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Thomas Francis (Frank) Dolphin (1908–1997)

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This entry is from People Australia

Thomas Francis (Frank) Dolphin (1908-1997), letterpress machinist and trade union official 

Birth: 1908 at Preston, Lancashire, England, son of Thomas Dolphin (1871-1940), a wheelwright and coachbuilder, and Mary, née Lusk (1869-1946). Marriage: 1936 at Randwick, New South Wales, to Alice Lillian Gregory (1906-1981). They had a daughter and a son. Death: 2 February 1997 in Sydney, NSW. Religion: Catholic. 

  • Arrived in Sydney aboard the Marathon on 6 April 1912 with his parents, brother, uncle and aunt.
  • Letterpress machinist in 1924. Joined Amalgamated Printing Trades Employees’ Union.
  • Letterpress representative on Branch Board of Management for many years. Served on Branch executive and was a Trustee.
  • With amalgamation and expansion of coverage became member of provisional executive of Printing & Kindred Industries Union and in 1966 topped poll for election of four letterpress representatives on Branch executive. First federal president, 1967-75.
  • From late 1930s was Australian Labor Party member, union delegate to ALP annual conference and NSW Trades and Labor Council.
  • Involved in building Graphic Arts Club, Sydney and Regent Street offices.

Sources
Printing Trades Journal, July 1967, February 1975.

Original Publication

Citation details

'Dolphin, Thomas Francis (Frank) (1908–1997)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://labouraustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/dolphin-thomas-francis-frank-33372/text41693, accessed 30 April 2025.

© Copyright Labour Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1908
Preston, Lancashire, England

Death

2 February, 1997 (aged ~ 89)
Sydney, 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.

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