Colin Jamieson
Encyclopedia
Colin John Jamieson, AO
JP
(26 May 1923 – 27 March 1990), was a politician in Western Australia
. A member of the Australian Labor Party
, he served as a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
from 1953 until 1986, as the Minister for Works and Water Supplies in the Tonkin Ministry (1971–1974) and as Leader of the Opposition
(1976–1978). Ron Davies
succeeded him in the latter role.
veteran, and nurse Mona Colvin, Colin Jamieson was born in Perth
, Western Australia
on 26 May 1923. His grandfather, Archibald ("Scottie"), originated from the Orkney Islands
, was involved in the creation of the Midland Railway Workers Union and was mayor of Midland Junction Municipality in 1914-1915. At age five, Jamieson's mother died of septicaemia arising from complications from the birth of his brother, and from then on he was looked after by aunts and then by his maternal grandparents. He attended Midland, Victoria Park and Leederville primary schools, and the Junior Technical College in West Perth.
Completing his formal education at 15, he worked at the Metropolitan Markets as an assistant fruit and produce merchant, then at a motor body works with the intention of becoming apprenticed, before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force
on 30 July 1942. He was assigned to the 121 Reserve Motor Transport Company with the rank of Corporal, transferring to the Royal Australian Air Force
in 1944 as a radar mechanic with the rank of Leading Aircraftman
. After discharge in April 1946, Jamieson worked first as a labourer and storeman at the Midland Railway Workshops
, and became active in union matters until leaving the company to train as a carpenter and joiner under an ex-serviceman's scheme. On 14 May 1960, he married Emily Margaret Male at the Holy Family Church in Como
, with Ron Davies
in attendance as best man. The couple had two children, a son and a daughter.
Jamieson was heavily involved in community service throughout his life – particularly amateur football whose state organisation he served from 1947 until 1986 as an executive member and later as president, although he was also a keen tennis player. In 1971, he was presented by a Certificate of Merit from the National Football League for his services to amateur football. He also supported several horticultural societies, and was a regular and successful exhibitor of roses, dahlia
s and chrysanthemum
s.
After his retirement from politics in 1986, he served as chairman of the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board and Fremantle Cemeteries Board. In 1988, he was awarded the Order of Australia for his services to the Western Australian Parliament and the community. He died at St John of God Hospital, Subiaco, on 27 March 1990 after a short illness, and was cremated in Karrakatta Cemetery
. A drive within Fremantle Cemetery and a road within the industrial suburb of Welshpool
on the former site of the Main Roads
depot were named in his honour.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(26 May 1923 – 27 March 1990), was a politician in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. A member of the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
, he served as a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
Western Australian Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Perth....
from 1953 until 1986, as the Minister for Works and Water Supplies in the Tonkin Ministry (1971–1974) and as Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Western Australia)
The Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia is the leader of the largest minority political party or coalition of parties in the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia. By convention, he or she is generally a member of the Legislative Assembly...
(1976–1978). Ron Davies
Ron Davies (Western Australian politician)
Ronald "Ron" Davies was an Australian politician, who was an Australian Labor Party member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Victoria Park from 1961 to 1986....
succeeded him in the latter role.
Biography
The son of George Archibald Jamieson, a vineyard employee and World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
veteran, and nurse Mona Colvin, Colin Jamieson was born in Perth
West Perth, Western Australia
West Perth is an inner suburb of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. It is part of the inner mixed zone, and has predominantly office blocks which have displaced residential buildings. There is a high proportion of miners and consultants, and particularly medical specialists, compared to...
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
on 26 May 1923. His grandfather, Archibald ("Scottie"), originated from the Orkney Islands
Orkney Islands
Orkney also known as the Orkney Islands , is an archipelago in northern Scotland, situated north of the coast of Caithness...
, was involved in the creation of the Midland Railway Workers Union and was mayor of Midland Junction Municipality in 1914-1915. At age five, Jamieson's mother died of septicaemia arising from complications from the birth of his brother, and from then on he was looked after by aunts and then by his maternal grandparents. He attended Midland, Victoria Park and Leederville primary schools, and the Junior Technical College in West Perth.
Completing his formal education at 15, he worked at the Metropolitan Markets as an assistant fruit and produce merchant, then at a motor body works with the intention of becoming apprenticed, before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force
Second Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
on 30 July 1942. He was assigned to the 121 Reserve Motor Transport Company with the rank of Corporal, transferring to the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
in 1944 as a radar mechanic with the rank of Leading Aircraftman
Leading Aircraftman
Leading aircraftman Leading aircraftman (LAC) Leading aircraftman (LAC) (or leading aircraftwoman (LACW) is a rank in some air forces, between aircraftman and senior aircraftman and having a NATO rank code of OR-2. The rank badge is a horizontal two-bladed propeller....
. After discharge in April 1946, Jamieson worked first as a labourer and storeman at the Midland Railway Workshops
Midland Railway Workshops
The Midland Railway Workshops in Midland, Western Australia were the main workshops for the Western Australian Government Railways for over 80 years.-History:...
, and became active in union matters until leaving the company to train as a carpenter and joiner under an ex-serviceman's scheme. On 14 May 1960, he married Emily Margaret Male at the Holy Family Church in Como
Como, Western Australia
Como is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of South Perth. The suburb has a population of 12,423. Canning Highway divides the suburb.-History:...
, with Ron Davies
Ron Davies (Western Australian politician)
Ronald "Ron" Davies was an Australian politician, who was an Australian Labor Party member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Victoria Park from 1961 to 1986....
in attendance as best man. The couple had two children, a son and a daughter.
Jamieson was heavily involved in community service throughout his life – particularly amateur football whose state organisation he served from 1947 until 1986 as an executive member and later as president, although he was also a keen tennis player. In 1971, he was presented by a Certificate of Merit from the National Football League for his services to amateur football. He also supported several horticultural societies, and was a regular and successful exhibitor of roses, dahlia
Dahlia
Dahlia is a genus of bushy, tuberous, perennial plants native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. There are at least 36 species of dahlia, some like D. imperialis up to 10 metres tall. Dahlia hybrids are commonly grown as garden plants...
s and chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums, often called mums or chrysanths, are of the genus constituting approximately 30 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteraceae which is native to Asia and northeastern Europe.-Etymology:...
s.
After his retirement from politics in 1986, he served as chairman of the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board and Fremantle Cemeteries Board. In 1988, he was awarded the Order of Australia for his services to the Western Australian Parliament and the community. He died at St John of God Hospital, Subiaco, on 27 March 1990 after a short illness, and was cremated in Karrakatta Cemetery
Karrakatta Cemetery
Karrakatta Cemetery is a metropolitan cemetery in the suburb of Karrakatta in Perth, Western Australia. Karrakatta Cemetery first opened for burials in 1899, with Robert Creighton. Currently managed by the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, the cemetery attracts more than one million visitors each...
. A drive within Fremantle Cemetery and a road within the industrial suburb of Welshpool
Welshpool, Western Australia
Welshpool is an inner southeastern suburb of Perth, located mostly within the City of Canning. The area is considered to be one of the main industrial areas of Perth, along with Kewdale, Kwinana, Henderson, Malaga, O'Connor, Canning Vale and Osborne Park....
on the former site of the Main Roads
Main Roads Western Australia
Main Roads Western Australia is an agency of the Government of Western Australia that is responsible for implementing the state's policies on road access and main roads. It operates under the Main Roads Act 1930 ....
depot were named in his honour.
Political career