People Australia

David Joseph Black (1898-1979) orchardist, excise officer, public servant and trade union leader 

Birth: 26 June 1898 at East Park, Davenport [Port Augusta], South Australia, son of John Black, labourer, later station manager, and Mary, née Hannigan. Marriage: 17 August 1921 in St Saviour’s Church, Brompton, South Australia, to Veronica Bridget Campbell. They had no children. Death: 10 December 1979 at North Balwyn, Melbourne, Victoria. Religion: Catholic. 

• Enlisted in Australian Imperial Force on 6 September 1916. Wounded in action (gassed) in France in May 1918. Returned to Australia per City of York on 24 February 1919. Discharged on 23 May 1919.
• Was an orchardist at Cadell, on the River Murray, in 1921.
• In 1928 joined Postmaster General’s department (PMG) and became secretary of PMG sectional committee within twelve months.
• 1930 SA branch councillor, Commonwealth Public Service Clerical Association; 1933 vice-president; 1935 president; 1937-1958 president SA branch; 1943-1953 Federal president.
• 1951 awarded life membership of union.

Sources
Federal Public Service Journal, March, April 1953