Stewart Bovell

Sir William Stewart Bovell (19 December 1906 – 15 September 1999) was an Australian politician who was a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the electorates of Sussex and Vasse between 1947 and 1971. Bovell served as a minister for over a decade under the premiership of Sir David Brand.

Sir Stewart Bovell
Agent-General for Western Australia
In office
1971–1974
Preceded byGerald Wild
Succeeded byJim Richards
Minister for Lands, Forests and Immigration
In office
2 April 1959 – 3 March 1971
PremierDavid Brand
Preceded byHerb Graham (Forests)
Lionel Kelly (Lands)
Succeeded byTom Evans (Forests)
David Evans (Lands and Immigration)
Minister for Labour
In office
16 November 1961 – 11 April 1962
PremierDavid Brand
Preceded byCharles Perkins
Succeeded byGerald Wild
Member of the Western Australian Parliament
for Sussex
In office
June 1947 – 1950
Preceded byWilliam Willmott
Succeeded bySeat abolished
Member of the Western Australian Parliament
for Vasse
In office
1950–1971
Preceded byNew creation
Succeeded byBarry Blaikie
Personal details
Born
William Stewart Bovell

(1906-12-19)19 December 1906
Busselton, Western Australia
Died15 September 1999(1999-09-15) (aged 92)
CitizenshipAustralian
Political partyLiberal
Military service
AllegianceAustralia
Branch/serviceRAAF
Years of service?–1945
RankFlight lieutenant

Early life

Bovell was born in Busselton, Western Australia in 1906. He attended the Busselton Central School.[1]

During World War II, he served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), reaching the rank of flight lieutenant.[2]

Public life

After the death of sitting member for Sussex, William Willmott, Bovell was endorsed by the Liberal Party for the seat.[3] At the resultant by-election in June 1947, Bovell was elected to the Western Australian Parliament, winning an absolute majority of votes against two unendorsed Liberal candidates. His uncle, George Barnard had held the seat between 1924 and 1933.[4][5] Sussex was abolished in 1950, and Bovell followed most of his constituents into the new seat of Vasse, which he held without difficulty for the rest of his career.

In 1959 Bovell was appointed Minister for Lands, Forests and Immigration, serving in these ministries until 1971. Between 1961 and 1962 he also took the role of Minister for Labour.[6][7][8][9]

Bovell was posted to London as Agent-General for Western Australia in 1971. He served in this role until 1974.[10]

Later life and death

After returning from London, Bovell retired to Busselton. He died in September 1999 at the age of 92.[1]

Honours and legacy

Bovell was made a knight bachelor in 1976 for services to Western Australia. He received the accolade from Queen Elizabeth in Canberra in 1977.[11][12]

References
  1. Rasdien, Peta (25 September 1999). "Squire Of Vasse Served District". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  2. "Bovell, William Stewart". World War Two Nominal Roll. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  3. "Sussex Electorate. Mr Stewart Bovell Opens Campaign". The South-Western Times. 29 May 1947. Retrieved 5 April 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "By-election for Sussex. Liberal endorsement of Mr W.S. Bovell". The West Australian. 17 May 1947. Retrieved 6 April 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Sussex By-election Mr W.S. Bovell Elected". The South-Western Times. 12 June 1947. Retrieved 5 April 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Immigration, Multicultural & Ethnic Affairs Ministry of Western Australia" (PDF). Parliamentary Library Western Australia. Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  7. "Forests Ministry of Western Australia" (PDF). Parliamentary Library Western Australia. Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  8. "Lands Ministry of Western Australia" (PDF). Parliamentary Library Western Australia. Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  9. "Labour Ministry of Western Australia" (PDF). Parliamentary Library Western Australia. Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  10. "Sir William Stewart Bovell - Condolence Motion". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of Western Australia. 21 September 1999. pp. 1406 / 2–1408 / 1.
  11. "No. 46919". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 June 1976. p. 8016.
  12. "No. 47203". The London Gazette. 22 April 1977. p. 5469.
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