Alex Finlay
Born 1887 · Age 138
Australian trade unionist and Labor politician. Carriage painter by trade, WWI veteran, long-time union leader (coachmakers/Vehicle Builders' Employees' Federation), served as Senator for South Australia 1944–1953.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Alex Finlay and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in South Yarra, Melbourne
Alexander Finlay was born in the South Yarra neighbourhood of Melbourne, Victoria.
Family moved to Adelaide (as a child)
Finlay moved with his family to Adelaide, South Australia, where he attended school until age 12.
Left school at age 12
Attended school in Adelaide until age twelve; left formal schooling at that age.
Became a carriage painter (family trade)
After leaving school, Finlay became a carriage painter like his father and entered the coachmaking/trades workforce.
Married at age 22
Finlay married at age twenty-two; he and his wife later had three children.
Started family (three children)
Finlay had three children (text states he had three children following his marriage). Exact birth years of children not specified.
Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force
Finlay enlisted in the AIF in 1918 and served overseas during World War I.
Served in France and Great Britain
While enlisted in the AIF, Finlay served in France and Great Britain during WWI.
Discharged from AIF and returned to Bowden
Finlay was discharged in 1919 and returned to Bowden, a suburb of Adelaide.
Joined Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League
After returning from service Finlay joined The Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA).
Long-term union leadership (1920s–1930s)
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s Finlay held several union offices culminating in presidency and later general secretary roles — a sustained career in labour leadership.
Active in Australian Natives' Association (ANA)
During the 1920s and 1930s Finlay held several offices in the Australian Natives' Association.
Joined coachmakers' union (later Vehicle Builders' Employees' Federation)
Finlay became active in the coachmakers' union (later known as the Vehicle Builders' Employees' Federation of Australia) and held offices through the 1920s–1930s.
Became president of coachmakers' union (date approximate)
Text states Finlay eventually became president of the coachmakers' union; exact year not specified (placed here as early 1930s).
General secretary, SA branch of coachmakers' union
Finlay became general secretary of the South Australian branch of the coachmakers' union (later Vehicle Builders' Employees' Federation) in 1934.
Negotiated employer–union peace (strike-free agreements)
Finlay negotiated strike-free agreements between his union and General Motors-Holden during his term as general secretary (a significant labour–industry milestone).
Negotiated strike-free agreements with General Motors-Holden
As general secretary (1934–1944) Finlay negotiated the union's strike-free agreements with automobile manufacturer General Motors-Holden (negotiations occurred during his tenure).
Attempted Labor Senate preselection (1937)
Finlay sought preselection as a Senate candidate for the Australian Labor Party in 1937 but was not preselected.
Attempted Labor Senate preselection (1939)
Finlay again attempted to gain Labor preselection in 1939 but was unsuccessful.
Chosen for Labor Senate ticket but lost election
Finlay was chosen for the Labor Senate ticket in 1940 but did not win a seat in that election.
Elected to Federal Parliament (Senate election victory)
As part of the 1943 election cycle, Finlay won a Senate seat representing South Australia on the Labor ticket alongside two colleagues.
Selected on Labor Senate ticket with Sid O'Flaherty and Theo Nicholls
Finlay shared the Labor Senate ticket with Sid O'Flaherty and Theo Nicholls in 1943; all three were elected in that campaign.
Ended tenure as general secretary (SA branch)
Finlay's tenure as general secretary of the SA branch of the coachmakers' union concluded in 1944 when he entered the Senate.
Sworn in as Senator for South Australia
Finlay's Senate term officially began on 1 July 1944 as a Senator for South Australia representing the Australian Labor Party.
Served as sitting Australian Senator (mid-term milestone)
Finlay continued to serve in the Australian Senate during the late 1940s, participating in post-war parliamentary activity (general milestone during service).
Ended public parliamentary service
Following retirement from the Senate, Finlay left front-line parliamentary politics (no further public offices listed).
Retired from the Australian Senate
Finlay retired from his Senate seat on 30 June 1953 after serving a full term (in office 1 July 1944 – 30 June 1953).
Died in Brighton, South Australia
Alexander Finlay died on 2 March 1963 in Brighton, a beachfront suburb of Adelaide.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Alex Finlay and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
James McKinsey
Born 1889 · Age 136
American accountant, professor of accounting at the University of Chicago, management consultant and founder of McKinsey & Company. Prominent early proponent of budgeting and systematic managerial analysis.
Charlie Chaplin
Born 1889 · Age 136
English comic actor, filmmaker, composer and global film icon best known for his Tramp persona; career spanned 1899–1975. Co‑founder of United Artists and a major creative force in silent and early sound cinema.
Dale Carnegie
Born 1888 · Age 137
American writer, lecturer and pioneer in public speaking, self-improvement and corporate training; author of How to Win Friends and Influence People and founder of the Dale Carnegie course/institute.
Edwin Booz
Born 1887 · Age 138
American management consultant and co-founder of the consulting firm that became Booz Allen Hamilton.
Georgia Totto O'Keeffe
Born 1887 · Age 138
American modernist painter and draftswoman known for large-scale flower paintings, New York skyscraper views, and New Mexico landscapes; career spanned seven decades.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Born 1884 · Age 141
American political figure, diplomat, activist; longest-serving U.S. First Lady (1933–1945); chair of UN Commission on Human Rights and key drafter/champion of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.