was first chairman of the Melbourne Harbour Trust, and in 1870 was president of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce. Although Mr. Bright had resided in England for the last thirty years, he always kept in close touch with Australian affairs, and was a member of the board of directors of several public companies, including the Union Bank, the National Mutual Life Company, the Australian Estates and Mortgage Company, and the Australian Pastoral Company. He was also for some time on the advisory council of the Agent-General for Victoria.

The late Mr. Bright in 1868 married the elder daughter of Viscount Canterbury, then Sir Thomas Manners-Sutton, and Governor of Victoria, and leaves three sons, Messrs. Alfred and Charles Bright and Lieut.-Col. R. Bright. The two last named are residents of London, while Mr. Alfred Bright, who lives in Melbourne, is connected with Gibbs, Bright and Co. Mr. Reginald Bright, of the same firm, is a brother of the deceased.