- Brian McGowan (Australian politician)
Brian McGowan (born
23 September 1935 ) was anAustralia n politician, elected as a member of theNew South Wales Legislative Assembly .Brian McGowan was born in the
Sydney suburb of Stanmore and educated atChristian Brothers' High School, Lewisham New South Wales At the age of 13 he took his first job singing with the touring Italian opera company. He left school at the age of 14 and worked as an office boy and then as a truck offsider. He later sat for the PMG entrance examination and became a telephone technician in training until he entered national service. He then worked as a tram conductor and a professional fireman. Graduating from Fort Street evening college in 1956 Mr McGowan gained a scholarship to Wagga Wagga Teachers College. He married Margaret Jackson in 1958 and they had one son, Stewart, and two daughters Megan and Meredith.He was appointed to Tocumwal Primary School in 1960 and became the only teacher at the Adelong Primary School in 1961. He completed a bachelor of arts degree as an external student at the University of New England from 1960 to 1966. He transferred to Nowra High School in the mid 1960s
In 1972 he was promoted to The Entrance High School to take up the position of English and History Master.
Brian McGowan first stood for election for the seat of Gosford in 1973,as a candidate for the Australian Labor Party but he was unsuccessful. He was successful in 1976 by a mere 74 votes and held the seat of Gosford until 1988. In 1978 he turned a 74 vote win into a 7,100 vote majority.
While in Parliament he was concerned with social and educational issues. He was a member of the Joint Select Committee on Drugs and he was Chairman of the Legislative Assembly Select Committee on the School Certificate.
He became a member of the Independent Teachers Association in 1982.
Brian McGowan died on the 8 March 1994 following a three month illness with cancer. He was 58.
A condolence motion was moved in NSW Parliament on the 10 March 1994. http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA19940310010Then Premier John Fahey (Liberal Party) made the following comments about Brian McGowan:
"I served with Brian McGowan from 1984 to 1988. He will be remembered and respected by members from both sides of the House. The sad passing of Brian as a relatively young man is a sobering reminder to each of us in this House of our mortality. I will certainly remember Brian as a man of gentle nature and friendly disposition. He always extended to me courtesies both in and out of this Chamber and conducted himself, as a member, with dignity at all times. I express the condolences of this House, as well as my personal condolences, to his widow and family."
The Leader of the Opposition Mr Bob Carr (Australian Labor Party) made the following comments about Brian McGowan:
"The key to his success was that he worked very hard in the area. He had enormous common sense, he understood people's needs and he had a real affinity with the Central Coast. After his defeat in 1988 he became active in local government on the Central Coast, something in which he was involved until his death. He had a passionate interest in the bread and butter issues of State politics - education, the environment and other social issues.....He understood that education was a key to equity and greater fairness in our society. He loved the region he represented and he loved the process of democratic politics. He was a fine, friendly and funny man. We are immensely saddened by his passing."
Mr Paul Whelan, Member for Ashfield made the following comments about Brian McGowan:
He was a gifted speaker. His contributions after the dust of that hard-fought election had settled were of a like quality; namely, hard work, a firm purpose, and an emphasis on common sense which culminated in the long overdue reforms to the New South Wales education system through his work on the McGowan report. This report effectively modernised parts of the New South Wales education system and set new standards that remain in place today, more than a decade after Brian completed his massive work. Along with the honourable member for East Hills I was pleased to be on that committee. Brian McGowan was a diligent member both here and at the grass roots level in the Central Coast electorate, where he was immensely popular and widely admired. He was a nice bloke and a loyal colleague, and he will be missed by all who knew him.
On Sunday the 10 December 1995 the new bridge linking Gosford to West Gosford was named in honour of Brian McGowan. In parliament on the 13 December 1995 the Member for The Entrance, Grant McBride, made the following comments regarding Brian McGowan:
"I wish to speak on a matter of great interest in my electorate and the people of the central coast. On Sunday, 10 December, the final stage of the upgrade of the Kariong to Gosford section of the Pacific Highway was officially opened. Last Sunday the final link, the railway flyover bridge, was opened by the Minister for Roads, the Hon. Michael Knight, who is in the Chamber. Importantly the bridge is dedicated by name to the former member for Gosford and Gosford city councillor, the late Brian McGowan. I believe this is an appropriate dedication as this bridge is now the gateway to the central coast and the region of the State to which Brian was totally devoted.
Brian was renowned for his commitment to the environment and education, but he was also committed to the need for the constant upgrading of infrastructure as the area continued to grow. One of his proud claims was that during his time as a State member of Parliament one-third of the total budget of the former Public Works Department was spent on the central coast, providing water and sewerage infrastructure. While Brian was a member for Gosford, the electric train service was extended to Wyong, numerous schools and social welfare centres were established, water and sewerage services were extended to the whole of the coast and a commitment was made by the then Labor Government to the construction of the Kariong to Gosford roadworks."
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