Bavin, Sir Thomas Rainsford, 1874 – 1941

Sir Thomas Bavin, barrister, parliamentarian and Premier, was born at Kaiapoi, New Zealand. He was educated at Auckland Grammar School, Newington College, Sydney and the University of Sydney where he graduated Bachelor of Arts (1894) and Bachelor of Laws (1897). He was active in the federation movement and was private secretary to the Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton from 1901 to 1903. He practiced as a barrister in the area of constitutional law and was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of NSW in 1935.

Bavin was elected member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seats of Gordon (1917-1920 and 1927-1935) and Ryde (1920-1927). Bavin was Attorney General (1921-1925), Treasurer (1927-1929), Colonial Secretary (1929) and Premier of NSW (1927-1930).