People Australia

Gordon Bryant, c.1955

National Library of Australia, 23252188

Gordon Munro Bryant (1914-1991) teacher, soldier and parliamentarian 

Birth: 3 August 1914 at Lismore, Victoria, son of native-born parents Donald Munro Bryant (1876-1960), storekeeper and farmer, and Agnes Keith, née Bain (1879-1960). Marriage: 5 December 1942 at St Margaret’s Church, Eltham, to Melbourne-born Patricia Jean Hilton, née Grant (1919-2003), accountant. They had two sons. Death: 14 January 1991 at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Melbourne; usual residence Bannockburn Road, View Bank. 

• Educated at Frankston High School, Melbourne Teacher’s College and the University of Melbourne (BA Dip Ed, 1935-55). Was a primary and secondary school teacher with the Department of Education, Victoria.
• From May 1934 he served in the Citizen Military Forces. He began full-time duty in World War II in February 1942, and transferred to the Australian Imperial Force in January 1943. Rose to the rank of captain; lost his lung during service which caused long term health problems. He transferred to the Reserve of Officers in October 1946. He was later active in the Returned Services League.
• After the war Bryant joined the Australian Labor Party at Upwey, becoming secretary of the Greensborough branch and the Evelyn Electoral Council.
• 1954-1955 he was vice-president of the Affiliated Labor Teachers Union.
• From 10 December 1955 he was a member of the Australian House of Representatives for the seat of Wills, preceding R. J. L. Hawke. In 1972-1973 he was Minister for Aboriginal Affairs; in 1973-1975 he was Minister for the Australian Capital Territory.
• He was president of the Aborigines’ Advancement League of Victoria in 1957-1964 and senior vice-president of the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Straight Islanders in 1961-1967.
• Bryant retired from parliament on 19 September 1980.
• Cause of death: acute pulmonary edema (2 days), ischemic heart disease (years), diabetes mellitus (years) and chronic obstructive airways disease (years). 

Sources
Joan Rydon (ed), A biographical register of the Commonwealth Parliament 1901-1972 (ANU Press, 1975); Recorder, 116, 117, 118, May, August, September 1982; Sydney Morning Herald, 15 January 1991; Labor, Oct 1955; Labor Year Bppk, 1973.