George Brain
Encyclopedia
George William Brain was an Australia
n politician and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
. He was the longest-serving member for Willoughby
, serving from 1943 until his retirement in 1968. Brain was recognized as one of the primary forces in establishing the Free Library Movement in New South Wales
.
. The eldest of nine children, he left school at 13 years of age to work in Scone
dairying. At about 20 years of age, he moved to Sydney
to look for work and delivered milk at Mascot
until all his possessions were stolen forcing him to return home to his parents at Mudgee. These early hardships were critical in forming the substance of the man and Brain was left with a resolute determination to educate himself and a realisation of the importance of access to education to all people regardless of their wealth and status. Such experience motivated his subsequent passion for the free library movement and its importance in society.
Brain studied book-keeping of an evening by the light of a slush light after working 16 hours straight during the day. On moving to the Sydney
suburb of Willoughby
in 1920 after his marriage to Paula Merkle in 1918, he passed his accountancy examinations and formed the partnership of Brain and Noble chartered accountants. From 1918, he took an active interest in the Progress Association, P&C association and political parties and thus began his political career.
In the 1930s, Brain together with George Morris of Eastern Valley Way, Willoughby promoted the "free milk movement for school children", a scheme which relieved parents financially during the depression and ensured the health of generations of children. In 1941, Brain was the president of the "Monster war carnival" held at Willoughby park. The carnival which was opened by the Rt Hon Billy Hughes
raised in excess of £1,000 sufficient at this time to buy two ambulances for the war effort.
where he served with distinction until his entry into NSW Parliament in September 1943.
On the death of the former member, Edward Sanders, Brain won the by election held in September 1943 and all subsequent elections including that held on 1 May 1965. Prior to his retirement in January 1968, he fought nine elections and on each occasion was returned with a larger majority, possibly a record in NSW parliament and certainly a testimony to his dedication and to the faith in which he was held by the voters of Willoughby.
Brain's maiden speech in the NSW parliament implored the parliament to act on the recommendations of the Munn-Pitt report which was scathing in its assessment on the current state of libraries in this country. He had on his own initiative already convened a meeting of like minded individuals in the Willoughby electorate and thus the free library movement of NSW was formed in Willoughby. A subsequent committee was formed with Brain as the Secretary culminating in the drafting of a bill for submission and acceptance by the NSW parliament.
Premier
Robert Askin
said "memories of his struggle for a higher education—and it was a struggle, as will be appreciated by all those who knew something of his early life—remained with George all his life. They prompted him to work vigorously for the establishment of free libraries. He was dedicated to his work. He regarded free libraries as one of the best means of adult self education." Brain considered the achievement of the free library scheme as "one of the State's greatest social triumphs".
During his lifetime, he was the recipient of the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
, the King George VI Coronation Medal
and the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
.
Currently, consideration is being given to recognising the significant contribution made by Brain to the Free Library Movement and to the municipality of Willoughby by naming a room within the new Chatswood library (opened officially October 2011) after him. A display of permanent pertinent memorabilia and historical items associated with Brain's political career and the Free Library Movement in which the above medals are displayed (loaned to Chatswood library by the Brain family) was unveiled on 24th November, 2011.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
. He was the longest-serving member for Willoughby
Electoral district of Willoughby
Willoughby is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Gladys Berejiklian of the Liberal Party of Australia.-History:...
, serving from 1943 until his retirement in 1968. Brain was recognized as one of the primary forces in establishing the Free Library Movement in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
.
Early years
Brain was born 18 January 1893 in PictonPicton, New South Wales
Picton is a small town in the Macarthur Region of New South Wales, Australia, in the Wollondilly Shire. The town is located 80 kilometres South-west of Sydney, close to Camden and Campbelltown. It is also the administrative centre of Wollondilly Shire....
. The eldest of nine children, he left school at 13 years of age to work in Scone
Scone, New South Wales
Scone is a town in the Upper Hunter Shire in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, Australia. At the 2006 census, Scone had a population of 4,624 people. It is located on the New England Highway north of Muswellbrook about 270 kilometres north of Sydney, and is part of the Hunter and Upper...
dairying. At about 20 years of age, he moved to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
to look for work and delivered milk at Mascot
Mascot, New South Wales
Mascot is a suburb in south-eastern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Mascot is located 7 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the City of Botany Bay...
until all his possessions were stolen forcing him to return home to his parents at Mudgee. These early hardships were critical in forming the substance of the man and Brain was left with a resolute determination to educate himself and a realisation of the importance of access to education to all people regardless of their wealth and status. Such experience motivated his subsequent passion for the free library movement and its importance in society.
Brain studied book-keeping of an evening by the light of a slush light after working 16 hours straight during the day. On moving to the Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
suburb of Willoughby
Willoughby, New South Wales
Willoughby is a suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Willoughby is located 8 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Willoughby....
in 1920 after his marriage to Paula Merkle in 1918, he passed his accountancy examinations and formed the partnership of Brain and Noble chartered accountants. From 1918, he took an active interest in the Progress Association, P&C association and political parties and thus began his political career.
In the 1930s, Brain together with George Morris of Eastern Valley Way, Willoughby promoted the "free milk movement for school children", a scheme which relieved parents financially during the depression and ensured the health of generations of children. In 1941, Brain was the president of the "Monster war carnival" held at Willoughby park. The carnival which was opened by the Rt Hon Billy Hughes
Billy Hughes
William Morris "Billy" Hughes, CH, KC, MHR , Australian politician, was the seventh Prime Minister of Australia from 1915 to 1923....
raised in excess of £1,000 sufficient at this time to buy two ambulances for the war effort.
Political life
Before entering the NSW Parliament, Brain was elected in 1941 as an Alderman for the Middle Harbour ward, Municipality of WilloughbyCity of Willoughby
The City of Willoughby is a Local Government Area on the North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 6 km north of the Sydney central business district....
where he served with distinction until his entry into NSW Parliament in September 1943.
On the death of the former member, Edward Sanders, Brain won the by election held in September 1943 and all subsequent elections including that held on 1 May 1965. Prior to his retirement in January 1968, he fought nine elections and on each occasion was returned with a larger majority, possibly a record in NSW parliament and certainly a testimony to his dedication and to the faith in which he was held by the voters of Willoughby.
Brain's maiden speech in the NSW parliament implored the parliament to act on the recommendations of the Munn-Pitt report which was scathing in its assessment on the current state of libraries in this country. He had on his own initiative already convened a meeting of like minded individuals in the Willoughby electorate and thus the free library movement of NSW was formed in Willoughby. A subsequent committee was formed with Brain as the Secretary culminating in the drafting of a bill for submission and acceptance by the NSW parliament.
Premier
Premiers of New South Wales
The Premier of New South Wales is the head of government in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Government of New South Wales follows the Westminster system, with a Parliament of New South Wales acting as the legislature...
Robert Askin
Robert Askin
Sir Robert William Askin GCMG, was an Australian politician and the 32nd Premier of New South Wales from 1965 to 1975, the first representing the Liberal Party of Australia. He was born in 1907 as Robin William Askin, but always disliked his first name and changed it by deed poll in 1971...
said "memories of his struggle for a higher education—and it was a struggle, as will be appreciated by all those who knew something of his early life—remained with George all his life. They prompted him to work vigorously for the establishment of free libraries. He was dedicated to his work. He regarded free libraries as one of the best means of adult self education." Brain considered the achievement of the free library scheme as "one of the State's greatest social triumphs".
Sporting life
Brain was a keen sportsman and later in his life bowls became a passion. As expected from a servant of the people, even in relaxation he could not resist contributing selflessly. His many achievements included being a founder and patron of Willoughby Park bowling club, patron of Valley View bowling club, member of the State parliamentary bowling club of which he was president in 1967-68.Tribute to a servant of Willoughby
Brain died in his sleep on his 76th birthday in Willoughby. His funeral was held on 21 January 1969 and to that date was the largest that had occurred in the municipality of Willoughby. One month later, Premier Askin, leader of the opposition, Pat Hills and others paid tribute to this outstanding servant of the people of Willoughby.During his lifetime, he was the recipient of the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
The King George V Silver Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the coronation of King George V.-Issue:...
, the King George VI Coronation Medal
King George VI Coronation Medal
The King George VI Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of King George VI.-Issue:For Coronation and Jubilee medals, the practice up until 1977 was that United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to each of...
and the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.-Issue:For Coronation and Jubilee medals, the practice up until 1977 was that United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to...
.
Currently, consideration is being given to recognising the significant contribution made by Brain to the Free Library Movement and to the municipality of Willoughby by naming a room within the new Chatswood library (opened officially October 2011) after him. A display of permanent pertinent memorabilia and historical items associated with Brain's political career and the Free Library Movement in which the above medals are displayed (loaned to Chatswood library by the Brain family) was unveiled on 24th November, 2011.