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Murray Alexander Tully (1911–1977)

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Murray Alexander Tully (1911-1977) blacksmith, trade union official

Birth: 2 March 1911 at Murrayville, Victoria, son of native-born parents Francis Morrall Tully (1873-1934), coach driver, and Elizabeth Sarah, née Taylor (1878-1947). Marriage: 1931 at Murrayville, Victoria, to Bertha Ivy Agnes Bennett (1911-2008). They had three daughters and apparently separated. Death: 24 September 1977 at Red Hill, Canberra. 

  • Electoral rolls show he worked as a blacksmith and lived with his wife Bertha at Red Cliffs, Victoria, in 1936 and in Mildura in 1937-1942.
  • Served with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, after World War II. By 1954 he was living at Cooma, NSW, with Joan Pauline Tully. Later they lived in Canberra.
  • Was an active trade unionist in the construction of the Snowy River hydro-electric project where he represented the Blacksmiths’ Society. Held various positions on the site committee including president.
  • With the winding down of the construction project Murray gained work with the Department of Works in Canberra. Became a shop delegate. Was secretary of Canberra sub-branch when it formed.
  • Initiated a Metal Trades Federation branch and became a recognised spokesman for the metal workers and several metal unions.
  • Secretary of the Canberra Trades and Labour Council from 1963 to 1968.
  • Appointed country organiser for the Miscellaneous Workers’ Union, operating from Canberra in 1968. Despite a very long illness, held office, until his death.

Sources
Federation News, July-September 1977 p 5.

Citation details

'Tully, Murray Alexander (1911–1977)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/tully-murray-alexander-34894/text43982, accessed 26 April 2025.

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