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.

Palmer, John Stanley (1926–2001)

by Peter Sheldon

This entry is from People Australia

John Stanley Palmer (1926-2001)

Born: 7 August 1926, Windsor N.S.W. Son of Stanley, carpenter-builder and Una Williams, netbraider. Married Helen Ursula Finch, 1957.

  • Educated at Wilberforce Public School; moved with family to Victoria;
  • Improver-carpenter, Kiewa hydro-electric project Victoria; became Minute Secretary at first union meeting at age 15;
  • Joined Communist Party at age of 16; active in party until mid-1950s;
  • Served in RAAF during WWII;
  • Returned to Kiewa to complete improvership; Short spell as carpenter, Warragamba Dam NSW 1946 before returning to Kiewa; Organiser, Country Victoria  Building Workers Industrial Union (BWIU) 1952-53; Carpenter and BWIU rep. Warragamba 1954-64;
  • Very active with F.R. Greentree in interunion solidarity at Warragamba, chairing Combined Unions Committee and instrumental in sale of township houses to their residents; Promoted to overseer, and later Construction Inspector, 1964 and joined Salaried Officers' Division of Water Board Union;
  • Held many positions within Salaried Division, including President, Vice-President of ACSPA, NSW; Alternative member of NSW Crown Employees' Appeals Board and employee representative on Water Board, June 1980.

Sydney Water Board Journal, July 1980; P. Sheldon thesis; Interview with John Palmer 19 Feb. 1993

Original Publication

Additional Resources

Citation details

Peter Sheldon, 'Palmer, John Stanley (1926–2001)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://labouraustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/palmer-john-stanley-31928/text39385, accessed 26 May 2022.

© Copyright Labour Australia, 2012