Former
Speakers

Sir William John Farquhar McDonald
1911
Speaker: 1955-1967
Legislative Assembly: 1947-1952, 1955-1967

William McDonald was Speaker for twelve years, from 1955 to 1967, thus overturning the practice established by most twentieth century speakers of serving for only a few years. He was born at Binnum, South Australia, and was a grazier in South Australia between 1930 and 1935. In 1935 he married Evelyn Margaret Koch. Moving to Victoria, he purchased Brippick station, near Neuarpurr, where he raised merino sheep and shorthorn cattle. He served from 1940 to 1945 in the second AIF.

In 1945 McDonald was elected to the Kowrie Shire Council, of which he remained a member until 1961. He was president in 1948-49.

In 1947 he became the Liberal member for Dundas, and held the seat until he was defeated in 1952. He won the seat back in 1955 and was elected Speaker. He was knighted in 1958. On ceasing to be Speaker in 1967 he became minister of lands, of soldier settlement and of conservation, and held that position until his defeat in 1967. During his three years as minister he was involved in controversy over plans to develop part of the Little Desert for farming.

On his defeat in 1970 he continued to live at Brippick station, but sold it and moved to Melbourne in 1980. He has two children.