William Jack
Member of the Australian Parliament
for North Sydney
In office
10 December 1949  31 October 1966
Preceded byBilly Hughes
Succeeded byBill Graham
Personal details
Born(1890-05-01)1 May 1890
Dundee, Scotland
Died14 September 1982(1982-09-14) (aged 92)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
NationalityScottish Australian
Political partyLiberal Party of Australia
OccupationGrocer

William Mathers Jack, OBE (1 May 1890  14 September 1982), known as "Silent Billy", was an Australian politician. Born in Dundee in Scotland, where he became an apprentice grocer at the age of 14, he migrated to Australia in 1912. After arrival in Australia, Jack became a grocer and businessman in North Sydney, and was elected to Willoughby Council.

In 1949, he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Liberal member for North Sydney, a position he held until his retirement in 1966. During his parliamentary service, Jack earned the sobriquet "Silent Billy" because he only made five speeches in the House in 17 years, including his maiden and farewell speeches.[1]

On 29 August 1962, he commenced his first speech in seven years with the words: I can remain silent no longer.[2]

However, he was a very popular local member, noted for his strong constituent service, and retired without having lost an election. In the New Year Honours of 1968, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to the Parliament and the community.[3]

Jack died in 1982.[4]

References

  1. Green, Anthony (2007). "North Sydney". ABC Election Guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
  2. Gavin Souter, Acts of Parliament, p. 450
  3. "Jack, William Mathers". It's an Honour. Australian Government. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  4. Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Retrieved 24 May 2008.


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