William Francis Willesee (26 December 1911 – 18 August 2000) was an Australian politician who served as a Labor Party member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia from 1954 to 1974. He was a minister in the government of John Tonkin.
Willesee was born in Adelaide, South Australia, to Ethel May (née Flinders) and William Robert Willesee. His father ran for parliament unsuccessfully on three occasions in the 1920s, while his younger brother, Don Willesee, was a senator. Moving to Western Australia as a small child, Willesee attended various schools in the country, and later studied accounting at Perth Technical College. He was employed as a clerk by the Carnarvon Municipality from 1936 to 1942, and then joined the Volunteer Defence Corps, working as a pay clerk. After the war's end, Willesee worked for periods in a state government department and in a private transport firm, eventually returning to Carnarvon in 1951 to work again as town clerk. He was involved with both the Clerks' Union and the Australian Workers' Union.[1]
Politics and later lifeedit
At the 1954 Legislative Council election, Willesee won election to North Province, joining two other Labor MPs (Don Barker and Harry Strickland) in the three-member constituency. He was re-elected in 1960, but North Province was reduced to two members at the 1965 state election, and he consequently transferred to the new North-East Metropolitan Province. In July 1966, Willesee replaced Frank Wise as leader of the Labor Party in the Legislative Council. When Labor won the 1971 state election, he became Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, and was also made Minister for Community Welfare (a new title) in the new ministry formed by John Tonkin.[1] He held both positions until February 1973, when he resigned them due to ill health.[2] Willesee left parliament at the 1974 state election. He died in Perth on August 18, 2000, aged 88.[1]
bill, willesee, william, francis, willesee, december, 1911, august, 2000, australian, politician, served, labor, party, member, legislative, council, western, australia, from, 1954, 1974, minister, government, john, tonkin, honourablemember, legislative, counc. William Francis Willesee 26 December 1911 18 August 2000 was an Australian politician who served as a Labor Party member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia from 1954 to 1974 He was a minister in the government of John Tonkin The HonourableBill WilleseeMember of the Legislative Councilof Western AustraliaIn office 22 May 1954 21 May 1965Preceded byFrank WelshSucceeded byNone seat abolished ConstituencyNorth ProvinceIn office 22 May 1965 21 May 1974Preceded byNone new seat Succeeded byDon CooleyConstituencyNorth East Metropolitan ProvincePersonal detailsBorn 1911 12 26 26 December 1911Adelaide South Australia AustraliaDied18 August 2000 2000 08 18 aged 88 Yokine Western Australia AustraliaPolitical partyLabor Contents 1 Early life 2 Politics and later life 3 See also 4 ReferencesEarly life editWillesee was born in Adelaide South Australia to Ethel May nee Flinders and William Robert Willesee His father ran for parliament unsuccessfully on three occasions in the 1920s while his younger brother Don Willesee was a senator Moving to Western Australia as a small child Willesee attended various schools in the country and later studied accounting at Perth Technical College He was employed as a clerk by the Carnarvon Municipality from 1936 to 1942 and then joined the Volunteer Defence Corps working as a pay clerk After the war s end Willesee worked for periods in a state government department and in a private transport firm eventually returning to Carnarvon in 1951 to work again as town clerk He was involved with both the Clerks Union and the Australian Workers Union 1 Politics and later life editAt the 1954 Legislative Council election Willesee won election to North Province joining two other Labor MPs Don Barker and Harry Strickland in the three member constituency He was re elected in 1960 but North Province was reduced to two members at the 1965 state election and he consequently transferred to the new North East Metropolitan Province In July 1966 Willesee replaced Frank Wise as leader of the Labor Party in the Legislative Council When Labor won the 1971 state election he became Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and was also made Minister for Community Welfare a new title in the new ministry formed by John Tonkin 1 He held both positions until February 1973 when he resigned them due to ill health 2 Willesee left parliament at the 1974 state election He died in Perth on August 18 2000 aged 88 1 See also editTonkin MinistryReferences edit a b c Garnet Barrington Wood Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia Retrieved 15 June 2016 COUNCIL Tuesday 5 September 2000 Hansard Western Australia Retrieved 7 July 2016 Parliament of Western Australia Political offices New creation Minister for Community Welfare1971 1973 Succeeded byRonald Thompson Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bill Willesee amp oldid 1129721616, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
