Alexander Andrew Buchanan (4 October 1905 – 10 September 1985) was an Australian politician. Born in Fitzroy, the second son of four children of Herbert James Buchanan, a pastry-cook, and Emily Jane, his family later moved to Clifton Hill. He was educated from 1913 to 1919 at Scotch College. Buchanan's father was badly wounded in France in 1916 and this necessitated a schooling change to Hamilton College, before Buchanan won a boarding scholarship to Melbourne Grammar School restricted to sons of former soldiers. Whilst still at Scotch College, he attempted to enter the RAN College at Jervis Bay, passing the academic exams but being rejected at interview, a consequence, he suspected, of political pressure. His mother had firm views on the education of her son, suggesting he learn Japanese, with a view to future trading opportunities.[1]
In 1923, Buchanan commenced work for a shipping and import firm, as a junior salesman of bicycles, hardware, cars and motorcycles. He developed an interest in overseas trade. Tariff changes made in 1930 during the Depression impacted the firm badly.
In 1929, he married Lydia Mavis Patricia Walton. Both he and his new wife lost their jobs, forcing him to sell soap, vacuum cleaners and other items door to door. In 1933, he was appointed as an agent for a Sydney-based hairdressing supplies business. He then established a business manufacturing hair-dressing products, assisted by his wife, and set up an agency of that business in Adelaide. Whilst he and his wife were returning from this agency, they were involved in a serious car accident, resulting in moderate injuries to Buchanan and more severe ones for his wife[2] that severely impaired the operation of their business.
He served in the RAN Volunteer Reserve 1942–43. He returned to become a farmer at Beaconsfield, where his wife bred Saanen goats, and was an organiser of the Liberal Party in Victoria. In 1955, he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Liberal member for McMillan. He held the seat until 1972, when he lost his Liberal endorsement to Barrie Armitrage. He contested the seat as an independent, and lost, finishing last in a field of five candidates with only 6.3 percent of the vote. However, his preferences ultimately helped elect Country Party candidate Arthur Hewson.
Buchanan died at his home in Berwick in 1985, 24 days short of his 80th birthday.[3]
Referencesedit
^"Interview with Alec Buchanan". Buchanan, Alexander Andrew, 1905-1985, Interviewee. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
^"Border Chronicle". Border Chronicle (Bordertown, Sa : 1908 - 1950). 10 November 1939. p. 1. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
^Carr, Adam (2008). . Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
alex, buchanan, politician, alexander, andrew, buchanan, october, 1905, september, 1985, australian, politician, born, fitzroy, second, four, children, herbert, james, buchanan, pastry, cook, emily, jane, family, later, moved, clifton, hill, educated, from, 19. Alexander Andrew Buchanan 4 October 1905 10 September 1985 was an Australian politician Born in Fitzroy the second son of four children of Herbert James Buchanan a pastry cook and Emily Jane his family later moved to Clifton Hill He was educated from 1913 to 1919 at Scotch College Buchanan s father was badly wounded in France in 1916 and this necessitated a schooling change to Hamilton College before Buchanan won a boarding scholarship to Melbourne Grammar School restricted to sons of former soldiers Whilst still at Scotch College he attempted to enter the RAN College at Jervis Bay passing the academic exams but being rejected at interview a consequence he suspected of political pressure His mother had firm views on the education of her son suggesting he learn Japanese with a view to future trading opportunities 1 Alex BuchananMember of the Australian Parliament for McMillanIn office 10 December 1955 2 December 1972Preceded byGeoffrey BrownSucceeded byArthur HewsonPersonal detailsBornAlexander Andrew Buchanan 1905 10 04 4 October 1905Fitzroy Victoria AustraliaDied10 September 1985 1985 09 10 aged 79 Berwick Victoria AustraliaPolitical partyLiberal 1955 72 Independent 1972 Alma materUniversity of MelbourneOccupationFarmer In 1923 Buchanan commenced work for a shipping and import firm as a junior salesman of bicycles hardware cars and motorcycles He developed an interest in overseas trade Tariff changes made in 1930 during the Depression impacted the firm badly In 1929 he married Lydia Mavis Patricia Walton Both he and his new wife lost their jobs forcing him to sell soap vacuum cleaners and other items door to door In 1933 he was appointed as an agent for a Sydney based hairdressing supplies business He then established a business manufacturing hair dressing products assisted by his wife and set up an agency of that business in Adelaide Whilst he and his wife were returning from this agency they were involved in a serious car accident resulting in moderate injuries to Buchanan and more severe ones for his wife 2 that severely impaired the operation of their business He served in the RAN Volunteer Reserve 1942 43 He returned to become a farmer at Beaconsfield where his wife bred Saanen goats and was an organiser of the Liberal Party in Victoria In 1955 he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Liberal member for McMillan He held the seat until 1972 when he lost his Liberal endorsement to Barrie Armitrage He contested the seat as an independent and lost finishing last in a field of five candidates with only 6 3 percent of the vote However his preferences ultimately helped elect Country Party candidate Arthur Hewson Buchanan died at his home in Berwick in 1985 24 days short of his 80th birthday 3 References edit Interview with Alec Buchanan Buchanan Alexander Andrew 1905 1985 Interviewee National Library of Australia Retrieved 12 May 2018 Border Chronicle Border Chronicle Bordertown Sa 1908 1950 10 November 1939 p 1 Retrieved 13 May 2018 Carr Adam 2008 Australian Election Archive Psephos Adam Carr s Election Archive Archived from the original on 23 July 2008 Retrieved 20 June 2008 Parliament of Australia Preceded byGeoffrey Brown Member for McMillan1955 1972 Succeeded byArthur Hewson nbsp This article about a Liberal Party of Australia politician is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alex Buchanan politician amp oldid 1220561338, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
