John Cyril James Matthews (11 February 1928 – 19 August 2019) was an Australian politician. He was a Liberal member of the

New South Wales Legislative Council The New South Wales Legislative Council, often referred to as the upper house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, parliament of the Australian state of New South Wales. Along with the New South Wales Legislative As ...

from 1981 to 1991. Matthews was born in

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

to Cyril Claude Matthews, a rubber technician, and Helen Cummings. He was educated at private schools

Christian Brothers College, Rose Bay Christian Brothers College was established by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, Christian Brothers in Carlisle St, Rose Bay, New South Wales, Rose Bay, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia in 1935. The college was closed down in 1 ...

;

St Stanislaus' College (Bathurst) St Stanislaus' College is an Australian independent Roman Catholic secondary day and boarding school for boys located in , in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia, west of Sydney. Founded in 1867 and conducted since 1889 by ...

, and then the

University of Sydney The University of Sydney (USYD) is a public university, public research university in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in both Australia and Oceania. One of Australia's six sandstone universities, it was one of the ...

, where he studied for a

Master of Pharmacy The Master of Pharmacy is a postgraduate degree in pharmacy, awarded upon the completion of postgraduate coursework or an integrated undergraduate-postgraduate curriculum. Typically, this program lasts for four to five years. Australia In 2004 ...

1947–50. He worked as a

pharmacist A pharmacist, also known as a chemist in English in the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth English, is a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about preparation, mechanism of action, clinical usage and legislation of medications in ...

, and married Dympna Guthrie on 11 April 1955 at Bathurst; they would have six children. In 1965 he was elected to Bathurst City Council and was immediately elected mayor; he held both positions until 1976, and also served on Southern Mitchell Count Council 1968–77. In 1969 he established Devro Pty Ltd and Uncle Ben's Pet Foods Bathurst, and in 1970 opened Clyde Industries Ltd. He was a member of

Mitchell College of Advanced Education Charles Sturt University is an Australian multi-campus public university located in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. Established in 1989, it was named in honour of Captain Charles Sturt, a British explorer who made e ...

(1972–76) and the New South Wales Pharmacy Guild (1967–80). In 1973 he became a member of the state executive of the

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. For example, while the political systems ...

, becoming country vice-president in 1974 and state treasurer in 1979. In 1981, Matthews was elected to the

as a Liberal member. In 1984 he became Opposition Finance Spokesman, a position he held until 1987. Matthews left the Council in 1991.

References

1928 births 2019 deaths Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of New South Wales Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council People educated at St Stanislaus' College (Bathurst) {{Australia-Liberal-politician-stub