McCourt, William, 1851 – 1913

William Joseph McCourt (1851-1913), newspaper proprietor and parliamentarian, was born at Monaghan, Ireland, son of James and Bridget McCourt. He was brought to New South Wales by his parents at two years of age. The family settled at Wollongong where McCourt was educated. At an early age he was apprenticed as a printer with the Illawarra Mercury and in 1874 founded the Moss Vale based paper, Scrutineer and West Camden Advocate, selling it in 1886.

McCourt was elected a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seats of Camden (1882-1885;1887-1894), Bowral (1894-1904) and Wollondilly (1904-1913). He was Chairman of Committees from 1894 to 1900 and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 1900 to 1910.