William Gollan

Gollan was born in Woodburn, New South Wales and was the son of a farmer, John Gollan. He was educated at Lismore Public School and initially worked as a bush worker in rural New South Wales. After several years abroad in South Africa, he later lived in Sydney and owned various businesses including a chain of butcher shops and hotels.[1] Gollan was the owner of the Gollan Hotel in Lismore, where Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip stayed one night on 9 February 1954 during their Australian tour.[2][3][4]

Gollan was elected to the New South Wales Parliament as the Labor member for Randwick at the 1941 state election, where he defeated the sitting United Australia Party member, Arthur Moverly in the landslide victory that allowed William McKell to form a government. During the premierships of Joseph Cahill and Robert Heffron, Gollan held numerous ministerial positions including as a Minister without portfolio, Secretary for Mines and Secretary for Lands.[5][6][7]

He held his seat of Randwick at six following elections and retired at the 1962 state election. A member of the Australian Jockey Club since 1918, Gollan was a trustee of Randwick racecourse (1954–1968) and helped establish the Sydney Turf Club.[8][9] He served on the board of Prince Henry Hospital, including a term as deputy chairman, and was appointed a councillor of the University of New South Wales from 1953 until 1962.[1][10][11] He was granted retention of the "Honourable" title in 1959.[12]

Made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1962, in retirement he became a supporter of the Liberal Party in 1966.[13] He died aged 83 in October 1968 at Rose Bay and was buried at Northern Suburbs Crematorium, following a service at St Stephens Presbyterian church in Macquarie Street.[1]