Fred Chaney, Sr.

The Honourable Sir Fred Chaney KBE, AFC
8th Administrator of the Northern Territory
In office 4 March 1970 – 10 December 1973
Monarch	Queen Elizabeth II
Governor-General	Sir Paul Hasluck
Preceded by	Roger Dean
Succeeded by	Jock Nelson
Member of the Australian Parliament for Perth
In office 10 December 1955 – 25 October 1969
Preceded by	Tom Burke
Succeeded by	Joe Berinson
Personal details
Born	20 October 1914 Fremantle, Western Australia
Died	17 December 2001 (aged 87)
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s)	Mavis
Children	Fred Chaney Robin nee Chaney Karen nee Chaney Richard Chaney[1] Michael Chaney John Chaney
Occupation	Teacher
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service	1941–1945
Rank	Flight Lieutenant
Battles/wars	Second World War New Guinea campaign Borneo campaign
Awards	Air Force Cross

Sir Frederick Charles Chaney KBE, AFC (20 October 1914 – 17 December 2001) was an Australian politician and Minister for the Navy.

Early life

Chaney was born in Fremantle, Western Australia and educated in state and Catholic schools. As a result of his sporting ability he won a scholarship to attend Christian Brothers' College, Perth. He taught in state schools from 1932 and married Mavis, a fellow teacher, in 1938. In 1941, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force as a pilot and flying instructor and served in Australia, New Guinea and Borneo and was awarded the Air Force Cross. Chaney and his wife had four sons (including Fred, a deputy leader of the Liberal Party; Michael, a businessman; and John, a judge) and three daughters.^[2][3]

Politics

Chaney was elected at the 1955 election as the Liberal member for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Perth. He was appointed Minister for the Navy in Robert Menzies' December 1963 ministry, but not sworn in until 4 March 1964, due to the need to pass legislation to enlarge the ministry. In the interim, on 10 February 1964 the Melbourne–Voyager collision took place, and Chaney was responsible for dealing with its repercussions. He was not reappointed to Harold Holt's second ministry in December 1966 and he was defeated at the 1969 election by Labor candidate, Joe Berinson.^[2][3]

Chaney was the Administrator of the Northern Territory from 1970 to 1973 and was a strong advocate for Aboriginal land rights. He was Lord Mayor of Perth from 1978 to 1982. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1970 and Knight Commander of the Order (KBE) in 1981.^[2][3]

Notes

1. The West Australian, January 8, 1966, p.7
2. Howard, John (12 February 2002). "Condolences: Adermann, Hon. Albert Evan, AO, Freeth, Hon. Sir Gordon, KBE, Chaney, Hon. Sir Frederick Charles, KBE, AFC". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
3. Faulkner, John (12 February 2002). "Condolences: Adermann, Hon. Albert Evan, AO, Freeth, Hon. Sir Gordon, KBE, Chaney, Hon. Sir Frederick Charles, KBE, AFC". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 2008-01-31.