John Gaha
Encyclopedia
John Francis Gaha known as Frank, was an Australia
n politician. Born in Narrabri
, New South Wales
, he was educated at St Joseph's College in Sydney
and the National University of Ireland
, becoming a doctor and a house surgeon in Dublin. Returning to Australia in 1920, he settled in Tasmania
, where he established a private practice at Hobart; he was a health officer 1925–1929. In 1933, he was elected as a Labor
member to the Tasmanian Legislative Council
for Hobart
, serving as Minister for Health 1934–1943. In 1943, he transferred to federal politics, winning the House of Representatives
seat of Denison
by defeating sitting United Australia Party
MP Arthur Beck
. He retired from federal politics in 1949, returning to Tasmanian politics as a member for Denison
in the House of Assembly
in 1950. He was chief secretary, Minister for Police and Minister for Transport 1959–1961. Gaha left the Assembly in 1964 and died two years later in 1966.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician. Born in Narrabri
Narrabri, New South Wales
Narrabri is a town and seat of Narrabri Shire Council Local Government Area in the North West Slopes, New South Wales, Australia. Narrabri is situated on the Namoi River and lies northwest of Sydney. It sits on the junction of the Kamilaroi Highway and the Newell Highway...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, he was educated at St Joseph's College in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and the National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
, becoming a doctor and a house surgeon in Dublin. Returning to Australia in 1920, he settled in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, where he established a private practice at Hobart; he was a health officer 1925–1929. In 1933, he was elected as a Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
member to the Tasmanian Legislative Council
Tasmanian Legislative Council
The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Tasmania in Australia. The other is the House of Assembly. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Hobart...
for Hobart
Electoral division of Hobart
The electoral division of Hobart is one of the fifteen electorates or seats in the Tasmanian Legislative Council. The seat was created in 2008 after a redistribution saw the former Wellington returned to its former name....
, serving as Minister for Health 1934–1943. In 1943, he transferred to federal politics, winning the House of Representatives
Australian House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
seat of Denison
Division of Denison
The Division of Denison is anAustralian Electoral Division in Tasmania.The division was created in 1903 and is named for Sir William Denison, who was Lt-Governor of Van Diemens Land 1847-55...
by defeating sitting United Australia Party
United Australia Party
The United Australia Party was an Australian political party that was founded in 1931 and dissolved in 1945. It was the political successor to the Nationalist Party of Australia and predecessor to the Liberal Party of Australia...
MP Arthur Beck
Arthur Beck
Arthur James Beck was an Australian politician. Born in Launceston, Tasmania, he was educated at Launceston Grammar School before becoming a boot importer. He sat on Hobart City Council before undertaking military service 1914-1918...
. He retired from federal politics in 1949, returning to Tasmanian politics as a member for Denison
Division of Denison (state)
The Electoral Division of Denison is one of the 5 electorates in the Tasmanian House of Assembly. The division is named after Sir William Denison, who was Lieutenant Governor of Van_Diemen's Land 1847-55, and Governor of New South Wales 1855-61. The division shares its name and boundaries with the...
in the House of Assembly
Tasmanian House of Assembly
The House of Assembly, or Lower House, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Tasmania in Australia. The other is the Legislative Council or Upper House...
in 1950. He was chief secretary, Minister for Police and Minister for Transport 1959–1961. Gaha left the Assembly in 1964 and died two years later in 1966.