People Australia

George Russell Brickhill  (1879-1965) journalist and trade union leader 

Birth: 26 January 1879 in Launceston, Tasmania, son of Tasmanian-born parents James Brickhill (1846-1908), accountant and newspaper owner, and Rebecca, née Emms (1843-1940). Marriage: 15 February 1909 at Randwick, New South Wales, to Tasmanian-born Izitella Victoria Bradshaw (1885-1966). They had five sons. Death: 4 September 1965 in private hospital at Chatswood, Sydney. Religion: Presbyterian

• Began working as reporter in 1894 on Launceston Daily Telegraph. Influenced by sub-editor Vincent Sullivan who organised partly social, partly industrial meetings of journalists.
• In 1901 was leader of Bendigo Press Association, in Victoria. In 1902 joined the Age (Melbourne). In 1910 was one of the founders of the Australian Journalists’Association. Helped draw up constitution. Played leading part in establishment of Victorian district AJA in 1911; general secretary 1916-19 and Victorian district secretary, 1917-18.
• Spent three weeks in court during 1917 arbitration hearing that led to advantageous Isaacs award. Presented AJA case with ‘confidence, coherence and some flair’. Came under cloud for allegedly working for National Party.
• Moved to Port Pirie, South Australia, to edit provincial daily The Recorder. Transferred to Adelaide to edit The Mail in 1922.
• Later relocated to Sydney where he was the representative for the Newcastle Sun. Sponsored raising of northern New South Wales sub-district to full status as NSW Provincial District with headquarters in Newcastle.
• His obituary records that he had worked for several years as business manager for Wirth’s circus and travelled to India and Burma on expeditions hunting elephants and other wild animals for the circus.
• Father of author and air force officer Paul Brickhill.
• Cause of death: cerebral thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, relapse following broncho-pneumonia. 

Sources
Clem Lloyd, Profession: Journalist. A History of the Australian Journalists’ Association (Sydney, 1985); The Journalist, 15 October 1927, 24 April 1931, November 1938, December 1960, October 1965, November 1971.