- Gordon Freeth
-
The Honourable
Sir Gordon Freeth
KBEMember of the Australian Parliament
for ForrestIn office
10 December 1949 – 25 October 1969Preceded by Nelson Lemmon Succeeded by Frank Kirwan Personal details Born 6 August 1914
Angaston, South AustraliaDied 27 November 2001 (aged 87)Nationality Australian Political party Liberal Party of Australia Spouse(s) Joan Baker Alma mater University of Western Australia Occupation Lawyer Medal record Men's Rowing British Empire Games Gold 1938 Sydney Coxed fours Sir Gordon Freeth KBE (6 August 1914 – 27 November 2001) was an Australian politician.
Freeth was born in Angaston, South Australia, the son of Robert Freeth (1886-1979) and Gladys Mary Snashall.[1] He attended Sydney Church of England Grammar School and the Guildford Grammar School in Western Australia (where his father was headteacher from 1928 to 1949).
He was awarded a Bachelor of Laws by the University of Western Australia in 1938. He won a gold medal for rowing in the coxed fours in the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney. In 1939 he married Joan Baker and they had twin daughters, Felicity and Susan and a son, Robert. In the same year he began practising law in Katanning, Western Australia. With the outbreak of World War II, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force and he flew Beaufort bombers in New Guinea and had been promoted to flight lieutenant by 1945, when he was demobilised.[2]
Political career
Freeth was elected as the Liberal Party of Australia member for Forrest in the 1949 election. He was appointed Minister for the Interior and Minister for Works in 1958 and in 1963 he was appointed Minister for Shipping and Transport. In February 1968, he was appointed Minister for Air, replacing Peter Howson. He was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, replacing Paul Hasluck, in February 1969 when Hasluck became Governor-General. He was defeated at the 1969 election by the Australian Labor Party candidate, Frank Kirwan.[2]
Freeth was Ambassador to Japan from 1970 to 1973 and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1977 to 1980. He was survived by his three children.[2]
Honours
Freeth was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1978.[2]
Notes
- ^ "Robert Evelyn Freeth (1886-1979)". Freeth notes. http://freethnotes.net/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=Robert+Freeth+1886. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- ^ a b c d Howard, John (12 February 2002). "Condolences: Adermann, Hon. Albert Evan, AO, Freeth, Hon. Sir Gordon, KBE, Chaney, Hon. Sir Frederick Charles, KBE, AFC". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. http://parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au/piweb/view_document.aspx?ID=2161389&TABLE=HANSARDR. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
Political offices Preceded by
Allen FairhallMinister for the Interior
Minister for Works
1958–1963Succeeded by
John GortonPreceded by
Hubert OppermanMinister for Shipping and Transport
1963–1968Succeeded by
Ian SinclairPreceded by
Peter HowsonMinister for Air
1968–1969Succeeded by
Dudley ErwinPreceded by
Paul HasluckMinister for Foreign Affairs
1969Succeeded by
William McMahonParliament of Australia Preceded by
Nelson LemmonMember for Forrest
1949–1969Succeeded by
Frank KirwanDiplomatic posts Preceded by
Sir John BuntingAustralian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
1977–1980Succeeded by
Sir James PlimsollCategories:- 1914 births
- 2001 deaths
- Liberal Party of Australia politicians
- Members of the Australian House of Representatives
- Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Forrest
- Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Australian knights
- Members of the Cabinet of Australia
- Australian diplomats
- Royal Australian Air Force officers
- Rowers at the 1938 British Empire Games
- Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia
- Commonwealth Games competitors for Australia
- People educated at Guildford Grammar School
- High Commissioners of Australia to the United Kingdom
- Ambassadors of Australia to Japan
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