Born 24 May 1867 in Moynalty, County Meath, Ireland [201]
Son of Michael LYNCH and Bridget CAHILL [200]
Educated at the Cormeen National School in County Meath and at the Ballieborough Model School in County Cavan, Ireland [188]
Left school at the age of 15 years and began working on his father's farm, and also continued his studies when time permitted [188]
Left Ireland in 1886 and on arrival in Queensland, Australia worked hewing railway sleepers and then goldmining at Croydon [188] [200]
Mined in Queensland for three years and then took to the seas for seven years as a ship's stokehold firer and then marine engineer [188]
After giving up his marine pursuits he worked as an engineer on a sugar plantation on the South Sea Islands in the Pacific Ocean [188]
Shifted to Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia where he worked on the gold mines as an Engine Driver [188] [202]
He was a founding member of the Engine Drivers' Association in Kalgoorlie and was its General Secretary for almost five years [188]
Served on the Boulder Municipal Council from December 1901 until June 1904 [201]
Married (1) Annie Josephine CLEARY in Boulder in 1902 [15]
He and his wife initially resided at a house in Lane Street, Boulder [6] [201]
Elected unopposed as inaugural member for the seat of Mount Leonora in the Parliament of Western Australia on 28 June 1904 [201]
Labor Member for Mount Leonora in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from his election in 1904 until 1906 [188]
Following his election he, his wife and their two daughters left Boulder and shifted to Perth [201]
In November 1906 he was elected as a Labor Senator for Western Australia in the Commonwealth Senate of Australia [200]
Due to his strong support of conscription walked out of the Labor caucus and was expelled from the Labor Party in 1916 [200]
Subsequently joined the National Party and was later a member of the United Australia Party [202]
He became known as Senator Lynch and his wife was at times referred to as "Mrs Senator Lynch" [4: 22-Sep-1928] [201]
President of the Commonwealth Senate of Australia from 1932 to 1938 [200]
During his time as a Federal Senator he was the Minister for Works and Railways 1916-17, and served as: [200] [202]
Member of the Library Committee 1907-20 and again 1932-38 [202]
Member of the Royal Commission on the fruit industry 1912-14 [200]
Member the Committee of Disputed Returns and Qualifications 1913-19 [202]
Member of the Joint Standing Committee on Public Works 1914-16 and 1923-26 - was Chairman 1914-16 [200] [202]
Inaugural Chairman of the River Murray Commission in 1916[200]
Member of the Standing Orders Committee 1920-23 and again 1932-38 [202]
Member of the Select Committee on the Advisability or Otherwise of Establishing Standing Committees of the Senate 1929-30 [202]
Member of the Printing Committee in 1932 [202]
Member of the House Committee 1932-38 [202]
His brother Philip along with Philip's wife Sarah and their children arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia on 25 March 1909 [201]
He is said to have financially assisted his brother to travel from Ireland to Australia, and to set them up upon their arrival [201]
As soon as his brother arrived they began looking for suitable farming land to buy together [201]
He visited Three Springs during the last week of March 1909 and "was greatly pleased with what he saw" [9: 2-Apr-1909]
During his visit to Three Springs he stayed with Maley Bros and was taken around the district by Solomon S. MALEY [9: 2-Apr-1909]
He was "surprised at the amount of work done for so young a settlement" [9: 2-Apr-1909]
Attended the Midland Railway Company's 9th Subdivision Sale at the Builders & Contractors' Exchange in Perth on 18 June 1909 [39]
The sale was the Company's first of agricultural blocks of virgin bush and townsite blocks in Three Springs [39: 19-Jun-1909]
He was involved in very spirited bidding on Lot M752 and with bids of 6/- ran the price from 45/- to £3/12/- an acre [39: 19-Jun-1909]
Missed out on Lot M752 but with his brother Philip as "Lynch Bros" was successful bidder on 1,994 acres of virgin land [27]
The 1,994 acres was Lots M729, M749 & M750 of Victoria Locations 1933 and 2022, costing £1627/7/6 payable by instalments [27]
18 days later, on 6 July 1909, they purchased from the Midland Railway Company an additional 1,165 acres in Three Springs [27]
The additional 1,165 acres was Lots M734, M774 & M775 of Victoria Locations 1932 and 1933, which cost £1220/1/3 [27]
In 1910 and 1911 they purchased a further 1,066 acres in Three Springs from the Midland Railway Company [27]
The 1,066 acres consisted of Lots M733, M770 & M776 of Victoria Location 1932, and cost a total of £1224/13/6 [27]
In about 1912 they purchased the 215 acre Lot M738 of Victoria Location 1933 from Mrs Jane TERRY of Three Springs [27] [44]
This took their farm holdings to a total of 3,275 acres until the mid 1920s when they purchased more farmland [44]
Their farmland in Three Springs was managed by his brother Philip but under the partnership of "Lynch Bros" 1909-1918 [201]
They had a four roomed house built on the property, and in late 1909 Philip and his family shifted to Three Springs [201]
Lots M749 & M750, on which Philip resided, were situated a short distance north east of the Three Springs townsite [201]
The rest of their lots were situated further north-north east of the Three Springs townsite up near the Dudawa Estate [44] [62]
Absentee Farmer in Three Springs in partnership with his brother Philip LYNCH 1909-1918 [201]
By August 1909 he'd had "a nice residence" built on land he owned on Touche Street in the Three Springs townsite [9: 6-Aug-1909]
In 1910 they seeded approximately 170 acres of crop on their recently acquired farm in Three Springs [9: 27-May-1910]
"Lynch Bros" exhibited a sheaf of Alpha wheat at the Moora Agricultural Society's Annual Show in Moora in 1910 [9: 28-Oct-1910]
He spent his spare time in 1911 organising clearers working on the farm "in his usual quiet, obstructive way" [388: 26-Aug-1911]
In early December 1915 they almost lost their wheat crop when fire from burning off reached the crop [10: 7-Dec-1915]
"Lynch Bros" entered into the pig trade in August 1916 with the purchase of Large Black and Berkshire studs [10: 18-Aug-1916]
They grew 600 acres of wheat on their Three Springs property in 1917 [10: 19-Jun-1917]
He and his brother are said to have amicably dissolved their farming partnership in 1918 [201]
Despite dissolving partnership their farmland at that point and for a number of years thereafter was in the name of Lynch Bros [44]
For the fulfilment of his duties as Federal Senator he, his wife and their children resided in Melbourne 1907-1909 [201]
In 1909 purchased a house at 8 Avenue No. 2 in North Perth (Avenue No. 2 was later renamed Camellia Street) [201]
His wife and children resided at the house in North Perth, and while the Senate was in session he was in Melbourne [201]
He, his wife and their children spent some time in North Perth and time on the farm in Three Springs 1909-1918 [201]
He appears in Western Australian Legislative Assembly Electoral Rolls with an address of Three Springs from 1914 onwards [19]
Had a weatherboard cottage built on the part of his and his brother's farm in Three Springs near the Dudawa Estate in 1916 [201]
After having the weatherboard cottage extended he and his wife and children shifted to the farm towards the end of 1919 [201]
From 1919 onwards he resided in Three Springs full time except for time spent interstate when the Senate was in session [201]
He then spent all of his spare time as a Senator living and working on his farm in Three Springs [5: 21-Jan-1934]
He managed to play an active role in Three Springs 1909-1918, despite spending only limited time in the district [9] [10]
He was named Patron of the Kadathinni Cricket Club upon its formation in Three Springs on 14 August 1909 [9: 20-Aug-1909]
Inaugural Vice President of the Three Springs Race Club in 1910 and 1911 [9: 23-Dec-1910]
Spoke at the Children's Christmas Tree held at the Three Springs State School on Boxing Day 26 December 1910 [9: 6-Jan-1911]
As Senator he Addressed an open air meeting on the Referenda in Three Springs on Saturday 15 April 1911 [9: 14-Apr-1911]
He was one of 15 guarantors covering the £300 debt for the new Agricultural Hall in Three Springs in 1912 [9: 12-Jul-1912]
Spent Christmas of 1913 with his brother in Three Springs, and returned to Perth on 29 December 1913 [10: 2-Jan-1914]
Spoke about Federal Politics to a crowd of fifty or sixty in Three Springs on Saturday evening 11 July 1914 [10: 17-Jul-1914]
Inaugural Vice President of the Three Springs Rifle Club in 1915 [10: 29-Oct-1915]
Made a speech at the Welcome Home held in Three Springs for Corporal John L. HEBITON on 9 August 1916 [10: 11-Aug-1916]
Spoke at the Farewell to Privates Harry BYRNE and Dick LYNCH at the Hall in Three Springs on 15 August 1916 [10: 18-Aug-1916]
During August 1917 it was reported he was in Three Springs on a visit to his farm [10: 31-Aug-1917]
Attended and Officially Opened the Red Cross Gala Day held in Three Springs on Thursday 23 May 1918 [10: 31-May-1918]
Presided over the Farewell Social held for Const. Richard J. HONNER in Three Springs on Friday 30 August 1918 [10: 6-Sep-1918]
In about October 1915 he received a letter in Perth threatening the destruction of his farm in Three Springs [39: 26-Oct-1916]
The letter was signed "Sabotage" and called for the Labor capitalists to release John BARKER from prison in Sydney [39]
If he wasn't released the unnamed author threatened to sabotage the master class all over Australia, and in particular his farm [39]
The imprisoned John BARKER was a member of the Independent Workers of the World (I.W.W.) which was a type of union [39]
The I.W.W. strived to improve the conditions of the working classes - but through the destruction of the master/capitalist class [39]
When he received the letter it would have been very easy to light a single fire and destroy the entirety of their 650 acre crop [39]
The man accused of writing the letter went before the Perth Police Court on 25 October 1916 and was committed for trial [39]
The Criminal Court in Perth sentenced the accused man to six months imprisonment with hard labour on 7 March 1917 [39: 8-Mar-1917]
Farmer of Mount Leonora Farm in Three Springs 1918-1944 [201]
His farm consisted of Lots M729, M733, M734, M738, M770, M774, M775 & M776 of Victoria Locations 1933 and 2022 [44]
The farm was situated north-north east of the Three Springs townsite, and south of the Dudawa Estate in Dudawa, East Arrino [62]
When he and his brother purchased the land it consisted partly of heavy forest country and partly of sandplain [201]
His brother Philip was the farmer Shamrock Farm (their Lots M749 & M750) nearer the Three Springs townsite [19] [201]
The Midland Railway Company established a railway siding near his property, which was named Lynch Siding [201]
His farm was managed by John J. LYNCH 1918-1919, Patrick F. LYNCH 1919-1920 and Thomas A. LYNCH 1921-1924 [201]
Later managers of his farm included "Harry" Hans C. SORENSEN and "Fred" Fergus CONNAUGHTON [5: 4-Sep-1936] [201]
In 1926 had a modern new homestead built on his Mount Leonora Farm in Three Springs [201]
Vice President of the Three Springs Saint Patrick's Day Committee's Sports Meetings in Three Springs in 1918, 1919 and 1920 [124]
Attended and gave an address to those present at the unveiling of the Three Springs Honour Board on 3 June 1919 [9: 6-Jun-1919]
Donated £2/2/- in 1919, £2 in 1920, £10/10/- in 1925, and £5/5/- in 1928 to the Three Springs Saint Patrick's Day Committee [124]
Patron of the Carnamah Race Club in 1920, and of their Race Meeting held in Carnamah on Thursday 11 March 1920 [10: 13-Feb-1920]
Member of the Three Springs Race Club - was Patron in 1921 and Vice President in 1929 [9: 17-Mar-1921] [4: 23-Feb-1929]
Attended the wedding of Robert A. CALDOW and May I. BYRNE at the Hall in Three Springs on 5 October 1921 [9: 21-Oct-1921]
Had the telephone connected to his farmhouse - was telephone number Arrino-1[60]
During March 1922 he rode on horseback from Kondinin to inspect virgin country south-west of Hyden Rock [201]
Purchased 10,000 acres in Hyden, however due to Government regulations could only purchase 1,000 acres in his name [201]
The 10,000 acres consisted of ten 1,000 acre blocks - one in his name and one in the names of his adult children and nephews [201]
His nephews Thomas A. LYNCH and Peter J. LYNCH settled on the land in Hyden in 1922 and 1927 respectively [201]
Donated £10 to the Young Australia League after the laying of their memorial building's foundation stone in Perth in 1922 [248: Aug-1993]
Patron of the Picnic Race Meetings held in Three Springs to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1925 [124]
Gave a speech at the Picnic Race Meeting in Three Springs on Saint Patrick's Day Friday 17 March 1922 [9: 24-Mar-1922]
Once more gave a "speech suited to the occasion" at the Saint Patrick's Day Celebrations on 15 March 1923 [9: 13-Apr-1923]
President of the Picnic Race Meeting held in Three Springs on Saint Patrick's Day Saturday 17 March 1928 [124]
In 1924 unsuccessfully requested for the Carnamah District Road Board to make a road through BASTIAN's farm in TS [10: 1-May-1924]
Applied with the Carnamah District Road Board for a road to be made from his farm to the Dudawa Road in later 1924 [9: 26-Sep-1924]
His request was unsuccessful as the road had previously been temporarily closed by the Mingenew Road Board [9: 31-Oct-1924]
During the 1923-24 financial year he and his brother Philip purchased 2,047 acres in East Three Springs from Farmlands Ltd [44]
The 2,047 acres was Lots M841, M842, M843 and M844 of Victoria Location 2022 (Farmlands Ltd was Sir Walter H. JAMES) [44]
This farm is situated on the north side of the Perenjori-Three Springs Road and also bounds McKenzie Road and Weir Road [62]
During the 1924-25 financial year he and his brother Philip purchased 2,495 acres of farmland in Dudawa, East Arrino [44]
The 2,495 acres was Lot M808 of Victoria Location 1932 and was purchased from the Estate of the Late J. Stephen SMITH [44]
This property was known as "the 808 block" and was later farmed by his son Michael [201] under the name of Masima Farm[187]
Lot M808 was on the east side of the Morawa-Three Springs Road and also on the south side of Simpson Road [62]
Attended the opening of the Young Australia League's memorial building at 45 Murray Street in Perth on 23 November 1924 [248]
At the ceremony he spoke eulogistically of the ideals of the League, and following an appeal made a donation of £10 [248: Aug-1993]
Donated £10 to the Young Australia League at the opening of their memorial building in Perth on 23 November 1924 [248: Aug-1993]
Honoured by his friends in Three Springs on 2 October 1925 in appreciation for the work he had done in the Senate [9: 9-Oct-1925]
Speakers at the function were Evander W. FRANKLIN, James P. MCALEER, Robert A. CALDOW and Edmund K. BYRNE [9]
He was among the guests who welcomed the Duke and Duchess of York to Canberra in 1927 [4: 21-May-1927]
The Duke was the future King George VI and the Duchess the future Queen Elizabeth, later known as The Queen Mother [--]
After arriving back in Western Australia he caught the train home on 17 May 1927, getting off at Lynch Siding near his farm [4]
Returned to Three Springs "looking very fit" in early January 1928 after a trip to Canberra [4: 7-Jan-1928]
Attended the conference in Three Springs on 2 March 1928 to discuss the formation of a Road Board in Three Springs [4: 10-Mar-1928]
He was forced to stay at home for a number of days in June 1928 due to lumbage (back pain) [4: 16-Jun-1928]
By 1928 4,500 acres of his farm had been cleared and in addition to cropping he ran 4,000 sheep [120: 27-Dec-1928]
Won 1st prize for WA bred Merino Ewe at the Three Springs Agricultural Society's First Annual Show in 1928 [4: 29-Sep-1928]
Advertised his 12 month old Rumley tractor, which could do 20 acres per day, for sale in October 1928 for £600 [4: 6-Oct-1928]
In November 1928 advertised for sale a flock of merino rams of four tooth to full mouth for two to four guineas [4: 17-Nov-1928]
Left on a trip to the Eastern States with his daughter Molly on the steamship Karoola on Saturday 2 February 1929 [4: 26-Jan-1929]
In the early 1920s purchased the vacant block at 2 Yarra Street in the Carnamah townsite (Lot 2 of Victoria Location 1936) [3]
Officially declared open the new Carnamah Post Office at 12 Macpherson Street, Carnamah on Thursday 30 June 1932 [12: 8-Jul-1932]
His wife Annie passed away at their North Perth home at the age of 59 years on 18 May 1931 [4: 23-May-1931]
Won both 1st and 2nd prize for "One Fat Beast" in the Cattle section of the Three Springs Agricultural Show in 1932 [5: 30-Sep-1932]
With a plot of Gluclub wheat came 2nd in the Three Springs Agricultural Society's 50 acre crop competition in 1932 [5: 20-Jan-1933]
The same plot was also an entrant in the Royal Agricultural Society's 50 acre crop competition for Zone 1 in which it came 4th [5]
In January 1933 lost 75 ewes, which either strayed or were stolen, and offered a reward for their return [4: 4-Feb-1933]
Married (2) Mary BROWN on 1 May 1933 at Saint Matthew's Roman Catholic Church in Narrogin, Western Australia [200]
He and his bride were welcomed to Three Springs at a Social and Dance on Tuesday 1 August 1933 [5: 4-Aug-1933]
Unsuccessfully requested with the Three Springs Road Board for a new road to be declared and made to his property [5: 18-Aug-1933]
Patron of the Three Springs Agricultural Society 1933-1939 [5: 26-May-1933, 17-May-1935, 1-May-1936, 25-Mar-1937] [262]
Received 3rd prize for Zone 1 in the Royal Agricultural Society's 50-acre Crop Competition in 1933 [5: 22-Dec-1933]
Received a petition for a new post office from the Three Springs Ratepayers & Citizens Association in October 1933 [5: 20-Oct-1933]
While doing repair work on his farm in Three Springs some tar was blown into his eyes on Thursday 25 January 1934 [5: 2-Feb-1934]
Member of the Three Springs Saint Patrick's Day Committee in 1934 [5: 9-Mar-1934]
Attended and gave a speech at the farewell to Dick and Lilian HARRIS in Three Springs on Monday 12 March 1934 [5: 16-Mar-1934]
Attended and spoke at the Farewell to Matron COFFEY held in the Three Springs Hall on Thursday 24 May 1934 [5: 25-May-1934]
Made a speech at Hugh MCHARG and Gladys BASTIAN's wedding reception in Three Springs on Tuesday 5 June 1934 [5: 8-Jun-1934]
Sold 29 bales of wool through Dalgety & Co for between 11¼d. and 10½d. per pound in January 1935 [5: 1-Feb-1935]
Member of the Three Springs Football Club - was Vice President in 1935 [5: 10-May-1935]
Returned to Three Springs on Thursday 11 July 1935 after spending several days in Perth [5: 12-Jul-1935]
Along with five others requested in 1935 that the Three Springs Road Board close a road that went through his farm [5: 16-Aug-1935]
At the same time he also complained about not having a decent trafficable road from his property to Lynch Railway Siding [5]
The Midland Railway Company closed Lynch Siding in 1937 and opened Pitfield Siding 1¼ miles away [5: 22-Jan-1937]
In February 1937 requested the Three Springs Road Board ask the Company to gravel the approach to Pitfield Siding [5: 5-Mar-1937]
The Clydesdale stallion Fyvielie Pearl, imported from New Zealand, stood at his property in Three Springs in 1935 [5: 23-Aug-1935]
The special pedigree horse could stand with mares for a fee of £3/3/-, or £2/2/- on service and £2/2/- if pregnancy followed [5]
In 1936 Fyvielie Pearl once again stood at his Three Springs property, for the same charges as in 1935 [5: 4-Sep-1936]
Won 1st for Clydesdale Stallion, Red Poll Bull and milking strain Shorthorn Cow at the Three Springs Agricultural Show in 1935 [5]
The trophy for the exhibitor gaining the most points in the agricultural sections at the show was the Senator Lynch Cup [5: 27-Sep-1935]
Purchased two new Sunshine harvesters from local agent Oswald S. SOWERBY in 1935[5: 15-Nov-1935]
Sold 149 ewes for 19/5 per head through Dalgety & Co Ltd at a sheep sale held at Midland Market on 20 May 1936 [5: 22-May-1936]
The next month sold 68 wethers through Elder Smith & Co Ltd - 44 for 27/10 per head and 24 for 24/10 per head [5: 19-Jun-1936]
On Wednesday 29 July 1936 sold 68 wethers for 29/1 per head through Elder Smith & Co Ltd at Midland Market [5: 31-Jul-1936]
Attended and spoke at the farewell to Thomas and Johanna BERRIGAN at the Carnamah Hall on 20 June 1936 [5: 26-Jun-1936]
One of five ratepayers who attended the ratepayers meeting of the Three Springs Road Board on Saturday 20 June 1936 [5: 3-Jul-1936]
Speaker at the Farewell Social & Dance to Tom and Johanna BERRIGAN at the Carnamah Hall on 20 June 1936 [5: 26-Jun-1936]
The Three Springs Road Board inspected the road to his property on Saturday 18 July 1936 [5: 10-Jul-1936, 4-Sep-1936]
He made an offer, which the Road Board accepted, to exchange 50 chains of land to create a road deviation along his home [5]
Wrote to the Road Board in October 1936 asking what they were doing about the deviation and the filling of a gully [5: 23-Oct-1936]
He again wrote to the Road Board in February 1937 asking when they were going to form the proposed deviation [5: 5-Mar-1937]
In April 1937 the Road Board accepted his offer of land to make a new road over the sand hill to the railway line [5: 23-Apr-1937]
In May 1937 he requested payment of £16 for previously resumed land but only wished newly resumed land be fenced [5: 21-May-1937]
He was among the 200 farmers who attended the meeting in Carnamah on 31 July 1936 about local Bulk Wheat Handling [5: 7-Aug-1936]
Exhibited in the Horse section of the Carnamah Agricultural Show at Centenary Park in Carnamah on 10 September 1936 [5: 18-Sep-1936]
He was one of the principal prize winners in the Horse section and was noted for exhibiting "particularly fine stock" [5: 11-Sep-1936]
Won 1st prize for Clydesdale Stallion, 1st for Draught Mare visibly in foal or foal at foot, and 1st and 2nd for Clydesdale Mare [5]
His Clydesdale Stallion was the Champion Stallion of the show, and his Draught Mare was the Champion Mare of the show [5]
Exhibited in the Horse, Cattle and Grain & Fodder sections of the Three Springs Agricultural Show on 17 September 1936 [5]
Won 1st prizes in the Horse section for Clydesdale Stallion, Draught Filly, Draught Gelding and Four Horse Team [5]
Also won two 2nd prizes for Clydesdale Stallion & Three Mares suitable for breeding and Farm Brood Mare in or with foal [5]
Received 1st prizes for milking strain Shorthorn Cow and 2nd prizes for Fat Beat and Collection of Fodder Plant [5: 25-Sep-1936]
After a request from the Three Springs Road Board he wrote explaining the P.M.G. Department couldn't alter telephone facilities [5]
The Department wouldn't alter the facilities as they were giving priority to the sorting of Saturday afternoon mails [5: 23-Oct-1936]
Sold eight head of cattle through Elder Smith & Co Ltd at the Midland Market on Wednesday 21 October 1936 [5: 23-Oct-1936]
Four cows (1 at £10/2/6, 2 at 9/2/6, 1 at £8/2/6), three steers (2 at £11/2/6, 1 at £7/12/6) and one heifer at £9/2/6 per head [5]
After falling ill he was admitted to a private hospital in Canberra on Wednesday morning 11 November 1936 [5]
As a result he was unable to occupy the chair of the Senate, as its President, when it met at 3:00 p.m. [5: 13-Nov-1936]
In December 1936 he was announced the winner of the Royal Agricultural Society's 50-acre Crop Competition for Zone 1 [5]
He won with a plot of Bencubbin wheat, and received 9 out of 10 for both freedom from weeds and freedom from disease [5]
With the same plot he also won the Three Springs Agricultural Society's 50-acre Crop Competition in 1936 [5: 4-Dec-1936]
He was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (C.B.E.) in 1936 [200]
Interviewed by local farmer Murray M. WILSON about the extension of telephonic facilities to East Three Springs in 1937 [5: 5-Mar-1937]
Advised the residents in April 1937 that the Deputy Postmaster General had agreed to a telephone service for East Three Springs [5]
The new service and telephone exchange meant 18 households in East Three Springs would be connected [5: 23-Apr-1937]
Paid for a labourer to help cart 80 loads of sand, gravel and stones for the nursing quarters in Three Springs in April 1937 [5: 30-Apr-1937]
Invited to address the children at the Coronation Celebrations in Three Springs on Friday afternoon 21 May 1937 [5: 23-Apr-1937]
In May 1937 he had as his guest on his farm Charles G. LATHAM who was Leader of the Opposition in WA [5: 28-May-1937]
He and his guest were tendered an informal reception by members of the Three Springs Road Board on 26 May 1937 [5]
In July 1937 he was suddenly taken ill on his farm but made a recovery under the care of Dr Mario A. MAYRHOFER [4: 7-Aug-1937]
Following his retirement from politics in 1938 he resided full time on his Mount Leonora Farm in Three Springs [5: 27-Jun-1941]
Member of the Three Springs branch of the Wheat and Wool Growers' Union - was President in 1939 [5: 25-Aug-1939]
Board Member of the North Midlands District Hospital in Three Springs in 1939-40[109]
Resided in Three Springs until his death in 1944 [2]
Passed away at the age of 76 years at Saint Anne's Nursing Home in the Perth suburb of Mount Lawley [202]
Father of Biddy, Molly and Michael [5: 21-Jan-1934]
Died 15 January 1944; buried at the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth, Western Australia (Roman Catholic, BA, 454) [2]
He remained the owner of the vacant block at 2 Yarra Street in Carnamah until his death in 1944 [3]
2 Yarra Street, Carnamah stood in the name of his estate until the 1952-53 financial year when it was sold to Saleebas Pty Ltd [3]
From The Western Mail newspaper, Thursday 27 December 1928:
Country Towns and Districts - Three Springs - A Fertile Wheat District - Lynch and Arrino - Another Politician-Pioneer
"Senator P. J. Lynch named his farm Mount Leonora, as he says, ‘in gratitude to the place which first gave me distinction in this country,’ his first electorate. Situated a couple of miles from the [railway] siding bearing his name, the farm covers 6,000 acres, of which 4,500 acres are cleared. His interests are wheat and sheep. Senator Lunch grows principally Nabawa and hard Federation wheat, which seems to thrive on his property. In the light of the dry winter he is well satisfied at the indications of a six-bag average. He grows a fair quantity of oats and wheat for hay for fodder. The rainfall is usually between 14 and 16 inches, but last winter was nearer 10 inches. Nevertheless, there is no shortage of water on the property, there are a couple of good dams and a number of wells which stroke water at about 30 feet. When Senator Lynch pioneered this portion of the district he had to cart water ten miles. Senator Lynch’s sheep are principally merinos, but mates some with British breeds to cater for the fat lamb market. His farm carried 4,000 sheep and lambs. The homestead is very comfortable, situated on the a wooden knoll which gives a picturesque and commanding view of practically the entire property. Water is laid on to the house, the men’s quarters stables and other sheds. The farm is well equipped also with plant. The shearing shed is fitted for three stands, and there is cover for 300 sheep."
From The North Midland Times newspaper, Friday 21 January 1944:
Vale P. J. Lynch – A Colourful Personality
Mr. Patrick Joseph Lynch, former President of the Senate, died in a private hospital at Mt. Lawley on Saturday, aged 76. He was taken suddenly ill at Albany about two weeks before his death. The late Mr. Lynch was one of the most picturesque personalities in State and Federal politics. His height, beard and Irish idiom making him an outstanding figure. Born in May, 1867, at Newcastle, County Meath, Ireland, the son of a farmer, Mr. Lynch left for Australia in 1886 to follow varied occupations on land and sea until politics claimed his major attention. Before entering politics he joined a gold rush in Queensland where he trekked 900 miles Charleville to Croydon. When his fortunes waned at Croydon he set out for Cossack (W.A.) but at Darwin learnt this field was a failure. He then went to sea as a stoker, graduating from that position to marine engineer and later becoming engineer on a South Sea sugar plantation. He received a Royal Humane Society’s award for attempting to save the life of a fellow seaman in the shark-infested waters of Fiji. However, goldmining again attracted him and he came to the Kalgoorlie field in the closing years of the last century. He became a member of the Boulder Municipal Council in 1901 and was general secretary of the Goldfields Enginedriver’s Association from 1897 to 1904, when he entered State politics as Labour member for Mount Leonora which he held until his resignation in 1906 to seek election to the Commonwealth Parliament. While member for Mt. Leonora he was appointed Minister for Works in 1905 in the Daglish Government. The late Mr. Lynch, Sir George Pearce and Mr. Needham, M.L.A., were returned to the Federal Parliament as Labour Senators for this State in 1906 where Mr. Lynch served continuously until 1938. He was a member of the Federal Royal Commission on the Fruit Industry in 1912, was vice-chairman of the standing committee on Public Works from 1914 to 1916 and was first chairman of the River Murray Commission. Severing his connection with the Labour Party over the conscription issue, he became Minister for Works and Railways in the Hughes Government from November, 1916, to February 1917. Later he became member of the joint committee on Public Works and the Select Committee on Standing Committees. In 1932 he was elected President of the Senate and retained that office until his defeat in 1938. In addition to politics, the late Mr. Lynch was also interested in farming. For many years his well-equipped farm at Three Springs, occupied what time he could spare from politics. Twice married, the late Mr. Lynch is survived by a widow, two daughters (Biddy, Mrs. Jerry Clune), (Molly, Mrs. Jim. Clune) and one son Michael (A.I.F.)."
Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Patrick Joseph Lynch' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 21 November 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/senator-patrick-joseph-lynch [reference list] |
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