Ray Thorburn

For New Zealand artist, art educator and museum director, see Ray Thorburn (artist).

Raymond William Thorburn (15 November 1930 – 30 January 1986) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and held the New South Wales seat of Cook in the House of Representatives from 1972 to 1975. He was an electrical engineer by profession.

Ray Thorburn
Member of the Australian Parliament for Cook
In office 2 December 1972 – 13 December 1975
Preceded by	Don Dobie
Succeeded by	Don Dobie
Personal details
Born	(1930-11-15)15 November 1930 Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia
Died	30 January 1986(1986-01-30) (aged 55)
Political party	Labor
Occupation	Electrical engineer

Early life

Thorburn was born on 15 November 1930 in Sutherland, New South Wales. He completed a certificate in electrical engineering at Sydney Technical College and subsequently worked as an engineering officer.^[1]

Politics

Thorburn served on the Sutherland Shire Council from 1964 to 1973, including as shire president from 1971 to 1972. He was also vice-president of the Cronulla branch of the ALP from 1956 to 1970.^[1]

At the 1972 federal election, Thorburn defeated the incumbent Liberal MP Don Dobie in the seat of Cook. He was re-elected in 1974 but lost his seat to Dobie in the ALP's landslide defeat at the 1975 election.^[1] He made three unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the seat from Dobie, and remains the only member of the ALP to have held Cook.^[2]

Thorburn was a member of the House Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs from 1973 to 1975 and was a parliamentary representative on the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.^[1]

Personal life

Thorburn had two children with his wife Joan.^[3] He died on 30 January 1986 at the age of 55.^[1]

References

1. "Biography for THORBURN, Ray William". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
2. Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
3. "Death of Mr Ray William Thorburn". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. 11 February 1986. Retrieved 9 August 2022.

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Don Dobie	Member for Cook 1972–1975	Succeeded by Don Dobie