Gordon Chalk

Sir Gordon William Wesley Chalk, KBE[1] (16 May 1913 – 26 April 1991) was Premier of Queensland for a week, from 1 to 8 August 1968.[2] He was the first and only Queensland Premier from the post-war Liberal Party.

The Honourable Sir Gordon Chalk KBE
Gordon Chalk in 1963
30th Premier of Queensland
In office 1 August 1968 – 8 August 1968
Preceded by	Jack Pizzey
Succeeded by	Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Constituency	Lockyer
35th Treasurer of Queensland
In office 23 December 1965 – 13 August 1976
Preceded by	Thomas Hiley
Succeeded by	William Knox
Constituency	Lockyer
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for East Toowoomba
In office 3 May 1947 – 29 April 1950
Preceded by	Les Wood
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Lockyer
In office 29 April 1950 – 12 August 1976
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	Tony Bourke
Personal details
Born	(1913-05-16)16 May 1913 Rosewood, Queensland, Australia
Died	26 April 1991(1991-04-26) (aged 77) Melbourne, Victoria
Political party	Liberal Party
Spouse(s)	Ellen Clare Grant (1937–1991)
Occupation	Sales Representative, Newspaper employee

Career

Chalk entered politics in 1947 having previously worked as a sales manager for at the Toowoomba Foundry.[3]

On 23 December 1965, Chalk succeeded Sir Alan Munro as Leader of the Queensland Liberal Party, Deputy Premier and Treasurer in a coalition government with the Country Party led by Frank Nicklin. He continued in these roles when Jack Pizzey succeeded Nicklin as Premier on 17 January 1968. Following the sudden death of Pizzey on 31 July 1968, the Governor Sir Alan Mansfield swore in Chalk as Premier on 1 August, pending the Country Party electing a new leader. They chose Joh Bjelke-Petersen, who succeeded Chalk after a week in office.

Chalk continued as Treasurer and Leader of the Liberal Party until his resignation from parliament in 1976.

Seats held

Gordon Chalk c. 1950

• 1947–1950 East Toowoomba for the Queensland People's Party and the Liberal Party
• 1950–1976 Lockyer for the Liberal Party (resigned)

Ministerial positions

• Minister for Transport 12 August 1957 – 23 December 1965[2][3]
• Treasurer 23 December 1965 – 13 August 1976[2]
• Premier 1 August 1968 – 8 August 1968[2]

Honours

In the Queen's Birthday Honours of June 1971, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE).[4]

Personal life

Upon his death in 1991 Chalk was accorded a State funeral which was held at Albert Street Uniting Church[1] and he was later cremated.[1]

References

1. Gordon William (Chalkie) (1913–1991) — Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
2. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
3. New Transport Minister for Queensland Truck & Bus Transportation October 1957 page 66
4. It's an Honour – KBE

Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Les Wood	Member for East Toowoomba 1947–1950	Succeeded by Seat abolished
Preceded by Seat created	Member for Lockyer 1950–1976	Succeeded by Tony Bourke
Political offices
Preceded by Thomas Hiley	Parliamentary Leader of the Liberal Party in Queensland 1965–1976	Succeeded by William Knox
Preceded by Jack Pizzey	Premier of Queensland 1968	Succeeded by Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Preceded by Alan Munro	Deputy Premier of Queensland 1965–1976	Succeeded by William Knox
Preceded by Thomas Hiley	Treasurer of Queensland 1965–1976	Succeeded by William Knox
Preceded by Thomas Moores	Minister for Transport 1957–1965	Succeeded by William Knox