The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Gaunson, David
Gaunson, David, M.L.A., the fourth son of the late Francis Gaunson and Elizabeth his wife, was born in Sydney, N.S.W., on Jan. 19th, 1846, and educated in Sydney, and at Brighton, Victoria. Having served his articles to his brother-in-law, the late Hon. J. M. Grant, he was admitted an attorney of Victoria in 1869, and continues to practise his profession in Melbourne. After fighting two unsuccessful contests in 1871, and in 1872 unsuccessfully opposing the Hon. J. G. Francis, the then premier, at Richmond, he was returned to the Legislative Assembly in 1875 for Ararat, which constituency he continued to represent till July 1881. Mr. Gaunson was a prominent member of the "Stonewall" party, which, under Mr. (now Sir) Graham Berry, after an unparalleled agitation in Parliament and in the country, ultimately annihilated the followers of Sir James MᶜCulloch at the general election in 1877. Subsequently, however, he acted in opposition to Mr. Berry, and also opposed the Service Government formed in 1880. In the following year, on the formation of the O'Loghlen Ministry, Mr. Gaunson accepted a portfolio as President of the Board of Lands and Works and Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey. He was, however, defeated at Ararat by the Hon. Wm. Wilson on presenting himself for re-election after his acceptance of office, and at once resigned his position in the Ministry which he only held from July 9th to August 2nd. Mr. Gaunson was returned to the Assembly at the general election in March 1886; but on his contesting South Melbourne at the ensuing general election in March 1889 he was defeated by Mr. Mountain.