Frederick Arthur Finch (16 June 1945 – 12 November 2018) was an Australian politician, a

Country Liberal Party The Country Liberal Party of the Northern Territory (CLP) is a centre-right political party in Australia's Northern Territory. In local politics it operates in a two-party system with the Australian Labor Party (ALP). It also contests federal ...

member of the

Northern Territory Legislative Assembly The Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory is the unicameral legislature of the Northern Territory of Australia. The Legislative Assembly has 25 members, each elected in single-member electorates for four-year terms. The voting method fo ...

from 1983 to 1997, representing Wagaman until 1987 and Leanyer thereafter.

History

Finch was born in

Port Kembla, New South Wales Port Kembla is a suburb of Wollongong 8 km south of the CBD and part of the Illawarra region of New South Wales. The suburb comprises a seaport, industrial complex (one of the largest in Australia), a small harbour foreshore nature reserve ...

. He graduated from the

University of Wollongong The University of Wollongong (abbreviated as UOW) is an Australian public research university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney. As of 2017, the university had an enrolment of ...

in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in

Civil Engineering Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage ...

and then worked at the Sydney Water Board. In 1974 Finch moved to

Darwin, Northern Territory Darwin ( ; Larrakia: ) is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. With an estimated population of 147,255 as of 2019, the city contains the majority of the residents of the sparsely populated Northern Territory. It is the smalle ...

, where he became partner in a firm of consulting engineers. He was involved in a professional capacity with reconstruction efforts following

Cyclone Tracy Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone that devastated the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, from 24 to 26 December 1974. The small, developing easterly storm had been observed passing clear of the city initially, but then turned t ...

. He was a prominent member of Lions Clubs Australia: an active member of the Lions Club of Darwin Casuarina for around 20 years, serving as President and in many other responsible positions both locally and at a District level, notably Zone Chairman (twice) and Deputy District Governor 201S3 (twice).

Political career

In 1984, Finch, encouraged by the Chief Minister

Paul Everingham Paul Anthony Edward Everingham (born 4 February 1943) is a former Australian politician who was the head of government of the Northern Territory of Australia from 1977 to 1984, serving as the second and last Majority Leader (1977–1978) and ...

, won a legislative seat as a member of the

. Finch served as a minister in the

Hatton Hatton may refer to: Places Canada * Hatton, Saskatchewan England * Hatton, Cheshire West and Chester, a former civil parish * Hatton, Derbyshire * Hatton, Lincolnshire * Hatton, London, in the London Borough of Hounslow * Hatton, Shropshire, a ...

, Perron and

Stone In geology, rock (or stone) is any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals or mineraloid matter. It is categorized by the minerals included, its Chemical compound, chemical composition, and the way in which it is formed. Rocks ...

governments, serving as Minister for Transport and Works (1987–1992), Minister for Racing and Gaming (1989–1990, 1996–1997), Minister for Education and Training (1992–1995, 1996–1997), Minister for Public Employment (1992–1994, 1995–1997), Attorney-General (1994–1995), Minister for Health Services (1995–1996) and Minister for the Liquor Commission (1995–1996).

Recognition

*He was around 2000 appointed Honorary Lion by his old club, Darwin Casuarina. *In January 2007, Finch was made a

Member 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 ...

for his "service to the community of the Northern Territory."

References

1945 births 2018 deaths Members of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly Country Liberal Party members of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly Members of the Order of Australia {{Australia-politician-stub