Obituaries Australia

Jim Murphy, n.d.

Hosts of friends and admirers throughout South and Port Melbourne — indeed, throughout Victoria — were deeply grieved to learn of the death of Cr. James Laurence Murphy, M.L.A., who passed away after a brief illness at his home, "Duhallow," Nelson Road, South Melbourne, on Monday afternoon.

Cr. Murphy was the first of a family of eight children. He was a native of County Cork, Ireland, and came to Australia as a young man in the early 80's and had lived in South Melbourne ever since. For a time he was connected with the business firm of Plummer and Murphy, cordial manufacturers, in Smith Street, and was for 25 years secretary of the Fire Brigades' Employees' Union, and was also a member of the Metropolitan Fire Brigades' Board, of which only last year, in his middle 80's, he was chairman.

In 1904 he was elected as Labor representative of Normanby Ward to the South Melbourne Council, and in 1917 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly as endorsed Labor representative for Port Melbourne.

Cr. Murphy was Mayor of South Melbourne in 1910-1911, and received excellent support from Mrs. Murphy, who set a high example as Mayoress. Before her marriage Mrs. Murphy was a Victorian State school teacher and was for some time on the staff of the Nott Street (Port Melbourne) school. She is still affectionately remembered by many of her old scholars. Mrs. Murphy died eight years ago.

The deceased councillor represented South Melbourne on the old Harbor Trust; he was closely associated with the South Melbourne Council superannuation fund, and supported the movement for the creation of scholarships at the South Melbourne Technical School for local school children.

His outstanding local service was the work done in sponsoring the movement to open up Fishermen's Bend, which he never tired of prophesying would become the "Birmingham of Australia." He lived to see the near fulfilment of his dream.

Mr. J. Cain, leader of the State Parliamentary Labor Party, bore tribute to the splendid service rendered by Mr. Murphy, and the Premier (Mr. Dunstan) said the House would be the poorer for his passing. Mr. Murphy was always at the call of his constituents, irrespective of class, creed, or party. He was a devoted attendant at SS. Peter and Paul's Church, a close friend of Right Rev. Monsignor Collins, a foundation member of the South Melbourne branch of the Holy Name Society, and was highly esteemed by all sections of religious thought.