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Donald Robert (Bob) Duncan (1870–1970)

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Donald Robert (Bob) Duncan (1870-1970) hairdresser and trade union official

Birth: 7 June 1870 at Bendigo, Victoria, son of Scottish-born parents Matthew Fraser Duncan (1933-1915), an engineer from Tranent, East Lothian, and Margaret Nicholl, née Gordon (1838-1903), from Dundee. Marriage: 7 October 1903 at the manse, South Melbourne, to native-born Mary Isabella Davies (1864-1927), a union official (of Shirt, Collar and White Workers’ Union). They had two daughters. Death: 15 September 1970 at Preston, Melbourne. Religion: Presbyterian. 

  • Previously president of the Journeymen Hairdressers’ union, he held the office of secretary of the Victorian branch of the Australian Hairdressers Wigmakers and Hair-workers Employees Federation [Victorian Hairdressers’ Employees’ Association] from 1904 to 1966.
  • Member of the Trades Hall Council and of the Eight Hours Anniversary committee and the Soldiers District Industrial Committee. He was also a representative of the employees on the hairdressers’ wages board.
  • Resident of Northcote from 1903. President, Penders Grove Association about 1910.

Sources
Merrifield papers, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne.

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Citation details

'Duncan, Donald Robert (Bob) (1870–1970)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/duncan-donald-robert-bob-33459/text41838, accessed 7 December 2023.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

7 June, 1870
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia

Death

15 September, 1970 (aged 100)
Preston, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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
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