Mark Gosling

Mark Gosling (7 August 1886 – 3 May 1980) was an English Australian painter, building contractor and Labor member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the districts of St George (1920–1927), Oatley (1927–1930) and Kogarah (1930–1932). He served as Colonial Secretary of New South Wales from May to October 1927 and again from November 1930 to May 1932.^[1][2]

Biography

The son of labourer Samuel Gosling and Hannah Nelms, Mark Gosling was born on 7 August 1886 in Birmingham, England. In 1913 he married Florence Thorneycroft; they eventually had three sons. He received only a primary education, but would later attend tutorials at the University of Sydney from 1916 to 1919.^[1] He became a building contractor and painter, joining the Painters' Union and serving as its vice president from 1915 to 1918. Later, he directed St. George Hospital from 1920 to 1927. From 1925 to 1957, Gosling was a National Park trustee. He died in his sleep in Bexley, New South Wales on 3 May 1980 as one of the last surviving members of Jack Lang's 1930 ministry.^[2]

Politics

In 1920, Gosling was elected as one of five Assembly members from the district of St George, though he won only five percent of the vote. He was re-elected in 1922 and 1925, taking 16 and then 18 percent of the vote.^[3] In 1927, the district of St George was divided into single member districts, with Gosling winning the new district of Oatley by a margin of 3.2 percent over James Webb.^[3] In 1930, Oatley itself was abolished and replaced with the district of Kogarah, which Gosling won again over Humphrey Earl, but lost to James Ross in 1932. Mark Gosling was active in the Australian Labor Party throughout his career, serving as president of the party's Petersham and Homedale leagues and of the Barton federal electorate council.^[1][2] In 1915 and 1916, he was the president of the district and Petersham campaigns against conscription,^[1][2] and he was a member of the party's executive from 1938–1939.^[1]

References