Hon Selby Walter Munsie, MLA
- Position
- Minister for Mines
- Postnominals
- Member Legislative Assembly
- Year of death
- 1938
- Plaque number
- FA7
- Dedicated by
- Kings Park Board on 29 September 1929
- More information
Biography abstract:
Selby Walter Munsie (23/9/1870 - 12/3/1938) was born in Armidale, New South Wales and educated in state schools in the Newcastle district.
In 1884, he began work in the timber trade at Wallsend and was working as a shoemaker in 1892.
He arrived in WA in 1895, a miner in the eastern goldfields, living in Paddington and then Kalgoorlie where he became the general president of the Federated Miners' Union.
From 1911-38, he was MLA for Hannans and in 1930 went to Canberra to stimulate passage of the Gold Bounty Act.
In 1935, he went to London, England to promote investment in WA's mining industry and was always aware of this industry's economic importance to the State. He was chairman of the Board of Directors of 'Westralian Worker'.
Mr Munsie was mentioned in 'A fortunate life' by A.B. Facey, wherein he heard of Facey's story after returning injured from WW1 and unable to find light work. Munsie suggested Facey might be able to be a conductor on Perth trams and gave him a letter of introduction to the superintendent of Perth Tramways, where Facey was subsequently employed.
The Hon. Selby Munsie was Minister for Mines in 1929 during the Western Australia Centenary celebrations.