Muriel Grace Patterson (née Quartermaine; born 20 September 1931) is a former Australian politician who served as a

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 ...

member of the Legislative Council of

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

from 1989 to 2001, representing South West Region. She was a farmer and small-business owner before entering politics.

Early life

Patterson was born in

Katanning, Western Australia Katanning is a town located south-east of Perth, Western Australia on the Great Southern Highway. At the 2016 Australian census, 2016 census, Katanning had a population of 3,687. History The name ''Katanning'' is derived from the native name ...

, to Grace Gertrude (née Harris) and Charles Lewis Quartermaine. She attended a state school in Woodanilling and later studied at

Perth Technical College Central Institute of Technology was a Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institution based in Perth, Western Australia until 2016 when it became a part of North Metropolitan TAFE. It was the equal oldest post-secondary educational institution ...

as an external student. In 1964, Patterson and her husband began farming at Tambellup, on what had previously been virgin bushland. She opened a craft-supply store in Albany in 1976, and eventually became the first female president of the local chamber of commerce. Patterson served on the state council of the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1984 to 1988, including on the state executive from 1987 to 1988, where she was the first female member.Muriel Grace Patterson
Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 7 February 2017.

Politics

Patterson joined the Liberal Party in 1980, and served as president of the Albany branch from 1984 to 1987. At the 1989 state election, she ran in second place on the party's ticket in South West Region, and was elected to a term beginning in May 1989. Patterson was made deputy chairman of committees soon after entering parliament, and in May 1992 was also included in the shadow cabinet of

Richard Court Richard Fairfax Court (born 27 September 1947) is a former Australian politician and diplomat. He served as Premier of Western Australia from 1993 to 2001 and as Australian Ambassador to Japan from 2017 to 2020. A member of the Liberal Party, ...

. However, she was not promoted to the ministry when the Liberal Party won the 1993 state election, instead being made government

whip A whip is a tool or weapon designed to strike humans or other animals to exert control through pain compliance or fear of pain. They can also be used without inflicting pain, for audiovisual cues, such as in equestrianism. They are generally e ...

. Patterson remained a whip until her retirement at the 2001 state election. She was awarded the

Medal 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 ...

in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours for service to the

Parliament of Western Australia The Parliament of Western Australia is the bicameral legislature of the Australian state of Western Australia, forming the legislative branch of the Government of Western Australia. The parliament consists of a lower house, the Legislative Ass ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Patterson, Muriel 1931 births Living people Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Western Australia Members of the Western Australian Legislative Council People from Katanning, Western Australia 21st-century Australian politicians Women members of the Western Australian Legislative Council 21st-century Australian women politicians Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia 20th-century women farmers 20th-century Australian farmers 20th-century farmers

Early life

Politics

See also

References