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Member for Richmond (New South Wales) 1901-1910 |
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Born in Pitt Town, New South Wales, Thomas Ewing was the elder brother of Senator Norman Ewing (Western Australia), who was also a member of the first Parliament. The two brothers represented different states for different parties in different houses. Thomas Ewing was a licensed surveyor who was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly 1884-1901. He was a supporter of federation.
In 1901 Ewing was elected to represent the federal seat of Richmond in the House of Representatives at the first federal election. A staunch Protectionist, he became Vice-President of the Executive Council in the Deakin Government of 1905-06, and Minister for Defence 1906-08. He campaigned strongly for a scheme of compulsory military training for young men which became the basis for the Defence Act 1909, and led to the establishment of the pre-World-War I “citizen army”.
Ill health forced Ewing to retire in 1910 and he devoted himself to a life of farming on the Tweed River in northern New South Wales. He was recognised for his energetic and independent approach to political life and became involved in a variety of issues outside the scope of his local seat. Knighted in 1908, Ewing was well respected and admired by his peers.
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