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Sir William McMillan, K.C.M.G., popularly known as “Good Iron Mac”, is one of the key figures in Australia’s nationhood, a Federation Father as influential as Deakin and Barton. Arriving in Australia from Ireland in 1869, he achieved financial success importing soft-goods, and selling them from his horse and buggy throughout NSW, before entering the NSW Parliament in the 1880’s.
Resident of and NSW representative for Burwood, then later resident of Randwick and Federal member for Wentworth, in 1888 he organised Australia’s first modern political party, The Free Trade and Liberal Party. For the next 15 years McMillan was at the centre of political life as Australia made the momentous change from colonies to nationhood. On Federation in 1901, he became leader in the first national parliament.
With the coming centenary of the Australian Constitution and the Commonwealth of Australia, this is a timely work. “Good Iron Mac” also importantly contributes a Conservative history, which in the area of Australian political biography, is currently weighted toward Labor history.
In the Foreword to the book, eminent historian A.W. Martin writes that, “Good biographies place their subjects in their times, and this book is no exception. The main thrust of the book is of course political….But there is also embedded here an intriguing personal story…”
The author, Peter Gunnar, has reason to uncover the personal story of his subject, being Good Iron Mac’s grandson. Gunnar, an American, did not ever meet his mother’s father, but was inspired by the task of research to get to know him both as a politician and as a man. “Only through my research have I come to know him as more than a sepia portrait” says Gunnar.
Born in London in 1924 and raised in America, Peter Gunnar is a retired lawyer, judge, politician and businessman. The research and writing of “Good Iron Mac” has brought him to Australia a number of times.
CONTENTS
- Prologue for a merchant in politics
- 1850-early 1887
- Lessons in Legislation, life and leadership
- March 1887-March 1889
- The treasurer: firming finances and forecasting federation
- March 1887-November 1889
- The treasurer: from a constitutional conference to circular quay
- early 1890-November 1890
- The treasurer: a foundation for federation
- early 1891-April 1891
- The treasurer: constancy and courage
- April 1891-October 1892
- Remarriage and rethinking
- last of 1892-October 1892
- Panic, peril, and perseverance
- late 1892-december 1896
- Compromises for a Constitution
- January-April 1897
- Changes and Completion
- April 1898-May 1901
- Referendum, rejection, and recovery
- April 1898-May 1901
- Finishing the Federal Fabric
- May 1901-September 1903
- Fate’s Feckless Fancy
- late 1903-end of 1906
- Epilogue for a Politician in Commerce
- 1907-1926
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Published August 1995
Publisher The Federation Press
Hardback/274pp
ISBN 9781862871762
Australian RRP $43.94
International Price $42.00
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Biography
Law - Legal History
Australian History / Studies

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