Cahill, John Joseph, 1891 – 1959

John Joseph Cahill (1891-1959), railway fitter, trade unionist, parliamentarian and Premier of NSW, was born at Redfern, Sydney, son of Thomas and Ellen Cahill. He was educated at Patrician Brothers' School, Redfern, and apprenticed as a fitter at the Everleigh railway workshops at Redfern. He was an officer of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers and in 1917 was dismissed from his job for taking part in a railway strike. In 1922 he was re-employed by the railways.

Cahill was elected as the Australian Labor Party member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seats of St. George (1925-1930), Arncliffe (1930-1932, 1935-1941), and Cooks River (1941-1959). Cahill's ministerial portfolios included Public Works (1941-1952), Local Government (1944-1953), and Transport (1953). Cahill was Deputy Premier of NSW (1949-1952) and Premier and Treasurer of NSW (1952-1959).