Archibald Fisken

Archibald Clyde Wanliss Fisken CMG, OBE (11 March 1897 – 20 June 1970) was an Australian politician. His grandson is Liberal Senator Michael Ronaldson.

Early life

Fisken was born at Ballarat, Victoria, to grazier Archibald James Fisken and Beatrice Mary, née Wanliss. He attended E.N. Maryatt's Church of England Grammar School for Boys, Ballarat College and Geelong Church of England Grammar School before his 1916 commission in the Royal Field Artillery. He served on the Western Front from 1916 to 1918; in 1918 he was awarded the Military Cross and promoted to lieutenant, although he was also wounded.

Returning from the war, Fisken maintained the family property (Lal Lal, in the family since 1846) at Yendon. He was elected to the Buninyong Shire Council in 1922 and remained a councillor until his death, being president 1931-32, 1946-47, 1957-58 and 1966-67. He was prominent in the community, both as a sportsman and as a pastoralist. He married Elspeth Anne Cameron on 20 February 1924 at Ross, Tasmania.

Federal politics

Fisken was elected to the federal House of Representatives in 1934, as the United Australia Party member for Ballarat. He was notably concerned with unemployment, stating that "all the ills of the country would be rectified" if the problem was solved. Although mentioned as a possibility for promotion to the ministry, Fisken retired from parliament in 1937, stating that he wished to focus on his appointment as chairman of the Australian Meat Board.

Later life

Fisken continued on the Meat Board for many years, serving as chairman until 1946. He expanded the market for Australian meat, notably in Britain and North America. Fisken was also appointed to the Meat Industry Commission on its creation in 1943, and acted as deputy-controller of meat supplies for Victoria from 1943-45. He also held positions as chairman of Dennys Lascelles Ltd, a director of the Commercial Union Assurance Company, and a life member and trustee of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. He also contributed much time and effort towards establishing a Ballarat tertiary education institution. Appointed OBE in 1958 and CMG in 1963, Fisken died at Lal Lal on 20 June 1970 and was cremated. He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.

References

• Browne, Geoff (1996). "Fisken, Archibald Clyde Wanliss". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A140185b.htm.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-15.