Neville Wran facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neville Wran
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Wran c. 1971
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| 35th Premier of New South Wales Elections: 1976, 1978, 1981, 1984 |
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| In office 14 May 1976 – 4 July 1986 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor |
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| Deputy |
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| Preceded by | Sir Eric Willis |
| Succeeded by | Barrie Unsworth |
| National President of the Labor Party | |
| In office 8 September 1980 – 3 July 1986 |
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| Preceded by | Neil Batt |
| Succeeded by | Mick Young |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Bass Hill |
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| In office 17 November 1973 – 4 July 1986 |
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| Preceded by | Clarrie Earl |
| Succeeded by | Michael Owen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Neville Kenneth Wran
11 October 1926 Paddington, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 20 April 2014 (aged 87) Elizabeth Bay, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Nickname | Nifty |
Neville Kenneth Wran (born 11 October 1926 – died 20 April 2014) was an important Australian politician. He served as the Premier of New South Wales from 1976 to 1986. He was also the national president of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from 1980 to 1986. After his time as Premier, he led the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) from 1986 to 1991.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Neville Wran was born in Paddington, a suburb of Sydney. He was the youngest of eight children. He went to Nicholson Street Public School in Balmain. Later, he attended Fort Street Boys High.
He then studied at the University of Sydney. In 1948, he earned a law degree. He became a solicitor in 1951. Later, he became a barrister in 1957. In 1968, he was made a Queen's Counsel, which is a special title for experienced lawyers.
Becoming a Politician
Wran started his political journey in 1970. He became a member of the Legislative Council. This is the upper house of the New South Wales Parliament.
In 1973, he moved to the Legislative Assembly. This is the lower house, representing the area of Bass Hill. Soon after, he became the leader of the Labor Party in New South Wales.
Premier of New South Wales
In May 1976, Neville Wran led the Labor Party to win the state election. They narrowly defeated the Liberal Party. This made him the Premier of New South Wales.
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Winning More Elections
Wran's government became very popular. In 1978, his party won a huge victory. This was called the "Wranslide." They won 57.7 percent of the votes. This was the largest share of votes for any party in a century.
He won another big election in 1981. This time, Labor won 69 out of 99 seats in Parliament. This was the most seats Labor had ever won in New South Wales. He won a fourth term in 1984. Even though his majority was smaller, it was still a strong win.
Key Changes and Projects
During his 10 years as Premier, Wran's government made many changes. They focused on improving public transport. They also worked on protecting the environment. Other priorities included consumer protection and creating jobs.
His government also improved how elections worked. They introduced four-year terms for politicians. They also brought in public funding for campaigns.
A major project was building the modern Darling Harbour area in Sydney. This area is now a popular place for people to visit.
Leaving Office
Neville Wran resigned as Premier on 4 July 1986. He had been in office for 10 years and 81 days. This was the longest continuous time for any Premier in New South Wales history at that point. Bob Carr later broke this record.
When asked about his greatest achievement, Wran famously said, "saving the rainforests." He was also known for his phrase, "Balmain boys don't cry."
Personal Life
Neville Wran was married twice. His first marriage was in 1946 to Marcia Oliver. They had one child together, actress Kim Wran. He also adopted Marcia's son from a previous relationship.
In 1976, after his divorce, he married Jill Hickson. They had two children together.
In 1980, Wran had a severe throat infection. This affected his voice, making it sound a bit croaky.
Later Years and Death
In his later years, Neville Wran suffered from dementia. He received special care at an aged care facility. He passed away on 20 April 2014, at the age of 87. He was survived by his wife Jill and his four children.
A state funeral was held for him at the Sydney Town Hall on 1 May 2014.
Honours and Recognition
Neville Wran received many honours for his work:
- In 1987, he was given an award from the Netherlands. This was for his efforts in protecting the environment.
- In 1987, he received an award from the President of Italy.
- In 1988, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia. This is one of Australia's highest honours. It was for his service to government and politics.
- In 1995, the University of Sydney awarded him an honorary law degree.
- In 2010, he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This was for his work in strengthening relations between New Zealand and Australia.
Panama Papers Mention
In 2016, Neville Wran's name was mentioned in the Panama Papers. These were leaked documents about offshore companies. He had been a director of a company called Star Technology Systems Limited. However, reports stated that there was no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr. Wran.
See also
In Spanish: Neville Wran para niños
