Obituaries Australia

Septimus Burt, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 June 1919

The death of Mr. Septimus Burt, K.C., has removed from Western Australia one of her leading pastoralists, and one of her ablest citizens. He was Attorney-General in the first State Administration when responsible Government was established in 1890, and, like his chief, the late Lord Forrest, he could have risen to any distinction to which he might have aspired. He could have become Premier, and later Chief Justice if he had remained in public life; or could have taken a leading part in Federal affairs had he chosen that arena. But he voluntarily resigned a prospective great career in order to devote himself to pastoral pursuits and the pleasures of unobtrusive citizenship. He was offered knighthood, but declined the honour, although his father had achieved that distinction before him. Mr. Burt, while directing the development of two stations in the north-west, lived quietly in Perth, where he assisted, sans publicity, in many good and useful works. He built a fine memorial hall adjoining the Anglican Cathedral in memory of his two sons, who fell in the great struggle for world freedom. His widow survives, and one son is still at the front, while three others are pastoralists.