James Brophy (public servant)

James Brophy ISO (26 September 1889 – 24 May 1969) was a public servant who was Commonwealth Auditor-General between 1951 and 1955.

James Brophy
Commonwealth Auditor-General
In office
1951–1955
Personal details
Born(1889-09-26)26 September 1889
South Melbourne, Victoria
Died24 May 1969(1969-05-24) (aged 79)
Canberra, ACT
NationalityAustralia Australian
SpouseElizabeth Constance Ridley
Childrenten
OccupationPublic servant

Biography

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James Brophy was born on 26 September 1889 in South Melbourne, Victoria eldest child of Richard Brophy, labourer, and his wife Catherine, née Mackey, both from Ireland.

On 14 January 1922 he married Elizabeth Constance Ridley at St Brigid's Catholic Church, Red Hill, Brisbane. They had ten children.[1] She died in 1965. They moved to Melbourne, Victoria in 1927 and to Canberra in 1930.[2] He was appointed Papal Knight-Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great in 1951 by Pope Pius XII.[3][4] He was awarded the Companion of the Imperial Service Order in the Queen’s birthday honours list in 1954.[5]

He was a life member of the NSW Hockey Association, NSW Junior Hockey Association, ACT Hockey Association and the NSW Amateur Swimming Association. He served as an official at the Rome Olympics and Perth Commonwealth Games in swimming. He was also involved with Australian Rules Football and was president of the Canberra Australian National Football Junior League from 1940 to 1942 and senior vice-president of the CANFL in 1941 and 1942. He was a foundation member of the National Eisteddfod Society.[6]

He retired on 25 September 1955.[7]

He died on 24 May 1969 at Canberra Hospital aged 79 and was buried at Canberra Cemetery.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Mr J. Brophy new Auditor-General". Catholic Weekly. Sydney, New South Wales. 24 May 1951. p. 1.
  2. ^ Kent, Hilary, "James Brophy (1889–1969)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 13, Australian National University, archived from the original on 2 January 2015
  3. ^ "Mr. J. Brophy made Papal Knight". The Canberra Times. 15 January 1951. p. 2.
  4. ^ "Pope's broadcast to Australia". Daily Advertiser. Wagga Wagga, NSW. 2 April 1953. p. 1.
  5. ^ "Eight Canberra men, one woman in birthday honours". The Canberra Times. 10 June 1954. p. 1.
  6. ^ a b "Prominent figure in A.C.T. dead". The Canberra Times. 26 May 1969. p. 9.
  7. ^ "Mr. H. C. Newman to succeed Mr. James Brophy". The Canberra Times. 19 August 1955. p. 2.
Government offices
Preceded by Commonwealth Auditor-General
1951 – 1955
Succeeded by