Michael Nanovich (18 June 1931 – 20 December 2005) was an Australian politician who was a

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. For example, while the political systems ...

member of the Legislative Assembly of

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 ...

from 1974 to 1983, representing the seats of Toodyay and Whitford. Nanovich was born in

Perth Perth () is the list of Australian capital cities, capital city of Western Australia. It is the list of cities in Australia by population, fourth-most-populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth . The ...

, the son of Maria (née Stupin) and Kosta Nanovich. His mother was a Croatian (from

Dalmatia Dalmatia (; ; ) is a historical region located in modern-day Croatia and Montenegro, on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea. Through time it formed part of several historical states, most notably the Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Croatia (925 ...

), and his father was a

Macedonian Macedonian most often refers to someone or something from or related to Macedonia. Macedonian(s) may refer to: People Modern * Macedonians (ethnic group), a nation and a South Slavic ethnic group primarily associated with North Macedonia * Mac ...

.MR MICHAEL NANOVICH, MLA – Condolence Motion
– Extract from ''Hansard'' (8 March 2006). Retrieved 6 May 2016. During his youth, Nanovich was a talented

Australian rules football Australian football, also called Australian rules football or Aussie rules, or more simply football or footy, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an Australian rules football playing field, oval field, often a modified ...

er. He played mostly in the Western Australian Amateur Football Association (WAAFA), though during the 1952 WANFL season he played ten league matches for Subiaco, kicking four goals. Nanovich left school at the age of 15, to work as a vegetable grower like his father. He eventually came to own land in the

Wanneroo Wanneroo is a northern suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located within the City of Wanneroo. Geography As it is on the Swan Coastal Plain, the Wanneroo wetlands stretch parallel to the coastline and to the north and south of the suburb. Ed ...

area, and in 1963 was elected to the Shire of Wanneroo council. From 1968 to 1974, Nanovich was shire president. Having joined the Liberal Party only the previous year,Michael Nanovich
– Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 6 May 2016. Nanovich stood for parliament at the 1974 state election, and won the seat of Toodyay. The sitting

Labor Labour or labor may refer to: * Childbirth, the delivery of a baby * Labour (human activity), or work ** Manual labour, physical work ** Wage labour, a socioeconomic relationship between a worker and an employer ** Organized labour and the labour ...

member,

James Moiler James Moiler (9 June 1930 – 4 October 2012) was an Australian politician. He was a Labor member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly The Western Australian Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of ...

, had retired. Toodyay was abolished in a redistribution prior to the 1977 election, with Nanovich successfully transferring to the new seat of Whitford. He retained the seat at the 1980 election, and in 1982 was appointed government

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 ...

. A the 1983 election, Nanovich chose to contest the new seat of

Joondalup Joondalup () is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, approximately north of Perth central business district, Perth's central business district. It contains the central business district of the regional City of Joondalup and acts as the primar ...

. He was defeated by the Labor candidate,

Jackie Watkins Jacqueline Patricia Watkins (born 3 June 1949) was elected to the Parliament of Western Australia on 19 February 1983 as the Australian Labor Party (Western Australian Branch), Labor Party Electoral district of Joondalup, Member for Joondalup. W ...

, as Labor won the election in a landslide. Nanovich recontested Joondalup at the 1986 election, but was again defeated, with Watkins increasing her margin.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nanovich, Mick 1931 births 2005 deaths Australian people of Croatian descent Australian people of Macedonian descent Australian rules footballers from Western Australia Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Western Australia Mayors of places in Western Australia Members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly Politicians from Perth, Western Australia Subiaco Football Club players 20th-century Australian politicians Western Australian local councillors

See also

References