He fought in World War I, serving with the 8th battalion of the First Australian Imperial Force during the Gallipoli Campaign, and attaining the rank of sergeant.
[1] In November 1933, he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly in a by-election for the seat of Warrnambool, following the resignation of James Fairbairn to enter federal politics.
[3] He defeated independent candidate and former Labor MP Henry Bailey after a tight flow of Country Party preferences.
[7][8][9][10] In parliament, McGarvie raised concerns about the need for unemployment relief and vocational education for young people, supported the protection of the Otway Ranges rainforest as a water catchment, advocated for water supply improvements to the Western District, and was dismissive of concerns about restoration of public service wages following the Great Depression.
[18] During his campaign, he raised issues about the state of public buildings in rural areas, suggested their renovation could be used as unemployment relief, and argued for temporary, rather than permanent, tariff protection for farmers, more freedom for private enterprise, and reiterated his continuing advocacy for a water supply scheme for the Western District.