People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse People:

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

Arthur George Ferguson (1914–1980)

This article was published:

Arthur George (‘Ferg’ or 'Fatty') Ferguson (1914-1980) miner, trade union official, deputy mayor and cyclist

Birth: 1914 at Norwood, South Australia, son of George Owen Ferguson (1887-1957), miner and Frances Eleanor, née Austin (1889-1983). Marriage: 6 November 1943 at Broken Hill, New South Wales, to native-born Joyce Kathleen Buller (1919-2015), formerly of Woolworth’s staff. They had one daughter. Death: 27 August 1980 in hospital at Broken Hill. Religion: Anglican. 

  • Miner, Central mine Broken Hill from 1934 to 1940 (when it closed). Miner, North mine Broken Hill from 1940 to 1977 (retired).
  • Member, Workers' Industrial Union of Australasia (WIUofA), Barrier branch, and for about 20 years was member of executive and management committees. Union delegate to Barrier Industrial Council and Barrier branch of Australian Labor Party. Central councillor, Miners' Federation, representing Barrier branch of union from about 1967 to 1977.
  • Alderman (ALP) on Broken Hill City Council in 1965 serving a total of nine years at various times, including 12 months as deputy mayor. Active in issues concerning welfare of miners and of community in general.
  • Member, North mine's sickness fund committee for 27 years including president 1967-77. Foundation president, North Nine Presentation Committee 1956-1977. Assisted initiating North Widows Assistance Scheme, president 1970-1977. Worker representative on Mines Dental Clinic Board and Mines Pension Fund.
  • Sporting identity in Broken Hill. Cyclist, competing in Broken Hill and other NSW centres, South Australia and Tasmania.
  • Winner of 2-mile roller-skating championship in Melbourne in 1937. Winner of 55-yard swimming race in Broken Hill in 1934.
  • Cause of death: left cerebellar haemorrhage and interventricular haemorrhage, hypertension and gout. 

Sources
Common Cause, 22 July 1974, 3 March 1977 p 2, 28 September 1977 p 2, 5 September 1980.

Citation details

'Ferguson, Arthur George (1914–1980)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/ferguson-arthur-george-33630/text42074, accessed 16 October 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1914
Norwood, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Death

27 August, 1980 (aged ~ 66)
Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

brain hemorrhage

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
Key Organisations
Political Activism
Workplaces