Taxus Baccata

by | Mar 15, 2018 | Taxus Baccata

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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.

Early years

The only child of Queensland-born parents Samuel Chalk, butcher, and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth (née Wesley), "Chalkie", as he was nicknamed, was baptised in the Church of Christ (but as an adult gave his religion as Methodist). He attended Rosewood State, Marburg Rural, and Lockyer State High Schools.[1]

Career

Gordon Chalk c. 1950

Chalk entered politics in 1947 having previously worked as a sales manager at the Toowoomba Foundry.[3] In January 1965, he defeated Alex Dewar 11 votes to 9 to be elected as Deputy Liberal Leader, after Alan Munro resigned as leader and Deputy Premier.

On 23 December 1965, Chalk succeeded the retiring Sir Thomas Hiley as Leader of the Queensland Liberal Party, Deputy Premier and Treasurer in a coalition government with the Country Party led by Frank Nicklin. He did so by defeating Dewar a second time, 12 votes to 8.[4] 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.[citation needed]

Chalk continued as Treasurer and Leader of the Liberal Party until his resignation from parliament in 1976.[citation needed]

Political positions

Seats held

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).[5]

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

Notes

  1. ^ Formerly called the Queensland People's Party, when Chalk joined the party.
  2. ^ Since the Liberal and National parties are in a coalition agreement since the foundation of the Liberal party, Chalk is a member of the Coalition via his ex-officio position within the Liberal Party leadership.

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d Gordon William (Chalkie) (1913–1991) — Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  3. ^ a b New Transport Minister for Queensland Truck & Bus Transportation, October 1957, pg. 66.
  4. ^ WANNA, JOHN; ARKLAY, TRACEY (2010). The Ayes Have It: The history of the Queensland Parliament, 1957-1989. ANU Press. p. 97. JSTOR j.ctt24h7kp.1. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  5. ^ It's an Honour – KBE
Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Member for East Toowoomba
1947–1950 		Succeeded by
Seat abolished
Preceded by
Seat created
 Member for Lockyer
1950–1976 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Parliamentary Leader of the Liberal Party in Queensland
1965–1976 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Premier of Queensland
1968 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Premier of Queensland
1965–1976 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Treasurer of Queensland
1965–1976 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Transport
1957–1965 		Succeeded by


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