The Honourable Ernest Wetherell |
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Minister for Education | |
In office 31 May 1960 – 13 May 1965 |
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Preceded by | Robert Heffron |
Succeeded by | Charles Cutler |
Personal details | |
Born | 26 March 1893 near Mount Egerton, Victoria |
Died | 31 March 1969 Sydney, New South Wales |
(aged 76)
Political party | Australian Labor Party |
The Hon. Ernest "Ern" Wetherell (26 March 1893 – 31 March 1969) was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1949 until 1965. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party (NSW) and held numerous ministerial positions between 1953 and 1962.
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Wetherell was born in the gold rush town of Mount Egerton, Victoria and was the son of a miner. His father and an elder brother died in mining accidents by the time he was 14. He was educated to elementary level at catholic schools and initially worked in a gold battery at Ballarat. He arrived in Broken Hill in 1911 and worked as a miner until the Australian General Strike of 1917. He later worked as a journalist and editor on left wing newspapers.
After an unsuccessful attempt to win the seat of Sturt as an independent at the 1922 state election. Wetherell became active within the Labor Party and was elected to the parliament as the member for Cobar at the 1949 by-election caused by the death of the sitting Labor member Mat Davidson. He retained the seat at the next 5 elections and retired at the 1965 election
Wetherell was a member of the governments of Joseph Cahill, Robert Heffron and Jack Renshaw. He was appointed as Minister for Transport in 1953 and between 1956 and 1960 was the Minister for Conservation. From 1960 until his retirement he was the Minister for Education. During his tenure the education reforms known as the Wyndham Scheme, which included an expansion of secondary education from 5 to 6 years and the replacement of the Leaving Certificate by the Higher School Certificate were planned.
Parliament of New South Wales | ||
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Preceded by Mat Davidson |
Member for Cobar 1949 – 1965 |
Succeeded by Lew Johnstone |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Clarrie Martin |
Minister for Transport 1953 – 1956 |
Succeeded by George Enticknap |
Preceded by George Enticknap |
Minister for Conservation 1956 – 1960 |
Succeeded by George Enticknap |
Preceded by Robert Heffron |
Minister for Education 1960 – 1965 |
Succeeded by Charles Cutler |