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John (Jack) McCallum (c. 1857–1931)

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John (Jack) McCallum (c. 1857-1931) engineer and trade union official 

Birth: about 1857 in Scotland, son of John McCallum, farmer, and Margaret, née Wood. Marriage: reputedly in 1881 at Melbourne, Victoria, to Catherine Kathleen, née Hugo, late White (1846-1941), a widow with one daughter. Death: 21 May 1931 in his residence at St Vincent Street, Albert Park, South Melbourne. Religion: Presbyterian. 

  • Joined Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE) in Scotland about 1878. Union membership lapsed while visiting South America.
  • Emigrated to Australia and re-joined ASE in Fremantle branch, Western Australia, in 1896. Prominent in opening and participation in Kalgoorlie branch of the ASE in 1899.
  • Moved to South Melbourne branch and filled minor roles. Secretary of the Melbourne South branch of the ASE from 1902 to 1910.
  • Member and Trustee, Australasian Council of ASE, 1908-1911; Acting Secretary, Australasian Council of ASE 1911, Secretary, 1912-16 and first time that this was a paid position. Decision was reliant on a delegate meeting in Manchester England in 1912 to approve the establishment of the Secretary’s position as a full-time officer of the Society, which was granted.
  • Continued as secretary of the Commonwealth Council of ASE, which replaced former body from 1917 until 1922 when he retired due to reaching required age.
  • Continued to play active role in union affairs as check-book keeper and auditor for Newtown Branch, NSW. Was acting secretary of the Federated Clerks’ Union.
  • In 1927 moved back to Melbourne and became treasurer of Melbourne South branch until his death.
  • Awarded a Certificate of Merit for 28 years faithful service to Union in 1928.
  • Appointed a justice of the peace.
  • Cause of death: infarction and rupture of the heart.

Sources
Labor Daily (Sydney), 31 January 1927; AEUCC Monthly Report, Nov. 1922, Dec. 1927, June 1931 p. 26, AEU Silver Jubilee Souvenir, 1945 p.156, p.98?

Additional Resources

  • short profile, Labor Daily (Sydney), 13 January 1927, p 7 (under Federated Clerks Union)

Citation details

'McCallum, John (Jack) (c. 1857–1931)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/mccallum-john-jack-34321/text43068, accessed 9 September 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

c. 1857
Scotland

Death

21 May, 1931 (aged ~ 74)
Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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.

Occupation
Key Organisations