William Peters (Australian politician)
Encyclopedia
William Charles Peters (15 April 1903 – 21 February 1978) was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
between 1959 and 1970. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party
(ALP).
Peters began his working life as a hatter
and joined the Felt Hatters Union when he was 16 years old. His union interest eventually overtook his career as a hatter and he was secretary of the union for 36 years from 1936 to 1972.
In 1947, he contested the state seat of Ashfield
for the Labor Party but was defeated by the incumbent Liberal Athol Richardson
. Six years later he was elected to Ashfield Council
where he served for 24 years including two years as mayor from 1962 to 1964.
In 1959, George Neilly
resigned his seat in the Legislative Council to contest the lower house seat of Cessnock
. Peters won the nomination for the vacant seat and held his place until 1970. He did not hold ministerial office.
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
between 1959 and 1970. He was 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...
(ALP).
Peters began his working life as a hatter
Hatter
A hatter is a person engaged in hatmaking.Hatter also may refer to:*The Hatter, a fictional character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland* Luton Town F.C., team a.k.a. "The Hatters"* Stockport County F.C., team a.k.a. "The Hatters"...
and joined the Felt Hatters Union when he was 16 years old. His union interest eventually overtook his career as a hatter and he was secretary of the union for 36 years from 1936 to 1972.
In 1947, he contested the state seat of Ashfield
Electoral district of Ashfield
Ashfield was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, first created in 1894 with the abolition of multi-member electoral districts from part of Canterbury, and named after the Sydney suburb of Ashfield. It was abolished in 1920, with the...
for the Labor Party but was defeated by the incumbent Liberal Athol Richardson
Athol Richardson
Athol Railton Richardson OBE, QC was an Australian politician and judge. Richardson represented the Electoral district of Ashfield for the United Australia Party and the Liberal Party of Australia from 26 March 1938 until 5 February 1952.-Early life:Richardson was born to parents Stephen Arthur...
. Six years later he was elected to Ashfield Council
Municipality of Ashfield
The Municipality of Ashfield is a Local Government Area of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It lies approximately 10 kilometres west of the central business district.- Demographics :According to the , there:...
where he served for 24 years including two years as mayor from 1962 to 1964.
In 1959, George Neilly
George Neilly
George Neilly was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Parliament from 1954 to 1977. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party ....
resigned his seat in the Legislative Council to contest the lower house seat of Cessnock
Electoral district of Cessnock
Cessnock is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales in the rural fringe of the Hunter. It is represented by Clayton Barr of the Australian Labor Party.-History:...
. Peters won the nomination for the vacant seat and held his place until 1970. He did not hold ministerial office.