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Patrick John (Paddy) Bennett (1866–1944)

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Patrick John Bennett (‘Paddy’) (1868-1944) journalist and trade union leader 

Birth: 1 May 1866 in Ashton, Cornwall, England, son of Peter Bennett, tailor, and Bridget, nee McCoey. Marriage: 28 March 1894 in Whittlesea, Victoria, to Mabel Elizabeth Cairns. They had three daughters and two sons. Death: 23 December 1944 in Hawthorn, Melbourne. Religion: Catholic. 

  • Arrived in Melbourne about 1870.
  • Journalist and State political and departmental roundsman of Melbourne Herald for 40 years. Pioneer trade unionist. Member of Victorian Reporters’ Association, 1890, then Institute of Journalists and founding member Australian Journalists Association 1910. In 1916-1918 was Victorian district president, and representative on central committee. General President in 1918-20, and secretary 1919.
  • Federal Vice-president, 1920-27. Victorian District Honorary Secretary 1932-1944. Awarded Gold Badge and life membership 1927.
  • A ‘conscientious and painstaking President…a scrupulously impartial Chairman of the Central committee’, though final years was not without dissension from members.
  • Cause of death coronary occlusion, coronary sclerosis and atheroma.

Sources
The Journalist, May 1944, Jan 1945; Argus (Melbourne), 26 December 1944, p.4: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11376376

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Citation details

'Bennett, Patrick John (Paddy) (1866–1944)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/bennett-patrick-john-paddy-32416/text40203, accessed 22 December 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1 May, 1866
Ashton, Cornwall, England

Death

23 December, 1944 (aged 78)
Hawthorn, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

heart disease

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 or Descriptor
Key Organisations
Workplaces