Gordon Chalk
Encyclopedia
Sir Gordon William Wesley Chalk, KBE (16 May 191326 April 1991) was Premier of Queensland for a week, from 1 to 8 August 1968. He was the first, and only, Queensland Premier from the modern Liberal Party of Australia
.
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.
(KBE).
Sir Gordon Chalk's name has been selected by the Liberal National Party of Queensland for its Networking Events - known as 'The Gordon Chalk Society'. Details at www.gordonchalksociety.org.
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
.
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
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
led by Frank Nicklin
Frank Nicklin
Sir George Francis Reuben Nicklin, KCMG, MM was Premier of the Australian state of Queensland from 1957 to 1968, and the first Country Party Premier since 1932.-Early life and career:...
. He continued in these roles when Jack Pizzey
Jack Pizzey
Jack Charles Allan Pizzey was a Queensland Country Party politician. He was Premier of Queensland, in a coalition with the Liberal Party, from 17 January 1968 until his death on 31 July that year....
succeeded Nicklin as Premier on 17 January 1968. Following the sudden death of Pizzey on 31 July 1968, the Governor Sir Alan Mansfield
Alan Mansfield
Sir Alan James Mansfield KCMG, KCVO was Governor of Queensland, Australia between 1966 and 1972.-Family:Sir Alan Mansfield was born in Brisbane and educated in Sydney. The Mansfield family had land in Gumdale. Mansfield lived in the Mount Gravatt area for many years...
swore in Chalk as Premier on 1 August, pending the Country Party electing a new leader. They chose Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Sir Johannes "Joh" Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG , was an Australian politician. He was the longest-serving and longest-lived Premier of Queensland, holding office from 1968 to 1987, a period that saw considerable economic development in the state...
, 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 ToowoombaElectoral district of East ToowoombaThe Electoral District of East Toowoomba was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland. It was created in 1912 when the old seat of Drayton & Toowoomba split into East Toowoomba, Toowoomba and Drayton...
for the Queensland People's PartyQueensland People's PartyThe Queensland People's Party was a conservative political party in Queensland, Australia.Created in 1943 by Brisbane Lord Mayor John Beals Chandler, the Queensland People's Party contested elections in South East Queensland. In 1948, they became the Queensland branch of the Liberal Party of...
and the Liberal PartyLiberal Party of AustraliaThe Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office... - 1950–1976 LockyerElectoral district of LockyerThe district of Lockyer is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland.The district consists primarily of Gatton and Laidley Shires and northern parts of Beaudesert Shire. It includes the major town of Gatton and a number of smaller centres including...
for the Liberal PartyLiberal Party of AustraliaThe Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
(resigned)
Ministerial positions
- Minister for Transport 12 August 1957 – 23 December 1965
- TreasurerTreasurer of QueenslandThe Treasurer of Queensland is the title held by the Cabinet minister who is responsible for the financial management of Queensland’s budget sector.-List of Queensland Treasurers:...
23 December 1965 – 13 August 1976 - Premier 1 August 1968 – 8 August 1968
Honours
In the Queen's Birthday Honours of June 1971, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(KBE).
Sir Gordon Chalk's name has been selected by the Liberal National Party of Queensland for its Networking Events - known as 'The Gordon Chalk Society'. Details at www.gordonchalksociety.org.