14 Facts About Greg McGirr

John Joseph Gregory McGirr was an Australian politician who served in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1913 to 1925, representing the Labor Party.

Greg McGirr served as the party's leader for little over a month in 1923, during an internal dispute.

Greg McGirr had earlier served as deputy leader and as Minister for Public Health under James Dooley.

The second son of John Patrick McGirr, a farmer, and Mary McGirr, both Irish emigrants, Greg McGirr was born in Parkes, New South Wales, and educated at St Joseph's Convent, Parkes, and St Stanislaus' College, Bathurst.

Greg McGirr graduated in pharmacy from the University of Sydney in 1904.

Greg McGirr opened chemist shops at Parkes, Peak Hill, Orange, Narromine, and eventually Sydney.

Greg McGirr was heavily involved in land and stock trading.

Greg McGirr joined the Labor Party and in 1910 ran unsuccessfully for the seat of Orange.

Greg McGirr was named deputy party leader after the death of John Storey in 1921.

Greg McGirr was supported by Jack Bailey, an influential member of the Australian Workers Union that dominated the State Executive of the Labor Party, who helped Greg McGirr win Labor pre-selection for Sydney.

Greg McGirr won a seat at the 1922 election, at the expense of Michael Burke, who was popular within the Labor Party.

Greg McGirr's leadership was brief however as in April 1923 the Federal Executive intervened in the NSW branch and Bill Dunn was appointed interim leader, pending a caucus vote.

Greg McGirr was defeated at the 1925 election and subsequently concentrated on his business interests, except for an unsuccessful attempt to win Calare for the State Labor Party in September 1940.

Greg McGirr died in Sydney, aged 69, survived by his wife and eight of their nine children.