Debate about the name of a Helensburgh sports oval has kicked off in the lead-up to the 2023 NSW state election.
The article below was written about 13 years ago and may explain why Rex Jackson – the Labor MP infamous for his love of gambling and jailed in the late 1980s for conspiring to accept bribes – still has fans in his home town.
While an ABC obituary described Rex Jackson as "one of Australia's most controversial politicians", this local historical record celebrates his achievements.
The article below is previously unpublished and sourced from the archives of the Helensburgh & District Historical Society; interview and story by Jill Jones in 2010.
The Rex Jackson Story
This is a short story about Rex Jackson who was the “elected member for the Australian Labor Party” for Bulli and Heathcote. At the time of this interview Rex is 81 years of age.
Rex Frederick Jackson was born on the 7 October 1928 at Wagga Wagga, NSW. His parents were Patrick Penasus Jackson and Olive Griffith. Rex was the eldest child and his siblings were Trevor and Elizabeth. His father was a railway fettler with the NSW Government Railways at Harefield where the family resided in a railway cottage. In 1942, his father was transferred to Waterfall station because Rex’s mother sought medical treatment. His mother died in 1944 and tragically his father died 18 months later leaving the children as orphans.
Rex Jackson’s education began at Harefield Primary School and followed by two years at Junee High School and completed his Intermediate Certificate at Sutherland High School.
When Rex moved to Waterfall he played 1st grade junior football league. At 13 years he joined the “Ted Milmo Boxing Gym” at Leichhardt. Rex became a professional boxer in the “Junior Welterweight Division” and won 15 out of 17 contests. He told me the “prize money was very good in those days”.
After leaving school he began working at one of Sydney’s largest printing firms, “Marchants Company”, and by the age of 26 years he was the Assistant General Manager.
At this point of time Rex was a member of the Federated Clerks Union and his interests in the Labor Party began. Rex was also influenced by his father and grand-father who were trade-unionists. Rex believed that the “Labor Party” was the only hope for State and Federal Governments.
Rex Jackson was an Australian Labor Party Foundation Member of the Helensburgh Branch. On the 9 July 1955 he was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly. The seat of Bulli was abolished prior to the 1971 State Elections and Rex gained pre-selection for the seat of Heathcote. Rex won the seat on the 13 February 1971 and held the seat till 1986. (He stepped down from his ministerial portfolios in 1983, but didn’t resign from Parliament until 1986.)
Between 1965 and 1976 he held the position of the Secretary of the Parliamentary Labor Party. Rex again between 1976 and 1983 occupied the portfolios of Minister for Youth and Community Services, Corrective Services and Roads and his achievements as Minister are well recorded.
During his 5 ½ years as Minister for Youth and Community Services, Rex Jackson was instrumental in introducing more than 50 new welfare programs in NSW. This portfolio embraced the responsibility for immigration, aboriginal affairs, juvenile justice, children and social welfare and animal welfare.
Rex Jackson’s parliamentary career also involved serving on committees enquiring into the Coal Industry, drought problems and relief. He also had the honour of leading the Australian delegates at the “Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference” in Trinidad 1969.
Rex Jackson was a Patron or Office-bearer of over 100 organizations. He was Chairman of the “Royal National Park Advisory Committee” for 26 years. He served on the “Bulli Pass Scenic Reserves Trust”, the majority of his time spent as Chairman.
HELENSBURGH
Rex Jackson was the elected MP for 32 years of the Helensburgh district. During this period of office he instigated many programs and changes for Helensburgh which will continue to make Helensburgh the town it is to-day.
In 1976 Rex secured the funds to build a sewerage scheme for the Helensburgh district. He also obtained approval for the extension of the electrification of the railway from Sutherland to Helensburgh. This was stage 1 of the total electrification of the railway for the Illawarra line. Numerous grants were given to Helensburgh Public School to improve the school’s facilities and grounds. A Community Pre-school was built in 1977 and in 1978 a new Community Hall was built.
The “show-piece” of Helensburgh is the sporting complex which is known as “Rex Jackson Park”. In 1982 Rex was responsible for the re-location of Robertson Street to make way for the numerous sporting fields for the various codes of sport.
The establishment of “Garrawarra Hospital for Aged Care” (Garrawarra Centre) was the results of Rex’s campaigns involving the local community, unions and the media. There was serious political conflict because the Department of Prisons and Child Welfare wanted the site and the Health Department didn’t want the establishment. Rex’s proposal was finally adopted. Rex Jackson insisted the name of the hospital should be “Garrawarra”. The hospital was re-opened in 1958, as previously the hospital was established in 1909 specifically for the treatment of tuberculosis. Rex emphasized with disgust that “it would be disgraceful if the hospital was closed or sold”.
During his retirement Rex had a half share and operated for 10 years a mobile food outlet at Bald Hill, which still operates to-day under new ownership.
Rex is divided on the character of Helensburgh to-day. He said “there have been dramatic changes, some for the good and some for the bad and the atmosphere has changed”. Rex reflects on the days when there was the Empire Theatre which was “marvellous”. There were two permanent police officers and the police station was attached to the courthouse where court proceedings were held once a month. There were two taxis and four hire cars in town, which existed because few people owned vehicles.
Rex Jackson’s contribution to Helensburgh has been enormous which he will always be remembered for. My personal opinion after the interview was that Rex was a politician who “got things done”. At the age of 81, Mr Jackson is a humble man, whose last comments were “I appreciate the support of the Helensburgh residents over the years”.
Rex Jackson has been a resident of Helensburgh for 60 years. Rex married Irene Sneyd at Helensburgh on the 5 November 1949, Irene passed away in 1993.
For more Helensburgh history, visit the Historical Society's website