Frank Byrne (Australian politician)
Francis Arthur "Old Frank" Byrne (ca.1836 – 30 June 1923) was Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Hay 1898–1903
He was born in Campbelltown, New South Wales and had a very limited education. He was engaged in the coach business with Cobb and Co., for some time at Castlemaine before settling in the Riverina district around 1870, working mostly at Balranald, Wilcannia and Hay. He was interested in current affairs, read newspapers voraciously, and with his genial manner, excellent memory and huge fund of anecdotes was popular with a broad range of the travelling public.[1]
He was mayor of Hay for two three-year terms, from 1894, and active in the Hospital committee. He became involved in the campaign for Federation.
He was elected at the NSW general election held on Wednesday 27 July 1898; the only other candidate was John Lakeman J.P.. He was a good local member and achieved several advantages, including the Darlington Point bridge, for his district. He was reelected at the following election but suffered from ill health and did not contest the following election.
With health improving, he attempted to re-enter parliament seat of Murray in 1907, but was unsuccessful, and retired to the Sydney suburb of Newtown.
Family
Frank married Sarah ( – 1 May 1908).
References
- ↑ "Two Old Time Residents". The Riverine Grazier (Hay, NSW : 1873 - 1954). Hay, NSW: National Library of Australia. 10 July 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 1 May 2014.