Gordon Chalk
Sir Gordon William Wesley Chalk, KBE[1] (16 May 1913 – 26 April 1991) was Premier of Queensland for a week, from 1 to 8 August 1968.[2] He was the first and only Queensland Premier from the post-war Liberal Party.
Sir Gordon Chalk KBE | |
---|---|
Gordon Chalk in 1963 | |
30th Premier of Queensland | |
In office 1 August 1968 – 8 August 1968 | |
Preceded by | Jack Pizzey |
Succeeded by | Joh Bjelke-Petersen |
Constituency | Lockyer |
35th Treasurer of Queensland | |
In office 23 December 1965 – 13 August 1976 | |
Preceded by | Thomas Hiley |
Succeeded by | William Knox |
Constituency | Lockyer |
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for East Toowoomba | |
In office 3 May 1947 – 29 April 1950 | |
Preceded by | Les Wood |
Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Lockyer | |
In office 29 April 1950 – 12 August 1976 | |
Preceded by | New seat |
Succeeded by | Tony Bourke |
Personal details | |
Born | Rosewood, Queensland, Australia | 16 May 1913
Died | 26 April 1991 77) Melbourne, Victoria | (aged
Political party | Liberal Party |
Spouse(s) | Ellen Clare Grant (1937–1991) |
Occupation | Sales Representative, Newspaper employee |
Career
Chalk entered politics in 1947 having previously worked as a sales manager at the Toowoomba Foundry.[3]
On 23 December 1965, Chalk succeeded Sir Alan Munro as Leader of the Queensland Liberal Party, Deputy Premier and Treasurer in a coalition government with the Country Party led by Frank Nicklin. He continued in these roles when Jack Pizzey succeeded Nicklin as Premier on 17 January 1968. Following the sudden death of Pizzey on 31 July 1968, the Governor Sir Alan Mansfield swore in Chalk as Premier on 1 August, pending the Country Party electing a new leader. They chose Joh Bjelke-Petersen, who succeeded Chalk after a week in office.
Chalk continued as Treasurer and Leader of the Liberal Party until his resignation from parliament in 1976.
Seats held
- 1947–1950 East Toowoomba for the Queensland People's Party and the Liberal Party
- 1950–1976 Lockyer for the Liberal Party (resigned)
Ministerial positions
Honours
In the Queen's Birthday Honours of June 1971, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE).[4]
Personal life
Upon his death in 1991 Chalk was accorded a State funeral which was held at Albert Street Uniting Church[1] and he was later cremated.[1]
References
- Gordon William (Chalkie) (1913–1991) — Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
- "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- New Transport Minister for Queensland Truck & Bus Transportation October 1957 page 66
- It's an Honour – KBE
Parliament of Queensland | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Les Wood |
Member for East Toowoomba 1947–1950 |
Succeeded by Seat abolished |
Preceded by Seat created |
Member for Lockyer 1950–1976 |
Succeeded by Tony Bourke |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Thomas Hiley |
Parliamentary Leader of the Liberal Party in Queensland 1965–1976 |
Succeeded by William Knox |
Preceded by Jack Pizzey |
Premier of Queensland 1968 |
Succeeded by Joh Bjelke-Petersen |
Preceded by Alan Munro |
Deputy Premier of Queensland 1965–1976 |
Succeeded by William Knox |
Preceded by Thomas Hiley |
Treasurer of Queensland 1965–1976 |
Succeeded by William Knox |
Preceded by Thomas Moores |
Minister for Transport 1957–1965 |
Succeeded by William Knox |