Mr Gerald Blake RYGATE (1895 - 1960)

Date of Birth: 24/02/1895
Place of Birth: Grenfell, New South Wales, Australia
Date of Death: 08/06/1960
Place of Death: Waverley, New South Wales, Australia

Parliamentary Service

Position	Start	End	Period	Parliament	Notes
Member of the NSW Legislative Council	30 Oct 1952	8 Jun 1960	7yr(s) 7mth(s) 10day(s)		A Member of the indirectly elected Council 1934 - 1978. Date of Election 30 October 1952 and 25 November 1954. Casual vacancy – elected for balance of term of service of Hon. E.C Sommerlad, C.B.E., deceased.

Political Party Activity

Australian Labor Party (ALP), joined in 1912, member of Calare federal electorate council.

Qualifications, occupations and interests

Grazier. Educated at St Ignatius College., Riverview; abandoned medical studies to enlist in the Australian Infantry Forces. Went on land at Canowindra; president of Canowindra Repatriation Committee 1939 - 1954, Housing Committee 1947 - 1954, War Agricultural Committee 1939 - 1945; coroner 1950 - 1954; president of Canowindra Jockey Club 1944 - 1954; member of Western Districts Racing Committee 1950 -1954. Recreational interests include racing, trotting, football and cricket.

Military Service

Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF), 1915 - 1918, Egypt and France, twice mentioned in despatches. Private.

Personal

Son of Robert Edward Rygate, doctor. Married Amelia Elizabeth Mary Rice on 7 February 1923 and they had 1 son. Amelia (Millie) Rygate was also a Member of the Legislative Council. Roman Catholic. Funeral at Canowindra cemetery from St Edwards's Roman Catholic Church.

Additional Information

Last modified 15/09/2008 13:29:46 : Update this page