Series 01: Robert Reginald Downing further papers, [ca. 1932-1994]

MLMSS 10258/1
MLMSS 10258/2X-3X

series

1932-1994

Textual Records, Photographs

9639990

0.82 metres of textual and graphic material (2 box and 2 outsize boxes)

Robert Reginald (Reg) Downing, AC QC (6 November 1904 – 9 September 1994). Son of Robert Downing, council worker, and Frances Jean Galvin. Married Rose Moyeen on 11 April 1932 and had issue, 1 daughter and 2 sons. Roman Catholic. Brother of Francis George Downing, a Member of the Legislative Assembly; cousin of Thomas Chrysostom O'Mara, a Member of the Legislative Assembly. Member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) Heffron group from 1936 until 1939, president of Gladesville Branch, state and federal electorate councils; delegate to state and federal conferences.
Reg Downing was a lawyer (barrister), textile worker and union organiser. Educated at Tumut convent school and St Patrick's College, Goulburn, he left school at age 15 and worked at odd jobs in Tumut, moved to Sydney and became labourer in the bleach house of Bonds textile factory. He joined the Australian Textile Workers Union, and became organiser and state president from 1928 until 1934, then became New South Wales secretary and federal president from 1934 until 1941, and delegate to the Labor Council of New South Wales from 1934 until 1941, and trustee from 1935 until 1941. Downing matriculated to University of Sydney in 1938, LLB 1943, and was called to the Bar in 1943. Reg Downing was also owner of a 700 acre sheep property outside Goulburn, trustee of Taronga Park from 1942 until 1972, vice president of Zoological Parks Board from 1972 until 1974, fellow of Senate of University of Sydney from 1949 until 1967, Honorary Member of New South Wales Cancer Council from 1954, and President of Australian Cancer Society from 1969 until 1972.
Reference: Parliament NSW website and Library correspondence file

Robert Reginald Downing further papers ca. 1930s-1994, including correspondence, typescript, photocopies, degree certificates, and pictorial materials, including photographic prints, mostly mounted, some of which are identified on the verso. The collection consists mostly of professional photographs taken at official events, but also includes some letters, tributes, and degrees.

BOX 1
Invitation to the Opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1932. Certificate.
Opening of Mena House, 1962, photographs and correspondence.
Order of Australia certificate, correspondence and papers, 1979.
Opening of Downing Centre, papers and photographs.
Dinner at Chevron Hilton Hotel, 1964. C.I.B. Conference photographs.
Various papers and photographs, including tribute speech by Terry Sheahan, eulogy and memorial service, 1994.

BOX 2
12 large format photographs, mounted and captioned, including studio portraits of Australian Textile Workers' Union Federal Council, 1935-1940, and Official Opening of Hallstrom House, 1945.

BOX 3X
Certificate from The University of Sydney awarding Robert Reginald Downing a Doctor of Laws, 3 June, 1972. With slip case.
Certificate from Queen Elizabeth the Second appointing Robert Reginald Downing to be Queens Counsel, 18 April, 1973.

Copyright status:: In copyright – life of author(s) plus 70 years
Copyright status:: In copyright - Life of creator plus 70 years, applies to photographs
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales