Brian McGowan

Who was Brian McGowan?

Brian McGowan was an Australian politician, elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.

Brian McGowan was born in the Sydney suburb of Stanmore. Leaving school at 14, he worked as an office boy, telephone technician, tram conductor, and professional fireman. After training at Wagga Wagga Teachers College, McGowan worked at Tocumwal Primary School, Shepardstown Small School in 1961, Nowra High School, and was promoted to The Entrance High School to take up the position of English and History Master.

His political career began when he joined the Australian Labor Party in 1968. He was elected President of the Nowra-Bomaderry Branch in 1971, and stood in the State election for Gosford in 1973. Though defeated in that year, McGowan gained election in 1976 by a mere 74 votes, and held the seat of Gosford until 1988. While in Parliament he was concerned with social and educational issues.

Upon his defeat in the 1988 election he subsequently entered Gosford Council where he served one and half years. His wife Margaret stood for the seat at the by-election and served the remainder of Brian's term, and was re-elected for a second term.