Harry Walter Gayfer (12 August 1925 – 15 July 2021) was an Australian politician who served in both houses of the

Parliament of Western Australia The Parliament of Western Australia is the bicameralism, bicameral legislature of the Australian states and territories of Australia, state of Western Australia, which constitutes the legislative branch of the state's political system. The parl ...

. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1962 to 1974, and then a member of the

Legislative Council A legislative council is the legislature, or one of the legislative chambers, of a nation, colony, or subnational division such as a province or state. It was commonly used to label unicameral or upper house legislative bodies in the Brit ...

from 1974 to 1989. Gayfer was born in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, England, but moved to

Western Australia Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...

as an infant. He attended

Scotch College, Perth Scotch College (informally known as Scotch or SC), is an Independent school, independent Uniting Church in Australia, Uniting Church Primary school, primary and Secondary school, secondary school for boys, located in the Perth suburb of Swanbo ...

, and was the school's head prefect in 1942. After leaving school, Gayfer began farming at Corrigin, in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region. He was elected to the Corrigin Shire Council in 1955, and in 1959 was made a director of Co-operative Bulk Handling, eventually becoming

chairman The chair, also chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson, is the presiding officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office, who is typically elected or appointed by members of the gro ...

.Harry Walter Gayfer
– Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 13 September 2016. Standing for the Country Party, Gayfer entered parliament at the 1962 state election, winning the seat of Avon. He was appointed Country Party

whip A whip is a blunt weapon or implement used in a striking motion to create sound or pain. Whips can be used for flagellation against humans or animals to exert control through pain compliance or fear of pain, or be used as an audible cue thro ...

in 1969, but at the 1974 state election left the Legislative Assembly to transfer to the Legislative Council, winning election to Central Province. Gayfer was re-elected twice (in

1980 Events January * January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a United States grain embargo against the Soviet Union, grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission. * January 6 – Global Positioning Sys ...

and

1986 The year 1986 was designated as the International Year of Peace by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands by separating from the Netherlands Antilles. ** Spain and Portugal en ...

), and eventually left parliament at the 1989 election. He was awarded the

Medal of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian 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 then ...

(OAM) in 1991, and then upgraded to a

Member of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honours and awards system, Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarch ...

(AM) in 1997, with both awards being "in recognition of service to primary industry".Medal of the Order of AustraliaMember of the Order of Australia
It's An Honour. Retrieved 21 September 2016.

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gayfer, Harry 1925 births 2021 deaths CBH Group English emigrants to Australia Members of the Order of Australia Members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly Members of the Western Australian Legislative Council National Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Western Australia People educated at Scotch College, Perth People from Kensington Western Australian local councillors