15 Facts About Thomas Bavin

Thomas Bavin was born in New Zealand and arrived in Australia at the age of 15, where he studied law and became a barrister.

Thomas Bavin served as personal secretary to Australia's first two prime ministers, Edmund Barton and Alfred Deakin.

Thomas Bavin served two terms as Attorney General of New South Wales before leading the Nationalist Party to victory at the 1927 state election, in a coalition with the Country Party.

Thomas Bavin's siblings were: Edna ; Jessie ; Gertrude ; Major Cyril Bavin OBE; Horace Bavin; Florence Bavin ; Lancelot Bavin; and Dora Bavin.

Thomas Bavin first met Edmund Barton during their shared involvement in the federation movement.

Thomas Bavin found Barton easily distracted and unable or willing to deal with routine administrative matters, later recalling that "having done his greatest work Barton was no longer very interested in the result".

When Barton resigned to become a judge on the High Court, Thomas Bavin became his associate but continued on as private secretary to Barton's successor Alfred Deakin.

Thomas Bavin returned to the Bar in 1904 but found briefs scarce and so began writing op-ed pieces for Sydney newspapers, and, along with Deakin, serve as the Australian correspondent for the London Morning Post from 1907 to 1911.

Thomas Bavin recommended an anti-monopoly bureau that could investigate prices and recommend prosecutions.

Thomas Bavin was elected as an alderman to Willoughby Municipal Council in 1910.

Thomas Bavin gained pre-selection for the Legislative Assembly seat of Albury in 1916 but the election was deferred until 1917, when he was elected as the Nationalist Party member for Gordon, a seat which he held until 1935, except during the period of proportional representation when he was a member for Ryde.

In reaction to Labor Party calls to abolish the Legislative Council, Thomas Bavin pushed through legislation requiring a referendum to do so.

Thomas Bavin was plagued by ill-health throughout his Premiership, meaning that he was absent him from Cabinet during crucial times, especially in the wake of the Great Depression after 1929.

Thomas Bavin died of cancer in the Sydney suburb of Bellevue Hill, survived by his wife, son and three daughters.

Thomas Bavin's well-attended funeral was held at St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney on 2 September 1941.