Fred Birrell
From Snoutslouts
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Biographical
- Born: 7 December 1913
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- GFC League Debut: 1934
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Frederick Ronald ("Fred") Birrell (7 December 1913 - 23 July 1985) was a member of the 1934 Glenelg premiership team.
Born at Parkside in Adelaide, he was educated at Adelaide Boys High School.
Career
Starting out as a defender - he played off the half back flank in the 1934 premiership - he then moved forward, topping the club's goal kicking in 1935 and 1936.
Work and Community
Fred Birrell joined the Australian Labor Party in the early 1930s and remained its loyal supporter all his life. He gave service to the Labor movement also as a trade union official for the Vehicle Builders Employees Federation of Australia for nearly 20 years. He was South Australian Secretary, Vehicle Builders Union 1959-63, Federal President 1961-62, and President South Australian Trades and Labor Council 1958.
In 1940, he enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force and served his country with pride throughout the war before being discharged in 1946 with the rank of sergeant.
Fred Birrell was elected to Parliament in 1963 as the member for Port Adelaide and serving for 11 years until his retirement in 1974.
Fred Birrell had, in addition, a fine record of community service in Adelaide. He was the first Secretary to the Findon High School Council and was a foundation member of the Seaton North Progress Association.
References
1. Pride of the Bay
