Aiming For A Fresh Start At 72

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday October 7, 2006

Paul McInerney

FOR the past 41/2 years, Wollongong's independent Lord Mayor, Alex Darling, has been chafing at the restrictions placed on him by a Labor-dominated council.

The 72-year-old retired jeweller insists he is a genuine independent candidate and says that outside of local government, he has had little interest in politics until recently. His decision to stand in the newly named seat of Shellharbour sent shock waves through Labor's ranks in the region. To win will be nothing short of an electoral miracle.

Born in Wollongong, he began working in a jeweller's shop before and after school at the age of 12. He was the city's first apprentice jeweller, leaving school after obtaining the equivalent of year 9.

His father was a founder of a furniture store but the young Darling preferred diamonds to divans, starting his own jewellery emporium at 21.

The pressure of running a business with little money was enormous and Cr Darling now concedes entering business so young was a mistake. In 1957, at 23, he married, and children quickly followed, adding further pressure. Cr Darling was also a promising rugby league player and was only 17 when he made his first-grade debut with the local glamour club, Corrimal.

In a recent interview, he admitted failing to meet the high expectations he set himself. There were two marriage breakdowns; the first after 14 years and the second after 20 years. He had six children but one son died in 2003.

His current partner, Michele, is comfortable in the role of lady mayoress and adopts his surname for official functions.

Paul McInerney

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home