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Edwin Joseph (Joe) O'Grady (1884–1961)

This article was published:

Edwin Joseph (Joe) O'Grady, also known as O’Gradey (1884-1961) pastry cook, trade union official and mayor

Birth: 13 November 1884 at St Peters, Sydney, New South Wales, son of native-born parents Michael O’Grady (1849-), groom, and Louisa Kate, née Calf (1856-1920). Marriage: 9 January 1909 at Arncliffe, NSW, with Presbyterian forms, to Sydney-born Jessie Christina McDonald (1886-1963). They had three daughters and four sons. Death: 5 April 1961 at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney; usual residence Bathurst Road, Springwood. Religion: Presbyterian. 

  • Third-generation Australian.
  • Foundation member of the Pastrycooks and Biscuit Makers' Union, NSW, in 1902. (Later title: Federated Pastrycooks Employees', Biscuit Makers Employees' and Flour and Sugar Goods Workers' Union of New South Wales). President for twelve years before 1927. Secretary-treasurer from 1926 until he retired in 1956, succeeding Landon.
  • Union representative on conciliation committee. Allied the union with campaign for removal of sales tax from pastry lines, and also a campaign during World War II to defend the industry as being declared a luxury industry by the Department of War Organisation of Industry by advocating at least basic form of industry producing pies and scones. First president of the federal council and secretary.
  • Alderman on St Peters Municipal Council for several terms from about 1925 and was mayor in 1928-1929.
  • Justice of the peace of many years standing.
  • Cause of death: pulmonary tuberculosis.

Sources
Labor Daily, 13 January 1927; Pastrycooks & Biscuits Makers' Journal, April-June 1961 p 13.

Additional Resources and Scholarship

  • short profile, Labor Daily (Sydney), 13 January 1927, p 8, column 1

Citation details

'O'Grady, Edwin Joseph (Joe) (1884–1961)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/ogrady-edwin-joseph-joe-34611/text43524, accessed 3 December 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • O'Grady, Edwin Joseph
Birth

13 November, 1884
St Peters, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Death

5 April, 1961 (aged 76)
St Leonards, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

tuberculosis

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
Key Organisations
Workplaces