Edward James (Ted) Harvey (1915–1997)
This article was published:
- in the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975
- online in 2025
Edward James (Ted) Harvey (1915-1997) labourer and trade union official
Birth: 9 May 1915 at Gilgandra, New South Wales, son of Oswald Hamilton Henry Harvey (1880-1938), a farmer of Irish ancestry, born at Bellarine, Victoria, and Jane, née Gilmour (1877-1997), born at Ballysadare, Sligo, Ireland. Marriage: 18 January 1941 at St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Church, Wollongong, NSW, to native-born Olive May Petre (1907-2006). Death: 1 May 1997 at Wollongong, NSW. Religion: Anglican (on service record).
- From a small farm at Gilgrandra, New South Wales, the family moved from place to place during the Depression years. Settled in Wollongong, NSW.
- Ted was employed as a day labourer at the Port Kembla steelworks, when the work was available, and became a job delegate, Ironworkers’ Union.
- He was later a crane driver on the Port Kembla waterfront and joined the Federated Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association of Australasia. Was a delegate to the South Coast Labour Council (SCLC).
- In World War II he served in the Volunteer Defence Corps.
- Harvey participated in establishing the SCLC Aboriginal Advancement League to help improve the quality of life for Indigenous people living on the fringes of Wollongong and the South Coast area.
- Secretary of the SCLC by 1960, he resigned in 1969 and was succeeded by Merv Nixon. Moved to Bathurst.
Sources
Illawarra Unity, Vol. 1, No. 2, 1997.
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- photo, Tribune (Sydney), 6 September 1961, p 11
- ASIO file, vol 1, A6119, 2773 (National Archives of Australia)
- ASIO file, vol 2, A6119, 2774 (National Archives of Australia)
- ASIO file, vol 3, A6119, 2805 (National Archives of Australia)
- ASIO file, vol 4, A6119, 2806 (National Archives of Australia)
- ASIO file, vol 5, A6119, 2807 (National Archives of Australia)
- World War II service file, B884, N468869 (National Archives of Australia)
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Nixon, Mervyn Francis (colleague)
Citation details
'Harvey, Edward James (Ted) (1915–1997)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/harvey-edward-james-ted-35227/text44579, accessed 21 April 2026.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
9 May,
1915
Gilgandra,
New South Wales,
Australia
Death
1 May,
1997
(aged 81)
Wollongong,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cause of Death
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.