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William (Garry) McKeown (1915–1981)

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William (Garry) McKeown (1915-1981) miner, trade union official

Birth: 1915 at Edinburgh, Scotland, son of Michael McKeown, miner, and Agnes, née Facett. Marriage: (1) details unknown. The marriage ended in divorce. (2) 6 May 1957 at Registrar General’s Office, Sydney, to native-born Myrtle Eileen, née Foggo, late Smith (1911-1972), a divorcée. They had one son. (3) reputedly in 1976 at Unanderra, NSW, to May Talor [sic], who survived him. Death: 10 November 1981 in his usual residence at Heininger Street, Dapto, Wollongong, NSW. Religion: Anglican. 

  • Was possibly the Garry McKeown, known as 'Mister Huntley', who was president of Huntley (NSW) miners' lodge from early 1961 until his retirement in August 1975.
  • Member, Miners' Federation Southern District Board of Management from 1962 to 1975. Also president Huntley Combined Mining Unions.
  • Cause of death: myocardial infarct (moments), atherosclerosis (years), diabetes (years), recent bronchitis (2 weeks), and emphysema (years).

Sources
Pete Thomas, Miners in the 1970s: a narrative history of the Miners’ Federation (Sydney [1983].

Citation details

'McKeown, William (Garry) (1915–1981)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/mckeown-william-garry-34479/text43294, accessed 1 June 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1915
Edinburgh, Mid-Lothian, Scotland

Death

10 November, 1981 (aged ~ 66)
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

heart disease

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 or Descriptor
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