Family background
John Henry Gardiner was born 25 May 1907 at Redfern, NSW, the son of Edward Felix Gardiner and Minnie Jane Goodall. He married Dora Elizabeth Saunders at Mosman on 5 October 1928 and they had 2 daughters and 1 son. Gardiner died on 8 April 1974 at Sydney, aged 66 years. He lived at 46 Tahlee Street, Burwood.
Occupation & interests
John Gardiner was a motor parts manufacturer and retailer. He was educated at Haberfield Public School and Fort Street High School and worked for Standard High Company upon leaving school. He established his own business at Central Square and in 1926, moved to Redfern.
Gardiner was chairman and managing director of J H Gardiner Holdings Pty Ltd from 1928 until 1974; director of Quinton Hazell Automotive Limited (established in 1956) of which it was a subsidiary along with Quinton Hazell Auto parts (NSW) and J H Gardiner Properties Pty Ltd (NSW); managing director of Remnick Investments Pty Ltd; and chairman of Ryde Psychiatric Hospital Board. He was a member of Sydney County Council from 1935-1945, 1947-1949, Chairman in 1938.
Community activity
The Redfern Oval recreation committee was under the chairmanship of Gardiner, mayor of Redfern, in 1934. He spoke of the value of making available the oval for “young men, girls and children” on week days for recreation and not merely for sporting fixtures on Saturdays.
Parliamentary service
Gardiner was a member of the NSW Legislative Council in 1960-74.
Local government service
Gardiner was an alderman on Redfern Council, representing Redfern Ward 1932-41. He was mayor in 1934-35.
References
Polling for ‘Municipal Elections’, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 January 1932, p.6, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16831458
Mr John Henry GARDINER (1907 – 1974), Parliament of New South Wales, https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/formermembers/Pages/former-member-details.aspx?pk=1684