Norm Ryan

Who was Norm Ryan?

Phillip Norman Ryan, known as Norm Ryan, was an Australian politician, affiliated with the Australian Labor Party. He was elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and served as Minister for Public Works from 1959-1965.

He was born at Moruya, on the south coast of New South Wales to Michael and Elizabeth Ryan. After attending St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill and the Sydney Technical College, he was an apprentice electrical fitter for Sydney City Council. He later worked as an electrical inspector for the Public Works Department. On 12 April 1941, he married Dorothy O'Brien, with whom he had one son and one daughter.

Having joined the Labor Party in 1933, Ryan became an alderman to Marrickville Council in 1948 at the age of 36. He was elected Mayor of Marrickville in 1953, but resigned later that year when elected to the Legislative Assembly as member for Marrickville. As well as representing this electorate in Sydney's inner west, he was known as an advocate for providing services to the rural areas of the state.

Ryan's most significant achievements were as Minister for Public Works in the Heffron and Renshaw governments from 1959. In this role, he was involved in the first part of the construction of the Sydney Opera House. Amidst much criticism concerning the rising costs, he stood firm in support of the project, saying in 1964 "This building will bring great credit upon this country."