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Thomas (Tom) Sweeney (1897–1964)

This article was published:

Tom Sweeney, n.d.

Tom Sweeney, n.d.

Thomas (Tom) Sweeney (1897-1964) clerk, public servant, sportsman and trade union official

Birth: 24 January 1897 at Gympie, Queensland, John Sweeney (1854-1930), miner, and Ellen, née McCarthy (1864-1949). Both parents had been born in County Cork, Ireland; John in Coolcoulaghta, Durrus, and Ellen in Glaun, Schull. Marriage: 18 November 1925 at St Stephen’s Catholic Cathedral, Brisbane, to Queensland-born Mary O’Brien (1902-1990). They had four sons and two daughters. Death: 29 August 1964 at Adamson Street, Wooloowin, Queensland. Religion: Catholic. 

  • Prominent sportsperson in Brisbane in his youth representing Queensland in both Rugby League and Rugby Union by 1919. Played with the Australian Rugby League team during a New Zealand tour in 1919.
  • Secretary of the Queensland Irish Association from about 1924 to 1928. Became city traveller for Perkins Brewery.
  • Held various positions in State government departments.
  • Secretary of the Queensland branch of the Australian Journalists Association. Re-elected unopposed as district secretary for 18th term. Awarded gold honour badge in 1962.
  • Cause of death: haemopericardium, dissecting aneurysm of aorta and atherosclerosis.
  • His son Thomas Leo Sweeney (1929-2017) represented Australia at Rugby Union.

Sources
Journalist, September 1964 p 6.

Citation details

'Sweeney, Thomas (Tom) (1897–1964)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/sweeney-thomas-tom-35002/text44122, accessed 5 June 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Tom Sweeney, n.d.

Tom Sweeney, n.d.

Life Summary [details]

Birth

24 January, 1897
Gympie, Queensland, Australia

Death

29 August, 1964 (aged 67)
Wooloowin, Brisbane, Queensland, 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.

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