Family background
Ronald Alexander Maxwell was born in Balmain North, NSW, in 1908, son of Percival G and Eveline M Maxwell. His wife’s name was Pat and they had two daughters Carolyn and Joanne. Ron Maxwell died on 27 October 1982. His funeral took place at the Eastern Suburbs Crematorium.
Occupation & interests
Ron Maxwell was a wharf labourer who became an active executive member of the Wharf Labourers’ Union. He was a member of the North Bondi RSL.
Local government service
Ron Maxwell was Alderman for City Ward, 5 December 1953 to 30 November 1956. He was a member of the Works Committee and the Health and Recreations Committee, 1954-56. Together with Thomas Wright, he was one of the first two Communists elected to the Council.
References
City of Sydney Archives: Aldermen’s Files
‘Communists leading people in rent fight’, Tribune, 27 January 1954, p. 12, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212473032
‘Good job by Aid. Maxwell’, Tribune 31 March 1954, p. 11, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212473822
‘Why not start with waterfront, Ald. Cockle?’, Tribune, 4 July 1956, p. 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236258892
‘Three years of Civic service’, Tribune, 24 October 1956, p. 6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236257819
Lockwood, Rupert Humour is their weapon: laugh with the Australian wharfies. Ellsyd Press, Sydney, 1985, pp. 57-63.