Labour Australia

Philip Belton (1896-1966) journalist, trade union leader. 

Birth: 28 April 1896 in Euroa, Victoria, eighth child of native-born parents James Belton, dairy farmer and former Cabinet minister in Tasmanian parliament, and Charlotte Elizabeth, née Stevens. Marriage: 29 April 1925 in Hobart, to Kathleen Mary Driscoll. They had two daughters. Death: 13 August 1966 in hospital at Hollywood, Perth, Western Australia. Religion: Presbyterian.

• Grew up in north-west Tasmania. Office boy at The Daily Post, Hobart, learning shorthand and typing skills in reading room and receiving journalistic training.
• Served in France with First Australian Imperial Force and in 1919 returned to job in Launceston, later moving Hobart, where he became government roundsman and parliamentary gallery commentator.
• In 1926 joined Daily News, Perth, WA, remaining as sub-editor until retirement in 1961.
• Member of Australian Journalists Assocation (AJA) in Tasmania, and on Western Australia district committee for many years. Became WA president 1933, serving for 13 years and later for two further years in 1950-52.
• Awarded AJA Gold Honour Badge 1942.
• Represented branch at federal council of the union 1935-1938 and 1940.
• Having suffered from chronic bronchitis and emphysema for 20 years, died of acute respiratory failure.

Sources
The Journalist, Sept 1936, Sept 1940, Sept 1941, Sept 1966.