Frank Gaha
Dr Frank Gaha | |
|---|---|
Gaha in 1939 | |
| Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly | |
| In office 6 May 1950 – 2 May 1964 | |
| Constituency | Denison |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Denison | |
| In office 21 August 1943 – 31 October 1949 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur Beck |
| Succeeded by | Athol Townley |
| Member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council | |
| In office 2 May 1933 – 10 July 1943 | |
| Constituency | Hobart |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Francis Gaha 14 April 1894 |
| Died | 18 March 1966 (aged 71) Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Party | Labor |
| Spouse |
Ruth Cockayne (m. 1946) |
| Alma mater | National University of Ireland |
| Occupation | Doctor |
John Francis "Stymie" Gaha (14 April 1894 – 18 March 1966) was an Australian politician. Born in Narrabri, New South Wales, he was educated at St Joseph's College in Sydney and the National University of Ireland, becoming a doctor and a house surgeon in Dublin. Returning to Australia in 1920, he settled in Tasmania, where he established a private practice at Hobart; he was a health officer 1925–1929. In 1933, he was elected as a Labor member to the Tasmanian Legislative Council for Hobart, serving as Minister for Health 1934–1943. In 1943, he transferred to federal politics, winning the House of Representatives seat of Denison by defeating sitting United Australia Party MP Arthur Beck. He retired from federal politics in 1949, returning to Tasmanian politics as a member for Denison in the House of Assembly in 1950. He was chief secretary, Minister for Health, Minister for Police and Minister for Transport at various times between 1959–1961. Gaha left the Assembly in 1964 and died two years later in 1966.