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308:, a subsequent Member of State Parliament for Willoughby (2003-2021) and NSW Premier (2017-2021), honoured George W Brain in her maiden (now inaugural) speech making reference to George's contribution to The Free Library Movement in NSW and his commitment to ensuring the right to education for rich and poor alike. In this speech. Gladys pledged her own commitment to ensuring that a fitting tribute to George be established in the electorate of Willoughby.
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library (of that day). Unfortunately, the significant contribution made by Brain to the municipality of
Willoughby has not been recognised by naming a room within the new Chatswood library after him as promised. However, it is hoped that one day the commitment made in 1977 may yet still be honoured and it would be most appropriate if the magnificent "George Brain collection" was ultimately held within a room named after him.
236:, Brain won the by election held in September 1943 and all subsequent elections including that held on 1 May 1965. Prior to his retirement in January 1968, he fought nine elections and on each occasion was returned with a larger majority, possibly a record in NSW parliament and certainly a testimony to his dedication and to the faith in which he was held by the voters of Willoughby.
190:. These early hardships were critical in forming the substance of the man and Brain was left with a resolute determination to educate himself and a realisation of the importance of access to education to all people regardless of their wealth and status. Such experience motivated his subsequent passion for the free library movement and its importance in society.
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Brain's maiden speech in the NSW parliament implored the parliament to act on the recommendations of the Munn-Pitt report which was scathing in its assessment on the current state of libraries in this country. He had on his own initiative already convened a meeting of like-minded individuals in the
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A display of permanent pertinent memorabilia and historical items associated with Brain's political career and the Free
Library Movement in which the above medals are displayed (loaned to Chatswood library by the Brain family) was unveiled on 24 November 2011. George Brain's grandson Philip H Brain
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Brain was a keen sportsman and later in his life bowls became a passion. As expected from a servant of the people, even in relaxation he could not resist contributing selflessly. His many achievements included being a founder and patron of
Willoughby Park bowling club, patron of Valley View bowling
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in 1920 after his marriage to Paula Merkle in 1918, he passed his accountancy examinations and formed the partnership of Brain and Noble chartered accountants. From 1918, he took an active interest in the
Progress Association, P&C association and political parties and thus began his political
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dairying. Two years earlier, he had begun delivering newspapers for 3 shillings a week but was docked one penny for each paper said not to have been delivered even though they were frequently stolen by passers-by. At about 20 years of age, he moved to Sydney to look for work and delivered milk at
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In 1977, a letter from the then Chief
Librarian of Willoughby library, John Flint to George Brain's son Paul Brain, detailed that the Council of that day had resolved that some form of substantial permanent recognition of George Brain's role in the Free Library Movement would be made in the new
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said "memories of his struggle for a higher education—and it was a struggle, as will be appreciated by all those who knew something of his early life—remained with George all his life. They prompted him to work vigorously for the establishment of free libraries. He was dedicated to his work. He
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Willoughby
Council honoured Brain in 2008 by naming a lane after him. Given Brain's pivotal role as the 'backbone' of the Free Library Movement, it has been stated that "This is more than a lane - it is a veritable avenue for future research by some of the brains of the library history world.
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spoke at this event, detailing George's life and highlighting his role in the Free
Library Movement. It is hoped that other items owned by George currently on display at Mudgee Historical Museum will ultimately be added to the Chatswood library collection.
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In the 1930s, Brain together with George Morris of
Eastern Valley Way, Willoughby promoted the "free milk movement for school children", a scheme which relieved parents financially during the depression and ensured the health of generations of children.
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Brain died in his sleep on his 76th birthday in
Willoughby. His funeral was held on 21 January 1969 and to that date was the largest that had occurred in the municipality of Willoughby. One month later, Premier Askin, leader of the opposition,
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Willoughby electorate and thus the free library movement of NSW was formed in
Willoughby. A subsequent committee was formed with Brain as the Secretary culminating in the drafting of a bill for submission and acceptance by the NSW parliament.
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He had a dry sense of humour. When asked why the three-way partnership of Brain, Noble and Campbell was so successful, his reply was "Our wives have never met". On another occasion, he said "figures do not lie, but liars can figure".
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Brain studied book-keeping of an evening by the light of a slush light after working 16 hours straight during the day. As a result of his studies, he obtained a job with the Western Post at Mudgee. On moving to the Sydney suburb of
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https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/George+Brain+Ln,+North+Willoughby+NSW+2068/@-33.7925309,151.1962376,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x6b12a92517cc5ead:0x52c22b4eacb9427c!8m2!3d-33.7925309!4d151.1962376!16s%2Fg%2F1thx_z3f?entry=ttu
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regarded free libraries as one of the best means of adult self-education." Brain considered the achievement of the free library scheme as "one of the State's greatest social triumphs".
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Brain was the New South Wales delegate to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Congress held in Bombay, India (now Mumbai) in 1957 under the leadership of Sir William McMahon.
380:"Brain, Paul W. George William Brain, JP:FCA.,F.I.C.A.,MLA for Willoughby in the N.S.W Parliament- September 1943 to January 1968 (ret). A paper for the Masonic Society of NSW.'
371:"Brain, Paul W. George William Brain, JP:FCA.,F.I.C.A.,MLA for Willoughby in the N.S.W Parliament- September 1943 to January 1968 (ret). A paper for the Masonic Society of NSW.'
467:"Brain, Paul W. George William Brain, JP:FCA.,F.I.C.A.,MLA for Willoughby in the N.S.W Parliament- September 1943 to January 1968 (ret). A paper for the Masonic Society of NSW.'
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Brain, Paul W. George William Brain, JP:FCA.,F.I.C.A.,MLA for Willoughby in the N.S.W Parliament- September 1943 to January 1968 (ret). A paper for the Masonic Society of NSW.
507:"Paul W. George William Brain, JP:FCA.,F.I.C.A.,MLA for Willoughby in the N.S.W Parliament- September 1943 to January 1968 (ret). A paper for the Masonic Society of NSW"
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161:, serving from 1943 until his retirement in 1968. Brain was recognised as one of the primary forces in establishing the Free Library Movement in
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In 1941, Brain was the president of the "Monster War Carnival" held at Willoughby park. The carnival which was opened by the Rt Hon
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the eldest of nine children. He attended schools at Picton and Parramatta and left school at 13 years of age to work in
476:"Mr George William Brain (1893-1969)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 29 November 2019
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The George W Brain collection is proudly displayed at the magnificent new Chatswood library opened in October 2011
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A framed collection of the medals received by George W Brain in recognition of his service to the NSW Government
398:"Russell, Eric. (1966) Willoughby A Centenary History. Pub. by The Council of the Municipality of Willoughby"
389:"Russell, Eric. (1966) Willoughby A Centenary History. Pub. by The Council of the Municipality of Willoughby"
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Russell, Eric. (1966) Willoughby A Centenary History. Pub. by The Council of the Municipality of Willoughby.
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raised in excess of ÂŁ1,000 sufficient at this time to buy two ambulances for the war effort.
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club, member of the State parliamentary bowling club of which he was president in 1967–68.
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where he served with distinction until his entry into NSW Parliament in September 1943.
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until all his possessions were stolen forcing him to return home to his parents at
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and others paid tribute to this outstanding servant of the people of Willoughby.
407:"Brain, George W. (1943) Drafts and notes of maiden speech of George W Brain.'
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Brain, George W. (1943) Drafts and notes of maiden speech of George W Brain.
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498:"The Mystery of George Brain Lane, by David J Jones, NSW State Library"
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Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of New South Wales
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Before entering the NSW Parliament, Brain was elected in 1941 as an
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458:"The Masonic Historical Society of New South Wales paper no. 96"
449:"The Masonic Historical Society of New South Wales paper no. 96"
362:"The Masonic Historical Society of New South Wales paper no. 96"
344:"The Masonic Historical Society of New South Wales paper no. 96"
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The Masonic Historical Society of New South Wales paper no. 96
353:"Blatch, Rayleen. (2002) From felony to freedom. 2nd edition."
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Blatch, Rayleen. (2002) From felony to freedom. 2nd edition.
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Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
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290:During his lifetime, he was the recipient of the
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548:Location of George Brain lane, Willoughby.
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157:. He was the longest-serving member for
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423:"Mr George William Brain (1893-1969)"
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560:New South Wales Legislative Assembly
155:New South Wales Legislative Assembly
635:20th-century Australian politicians
300:Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
232:On the death of the former member,
292:King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
270:Tribute to a servant of Willoughby
173:Brain was born 18 January 1893 in
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296:King George VI Coronation Medal
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538:Willoughby Electoral History.
429:Parliament of New South Wales
225:for the Middle Harbour ward,
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126:(1969-01-18)
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25:George Brain
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620:1969 deaths
615:1893 births
575:Member for
435:29 November
169:Early years
599:Categories
581:1943–1968
577:Willoughby
332:References
196:Willoughby
159:Willoughby
131:Willoughby
104:1893-01-18
53:Willoughby
277:Pat Hills
199:career.
139:Australia
61:In office
298:and the
223:Alderman
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244:Premier
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294:, the
188:Mudgee
184:Mascot
175:Picton
111:Picton
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121:Died
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