Gordon Freeth
| The Honourable Sir Gordon Freeth KBE | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Forrest | |
|
In office 10 December 1949 – 25 October 1969 | |
| Preceded by | Nelson Lemmon |
| Succeeded by | Frank Kirwan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
6 August 1914 Angaston, South Australia |
| Died | 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 | ||
.svg.png){kind=icon} | 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 died in Perth in 2001, predeceased by his wife, but survived by his three children.[2]
Honours
Freeth was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1978.[2][3]
Notes
- ↑ "Robert Evelyn Freeth (1886-1979)". Freeth notes. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 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. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
- ↑ It's an Honour
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Allen Fairhall |
Minister for the Interior Minister for Works 1958–1963 |
Succeeded by John Gorton |
| Preceded by Hubert Opperman |
Minister for Shipping and Transport 1963–1968 |
Succeeded by Ian Sinclair |
| Preceded by Peter Howson |
Minister for Air 1968–1969 |
Succeeded by Dudley Erwin |
| Preceded by Paul Hasluck |
Minister for Foreign Affairs 1969 |
Succeeded by William McMahon |
| Parliament of Australia | ||
| Preceded by Nelson Lemmon |
Member for Forrest 1949–1969 |
Succeeded by Frank Kirwan |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by Allen Brown |
Australian Ambassador to Japan 1970 – 1973 |
Succeeded by Mick Shann |
| Preceded by Sir John Bunting |
Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom 1977–1980 |
Succeeded by Sir James Plimsoll |