10 Facts About Frederick Bromley

Frederick Hadkinson Bromley was an English-born Australian trade unionist and early Labour leader in Victoria.

Frederick Bromley trained as an artist at the School of Design in South Kensington, and became an artist specialising in japanning, a European imitation of Asian lacquerwork.

In May 1883, Frederick Bromley joined the Victorian Trades Hall Council, representing the tinsmiths' union.

Frederick Bromley was elected vice-president of the council in 1884, and president in March 1885.

In March 1886, Frederick Bromley contested the electoral district of Collingwood, but was unsuccessful.

Frederick Bromley joined the Progressive Political League, and was elected vice-president in December 1891.

Frederick Bromley became the first secretary of the party, which had gone through several iterations and emerged as the United Labour Party in May 1896.

Frederick Bromley served as the party's first secretary until he was elected party leader on 3 December 1900 after William Trenwith resigned as Labour leader to take up an appointment as Commissioner of Public Works and Minister of Railways in George Turner's Cabinet.

Frederick Bromley led Labour at the 1904 Victorian state election on 1 June 1904, but resigned as leader six days after the election due to ill health, and George Prendergast replaced him.

Frederick Bromley died in office on 29 September 1908, at the age of 53.