Andrew Fisher – Miner, Engine-Driver, Politician, Diplomat
Our last blog featured a brief story of Margaret Jane Irvine. With occupations of Miner, Engine-driver, Politician and Diplomat this is the story of her husband, Andrew Fisher
Andrew Fisher Pledged
“Australia’s help to the Mother Country to the last man and the last shilling.“
Andrew FISHER was born on the 29th August 1862, the second born and the second son of eight children of Robert Fisher and Jane nee Garvin, in Crosshouse, Ayrshire, Scotland, a mining village.
Andrew’s schooling was primary school level after which he attended night school, beginning work at the age of 10 in the local coal mines where he become secretary of the local branch of the Ayrshire Miners’ Union at the age of 17.
Due to his involvement in ‘miners strikes’ Andrew Fisher was sacked and blacklisted, so he and his younger brother James immigrated, arriving in Brisbane Queensland on the 17th August 1885 on the ship New Guinea, eventually settling in Gympie.
Whilst Andrew Fisher worked with Henry Irvine the Manager of the Monkland Mine in Gympie, Margaret, Henry’s wife, ran a guest house in Māori Lane where Andrew came to reside with the family, leading to his marrying one of their 4 daughters, Margaret Jane IRVINE on the 31st December 1901 in Gympie Queensland, they went on to have six children, 5 sons and 1 daughter.
On August 3, 1914. (Soon alter the outbreak of The Great War i.e. WW1), Prime Minister Andrew FISHER made his dramatic declaration pledging “Australia’s last man and last shilling to the service of the Empire.”
Andrew’s list of occupations has been, a miner, engine-driver, finance manager, politician and diplomat.
Photograph: National Library of Australia
His terms as Prime Minister of Queensland were 13th November 1908 to 2nd June 1909, 29th April 1910 to 24th June 1913 and 17th September 1914 to 27th October 1915 with his terms as a Member of Parliament being Queensland Legislative Assembly April 1893 to March 1896, March 1899 to cApril 1901 (Gympie), House of Representatives 9th May 1901 to 27th October 1915 (Wide Bay), Leader of the Opposition 2nd June 1909 to 29th April 1910, 8th July 1913 to 17th September 1914 holding the Portfolios of Trade and Customs 27th April to 18th August 1904, Treasurer 13th November 1908 to 2nd June 1909, 29th April 1910 to 24th June 1913 and 17th September 1914 to 27th October 1915 as a member of the Queensland Labor Party (c.1891 – 1916) and the Australian Labor Party (c.1901-) also holding the positions of Federal Parliamentary Deputy leader from 9th August 1905 to October 1907 then Federal Parliamentary Leader from October 1907 resigning from this position and Parliament on 27th October 1915.
Andrew FISHER became High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 22nd January 1916 until 22nd January 1921, when after much consideration he eventually permanently retired from politics.
After a brief return to Australia in 1921 Andrew FISHER with his wife Margaret decided to return to London to be closer to their children.
Andrew FISHER passed away on the 22nd October 1928 following illness (suffering from an attack of influenza, heart complications set in) and was buried in Hampstead Cemetery, London.
Andrew Fisher
Australia to-day mourns the death of one of its most upright and patriotic, public men.
Mr. Andrew Fisher at different stages of his career held the two highest offices that are within the gift of the people, the Prime Ministership of the Commonwealth and the High Commissionership of Australia in London. In both these offices he was able to demonstrate the sincerity of his purpose in life and the loyally he had for his country and the Empire.
Mr. Fisher has ended his days in the capital of the Empire where he represented the Commonwealth’s interests for many years and where he learnt to respect with increasing ardour the value of Imperial unity. Mr. Fisher was a shining example of the possibilities which the Dominions offer for the advancement of men who have the qualities of success. He began as a miner in the humblest way and thanks largely to his transparent honesty and sincerity he was able to make use of politics as a means of reaching the responsibilities of supreme leadership in the Parliamentary life of the land of his adoption.
Queensland happened to be the scene of his industrial and earlier political labours, and it was here he gained his apprenticeship to Parliamentary work and secured entrance to the Commonwealth Parliament when Federation came at the beginning of the century.
It was inevitable from his upbringing that he should espouse the Labour cause in politics and he never deserted it though he was destined to see distressing departures from the ideals which he had held so dear.
Photographs – Find a Grave
It is no idle boast that Mr. Fisher laid the foundations for the military system which now prevails, and which incidentally his present successor in the office of leader of the Labour Party is designing to undermine. It will also be remembered to his everlasting credit that at the outbreak of the great war Mr. Fisher pledged Australia’s help to the Mother Country to the last man and the last shilling.
Three times he held the position of Prime Minister, and it is safe to say that he never misused the opportunities which were opened to him in that high office. On the other hand, he availed himself of the chances which he had for the advancement of the principles of government for which he stood and he displayed an energy and initiative which made him respected alike within and outside his own party. He set a standard of citizenship which those of his own side of politics might profitably study, particularly the younger generation who are in danger of growing up without that appreciation of public integrity which alone can ensure safe progress.
Mr. Fisher had the right public spirit which while employed always with enthusiasm for the advancement of the political faith, which was in him, left him free to respect his opponents and to pursue unswervingly the path which he considered led most directly to Australia’s prosperity and adequate development.
The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 – 1947) Tue 23 Oct 1928
Gate at entrance to Andrew Fisher Memorial Park, Cogan St, Gympie
Story written by Conny Visini
Sources: Trove; GFHS Record Collection; Wikipedia; Wikitree;
You will find more on the story of Andrew Fisher on the National Archives of Australia website Andrew Fisher | National Museum of Australia (nma.gov.au)
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