Background
Brookes was born in Hanging Ditch, Manchester, to William Brookes and his wife, Mary (née Oakden) and was educated at Hall State School, Manchester, and was also privately schooled.
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William Brookes
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Career
He began his working career as an apprentice draper before arriving in Sydney in 1848 on the Steamship "Bengal". After trying his hand unsuccessfully as a gold miner at Turon, he returned to Sydney and joined the Union Bank of Australia as a clerk. Brookes entered politics in 1858, serving as an alderman in the Brisbane Municipal Council till 1866.
He was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly as the member for East Moreton in September 1863 but nine days later his election was declared null and void and in the resulting by-election he lost to Robert Cribb.
Brookes was appointed to the Queensland Legislative Council in 1891, serving for six years until his retirement from politics in 1897.
Achievements
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In 1864, Brookes stood for the seat of Town of Brisbane which he duly won however, once again his election was declared null and void. This time though, he won the by-election and held the seat till 1867 when he was defeated by Doctor Kevin O"Doherty. His final representation in the Assembly came when he won the seat of North Brisbane in 1882, holding it for six years until losing the seat in 1888.
