People Australia

Arthur Fuller, 1962

National Archives of Australia, A1200:L41569

Arthur Nieberding Fuller (1893-1987) mercer and politician 

Birth: 24 October 1893 at Gundagai, New South Wales, son of native-born parents William Fuller (1854-1920), gold miner, and Alice Rosina, née Nieberding (1858-1938). Marriage: 1921 at Cootamundra, NSW, to native-born Vera Leila Hoad (1894-1959). They had two daughters. Death: 21 March 1987 at his residence in Wynyard Street, Tumut. Religion: Anglican. 

• Brought up in the NSW goldfields, he was educated at Grahamstown and Canbelego Public Schools. Became a draper in Cobar. Moved to Tumut in 1919 and conducted his own mercery business there.
• Foundation member Tumut branch Australian Labor Party in 1919? Secretary of Tumut ALP branch from 1919 to 1971. Secretary of Hume Electorate Council.
• With his wife as campaign manager, contested Federal seat of Hume in 1940. Elected member of the House of Representatives for Hume on 21 August 1943. Was defeated on 10 December 1949. Held the seat again from 28 April 1951 until defeated on 10 December 1955. Again held the seat from 9 December 1961 until defeated on 30 November 1963. Government whip 1946 to 1949.
• Member of Tumut Shire Council 1941-50; deputy president Member of Tumut-Adelong District Land Board for eleven years. Member of Tumut-Adelong Gundagai District War Agricultural Committee.
• Life member ALP NSW branch in 1979 nominated by Tumut branch ALP, Terry Sheahan.
• Justice of the peace for over 30 years.
• Played first grade rugby league in Cobar for three years.
• Cause of death: haematemesis, oesophageal varices, abdominal aortic aneurysm and congestive heart failure.
• Related by marriage to Kenneth Hoad, Member of the Legislative Assembly (NSW).

Sources
Joan Rydon, A Biographical Register of the Commonwealth Parliament 1901-1972 (Canberra, 1975); Shop Assistant, Vol. 21 No. 4 October-December 1943 p.13.