THE Dubbo region has made a unique contribution to NSW history as the birthplace of three Labor premiers.
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Jim McGirr (who held the top job from February 1947 to April 1952) was born in Parkes; Jack Renshaw (April 1964 to May 1965) was born in Wellington; and Barrie Unsworth (July 1986 to 1988) was born in Dubbo.
The trio were major players in Australian politics and their places of origin were recognised by the ALP during the Three Premiers Dinner at Wellington in August 2000.
Wellington was an appropriate place for the celebration because it was the first town in NSW to host a cabinet meeting.
Jack Renshaw decided cabinet should meet outside Sydney and elected his birthplace for that honour. A plaque at Wellington Shire Council chambers commemorates the event which took place on August 4, 1964.
John (Jack) Brophy Renshaw
John (Jack) Brophy Renshaw was born in Wellington on August 8, 1909 the eldest son of John Ignatius Renshaw, a farmer, and his wife Ann Reidy. He was educated at Binnaway Central School, Patrician Brothers, Orange and Holy Cross College, Ryde. He helped run the family dairy property Hampden Park and a milk run at Binnaway, opened a butchery business with his brothers and operated a stock and station agency and oil and fuel depot.
Mr Renshaw joined the Labor party in 1930 and was a member of the central executive from 1945-50. He was president of the Gwydir electorate council from 1939-47 and served as a councillor on Coonabarabran Shire from 1937-41.
He was elected MLA for Castlereagh in May 1941 and served in numerous portfolios, reaching the position of deputy leader from 1959-64 and leader from 1964-68.
Barrie John Unsworth
Barrie John Unsworth was born in Dubbo on April 16, 1934. After attending Canterbury Junior High School and Kogarah Intermediate he completed an apprenticeship with the Sydney County Council, becoming an electrical tradesman. His interest in trade unions was reflected by his election as a shop steward for the Electrical Trades Union at the age of 21.
In 1961 he became a union organiser and six years later was elected as organiser for the Labor Council of NSW. He remained in that position until his election as assistant secretary in November 1975. In 1979 Mr Unsworth was elected Labor Council Secretary, holding the position until February 1984 when he did not seek re-election in order to devote his full attention to politics.
Mr Unsworth became a member of the NSW Legislative Council in 1978 and Member for Rockdale in 1986. He served as minister for transport from 1984 to 1986, minister for health in 1986 and premier, minister for state development and minister for ethnic affairs from July 1986 to 1988.
James (Jim) McGirr
James (Jim) McGirr was born at Parkes on February 6, 1890 the son of John Patrick McGirr, a farmer and Irish migrant, and his wife Mary O'Sullivan.
McGirr grew up on a dairy farm near Parkes and was educated locally at St Stanislaus College, Bathurst.
He was apprenticed to his brother JJG McGirr, a pharmacist, and broke the apprenticeship to work in the stockyards for a short period.
He resumed his pharmacy apprenticeship and after graduating from the University of Sydney gained employment with Washington H Soul and Co in Pitt Street, Sydney.
McGirr opened a pharmacy in Parkes, specialising in veterinary prescriptions, and later in partnership with his brother operated businesses at Marrickville and Kings Cross. He also operated wheat, sheep and cattle properties.
McGirr joined the Parkes branch of the Labor party in 1906 and served in the positions of president and secretary. He became president of the Calare federal electorate council and Ashburnham state electorate council. He later became a member of the Bankstown ALP branch.
McGirr was MLA for Cootamundra from March 1922 to April 1925, Member for Cumberland March 1925 to September 1927, Member for Bankstown October 1927 to May 1950 and Member for Liverpool June 1950 to April 1952 when he resigned.
McGirr served in numerous portfolios and was premier and treasurer from February 1947 to April 1952. He was responsible for introducing the NSW Housing Commission and the 40-hour working week.
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