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Former Member Details

Mr Robert Hamilton ERSKINE (1905 - 1982)

Member Photo
Date of Birth: 25/06/1905
Place of Birth: Merewether, New South Wales, Australia
Date of Death: 18/09/1982
Place of Death: Earlwood, New South Wales, Australia
Parliamentary Service
Position Start End Period Notes
Member of the NSW Legislative Council 23 Apr 1949 22 Apr 1973 24 years A Member of the indirectly elected Council 1934 - 1978. Dates of Election 31 March 1949 and 16 March 1961. Granted retention of title of 'Honourable' for life.
Political Party Activity
Australian Labor Party (ALP), member of central executive from 1946 until 1952, 1954 until 1969
Community Activity
Qualifications, occupations and interests
Textile Worker and trade union official. Moved with parents to Newtown in 1912; educated at Camdenville Public School, Newtown; on milk cart from 1917; buggy boy for commercial traveller; apprenticed farrier, worked at trade until c.1926; wagon driver; employed at Globe Worsted Mills from 1927 until 1934; Member of Farriers Union, Storeman and Packers Union , then Australian Textile Workers' Union, New South Wales management committee from 1928, vice president in 1929, organiser from 1934, secretary and treasurer from 1941 until 1962, federal president from 1947 until 1962, federal secretary and treasurer from 1962 until 1972, delegate to Trades and Labour Council (TLC) from 1935, trustee from 1941 until 1972; president of Labor Day committee, trustee; president of Marrickville United Friendly Society Dispensary and of Friendly Societies Association in New South Wales; Grand Master Oddfellows. Recreational interests include gardening.
Military Service
Honours Received
Membership of other Parliaments & Offices Held
Local Government Activity
Personal
Son of Richard Hamilton Erskine, tram driver, and Anne Bland Craig. Married Mary Ferry on 11 June 1932 and had issue, 2 daughters.
Additional Information

The Parliament of New South Wales acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of all Aboriginal people, and pays respects to all Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Parliament of New South Wales stands.