Lyell McEwin

The Honourable
Sir Lyell McEwin
KBE
The Honourable Sir Lyell McEwin KBE
Minister for Health
	In office; 8 August 1939 – 10 March 1965
Premier	Thomas Playford IV
Preceded by	Sir George Ritchie
Succeeded by	Bert Shard
President of the South Australian Legislative Council
	In office; 8 March 1967 – 11 July 1975
Preceded by	Les Densley
Succeeded by	Frank Potter
Member of the Legislative Council; of South Australia
	In office; 20 October 1934 – 11 July 1975
Preceded by	William Morrow
Personal details
Born	Alexander Lyell McEwin; 29 May 1897; Blyth, South Australia
Died	23 September 1988 (aged 91); Felixstow, South Australia
Political party	Liberal and Country League
Spouse	Dora Winifred Williams (m. 1921; died 1981)
Occupation	Farmer and politician

Sir Alexander Lyell McEwin, KBE (29 May 1897 – 23 September 1988), always known as "Lyell McEwin" was a politician in South Australia.

He served as the member of organizations including Agricultural Settlement Committee, Board of Management Blyth District Hospital, District Council of Hutt and Hill Rivers; and a committee member of the Blyth Agricultural and Horticultural Society. In addition, he was president of the Blyth Agricultural Bureau and the Blyth Veterinary Lodge, and vice-president of the Blyth Bowling Club.

History

Lyell McEwin was born in the Hundred of Hart, the youngest son of Alexander Lyell McEwin (1862 – 29 December 1927) and Jessie Smilie McEwin née Ferguson, who married 30 May 1888. He was educated locally and won a scholarship to Prince Alfred College. He attended the college for a period, but returned to the family farm at age 14.[1]

In the 1930s he was a member of the Agricultural Settlement Committee, president of the Blyth Agricultural Bureau and the Blyth Veterinary Lodge, Captain of the Blyth Rifle Club, vice-president of the Blyth Bowling Club, and a member of the Board of Management Blyth District Hospital, member of the District Council of Hutt and Hill Rivers; and a committee member of the Blyth Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and deeply involved in several organizations associated with the Liberal and Country League.[2]

In October 1934, campaigning as a "practical farmer", McEwin won the Northern district seat in the Legislative Council made vacant by the death of William Morrow. He retained the seat until June 1975, when he retired.[3]

McEwin filled the Cabinet positions of Chief Secretary from 1939,[4] coupled with Minister of Mines and Minister of Health. It was perhaps as Minister of Health that he left the greatest mark. He oversaw the provision of many country hospitals funded on a subsidy basis: for every pound a local auxiliary raised, the Government contributed two. The major teaching hospital constructed on his watch was that at Elizabeth, later named the Lyell McEwin Hospital in his honour. While perfectly adequate, the building was designed with economy in mind. McEwin's "practical farmer" frugality appealed to Premier Playford.[1]

He was elected President of the South Australian Legislative Council on 8 March 1967.[3]

Family

He married Dora Winifred Williams (born 9 May 1898) of "Fairview", Blyth, South Australia on 16 February 1921. They had four sons and a daughter. They lived at "Wyndora" homestead, 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) north of Blyth.

Other interests

He was a member of the Caledonian Society of South Australia and its chief from 1959 to 1968.

He was a longtime worshipper at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, North Adelaide.[1]

Recognition

On 10 June 1954 he was appointed Sir Alexander Lyell McEwin, KBE for his service as Minister of Health & Mines in South Australia.[5][6]

His portrait, painted by Sir Ivor Hele hangs in Parliament House.

His name is commemorated in the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

References

Raftery, Judith (2012). "McEwin, Sir Alexander Lyell (1897–1988)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
"L.C.L. candidate for Northern District". The Recorder. 26 September 1934. p. 2. Retrieved 21 November 2014 – via Trove.
"Hon Sir Alexander (Sir Lyell) Lyell McEwin KBE". Former members of the Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
"Receives his first deputation". The Advertiser. 10 August 1939. p. 22. Retrieved 21 November 2014 – via Trove.
"Minister, Lord Mayor new S.A. knights". The Advertiser. 10 June 1954. p. 3. Retrieved 21 November 2014 – via Trove.
"The Order of the British Empire - Knights Commander (Civil) (Imperial) (KBE) entry for Mr Alexander Lyell McEWIN". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 10 June 1954. Retrieved 28 October 2022. Minister of Health & Mines in South Australia

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[adb-1] Raftery, Judith (2012). "McEwin, Sir Alexander Lyell (1897–1988)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 21 November 2014.

[2] "L.C.L. candidate for Northern District". The Recorder. 26 September 1934. p. 2. Retrieved 21 November 2014 – via Trove.

[SA_parl-3] "Hon Sir Alexander (Sir Lyell) Lyell McEwin KBE". Former members of the Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2022.

[4] "Receives his first deputation". The Advertiser. 10 August 1939. p. 22. Retrieved 21 November 2014 – via Trove.

[5] "Minister, Lord Mayor new S.A. knights". The Advertiser. 10 June 1954. p. 3. Retrieved 21 November 2014 – via Trove.

[6] "The Order of the British Empire - Knights Commander (Civil) (Imperial) (KBE) entry for Mr Alexander Lyell McEWIN". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 10 June 1954. Retrieved 28 October 2022. Minister of Health & Mines in South Australia