# Ray Thorburn

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Australian politician

For New Zealand artist, art educator and museum director, see [Ray Thorburn (artist)](/source/Ray_Thorburn_(artist)).

Ray Thorburn Thorburn in 1974 Member of the Australian Parliament for Cook In office 2 December 1972 – 13 December 1975 Preceded by Don Dobie Succeeded by Don Dobie Personal details Born (1930-11-15)15 November 1930 Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia Died 30 January 1986(1986-01-30) (aged 55) Party Labor Occupation Electrical engineer

**Raymond William Thorburn** (15 November 1930 – 30 January 1986) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the [Australian Labor Party](/source/Australian_Labor_Party) (ALP) and held the [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales) seat of [Cook](/source/Division_of_Cook) in the [House of Representatives](/source/Australian_House_of_Representatives) from 1972 to 1975. He was an electrical engineer by profession.

## Early life

Thorburn was born on 15 November 1930 in [Sutherland, New South Wales](/source/Sutherland%2C_New_South_Wales). He completed a certificate in electrical engineering at [Sydney Technical College](/source/Sydney_Technical_College) and subsequently worked as an engineering officer.[1]

## Politics

Thorburn served on the [Sutherland Shire Council](/source/Sutherland_Shire) from 1964 to 1973, including as shire president from 1971 to 1972. He was also vice-president of the [Cronulla](/source/Cronulla%2C_New_South_Wales) branch of the ALP from 1956 to 1970.[1]

At the [1972 federal election](/source/1972_Australian_federal_election), Thorburn defeated the incumbent [Liberal](/source/Liberal_Party_of_Australia) MP [Don Dobie](/source/Don_Dobie) in the seat of [Cook](/source/Division_of_Cook). He was re-elected [in 1974](/source/1974_Australian_federal_election) but lost his seat to Dobie in the ALP's landslide defeat at the [1975 election](/source/1975_Australian_federal_election).[1] He made three unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the seat from Dobie, and remains the only member of the ALP to have held Cook.[2]

Thorburn was a member of the House Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs from 1973 to 1975 and was a parliamentary representative on the [Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies](/source/Australian_Institute_of_Aboriginal_Studies).[1]

## Personal life

Thorburn had two children with his wife Joan.[3] He died on 30 January 1986 at the age of 55.[1]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-aph_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-aph_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-aph_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-aph_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-aph_1-4) ["Biography for THORBURN, Ray William"](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22handbook%2Fallmps%2FKWA%22;querytype=;rec=0). Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 9 August 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Psephos_2-0)** Carr, Adam (2008). ["Australian Election Archive"](http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/a/australia). *Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive*. Retrieved 17 May 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Death of Mr Ray William Thorburn"](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1986-02-11%2F0039%22). *Hansard*. Parliament of Australia. 11 February 1986. Retrieved 9 August 2022.

Parliament of Australia Preceded by Don Dobie Member for Cook 1972–1975 Succeeded by Don Dobie

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