by the Victorian Farmers Union (which later became the Country Party). In 1917 the Liberals were renamed the Nationalist Party. At the November 1917 elections, the Nationalists were split into pro and anti-Peacock factions, and the anti-Peacock group swept the country seats. The anti-Peacock leader John Bowser then became Premier. Peacock was a very durable politician, however, and by 1920 he was back in office, as Minister for Public Instruction and Minister for Labour in Harry Lawson's Nationalist government, positions he held until 1924. Premier for the third time The coalition government that Lawson formed broke down in March 1924 when the Country Party made demands Lawson would not accept. The Country Party ministers resigned, and then united with Labor, ending Lawson's term. Lawson resigned and Peacock was again chosen as leader of the Nationalist Party and became Premier for the third time. He immediately brought in a bill to reduce the disproportionate representation of country areas. Dissent grew from within the party and Peacock called an election, at which Labor emerged as the largest party, though well short of a majority. Peacock resigned again, and was succeeded by a minority Labor government led by George Prendergast. Peacock returned as Minister for Public Instruction and Minister for Labour in John Allan's Country Party government, holding these positions until 1927, when he left ministerial office for the last time. In 1928 he was elected Speaker, a position he held until his death in 1933. Millie, Lady Peacock In January 1901 Alex Peacock married Millie Gertrude Holden in Port Fairy. Millie, Lady Peacock was active in community organisations like the Red Cross, and carried much of her husband’s local electoral work, earning the title ‘the deputy member for Allandale’. When Alex Peacock died in 1933 Lady Peacock was persuaded to stand for his seat in a by-election, becoming the first woman member of the Victorian parliament. Her maiden speech – recalling her husband’s legislation on worker’s wages and conditions – was her last; she announced her retirement before the next election, in 1935. Australian Natives' Association Alex Peacock joined the Creswick branch of the Australian Natives' Association in 1881, and became branch secretary in 1882, a position he held until 1901. In 1884 he was elected to the ANA board of directors, and in the following year was appointed Chief President. He was three times the Chief President, in 1885-1887 and 1893-1894,