Donald Hope Laidlaw LL.B., B.Litt.(Oxon) (6 August 1923 – 14 April 2009) was a lawyer, businessman and politician in the State of

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

. He was born to Mr. and Mrs. Lyndley Hope Laidlaw of Victoria Avenue,

Unley Park Unley Park is a southern suburb of Adelaide in the City of Unley. Its postcode is 5061. It is located on the north side of Cross Road, Adelaide, Cross Road and east of the Belair railway line. Access via public transport is from the Unley Park ...

, and educated at St. Peter's College, then studied Law and Literature at

Adelaide University The University of Adelaide (informally Adelaide University) is a public research university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. The university's main campus is located on N ...

and

Magdalen College, Oxford Magdalen College (, ) is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete. Today, it is the fourth wealthiest college, with a financial endowment of £332.1 million as of 2019 and one of the s ...

. He was called to the Bar in 1948. During World War II he served in the AIF. Intelligence Corps as a Japanese interpreter. Laidlaw was elected as a

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

candidate to the Legislative Council in July 1975 and served until November 1982. He was appointed an

Officer of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

(AO) in the

1989 Australia Day Honours The 1989 Australia Day Honours are appointments to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by Australian citizens. The list was announced on 26 January 1989 by the Governor General of Australia, Sir Ninian Stephen. The Austr ...

for "service to secondary industry, the South Australian Parliament and to the community". He was a member of the

Royal Adelaide Golf Club The Royal Adelaide Golf Club (often referred to as Seaton) is a private Australian golf club located in the Adelaide suburb of Seaton, northwest of the city centre. The links at Seaton has been the venue for many international and interstate ...

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world. It is a private members-only club based in St Andrews in Scotland. It was previously known colloquially as "The R&A", but in 2004, a new organisation kn ...

and served on the boards of numerous boards, including

Adelaide Brighton Cement Adbri, formerly Adelaide Brighton Cement, is an Australian manufacturer of cement, lime and dry blended products. Adbri operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in South Australia, the Northern Territory, and New South Wales. Associa ...

, Quarry Industries, Adelaide Wallaroo Fertilizers, Bennett and Fisher and Johns Perry Ltd.

Family

He married (Audrey) Vivienne Perry LLB (29 July 1925 – ), a daughter of Frank Tennyson Perry, on 2 February 1948. Their eldest daughter

Diana Laidlaw Diana Vivienne Laidlaw (born 1951), commonly referred to as Di Laidlaw, is a former Australian Liberal politician. She was a member of the South Australian Legislative Council (1982–2003) and held several ministerial posts. Early life Lai ...

was a noted State politician. He married again, to Vivienne's sister Margaret Pauline (18 July 1917 – 16 October 2011).Barnier, Cheryl (ed.) ''Notable Australians'' Paul Hamlyn Pty Ltd. Sydney 1978

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Laidlaw, Donald Hope 20th-century Australian lawyers Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of South Australia Members of the South Australian Legislative Council 1923 births 2009 deaths 20th-century Australian politicians Officers of the Order of Australia