Anthony Alexander Alam

Alexander Alam (1896 - 1983) was one of the longest-serving members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, and a prominent member of the Lebanese community.

A Lebanese Australian, Alam was born in Wallsend, the son of immigrant Lebanese storekeepers Joseph Alam and Mary Hashem. He was educated at de la Salle College Armidale, and married Therese Anthony (daughter of S. Anthony) in 1924.

He lived in various country centres including The Rock, Riverina and established Alams Limited, merchants of Dubbo, Delegate and Dunedoo. He was also the managing director of the Australian Fur Exporting Company. He became a contract builder in Sydney and was director of Mala Homes Pty Ltd (anagram of Alam!), Zebra Motels Pty Ltd and A.A. Alam Pty Ltd.

Political career

Alam was an active member of the Australian Labor Party, and served as president of that Party's Gwydir, Dubbo and Wammerawa branches. He represented Labor in the New South Wales Legislative Council from December 1925 until April 1958, when he retired from that position. He later filled a casual vacancy from November 1963 until April 1973, when he again retired.

Alam was therefore an MLC for 43 years.

Community involvement

Some members of the Lebanese community in New South Wales may remember Anthony Alam. As well as being a significant political figure, he and his wife were well regarded in the Lebanese and wider community and participated in many charitable, business and social events.

Alam and his wife Therese Alam (nee Anthony) were instigators behind many charitable endeavours for the Maronite community, the Lebanese community, and the community in general. One of Mrs. Alam's notable efforts was raising funds to purchase ambulances to transpont Australian troops and others injured during World War II as President of the Lebanese Ladies War Comforts League of Australia.

A number of the ambulances apparently found their way to Lebanon, where they were used to transport injured civilians in addition to injured Australian troops.

It has been said that some years later, in gratitude, the Lebanese Government presented Australia with a number of cedar saplings (Cedars of Lebanon). Some members can remember being shown the saplings growing strongly in a garden in Canberra. However, with the passing of years, their exact location has been forgotten.