Sir Joseph Cook Sir Joseph Cook (GCMG)(GCMG)1894

Prime Minister’s Avenue, Ballarat Botanical Gardens

IntroductionIntroduction Sir Joseph Cook was the 6Sir Joseph Cook was the 6thth prime minister prime minister

of Australia.of Australia. Joseph was born in England and died at the Joseph was born in England and died at the

age of 86 in Australia.age of 86 in Australia. Cook was poor at a young age and Cook was poor at a young age and

supported his family and studied to supported his family and studied to improve his life. improve his life.

He was a founding member of the He was a founding member of the Australian Labor Party, and was a Australian Labor Party, and was a republican.republican.

Joseph’s lifeJoseph’s life

Sir Joseph Cooke was born on 7Sir Joseph Cooke was born on 7thth of December, 1860 in of December, 1860 in Staffordshire, England and died 30Staffordshire, England and died 30thth of July, 1947 in Sydney of July, 1947 in Sydney Australia. Australia.

Joseph Cooke was born in a small mining town and worked in Joseph Cooke was born in a small mining town and worked in the town’s coal mine from the age of 9 in Silverdale, the town’s coal mine from the age of 9 in Silverdale, Staffordshire, England during his early life. Staffordshire, England during his early life.

He held all of the important positions in the miners union’s He held all of the important positions in the miners union’s lodge. lodge.

Joseph emigrated to Lithgow in NSW in 1885, and he worked Joseph emigrated to Lithgow in NSW in 1885, and he worked as a check-weighman at Lithgow.as a check-weighman at Lithgow.

Joseph did not go to school when he was a boy. Joseph learned Joseph did not go to school when he was a boy. Joseph learned short hand and book keeping by studying at night. short hand and book keeping by studying at night.

Joseph and helped manage the Lithgow Enterprise and Joseph and helped manage the Lithgow Enterprise and Australian Land Nationaliser and did some auditing work. He Australian Land Nationaliser and did some auditing work. He was secretary and president of the Miners Lodge.was secretary and president of the Miners Lodge.

Joseph’s FamilyJoseph’s Family

Joseph’s father was William Cooke who was a coal miner, his Joseph’s father was William Cooke who was a coal miner, his mother was Margaret Fletcher. He was one of 5 children.mother was Margaret Fletcher. He was one of 5 children.

When he was 13, in 1873, his father died and he became the When he was 13, in 1873, his father died and he became the breadwinner. [which means he supported his family] by working breadwinner. [which means he supported his family] by working as a pit boy in the coal mines. He grew up in poverty. Due to as a pit boy in the coal mines. He grew up in poverty. Due to becoming the family wage-earner he became very self-confident becoming the family wage-earner he became very self-confident and had a strong sense of obligation.and had a strong sense of obligation.

During his teens he became a Primitive Methodists and dropped During his teens he became a Primitive Methodists and dropped the 'e' from his surname, when he converted. He did’nt drink or the 'e' from his surname, when he converted. He did’nt drink or gamble, play sport and studied at hoem to improve himself.gamble, play sport and studied at hoem to improve himself.

He married Mary Turner, 8He married Mary Turner, 8thth of August, 1885 in Wostanton, of August, 1885 in Wostanton, England and had 8 children, 5 sons and 3 daughters.England and had 8 children, 5 sons and 3 daughters.

Joseph's Children are called ’GS’, Albert, Joseph, John, Annette, Joseph's Children are called ’GS’, Albert, Joseph, John, Annette, Winifred, Cecil, Raymond and Constance.Winifred, Cecil, Raymond and Constance.

State Political CareerState Political Career

Founding member of the NSW Australian Labor Party.Founding member of the NSW Australian Labor Party. Cooke was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly 3 Cooke was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly 3

July,1891 until 11 June 1901, in the seat Hartley, the first July,1891 until 11 June 1901, in the seat Hartley, the first Labor seat in any Australian Parliament. In 1893 Joseph Labor seat in any Australian Parliament. In 1893 Joseph was chosen as leader of the free trade faction. Joseph was chosen as leader of the free trade faction. Joseph quit in 1894, due to not agreeing with the party’s quit in 1894, due to not agreeing with the party’s decisions. Cook was re-elected in 1894 and 1898. decisions. Cook was re-elected in 1894 and 1898.

He became an Independent and then a Freetrade party He became an Independent and then a Freetrade party member in 1895.member in 1895.

In 1901 Cook resigned to enter federal politics at In 1901 Cook resigned to enter federal politics at Federation in 1901. Federation in 1901.

Federal Political CareerFederal Political Career[Seat][Seat]

Cook won the seat of Parramatta at the first federal general Cook won the seat of Parramatta at the first federal general election on 29 March 1901, and held the seat through the election on 29 March 1901, and held the seat through the next six general elections. next six general elections.

Joseph held leadership position in various parties during his Joseph held leadership position in various parties during his 20 years in federal parliament. 20 years in federal parliament. He was deputy leader of the He was deputy leader of the Free Trade group from 1904 to 1908, then its leader in Free Trade group from 1904 to 1908, then its leader in 1908. He was Minister for Defence from June 1909 to April 1908. He was Minister for Defence from June 1909 to April 1910 in the fusion government, and Deputy Leader of the 1910 in the fusion government, and Deputy Leader of the Opposition (the Liberal Party) from 1910 to 1913, and Opposition (the Liberal Party) from 1910 to 1913, and became leader of the Liberal Party in 1913.became leader of the Liberal Party in 1913.

Prime Minister Joseph Cook Prime Minister Joseph Cook

Cook became Liberal Prime Minister following Cook became Liberal Prime Minister following election on 31election on 31stst May ,1913. The Liberal party won May ,1913. The Liberal party won by one seat and only had a majority in the House by one seat and only had a majority in the House of Representatives, but he failed to win control of of Representatives, but he failed to win control of the Senate.the Senate.

He was Prime Minister when First World War was He was Prime Minister when First World War was declared. On 5declared. On 5thth of September, 1914 Labor took of September, 1914 Labor took control of Federal Parliament and Cook’s term as control of Federal Parliament and Cook’s term as Prime Minister, on 17Prime Minister, on 17thth of September 1914. of September 1914.

Later Political LifeLater Political Life

•Cook was in the opposition from September 1914 and his Liberal Cook was in the opposition from September 1914 and his Liberal Party fully supported the war policies of Fisher and William Hughes', Party fully supported the war policies of Fisher and William Hughes', Labor governments. In October 1916 Cook lead the Liberal Party to Labor governments. In October 1916 Cook lead the Liberal Party to combine with the National Labor group, forming the Nationalist Party combine with the National Labor group, forming the Nationalist Party on 7 February 1917. Cook became Deputy Prime Minister under on 7 February 1917. Cook became Deputy Prime Minister under Hughes, and also took on the Navy portfolio. At the general election on Hughes, and also took on the Navy portfolio. At the general election on 5 May 1917 the new party under Hughes and Cook won.5 May 1917 the new party under Hughes and Cook won.•In April 1918, Cook travelled to the UK to the Imperial Conference, In April 1918, Cook travelled to the UK to the Imperial Conference, and then to France for the Peace Conference in 1919. After his return and then to France for the Peace Conference in 1919. After his return to Australia, Cook became Treasurer in July 1920, and served in this to Australia, Cook became Treasurer in July 1920, and served in this portfolio until quitting parliament in November 1921. portfolio until quitting parliament in November 1921.

Beyond politics Beyond politics

Cook resigned from parliament on 11 Cook resigned from parliament on 11 November 1921 to take up an November 1921 to take up an appointment as Australian High appointment as Australian High Commissioner in London. He retained this Commissioner in London. He retained this position until his retirement on 10 May position until his retirement on 10 May 1927. He then returned to Sydney and 1927. He then returned to Sydney and lived there privately until his death on 30 lived there privately until his death on 30 July 1947. July 1947.

FactsFacts

Cook was nicknamed the most humourless' of the prime ministers.Cook was nicknamed the most humourless' of the prime ministers. He was the first Prime Minister to lead a Liberal Party government.He was the first Prime Minister to lead a Liberal Party government. Overcame an alcohol addiction and remained alcohol free while in Overcame an alcohol addiction and remained alcohol free while in

office as Prime Minister.office as Prime Minister. Cooke was a founding member of New South Wales Labor Party, Cooke was a founding member of New South Wales Labor Party,

then a member of the other 3 major parties 1901-21.then a member of the other 3 major parties 1901-21. One of the 'Australian Lincolns' – He was one of the Prime Ministers One of the 'Australian Lincolns' – He was one of the Prime Ministers

whose early poverty meant they he had left school as a young boy. whose early poverty meant they he had left school as a young boy. ‘‘GCMG’ means Knight Grand Cross of the order of St Michael and St GCMG’ means Knight Grand Cross of the order of St Michael and St

George. George.

Sir Joseph was honoured in a Sir Joseph was honoured in a Stamp SeriesStamp Series

Australian Prime Ministers ( Second Issue) – Sir Joseph Cook is the 4th stamp on the rightIssued: 8 March 1972 Printer: Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne.

ConclusionConclusion

Sir Joseph Cook was a strong leader and had many Sir Joseph Cook was a strong leader and had many supporters on his side. Joseph was the 6supporters on his side. Joseph was the 6thth prime minister of prime minister of Australia. Sir Joseph Cook was born on 7Australia. Sir Joseph Cook was born on 7thth of December, of December, 1860 in Staffordshire, England and died 301860 in Staffordshire, England and died 30thth of July, 1947 in of July, 1947 in Sydney. He was a Founding member of the NSW Australian Sydney. He was a Founding member of the NSW Australian Labor Party. Labor Party. Cook won the seat of Parramatta at the first Cook won the seat of Parramatta at the first federal general election on 29 March 1901, and held the federal general election on 29 March 1901, and held the seat through the next six general elections. seat through the next six general elections. Cook became Cook became Liberal Prime Minister following election on 31Liberal Prime Minister following election on 31stst May ,1913. May ,1913.

Bibliography Bibliography http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Cookhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Cook http://www.nma.gov.au/education/school_resourchttp://www.nma.gov.au/education/school_resourc

es/websites_and_interactives/primeministers/josees/websites_and_interactives/primeministers/joseph_cook/ph_cook/

http://www.oocities.org/capitolhill/5557/cook.htmlhttp://www.oocities.org/capitolhill/5557/cook.html http://joseph-cook.co.tv/http://joseph-cook.co.tv/ http://www.stamparena.com/australian/http://www.stamparena.com/australian/

austdecimal/1972.phpaustdecimal/1972.php http://www.nma.gov.au/education/http://www.nma.gov.au/education/

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