Sir Philip Henry Macarthur Goldfinch KBE (13 April 1884 – 7 April 1943) was an Australian businessman and politician.[1]
Sir Philip Goldfinch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 8 November 1935 – 5 July 1937 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Bavin |
| Succeeded by | Harry Turner |
| Constituency | Gordon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Philip Henry Macarthur Goldfinch 13 April 1884 |
| Died | 7 April 1943 (aged 58) Roseville, New South Wales, Australia |
| Party | UAP |
Other political affiliations | Old Guard |
| Spouse |
Mary Medora Cowper (m. 1911) |
| Relations | Philip Gidley King II (grandfather) |
| Education | Sydney Grammar School |
Philip Goldfinch was born at Gosport, Hampshire, England, to Henry Edward Goldfinch, a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and Elizabeth Maria (née King). He arrived in New South Wales in 1886 and was educated at Sydney Grammar School before working for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSRC) in 1902 as a chemist. On 7 March 1911 he married Mary Cowper, with whom he had three children.[2]
Goldfinch was appointed general manager of CSRC in 1928 and served until 1943; he was also chairman of the British Settlers' Welfare Committee from 1931.[2]
In 1930, Goldfinch chaired a series of secret meetings to convene the Old Guard, a right-wing paramilitary organisation organised in opposition to the policies of New South Wales Premier Jack Lang.[3]
Goldfinch was created a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1934.[2]
Goldfinch was nominated for a by-election to be held on 23 November 1935 for the Gordon electorate in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, representing the United Australia Party (UAP). The by-election was required after the resignation of the sitting member, former premier Thomas Bavin, who was appointed a judge of the New South Wales Supreme Court. At the close of nominations on 8 November Goldfinch was the only candidate, so he was declared elected to the seat.[4]
In early July 1937 Goldfinch wrote to Bertram Stevens, the premier and leader of the UAP in New South Wales, advising him that he was resigning as member for Gordon. He cited business commitments as the reason for his decision.[5]
Sir Philip Goldfinch died on 7 April 1943 at his residence in Roseville, aged 58.[6]
References
edit- ↑ Moore, Andrew (1983). "Goldfinch, Sir Philip Henry (1884–1943)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 6. Melbourne University Press.
- 1 2 3 "Sir Philip Henry Macarthur Goldfinch (1884–1943)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ↑ Moore, Andrew (1989). The Secret Army and the Premier: Conservative Paramilitary Organisations in New South Wales 1930–32. New South Wales University Press. pp. 86–87. ISBN 0868402834.
- ↑ Gordon – By-election, 'New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007', Parliament of New South Wales (website); accessed 31 March 2026.
- ↑ Gordon Seat, Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney), 6 July 1937, page 11.
- ↑ Deaths, Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney), 8 April 1943, page 10.