Frank McDonnell

Francis McDonnell (24 January 1863 – 26 November 1928) was a draper, and member of both the Queensland Legislative Council and the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

Early years McDonnell was born at Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, in 1863 to James McDonnell, a farmer, and his wife Elizabeth (née Bradish) and attended Ennis Christian Brothers School. At aged thirteen, he worked in a factory before returning to school and then in 1879 he was working for Gallagher Bros as an apprentice draper.

In 1888, McDonnell helped organise the Shop Assistants' Early Closing Association (ECA) and published its newsletter, The Early Closing Advocate of Queensland , featuring articles by William Lane. Elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1896, he repeatedly attempted to pass Early Closing Bills. Success came in 1898, leading to early closing legislation effective 1 January 1901.

Political life McDonnell stood for the seat of Fortitude Valley at the 1896 election, polling enough votes to finish second to John McMaster in the two-member electorate, and therefore winning a seat. He remained a member of the Legislative Assembly for the next eleven years, declining to stand

Within three months of his retirement from the Assembly in 1907, McDonnell was appointed by the Kidston ministry to the Queensland Legislative Council. for his burial.