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Morris John (Jack) Hughes (1910–1998)

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Morris John Rodwell (Jack) Hughes (1910-1998) clerk, political activist, journalist, trade union leader and Communist 

Birth: 10 April 1910 in Sydney, New South Wales, son of John Rodwell Hughes (1883-1955), ticket examiner, and Louise Mabel, née Morris (1877-1957. Marriages: (1) 6 June 1936 at St John’s Anglican Church, Rockdale, Sydney, to Sydney-born Jean Mabel Beatty (1909-1956). They had two daughters. (2) 1957 at Sydney, to Dorothy Cecilia Ditchburn. They had two daughters. Death: 7 October 1998 at district hospital, Gosford, NSW. 

  • Educated at Kogarah High School, Sydney. Joined Federated Clerks’ Union (FCU) in 1929. President FCU NSW branch 1931, assistant secretary from 1933 to 1941, secretary from 1942 to 1952, life member, 1950. Federal vice-president of the FCU to 1952.
  • Joined Australian Labor Party about 1926. Returning Officer, NSW Labor Council 1934, vice-president 1937, president from 1937 to 1941. Chair radio 2KY Board.
  • Leader of the Hughes-Evans group of trade union and left-wing ALP members opposing J. T. Lang. Assisted in the formation of the “[R.J.] Heffron” Labor Party. Vice-president NSW branch of the ALP 1939-40. President of the Barton Electoral Council ALP. Delegate to ALP Federal Conference 1940.
  • Promoted the ‘Hands Off Russia’ resolution, Easter 1940.
  • Delegate elected by the NSW State Labor Party to the Central Committee of the Amalgamated Australian Communist Party 1943. Member of the Central Committee CPA 1944, State secretary CPA. Functionary CPA early 1950s.
  • Holder of Scroll of Honour for services to the trade union movement awarded by NSW Labor Council. Amongst other activities he worked to set up shop committees, improve conditions and increase size of union. Appointed consumer representative to Price Fixing Advising Committee, during WWII.
  • President, life member and trustee of the Bankstown Agricultural and Harness Racing Society. Vice-president of the Central Harness Association and awarded Gold Badge for services to industry.
  • Journalist and chairman of Sporting Publications, publisher of National Trotguide.
  • Foundation president and life member, Entrance Rugby League and Sports Club.

Sources
Tribune (Sydney), 9 December 1943, 12 November 1952, 26 February 1986, p 14; Ellis, 1949; Clerk, May 1950, p 10, October 1950, p 2.

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Citation details

'Hughes, Morris John (Jack) (1910–1998)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/hughes-morris-john-jack-33364/text41686, accessed 3 December 2024.

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