Mick Michael
Michael Agapitos Michael (22 September 1922 – 6 May 2016) was an Australian local government politician. He was Lord Mayor of the City of Perth in the 1980s. He died aged 93 on 6 May 2016.[1] Early lifeHe was born in Perth, Western Australia to Jack Michael and Ourania Zempilas, Greek immigrants.[2] His father was a World War I veteran, having served in the Australian Army before becoming a fruit barrow owner and later a grocery shop.[2] He attended Highgate Primary School and later Perth Boys' but left to work in the family business when he was fourteen.[2] One of his brothers is Ken Michael, ex-Governor of Western Australia.[3] In 1940, Michael enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force, serving until 1946.[4][5] He was a member of 77 Squadron, and was posted to Darwin and saw the Japanese air-raids.[2] He was trained in the RAAF as an electrical fitter.[2] Business careerHe owned M.A. Michael Pty Ltd, supplying electrical equipment to businesses in Western Australia and Victoria.[2] Political careerHe became a councilor in 1967 with the Perth City council.[2] Michael became Lord Mayor of Perth between 1982 and 1988.[6] MarriageHe was married twice, first to Shirley Smith in 1946 but ended in divorce in 1951 but produced a son.[2] He remarried Adel Wallace in 1958 having a further three sons.[2] HonoursMichael was award the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1982 for services to local government.[7][8] Other honours included being made a Freeman of the City of London and the City of Perth.[2] The Mick Michael Reserve, on the corner of Vincent and Charles Streets in West Perth is named after him.[9] References
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