Tasman Shields
Tasman Shields was born in Launceston on 20 November 1872. He received his education at Launceston Church Grammar School.
Shields served articles with lawyer William Martin before being admitted to the Bar in 1894. He graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Laws in 1906.
He practised law alone at first, but eventually joined the Martin and Hobkirk firm, which was later renamed to ‘Shields, Heritage, Stackhouse and Martin’.
Shields led a distinguished law career. He served as President of the Northern Tasmanian Law Society, and was a member of the Tasmanian Law Reform Committee. He was appointed a King’s Counsel in 1938.
The Launceston Examiner described Shields as
“one of the most outstanding figures in the history of the Tasmanian bar.”
He had “a natural aptitude for court work, the gift of oratory, a strong personality, and [was] assiduous in the preparation of his cases.”
Shields was tapped whenever there was an opening in the judiciary, but he always refused to be appointed. His reason: he was reluctant to leave his law practice and give up various other activities.
Shields married Ella Maude Mary Allison on 17 March 1902 in Campbell Town. They had a daughter together. Ella passed away in 1934.
In 1947, Shields married his second wife, Hannah Doris (née Buckney).
Political career
In 1914, Shields contested the seat of South Esk in the Legislative Council, but was defeated. He ran again a year later and was elected, serving until his defeat in the 1936 election.
In 1916, he refused the Attorney-General portfolio in Sir Walter Lee’s government, but agreed to be a minister without a portfolio. He remained in this position until 6 December 1922, when he resigned over the cabinet’s financial policy.
In 1926, Shields and Albert George Ogilvie prepared a report on Tasmania’s economic difficulties under Federation, which resulted in the Tasmanian Sinking Fund Agreement of 1928.
Business and community affairs
From the mid-1930s onwards, Shields worked for:
- the Northern Tasmanian Anti-Cancer Council;
- the Society for the Care of Crippled Children;
- the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals;
- the Royal Auto-car Club of Tasmania;
- the Northern Tasmanian Football Association (NTFA);
- the Launceston Chamber of Commerce;
- Northern Tasmanian Fisheries Association; and
- the northern branch of the Royal Society of Tasmania.
Severe illness caused him to retire from his business and community affairs in 1945. He continued his association with the NTFA, however.
Death
Shields died in Launceston on 28 August 1950. He was cremated after a Methodist funeral service.
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