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George Neilly (1863–1946)

by Chris Cunneen

This article was published:

George Neilly senior (1863-1946) coal miner, gaoled trade unionist

Birth: 28 June 1863 Armadale, West Lothian, Scotland, son of Thomas Neilly, coal miner, and Mary, née Laidlaw, cotton weaver. Marriage: 1892 Adamstown, New South Wales, to Maria Kate Elphick. They had one daughter and one son. Death: 29 July 1946 at Kurri Kurri, New South Wales. Religion: Presbyterian. 

  • After working as a coal miner in Scotland, he arrived in Brisbane, Queensland, as an assisted immigrant in the Waroonga, on 13 March 1888.
  • Lived in Adamstown, Newcastle, by 1892. Prominent player in Adamstown Rosebuds soccer team.
  • By 1907 at Kurri Kurri, official in Stanford-Merthyr Miners’ Lodge.
  • Convicted on 30 December 1909 with twelve others of having instigated a strike and gaoled for 2 months after refusing to pay £100 fine imposed by Judge Charles Heydon. After six weeks in prison was discharged from East Maitland Gaol 4 April 1910.
  • 1919 trustee of Kurri Kurri School of Arts.
  • In the 1930s was a miner at Abermain Colliery.
  • Member Abermain Old Age and Invalid Pensioners’ Association.
  • Brother, from 1892, of the Mistletoe Lodge, No 28, Grand United Order of Free Gardeners.
  • Member United Grand Lodge of NSW, Lodge Kurri No. 253; Grand Lodge of Manning Mark Masons Lodge no. 38; and Grand United Order of Free Gardeners Lodge Eden no. 13. Companion of the Royal Arch Chapter of Master Masons, Cessnock Chapter no. 60.
  • Grandfather of George Henry Neilly, member of the Legislative Council of NSW.

Additional Resources

Citation details

Chris Cunneen, 'Neilly, George (1863–1946)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/neilly-george-32113/text39682, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

28 June, 1863
Armadale, West Lothian, Scotland

Death

29 July, 1946 (aged 83)
Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, 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.

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