from Labor Daily
This entry is from Obituaries Australia
With the sudden death yesterday of Mr. John McDonald, of Northumberland Avenue, Stanmore, who was secretary of the Ship Painters and Dockers' Union, a prominent and popular figure in the Labor Movement, has passed away.
Mr. McDonald was on a visit to several of his members at Balmain when he collapsed in Darling Street. When taken to Balmain Hospital by Contral Ambulance he was found to be dead.
Born in Glasgow in 1876, he arrived in Australia when 20 years of age. Throughout he has taken a prominent part in Labor's affairs. He was president of the New South Wales branch of the Ship Painters and Dockers' Union for 34 years, and had occupied the position of secretary for over 10 years. For 13 years he was Federal president of the organisation, and only a few weeks ago succeeded to the position of Federal secretary.
Mr. McDonald first joined the Labor Party 33 years ago, and took a leading part in its activities. He was associated with the Stanmore and South Annandale branches for many years, and was on numerous occasions a delegate to annual conferences of the party.
He was president of the Six-Hour Day and Labor Demonstration Committee last year, and at the annual meeting was appointed a trustee. In a big degree he helped to make last last year's procession and art union a pronounced success.
As one of the delegates to the last A.C.T.U. Congress at Melbourne, Mr. McDonald fought all the way with the delegates from New South Wales, and assisted to mould the policy that has been adopted by the movement throughout Australia.
Possessed of a ready wit, Mr. McDonald was held in high esteem by all sections of the Labor Movement. His loss will be keenly felt.
In addition to his union activities, he was a financial trustee of the Trades Hall Association. He was appointed a director of Sydney Hospital in 1927.
He leaves a widow and grown-up family.
The Labor Council last night adjourned as a mark of respect of the late Mr. McDonald. A motion of condolence with the relatives was carried by members standing in silence.
This person appears as a part of the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975. [View Article]
'McDonald, John (1877–1933)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://labouraustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/mcdonald-john-32714/text40665, accessed 1 September 2024.
1877
Glasgow,
Lanarkshire,
Scotland
9 March,
1933
(aged ~ 56)
Balmain, Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
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