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John Rhatigan

1907 – 1970

Australian politician

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About John Rhatigan

Lived 1907 – 1970 (aged 63). John Rhatigan was an Australian politician.

John Joseph Rhatigan (18 June 1907 – 9 November 1970) was an Australian politician who was a Labor Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1953 to 1968, representing the seat of Kimberley.

Biography John Rhatigan was born on 18 June 1907 in Turkey Creek (now known as Warmun), a small inland community in Western Australia's Kimberley region. His father was Michael "Mick" Rhatigan, a stockman, telegraph linesman and police constable, who was involved in the shooting of a group of Aboriginal people at Turkey Creek in 1915 known as the Mistake Creek massacre, as well as other killings of Aboriginal people for cattle theft. He died when John was 16.

Rhatigan was sent away to be educated, boarding at Christian Brothers' College, Perth for two and a half years, returning to the Kimberley after leaving school. He joined the Department of Native Affairs in 1946, having earlier worked as a stockman, linesman, drover, and cattle station manager. From 1949, Rhatigan served as the district officer for the entire East Kimberley region, and was based in Broome.

He died on 9 November 1970 in Subiaco.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Christian Brothers' College, Perth
Positions held
Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
Also known as
John Joseph Rhatigan

People in John Rhatigan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Rhatigan's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Rhatigan?

Australian politician

When was John Rhatigan born?

John Rhatigan was born on 18 June 1907 in Warmun Community.

When did John Rhatigan die?

John Rhatigan died on 9 November 1970 in Subiaco.

What was John Rhatigan's occupation?

John Rhatigan was a politician.

What nationality was John Rhatigan?

John Rhatigan was Australian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Rhatigan

· Wikidata: Q24191339

· DBpedia: John Rhatigan

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Rhatigan. https://biography.guide/john-rhatigan/

MLA: "John Rhatigan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-rhatigan/.

Chicago: "John Rhatigan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-rhatigan/.

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