About Eric Reece
Eric Elliott Reece, AC was Premier of Tasmania on two occasions: from 26 August 1958 to 26 May 1969, and from 3 May 1972 to 31 March 1975. His 13 years as premier remains the second longest in Tasmania's history, second to only Robert Cosgrove. Reece was the first Premier of Tasmania to have been born in the 20th century. Well known for his staunch support of Tasmania's Hydro Electric Commission and its power development schemes on the Gordon River, Reece acquired as a result the nickname 'Electric Eric'. This was as much a personal victory as a political one, since Reece himself topped the poll in Braddon with 35.4%, still a record for an individual candidate in that electorate. The Liberals had gained a one-seat majority in the House of Assembly by forming a coalition with former Speaker Kevin Lyons, who had founded his own Centre Party. Reece became leader of the state Labor Party, and hence Premier, in 1958 after Cosgrove's resignation.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.