People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse People:

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

William Millar (1837–1916)

This article was published:

Millar, William (1837-1916) pattern maker and trade union official 

Birth: 1837 at Glasgow, Scotland, son of William Millar, engineer; mothers details not known. Marriage: 1858 at Glasgow to Margaret Tully (c.1836-1929). They had one daughter and seven sons. Death: 28 January 1916 in hospital at Newcastle, New South Wales. Religion: Presbyterian. 

  • Apprenticed patternmaker in Glasgow, Scotland. Admitted as a member of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE), Glasgow branch, in 1856. Arrived in Queensland about 1860. Moved to Sydney in 1863.
  • Was undermanager at Fitzroy Iron Works. “Led the iron trades to victory in the memorable eight-hour strike” about 1871. Victimised by employers for strike activity, he couldn’t find work in Sydney. However, his friends had “recognized his services and his worth by presenting him with £200”. He set up and managed his own business for a few years.
  • Moved to Newcastle and gained work as a foreman with Morison and Bearby’s at Carrington. Office holder in the ASE for forty years including secretary of Sydney and Newcastle branches.
  • Chairman of the Eight-hours’ Demonstration Committee, Newcastle, about 1884 and secretary for several years. Trustee of ASE Newcastle branch and its Friendly Society.
  • In 1912 presented by ASE, Newcastle District, with certificate of merit and several sovereign coins for his service as a member of the ASE for 56 years.
  • Committee member of the Newcastle School of Arts. Member on several hospital committees.
  • Cause of death: cerebral haemorrhage and coma.

Sources
ASE AC Monthly Report, September 1912, March 1916.

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Millar, William (1837–1916)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/millar-william-34487/text43308, accessed 12 October 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1837
Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Death

28 January, 1916 (aged ~ 79)
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

brain hemorrhage

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
Workplaces