The Right Honourable Sir Robert Gordon MENZIES
Member for East Yarra Province (October 1928 – November 1929)
Prime Minister of Australia (1939 – 41, 1949 – 66)
Deputy Premier of Victoria (May 1932 – July 1934)
Nationalist Party, United Australia Party, Liberal Party of Australia
MLA for Nunawading (November 1929 – July 1934)
MHR for Kooyong (1934 – 66)
Barrister. Born 21 December 1894, Jeparit. Son of James (MLA for Lowan November 1911-September 1920) and Kate Sampson. Married 27 September 1920 to Pattie Maie Leckie, two sons and one daughter. Deceased 15 May 1978.
Educated at state schools Jeparit and Humffray Street, Ballarat, Grenville College, Ballarat, Wesley College and University of Melbourne, LLB 1916, Supreme Court and Bowen Essay prizes; called to Bar 1918; articled to Owen Dixon, specialised in constitutional, industrial, taxation and patent law; KC 1929; with Staniforth Ricketson director Australia Foundation Investment Co. Ltd, National Reliance Investment Co. Ltd; member Advisory War Council 1941-44; chancellor Melbourne University 1967-72; CH 1951; KT 1963; AK 1976; Lord Warden of Cinque Ports 1965; recipient of many honours; member ANA, Melbourne Club; Presbyterian.
Nationalist Party, United Australia Party, Liberal Party of Australia; with W.S. Kent Hughes founded Young Nationalists 1930, president 1931; deputy leader United Australia Party 1932-37, deputy leader federal United Australia Party 1935-39 and leader 1939-43, opposition leader 1943-49; founder and leader Liberal Party 1944-66. Nephew of Hugh Menzies (MLA for Stawell 1902-04), nephew of Sydney Sampson (MHR for Wimmera 1906-19). Son-in-law of J.W. Leckie
MLC for East Yarra Province October 1928 (by-election)-November 1929 (resigned), MLA for Nunawading November 1929-July 1934 (resigned), MHR Kooyong 1934-66; contested East Yarra 1928. Minister without Portfolio November 1928-July 1929 (resigned over freezing work subsidies), Attorney-General, Solicitor-General, Minister of Railways and Deputy Premier May 1932-July 1934; Attorney-General and Minister for Industry 1934-39, Minister for Trade and Customs 1940, Prime Minister 1939-41, 1949-66, Minister for External Affairs 1960-61.
