People Australia

John Vincent (Jack) Dwyer (1888-1970) postal sorter, trade union official and conciliation commissioner 

Birth: 18 June 1888 at Newcastle, New South Wales, son of native-born parents Michael Matthew Dyer (1856-1935), teacher, and Ellen Mary G, née O’Donnell (d.1947). Marriages: (1) 1910 at Paddington, NSW, to Sydney-born Nellie Watson (1886-1935). They had one daughter. (2) 1938 at North Sydney to Doris Winifred, née Hosking, late Pelton, a widowed frock-maker. The marriage ended in divorce. (3) 7 March 1945 at Marrickville, Sydney, to Sydney-born Ilma Wright (1899-1997). Death: 16 June 1970 in his residence at North Ryde, Sydney. Religion: Catholic. 

• Had a long association with Postal Sorters’ Union and for six years was employees’ representative on NSW Departmental Appeals Board.
• In 1925 was unanimously elected foundation general secretary, Amalgamated Postal Workers Union of Australia. Remained in position until 1947.
• Delegate to Australian Labor Party conferences, NSW Trades and Labor Council and Australian Council of Trade Unions congresses. Capable advocate.
• In September 1947 was appointed Conciliation Commissioner by Chifley government.
• Cause of death: cerebral haemorrhage, atherosclerosis and chronic bronchitis.

Sources
Frank Waters (D. J. Murphy ed), Postal unions and politics: a history of the Amalgamated Postal Workers’ Union of Australia, (St Lucia, 1978); Labor Daily (Sydney), 13 January 1927, p 6; The Australian Postal Clerk, 29 September 1947; Postal Advocate, June 1970.