Lou Cunningham

Who was Lou Cunningham?

Lucien Lawrence "Lou" Cunningham was an Australian farmer and politician. He was born at Inverell, New South Wales, to a farmer, Eugene Cunningham, and his wife Mary, née Edgeworth, both born in Ireland. He was educated at Goonoowigall Public School and eventually ran the family farm; he also became involved in the Australian Workers' Union.

Cunningham was president of the local branches of the No Conscription League and the Australian Labor Party, and, having failed to enter the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1917 via the seat of Gough, he defeated Labor defector William Webster in 1919 to take the seat of Gwydir in the Australian House of Representatives. A Catholic, Cunningham was a staunch opponent of communism. He was promoted to the executive of the party, but lost Gwydir to Aubrey Abbott of the Country Party in 1925.

Cunningham again became a farmer and married Catherine Crosby at Coogee on 3 September 1927. He attempted to regain Gwydir in 1928 but failed, but the following year regained it, largely as a result of James Scullin's influence as Prime Minister.