User:Rocketrod1960/sandbox2
Fred Bromley | |
|---|---|
 Fred Bromley in 1938 | |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Norman | |
| In office 28 May 1960 – 27 May 1972 | |
| Preceded by | William Baxter |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for South Brisbane | |
| In office 27 May 1972 – 7 December 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Col Bennett |
| Succeeded by | Colin Lamont |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Fred Phillip Bromley 24 July 1917 Nottingham, England |
| Died | 14 May 1988 (aged 70) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Nationality | English Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse | Beryl Lillian Williams (m.1941) |
| Alma mater | Brisbane Technical College |
| Occupation | Dental technician |
Fred Phillip Bromley (24 July 1917 – 14 May 1988) was a dental technician and a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]
Early life[edit]
Bromley was born in Nottingham, England, to parents Thomas Llewelyn Bromley and his wife Amanda Bromley (née Hopkins). The family moved to Queensland in 1919
Political career[edit]
Bennett first entered politics in 1949 when he won the Brisbane City Council ward of Kurilpa for the Australian Labor Party in a by-election to replace Thomas Moores, who had moved to state politics.[2] He led the Municipal Labor Party for ten years and from 1952 until 1955 he was Vice-Mayor to Frank Roberts. Hethen retired as an alderman in 1961.[1]
At the 1960 Queensland election, Bennett was a candidate for South Brisbane where his opponent was former ALP premier Vince Gair, who since 1957 had been leader of the Queensland Labor Party. Bennett defeated Gair, and went on to hold the seat until, along with Ed Casey[3] and Merv Thackeray[4], he was disendorsed before the 1972 state election. Bennett stood as an independent and gained 19.6 percent of the vote but was defeated by the official Labor candidate, Fred Bromley.
In 1962, allegations of corruption were raised about the Queensland Police Force, and in particular, Commissioner Frank Bischof. Bennett weighed into the debate amid public complaints and the lack of responsible action from Bischof. A Royal Commission was held to investigate these claims, in particular, the issue of prostitution being conducted from the National Hotel in Brisbane. A report was tabled in April 1964 but one year later Bennett again raised issues of police misconduct and was subsequently suspended from the house for 5 days.[1]
Bennett was known to "distinguished himself with his fists" on occasions. In December of 1963, he punched Greg Kehoe, a former fellow Labor member who had stood against Bennett as the QLP candidate at the state election held six months previously. Kehoe had to be taken to hospital with a broken tooth. Kehoe had also broken a finger whilst trying to retaliate. He frequently clashed with Tom Aikens and on one occasion Aikens alleged that a 'peeved' Mr Bennett had let down four tyres of a car parked in his lot at the Inns of Court.[1]
Bennett was an active member of the Labor Party. He was at one time secretary of the Coorparoo Branch and for 20 years was president of the Griffith Federal Division Executive.[1]
Personal life[edit]
On 21 November 1942, Bennett married Eileen Jocumsen (died 2013) and together had three sons and five daughters.[1] Eileen was founder of the St Veronica Welfare Centre, an association for underprivileged children.[5] As well as his political activity, Bennett was involved in many other associations.[1] He was a member of the Newman Society, the Brisbane and South Coast Hospitals Board, the Federated Clerks and Australian Workers Unions, the Lions Club; and the Johnsonian Club. He was also patron and life member of the Returned and Services League of Australia (South Brisbane branch). A keen swimmer and tennis player, he was a member and honorary legal adviser for many sporting and charitable organisations.[1]
Bennett died in June of 2002[1] and was buried in South Brisbane Cemetery.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- ^ "Council by-election". Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954). Brisbane) (Qld.: National Library of Australia. 13 November 1949. p. 1. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ WELCOME — St Veronica Welfare Committee. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ Bennett James Colin — Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
Category:Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
Category:1919 births
Category:2002 deaths
Category:Burials in South Brisbane Cemetery