The Hon David Wordsworth was the first Liberal to win a State Parliamentary seat in the Great Southern, served as a reliable Minister in Sir Charles Court’s Government, and had a 22-year career in the Legislative Council.
David Wordsworth was born in Kashmir in 1930 when his father was serving with the British Army, and grew up in Tasmania, attending Geelong Grammar School 1944-48. His father Major-General Robert Wordsworth served as a Liberal Senator for Tasmania 1950-59. David farmed in Tasmania until he brought his family to Esperance from 1961. In 1964 he established the Duke of Orleans Pastoral Company, a major sheep and cattle enterprise.
David and Marie-Louise Wordsworth were both pioneering farmers and active Liberals in Esperance. He had been a member of the Tasmanian Liberal State Executive 1955-57 and served on the WA State Executive as President of the then Kalgoorlie South Division 1969-71.
At the 1971 State election he contested the South Province of the Legislative Council, comprising the seats of Albany, Stirling and Roe. This Province had returned only Country Party MLCs since 1914. Drawing strong support in Esperance, he polled 30.6% against 22.9% for the Country Party, and won against the ALP with 57.4%. It was a morale boost for the Liberal Party in an election where the Brand Government was defeated.
In 1974 the Liberal Party won the 2nd South Province seat together with the seats of Albany and Roe. David was re-elected in 1977 with an absolute majority of 52.7% and was appointed Minister for Transport, later serving as Minister for Lands and Forests 1978-82. He won a third term in 1983 with a primary vote of 36.1% and a final vote of 66.7%.
In Opposition 1983-89 David Wordsworth was Deputy President of the Legislative Council. With the replacement of the Provinces by Regions in 1989, he was elected for a final term for the Agricultural Region with fellow Liberal Margaret McAleer, retiring in 1993.
After Parliament David developed a vineyard at Harvey, served on the Murdoch University Senate and other community organisations and was always a loyal Liberal. In 1954 he married Marie Louise Johnston, a former WA Young Liberal President and a candidate for tough Legislative Assembly seats in 1986 and 1989. We extend condolences to her, to Sara and to William Wordsworth, and to their extended family.
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