Biographical entry
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Australian Trade Union Archives
Biographical entry
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Curtin, John Joseph (1885 - 1945) |
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| Politician - Federal - MHR and Trade Union - Organiser | ||||
| Born: 8 January 1885 Creswick, Victoria. Died: 5 July 1945. | ||||
| Born on the 8th January 1885 at Creswick, Victoria, Curtin became involved in the Labor movement from an early age. By 1911 Curtin became organising secretary of the sawmillers' union, a position he held until 1915, citing the 'stress and storm of trade union responsibility' as a contributing factor in leaving. In 1917 Curtin was appointed editor of the Western Australian branch of the Australian Workers' Union publication 'Westralian Worker'. Aside from helping to make the Westralian Worker the best Australian Labor paper, Curtin also attained the office of State District President of the Australian Journalists' Association in 1920 and strongly supported the Workers' Educational Association. Ultimately winning the Federal seat of Fremantle in 1928 he rose a year later to the caucus executive. Despite losing his seat in 1931, Curtin was back in parliament by 1934 using this brief enforced political hiatus to work as publicity officer for the Perth Trades Hall Council. Impressing with his oratory, Curtin rose quickly through the ranks of the Australian Labor Party so that in 1941 he became Prime Minister of Australia. Curtin died whilst still in office on the 5th July 1945. |
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Union Membership(s)
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Published by University of Melbourne, 7 March 2002 Based on "Parties to the Award" published 1994. Submit any comments, questions, corrections and additions Prepared by: Acknowledgements Updated: 29 June 2006 http://www.atua.org.au/biogs/ALE1007b.htm |