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James Thomas (Jim) Collins (1923–1996)

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This entry is from People Australia

James Thomas (Jim) Collins (1923-1996) tailor’s cutter and trade union official 

Birth: 27 June 1923 at Sydney, New South Wales, son of Michael Joseph Collins (1991-1957) and Ellen Mabel, ‘Nellie’ Ozard (1900-1987). Marriage: September 1946 at Marrickville to native-born Marie Patricia Kenny (1925-2013). They seem to have had nine children. Death: 16 October 1996 at Cronulla, NSW. Religion: Catholic. 

  • Worked as a tailor’s cutter and lived at Campsie, Sydney, in 1949.
  • Initially pro-Grouper. Elected organiser NSW branch Clothing & Allied Trades Union (CATU) late 1950s, having stood unsuccessfully for position in 1954.
  • In 1960, as official Australian Labor Party candidate, defeated incumbent Grouper candidate Jack Kenna for secretaryship of NSW branch CATU, retaining position until early resignation in 1967.
  • Unsuccessful candidate for preselection for the seat of Parkes in September 1965.
  • Spent some time in Bathurst and then Blackheath, when in February 1971 he contested the seat of Blue Mountains for the ALP.
  • Later moved to Cronulla.

Sources
Bradon Ellem, In women’s hands? A history of clothing trades unionism in Australia (Sydney, 1989).

Original Publication

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Citation details

'Collins, James Thomas (Jim) (1923–1996)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://labouraustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/collins-james-thomas-jim-33122/text41301, accessed 17 April 2024.

© Copyright Labour Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

27 June, 1923
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Death

16 October, 1996 (aged 73)
Cronulla, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
Key Organisations
Political Activism