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Peter Percy Pike (1879–1949)

This article was published:

Peter Pike, n.d.

Peter Pike, n.d.

House of Assembly Long Room Picture, 503

Pike, Peter Percy Fowler (1879-1949) typographer, trade union official and parliamentarian 

Birth: 3 November 1879 at Launceston, Tasmania, son of William Fowler Pike (1826-1915), a greengrocer, born at Holborn, London, England, and Alison (Alice), née Brown (1838-1911), born at Coldstream, Berwickshire, Scotland. Marriage: 15 March 1902 at bride’s residence, Launceston, to Launceston-born Florence Jane Porter (1880-1952). They had one son. Death: 3 September 1949 at Launceston. Religion: Presbyterian. 

  • Educated at Charles Street school, Launceston, Tasmania.
  • Printer of Examiner (Launceston) newsroom for thirty-four years and co-printer for about eight years.
  • Secretary of Eight-Hour Committee from 1913 to about 1925 and later served as secretary of management committee and was president.
  • Secretary of the Launceston branch of Melbourne Typographical Society before Printing Industry Employees’ Union of Australia (PIEU) was formed in 1916. Early member of Printers’ Wages Board and assisted in preparing first industrial award.
  • Federal president of PIEUA 1942-1943. Represented Tasmania at federal council meetings. State councillor 1937-1942. Secretary of Launceston PIEUA sub-branch.
  • Secretary of the Storemen and Packers’ Union, the Flour Millers’ Union and the Municipal Employees’ Union. Secretary of the Advisory Council of Trade Unions, Tasmania. Secretary of Launceston Trades Hall Council (THC) in 1941. President of Launceston THC for eleven years. Life Member of the Labor Day Committee.
  • Secretary of Wilmot no.1 branch of the Australian Labor Party. Vice-president of Wilmot division campaign committee, ALP.
  • Contested House of Assembly seats of Bass in 1937 and Wilmot in 1941. Member of the House of Assembly for Wilmot from 1943 to his death. Government whip 1946. Chairman of committees 1947-48. Speaker of the House of Assembly in 1948-1949.
  • Commissioned Justice of the Peace in 1923. Appointed CMG. Life member of the Honorary Justices’ Association of Tasmania. Co-founder of the Wattle Day movement. President of Launceston Fire Brigade Board, Launceston General Hospital Board, and North Tasmania Ambulance Board. Chairman Fire Brigades Commission. President of Glen Dhu Parents’ and Friends’ Association. President of Council of Parents’ and Friends’ Assoc.
  • Trustee Glen Dhu Sportsground; steward Caledonian carnivals; steward, North Agricultural and Pastoral Society; member, Launceston Artillery Old Comrades Association; member, Men’s Division of the Australian Comforts Fund; committee member of North Tasmania Athletic Association; clerk of scales Northern Tasmania Trotting Club.
  • Cause of death: diffuse myocardial scarring, coronary sclerosis and arteriosclerosis.

Sources
Scott Bennett & Barbara Bennett, Biographical Register of the Tasmanian Parliament, 1851–1960, (Canberra, 1980); View, Tasmania 4 July 1942 p.6; Printing Trades Journal, February 1937, p 37, May 1941, May 1942, September 1943, p 105, July 1948, October 1949, p 106; Westralian Worker (Perth), 3 July 1942 p 3, 20 August 1943 p 3.

Additional Resources and Scholarship

  • group photo, Saturday Evening Express (Launceston, Tas), 20 July 1929, p 1
  • profile, Voice (Hobart), 4 July 1942, p 6
  • funeral, Examiner (Launceston, Tas), 7 September 1949, p 3

Citation details

'Pike, Peter Percy (1879–1949)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/pike-peter-percy-34841/text43886, accessed 11 November 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Peter Pike, n.d.

Peter Pike, n.d.

House of Assembly Long Room Picture, 503

Life Summary [details]

Birth

3 November, 1879
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Death

3 September, 1949 (aged 69)
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Cause of Death

heart disease

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