Alexander Andrew Buchanan (4 October 1905 – 10 September 1985) was an Australian politician. Born in

Fitzroy Fitzroy or FitzRoy may refer to: People As a given name *Several members of the Somerset family (Dukes of Beaufort) have this as a middle-name: **FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan (1788–1855) ** Henry Charles FitzRoy Somerset, 8th Duke of Beau ...

, the second son of four children of Herbert James Buchanan, a pastry-cook, and Emily Jane, his family later moved to Clifton Hill. He was educated from 1913 to 1919 at Scotch College. Buchanan's father was badly wounded in France in 1916 and this necessitated a schooling change to

Hamilton College Hamilton College is a private liberal arts college in Clinton, Oneida County, New York. It was founded as Hamilton-Oneida Academy in 1793 and was chartered as Hamilton College in 1812 in honor of inaugural trustee Alexander Hamilton, following ...

, before Buchanan won a boarding scholarship to

Melbourne Grammar School (Pray and Work) , established = 1849 (on present site since 1858 - the celebrated date of foundation) , type = Independent, co-educational primary, single-sex boys secondary, day and boarding , denomination ...

restricted to sons of former soldiers. Whilst still at Scotch College, he attempted to enter the RAN College at Jervis Bay, passing the academic exams but being rejected at interview, a consequence, he suspected, of political pressure. His mother had firm views on the education of her son, suggesting he learn Japanese, with a view to future trading opportunities. In 1923, Buchanan commenced work for a shipping and import firm, as a junior salesman of bicycles, hardware, cars and motorcycles. He developed an interest in overseas trade. Tariff changes made in 1930 during the Depression impacted the firm badly. In 1929, he married Lydia Mavis Patricia Walton. Both he and his new wife lost their jobs, forcing him to sell soap, vacuum cleaners and other items door to door. In 1933, he was appointed as an agent for a Sydney-based hairdressing supplies business. He then established a business manufacturing hair-dressing products, assisted by his wife, and set up an agency of that business in Adelaide. Whilst he and his wife were returning from this agency, they were involved in a serious car accident, resulting in moderate injuries to Buchanan and more severe ones for his wife that severely impaired the operation of their business. He served in the RAN Volunteer Reserve 1942–43. He returned to become a farmer at Beaconsfield, where his wife bred Saanen goats, and was an organiser of the

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. __TOC__ Active liberal parties This is a li ...

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

. In 1955, he was elected to the

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as the Liberal member for

McMillan MacMillan, Macmillan, McMillen or McMillan may refer to: People * McMillan (surname) * Clan MacMillan, a Highland Scottish clan * Harold Macmillan, British statesman and politician * James MacMillan, Scottish composer * William Duncan MacMill ...

. He held the seat until 1972, when he lost his Liberal endorsement to Barrie Armitrage. He contested the seat as an

independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s * Independ ...

, and lost, finishing last in a field of five candidates with only 6.3 percent of the vote. However, his preferences ultimately helped elect Country Party candidate Arthur Hewson. Buchanan died at Berwick, aged 79 in 1985.

References

Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia Independent members of the Parliament of Australia Members of the Australian House of Representatives for McMillan Members of the Australian House of Representatives 1905 births 1985 deaths People educated at Scotch College, Melbourne University of Melbourne alumni politicians 20th-century Australian politicians People from Clifton Hill, Victoria People educated at Melbourne Grammar School Politicians from Melbourne Burials in Victoria (Australia) {{Australia-Liberal-politician-stub