Dr Thomas Embling was associated with the Austin Hospital, Heidelberg.
Embling, Kew, was born in 1814, in Oxford, England, and left London for Australia in October 1850. He spent Black Thursday in Adelaide, S.A., reached Melbourne towards the end of the month, February 1851, and going at once up into the bush, remained there until driven downwards by the gold discovery. The Yarra Bend Asylum being in a state of disorganisation, Dr. Embling, at the request of Mr. Ebden, as representing the non-nominee members of the Legislative Council, agreed to take temporary charge for the purpose of effecting a thorough overhaul. The Government officials bitterly opposed the investigation, but after an acrimonious contention, he submitted a report, which the entire press of Melbourne and public opinion as well accepted, and of which the Council heartily approved. He then commenced the practice of his profession in Fitzroy in 1853. During 1854, the entire colony was roused to indignation at the treatment to which the diggers were subjected at the hands of those appointed to administer the law on the goldfields. At this stormy time, when the whole population of Victoria, and that of Melbourne in particular, denounced the Government, and demanded protection from its monstrous treatment of the miners, Dr. Embling took an active part on the popular side, and presided at a public meeting (called by the mayor to assist the Government, but dissolved by him in anger). Next day a meeting of many thousands was held, on the flagstones lying about in Flinders-lane, near where St. Paul’s Cathedral now stands. It was there determined that such meetings should be held from day to day, until justice were obtained, in all of which Dr. Embling was a prominent actor and took the chair, but the Government took but little heed of the warning. On 3rd December 1854, the crisis came, and the issue of the struggle is well known. In 1855, Mr. Annand having resigned his seat for North Bourke, Dr. Embling was returned for the constituency, the electors paying all the cost. Soon after that he attended at the initiation of the Eight Hours’ League (November 1855), and assisted it, and thenceforth, under the New Constitution, represented Collingwood until the end of 1869, when, his health giving way, he retired from Parliament. He opposed State-aid to religion absolutely, as he did payment of members, seconded the bill for a radical change in the Constitution, and supported the bill for the abolition of the law of primogeniture. He obtained a committee on baths, and carried the report that all corporate bodies should be authorised to apply for grants of land for public baths. He also obtained a committee on live stock, which led to the formation of the Zoological Society, and to the experimental introduction of alpacas and Angora goats. On the question of telegraphs, he moved that the lines should be subterranean, but Government opposed the idea. At Mr. Torrens’ request, he tried to get his Titles Bill through the House, but Parliament had not then grasped the problem, and rejected it at that time. He opposed in the House the projected colonisation of New Caledonia with convicts by France, and obtained a committee to enquire into the industries of the colony, which sat for six months, and drew up a report recommending Protection, which report, however, was not adopted until after a three or four years’ struggle. When the exploration scheme was submitted, he obtained from the Chief Secretary a vote of £4000 for the introduction of camels. Dr. Embling also took much interest in the introduction of tea, cotton, and coffee, as an article of produce into this colony and the Pacific Islands. In addition to his proceedings during his political career, Dr. Embling has taken great interest in other matters concerning the public welfare. He presented the Public Library with three folio volumes of Etienne Roberts’ Thesaurus Latinæ Linguæ, a very rare work, of which only three copies are known to exist, and the Parliamentary Library with a handsome copy, certified as a fac-simile, of the Declaration of Independence of the thirteen United States of America. He aided for some few years, as secretary, in establishing the Austin Hospital, and thanks to Mr. Morrah, procured the land from Government in two grants, of the only pieces available left near Melbourne. He also started the Kew recreation assemblies, which have been a great success. Dr. Embling has now retired from the active pursuit of his profession, and lives privately at Glenferrie-road, Kew.
From Victoria and its Metropolis: Past and Present, 1888 by Alexander Sutherland. Chapter –, “Bourke District” page 424. Includes descriptions of some townships and short biographies of local residents.
Image: Austin Hospital, State Library Victoria
