O'Dea, Ernest Charles, 1889 – 1976

Ernest Charles O'Dea (1889-1976), trade unionist, Lord Mayor and parliamentarian, was born at Armidale, NSW, son of Martin and Kate O'Dea. The family moved to Sydney and O'Dea was educated at Christian Brothers' College at Newtown before working in his family's boot-making business and then at a shoe shop in Sydney.

In 1910 O'Dea joined the Shop Assistants' and Warehouse Employees Federation of Australia and was Secretary from 1920 to 1968. O'Dea was elected to Sydney City Council (1924-1927, 1930-1965) and was Lord Mayor of Sydney from 1949 to 1952. He was a member of Sydney County Council (1935-1959) and Chairman from 1958 to 1959. O'Dea was elected to the NSW Legislative Council (1943-1967). [ref:ADB 15]