Honourable Sir Rupert James HAMER
Member for East Yarra Province (June 1958 – March 1971)
Premier of Victoria (August 1972 – June 1981)
Liberal Country Party, Liberal Party of Australia
MLA for Kew (April 1971 – July 1981)
Solicitor. Born 29 July 1916, Kew. Son of Hubert Hamer and Elizabeth Anne McLuckie. Married 4 March 1944 to April Felicity Mackintosh; two sons and two daughters. Deceased 23 March 2004.
Educated at: Melbourne Grammar School, Geelong Grammar School, Melbourne University, LLM; AIF 1939-45, Tobruk, El Alamein, New Guinea, Normandy, helped plan Rhine Crossing, major, ED; CO Vic. Scottish Rgt 1954-58; partner in family law firm Smith & Emmerton, inactive 1968-81; director Gas Supply Co. Ltd, General Foods Corp. Ltd, Moulded Products (A’asia) Ltd until 1960s, Nylex Corp. Ltd to 1970, Yorkshire Chemical Co. to 1972, chairman of Board of Advice Data Connection Ltd (Melbourne) 1993- ; vice-president Swinburne Technical College 1948-72, member Melbourne University Council 1958-70, Royal Children’s Hospital 1948-72; vice-chairman Canterbury Citizens Welfare Committee 1958-72; hon. solicitor to Girl Guides Association and three hospitals; president Keep Australia Beautiful Council to 1981; gov. Eirene Lucas Foundation; FAIM 1973; MCG Trust 1974-; vice-president and council member Melbourne Scots 1975- ; chairman Burns Philip Trustee Co. (Vic) 1982-86; director Melbourne Underground restaurant-nightclub 1981-85; fellow Trinity College, Melbourne University 1982-; chairman Victorian State Opera Board 1982-95, president Victorian State Opera 1995-97; president Victorian College of the Arts 1982-86; member Commonwealth Constitutional Commission 1985-88; president Friends of the ABC 1984-91; national president Save Children Fund (Australia) 1989-92; chairman Greenhouse Action Australia 1989-92; president Friends of Royal Botanic Gardens 1992-96; president Cancer/Heart Consultative Council 1994-; hon. LLD Melbourne University 1982; hon. DUniv. Swinburne 1995; KCMG 1982; AC 1992.
LCP, Lib., joined South Camberwell Branch 1947 and president 1947-50, State Executive member before parliament; deputy leader 1971-72, leader 1972-81. Brother of Senator David Hamer. Nephew of George Swinburne. Solicitor to father of Malcolm Fraser.
MLC for East Yarra June 1958-March 1971 (resigned), MLA for Kew April 1971 (by-election)-July 1981 (resigned). Minister of Immigration, Assistant Chief Secretary, Assistant Attorney-General September 1962-July 1964, Minister for Local Government July 1964-April 1971, Chief Secretary and Deputy Premier April 1971-August 1972, Premier August 1972-June 1981, Treasurer August 1972-May 1979, Arts Minister August 1972-May 1979,
Minister of State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism May 1979-February 1981, Minister of Economic Development March 1981. Library & Qualifications committees 1958-61. Statute Law Revision committee 1961-62.
