Dick Brown (politician)

Richard Kidston Brown (1887 – 22 January 1971) was a Blacksmith and member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]

Dick Brown
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Buranda
In office 3 May 1947 – 3 August 1957
Preceded by	Ted Hanson
Succeeded by	Keith Hooper
Personal details
Born	Richard Kidston Brown 1887 Dumbarton, Scotland
Died	22 January 1971 (aged 83 or 84) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Nationality	Scottish Australian
Political party	Labor
Spouse(s)	Lillian May Beeston (m.1911 d.1980)
Relations	John Brown (brother)
Occupation	Blacksmith, Insurance inspector

Early days

Brown was born at Dumbarton, Scotland, to John Brown, and his wife Janet (née Kidston).[1] Arriving with his family in 1889, he attended South Brisbane State School before commencing work in the family business as a blacksmith at Coorparoo. In 1922 he gained employment as an insurance inspector.[1]

As a youth, Brown joined the Thompson Estate Harriers Athletic Club, an association that was to last 71 years including 33 years as its president. He excelled at walking and represented Queensland in the national championships.[2]

Political career

After serving as an alderman in the Stephens Shire Council,[2] Brown, standing for the Labor Party, won the safe labor seat of Buranda at the 1947 state election.[1] He held the seat until his defeat in 1957,[1] losing to Keith Hooper of the Liberal Party.[3] His brother, John Brown, also served in the Queensland Parliament as the member for Logan from 1935 until 1944.[4]

Personal life

On the 28 October 1911, Brown married Lillian May Beeston[5] (died 1980)[6] at Thompson Estate Methodist Church[5] and together had two sons and three daughters.[1] He had been at one time a Sunday School teacher at the Annerley Methodist Church where he regularly attended services for 50 years.[2] A member of the Masons, Brown took a keen interest in the initial construction of the Freemasons Home at Sandgate[2] and although he had never been a returned soldier, Brown was so highly respected that he was made Patron of the Stephens RSL.[1]

Brown was also involved in several sporting organisations. He was closely associated with the Eastern Suburbs Rugby League Club, both at senior level and was president of the junior club for a record term. He was also a member of both the Annerly and Buranda Bowls clubs and the green at Buranda was named the R.K. Brown Green in his honour.[1]

A man who served his State and its people with considerable credit,[2] Brown died in Brisbane in 1971 and was cremated at Mount Thompson Crematorium.[6]

References

1. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
2. TUESDAY, 2 MARCH 1971) — Hansard. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
3. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
4. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
5. "[No heading]". The Queenslander. 11 November 1911. p. 12. Retrieved 26 December 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
6. Richard Kidston Brown ( - 1971)) — Heaven Address. Retrieved 26 December 2015.

Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Ted Hanson	Member for Buranda 1947–1957	Succeeded by Keith Hooper