Frederick Osborne
| The Honourable Frederick Osborne CMG, DSC and Bar, VRD | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Evans | |
| In office 10 December 1949 – 9 December 1961 | |
| Preceded by | New seat |
| Succeeded by | James Monaghan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 January 1909 Orange, New South Wales |
| Died | 23 July 1996 (aged 87) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Australia |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
| Occupation | Naval officer |
Frederick Meares Osborne CMG DSC and Bar VRD (20 January 1909 – 23 July 1996) was an Australian politician and government minister.
Osborne was born in Orange, New South Wales, and educated at North Sydney High School and Sydney Church of England Grammar School. He graduated with a degree in law from the University of Sydney. He joined the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1938, and with the outbreak of World War II, he was seconded to the Royal Navy in 1940. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross in 1940 for "bravery and devotion to duty" while assisting the evacuation of forces from Norway as a sub-lieutenant on the St Loman, an armed trawler. He then served on the HMS Gentian, HMS Peacock and HMS Vanquisher escorting ships between the United States and Canada and the United Kingdom in the Battle of the Atlantic. He crossed the Atlantic 22 times and was the only Australian to rise to the command of a Royal Navy destroyer during the war. In 1945 a bar was added to his DSC for sinking of a German U-boat.[1][2][3][4]
Political career
Osborne was elected as the member for Evans at the December 1949 election as a Liberal. He was Minister for Customs and Excise from January to October 1956, Minister for Air from October 1956 to December 1960 and Minister for Repatriation from December 1960 to his defeat at the December 1961 election. Following his defeat he returned to his legal practice, but continued to play a major role in the New South Wales branch of the Liberal Party and was its president from 1967 to 1970. He supported a change in Liberal Party policy in favour of support for state aid for independent schools, a policy adopted by the three major national political parties by the 1972 election. He was appointed as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for distinguished services to government and the community.[1][2]
Osborne was survived by his wife, Elizabeth and four children, Alick, Michael, Imogen and Penelope.[5]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hill, Robert (21 August 1996). "Condolences: Osborne, Hon. Frederick Meares, CMG, DSC and Bar, VRD". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Howard, John (20 August 1996). "Condolences: Osborne, Hon. Frederick Meares, CMG, DSC and Bar, VRD". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
- ↑ Beazley, Kim (20 August 1996). "Condolences: Osborne, Hon. Frederick Meares, CMG, DSC and Bar, VRD". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
- ↑ Faulkner, John (20 August 1996). "Condolences: Osborne, Hon. Frederick Meares, CMG, DSC and Bar, VRD". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
- ↑ Fischer, Tim (20 August 1996). "Condolences: Osborne, Hon. Frederick Meares, CMG, DSC and Bar, VRD". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Neil O'Sullivan |
Minister for Customs and Excise 1956 |
Succeeded by Denham Henty |
| Preceded by Athol Townley |
Minister for Air 1956–60 |
Succeeded by Harrie Wade |
| Preceded by Walter Cooper |
Minister for Repatriation 1956–58 |
Succeeded by Denham Henty |
| Parliament of Australia | ||
| New division | Member for Evans 1949–61 |
Succeeded by James Monaghan |