Gustave Thomas Carlile Miller
1873 Monaro Express

GUSTAVE THOMAS CARLILE MILLER is possibility not a pioneer of the district in the sense which has been written elsewhere, but he undoubtedly assisted in the writing of many important pages of its history. Born in 1851, he arrived at Cooma in about 1873, under engagement as pressman and jobbing hand to Mr. G. W. Spring of the "Manaro Mercury". He remained with Mr. Spring for about 18 months, till a quarrel with his employer induced him, with the assistance of Messrs. Gale and Peacock, of Queanbeyan, to establish the "Cooma Express" newspaper. As a Journalist he was often very more outspoken than discreet, and in consequence was the defendant in various libel actions. In December, 1899, following upon the death of Mr. Harold Stevens, he was returned to Parliament at a by-election, being opposed by Mr. Myers. From that time until his death in October, 1918, Mr. Miller retained his hold upon the Monaro Seat, which proved a safe pocket borough for him. At first a Protectionist, Mr. Miller later embraced labor principles. He was a man of strong convictions, which he ever gave expression to, and this was possibly a factor which, despite his twenty-nine years' Parliamentary service, prevented him gaining Cabinet rank. He was of generous instincts, and was very popular with his immediate supporters, who greedily absorbed the political principles from time to time appearing in his paper.

Transcribed by Pattrick Mould in 2003, from the book "Back to Cooma' Celebrations" page 81