Sir John Forrest ( 22 August 1847 â `` 2 September 1918 ) was the 1st Premier of Western Australia from 22 December 1890 â `` 15 February 1901 . Sir John Forrest GCMG ( 22 August 1847 â `` 2 Â September 1918 ) was an Australian explorer , the first Premier of Western Australia and a cabinet minister in Australia 's first federal parliament .