Preceded by Len Hamilton Name Bill Grayden Succeeded by Harry Webb Occupation Mechanical engineer Awards Order of Australia | Children Jim Grayden Spouse Betsy Chadwick Nationality Australian Role Australian Politician | |
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Born 5 August 1920 (age 104)
Perth, Western Australia ( 1920-08-05 ) Political party Liberal Party of Australia Relations Nat Harper (grandfather) Party Liberal Party of Australia Service/branch Second Australian Imperial Force Battles and wars Syria–Lebanon Campaign | ||
William Leonard "Bill" Grayden (born 5 August 1920) is a former Australian politician.
Born in Perth, Western Australia, he was educated at state schools and then at Perth Technical College, as part of an apprenticeship commenced in 1938 as a Motor Mechanic with Winterbottom Motors. He served in the military with the 2/16th Infantry Battalion from 1940–1946. His service covered campaigns in Syria, the Kokoda Track, Ramu-Markham Valley (New Guinea) and Balikpapan (Borneo).
In 1947, he was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly as the Liberal member for Middle Swan, where he remained until 1949. In that year, he transferred to the Australian House of Representatives, winning the seat of Swan for the Liberals. He held the seat until his defeat in 1954. In 1956 he returned to the Legislative Assembly, winning the seat of South Perth. He served as a minister in a number of capacities: Labour and Industry 1974–1978; Consumer Affairs 1974–1978; Immigration and Tourism 1974–1975; and Education, Cultural Affairs and Recreation 1978–1982. Grayden left the Assembly in 1993. In total he served 43 years in State and Federal Parliament. He is the maternal grandson of Western Australian businessman and politician Nat Harper.
Along with Henry Pearce, Grayden is the earliest surviving MP, and one of only two living "Forty-Niner" Liberal MPs.