Family background
Robert Ferdindand Burbridge Norman was born on 25 May 1851 at Sydney, NSW, the son of Robert Norman and Maria Jane Burbridge. He married Rachael Peck on 21 January 1875 at Glen Innes, NSW, and they had five sons and two daughters. Robert Norman died on 25 February 1918 at Midland Junction, Western Australia. He lived at Jesson Street, Alexandria.
Occupation & interests
Robert Norman was a builder. He was a staunch protectionist, and for over 30 years was a firm adherent to the policy of progress. He was involved with the West Sydney Protection and Political Reform League and was on the central executive of the Australian Socialist League. He was took an active part in the trade union and the labour movement.
Local government service
Robert Norman was an alderman on Alexandria Council in 1903 representing the South Ward. He was elected in February and resigned in August 1903 to move to Western Australia where he unsuccessfully contested the seat of West Perth in the 1904 Western Australian State elections.
References
‘Municipal Elections’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 February 1903, p. 7, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14510475