Labour Australia

  • Tip: searches only the name field
  • Tip: Use double quotes to search for a phrase

Browse People:

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

Peter Connolly (1890–1959)

This article was published:

This entry is from People Australia

Peter Connolly (1890-1959) coalminer, ironworker, trade union leader and politician 

Birth: 8 May 1890 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, son of Luke Connolly, labourer, and Margaret, née McCue. Marriage: 5 February 1916 at Raymond Terrace, New South Wales, to Hannah Marie ‘May’ Campbell (1891-1961). They had four sons and three daughters. Death: 27 October 1959 in Newcastle, NSW. Religion: Catholic. 

  • Worked in coal mines, then as ironworker.
  • Secretary, Newcastle branch of Federated Ironworkers’ Association (FIA) from 1919 to 1927. FIA general secretary, 1925-28.
  • Member Eight Hour Committee. Delegate to Newcastle Trades Hall Council.
  • Employees representative on NSW Basic Wage Commission, 1926.
  • Secretary of the Newcastle branch of the Australian Labor Party. President, Newcastle State and Federal electorate councils in 1920s.
  • Employees’ representative on Board of Directors, Newcastle Hospital and Ambulance Board.
  • Elected member of the Legislative Assembly for Newcastle on 8 October 1927. Held the seat until losing pre-selection to F. H. Hawkins in 1935.
  • Again became secretary Newcastle FIA in 1935. Defeated by Communist Party of Australia’s R. C. Morgan in 1939.
  • Became builder and contractor after leaving parliament.

Sources
Heather Radi, Peter Spearritt & Elizabeth Hinton, Biographical Register of the NSW Parliament 1901-1970 (Canberra, 1979); Labor Year Book, 1933, 1934/5; Labor News (Sydney), October 1959, p 2.

Original Publication

Additional Resources

  • profile, Newcastle Sun (NSW), 13 June 1927, p 5

Related Entries in NCB Sites

view family tree

Citation details

'Connolly, Peter (1890–1959)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://labouraustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/connolly-peter-33045/text41192, accessed 20 April 2024.

© Copyright Labour Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

8 May, 1890
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England

Death

27 October, 1959 (aged 69)
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

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
Workplaces