William Scully (Australian politician)
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William James Scully (1 February 1883 – 19 March 1966) was an Australian politician and farmer. Born in Sydney to Thomas James Scully and his wife Sarah Lucy Rutherford, he was educated at a small school near Tamworth. He and his brothers worked as contract labourers, and by the age of 21 Scully was a contractor. In 1912 he became a justice of the peace. He was also involved with the Tamworth Progress Association and the Primary Producers' Union of New South Wales.[1]
In 1903, Scully joined the Tamworth Political Labor League and soon rose to become president. After three unsuccessful attempts to enter the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, in succeeded his brother Patrick in the electorate of Namoi in 1923. At Tamworth in 1925 he married Grace Myrtle Kilbride. Although he agreed with many of the views of New South Wales Premier Jack Lang, Scully remained loyal to the Prime Minister, James Scullin, and to the Australian Labor Party. He lost Namoi in 1932.[1]
[edit] Political career
Having bred horses for five years, Scully stood in a 1937 by-election for the federal seat of Gwydir, which he won. When Labor won government in 1941, the Prime Minister, John Curtin, appointed him Minister for Commerce , to which was added Agriculture in 1942. He held this position under Curtin, Frank Forde and Ben Chifley, and chaired the Australian Food Council. "The Scully Plan", which aimed to guarantee wheat farmers a minimum price of four shillings per bushel, was introduced in 1942.[1]
Scully was appointed Vice-President of the Executive Council in 1946, a post he held until 1949, when he was defeated at the elections. He retired to Tamworth, where he grew lucerne and served on Tamworth City Council. He was also involved with the New England University College, the Tamworth and District Workmen's Club, and the Tamworth Cricket Association. Renowned for his integrity, sincerity and directness, Scully died on 19 March 1966 and was given a state funeral.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Boyle, Janice (2002). Scully, William James (1883-1966). Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved on 2007-08-25.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Earle Page |
Minister for Commerce (and Agriculture) 1941 – 1946 |
Succeeded by Reginald Pollard |
| Preceded by Joseph Collings |
Vice-President of the Executive Council 1946 – 1949 |
Succeeded by Enid Lyons |
| Parliament of Australia | ||
| Preceded by Aubrey Abbott |
Member for Gwydir 1937–1949 |
Succeeded by Thomas Treloar |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Scully, William James |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Australian politician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1 February 1883 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Sydney, New South Wales |
| DATE OF DEATH | 19 March 1966 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Tamworth, New South Wales |
