Family background
Thomas Michael Donohoe (sometimes spelled as Donohue) was born on 2 March 1887 in Sydney, NSW, son of Thomas and Kate Donohoe (BDM Reg 1064). He married Ursula May Redwood (1888-1943) in Redfern, NSW on 14 October 1916. There were two children of the marriage: Thomas Vincent and Phyllis.
Donohoe died at his residence, 17 Hansard Street, Waterloo, NSW on 31 August 1950, aged 63 years. He was described as a ‘process worker’. He was buried with his wife in the Roman Catholic Section of Botany Cemetery. Donohoe died intestate and following letters of administration his estate and assets were assessed at £736. In 1933 he lived at 33 Hansard Street, Waterloo. It’s possible that Mary O’Brien, nee Donohue/Donohoe, was his sister; she was also an alderman on Waterloo Council.
Occupation & interests
A Labor alderman who worked as a tram driver, Donohoe had strong links with the union movement. He was a disciple of Lang Labor. He was elected as the President of the Tramway Employees’ Union in 1931, at the end of his mayoral term.
Community activity
Thomas Michael Donohoe was a justice of the peace (JP). In 1931 responding to claims that Waterloo Council’s finances were in a parlous state, Mayor Donohoe said ’our finances are not so bad but we are stuck for ready cash. If we had the money that is owed to us we would be on the right side of the ledger’.
Local government service
Thomas Michael Donohoe was an alderman on Waterloo Council in 1928-31 and 1934-41. He was mayor in 1931.
References
‘Yesterdays Elections’, The Sunday Times, 2 December 1928, p. 2, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122812515
‘Not Broke’, The Sun, 28 October 1931, p.12: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/223668848
‘The Unions’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 5 December 1931, p. 17, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28037987
‘Field of 7’ The Sun, 9 October 1933, p. 11, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229144975
‘Alderman’s Illness’, The Labor Daily, 8 May 1937, p. 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236461313
‘Drinking Tea, Not Selling Sly Grog’, The Sun, 15 January 1945, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231719793
State Archives of NSW, Tramway Employees Index, NRS 12919 [7/8108 p.1067] Date of employment 1 Sep 1909, https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/INDEX2156784